My Honest Airtime Rewards Review: Does It Actually Work?

Use my code: YLN3JQEX

Let's be honest, who doesn't want to save a bit of cash on their monthly bills? With everything costing more these days, every little helps. The idea of saving money on my mobile phone bill without changing my shopping habits sounded almost too good to be true, so I decided to try Airtime Rewards, a popular UK cashback app.

But does it actually deliver? Is it worth the small effort to set up? I've been using it for a while now, and here's my straightforward review.

What is Airtime Rewards and How Does it Work?

Airtime Rewards is a free mobile app that lets you earn cashback automatically when you shop at partner retailers using your linked bank cards. This cashback then gets put towards your mobile phone bill. It's designed as a 'set it and forget it' system – perfect when you've already got enough on your plate!

The Process is Simple:

  1. Link Your Cards: Securely connect your Visa and Mastercard debit or credit cards to the app using Open Banking technology (this was surprisingly quick and felt secure, authorising it through my banking app).

  2. Shop as Usual: Spend money online or in-store at participating retailers with your linked cards. You don't need to click through special links or remember to do anything different.

  3. Earn Rewards: Cashback tracks automatically and shows up in your Airtime Rewards account, usually appearing as 'pending' within a few days.

  4. Redeem Against Bill: Once you hit the £10 threshold, you can cash out your rewards as credit towards your mobile phone bill.


Which Mobile Networks are Supported?

You can redeem your rewards on most of the major UK networks. As of August 2025 (Please note: This can change, so always double-check on the Airtime Rewards website!), these typically include:

  • O2

  • Vodafone

  • EE

  • Three

  • giffgaff (via O2)


➡️ Always check the app or the official Airtime Rewards website for the most up-to-date list.


Which Retailers Can You Earn Cashback At?

The list of partner retailers changes, but it includes a lot of places I'd be spending money anyway. Some common examples include:

  • Boots (handy for toiletries or a lunchtime meal deal)

  • Greggs (can't go wrong with a sausage roll)

  • Morrisons (for the weekly shop)

  • Argos (for tech, home essentials, or last-minute gifts)

  • Wilko

  • Primark

  • Waitrose

  • PizzaExpress

Disclaimer: Retail partners and cashback rates are subject to change. Check the app for current offers.


My Experience Using Airtime Rewards

I've been using Airtime Rewards for just over a year now. Setting it up was straightforward – linking my main debit card took a couple of minutes through my banking app's security confirmation.

Honestly, the best part is not having to think about it. I do my regular shopping at places like Morrisons and Boots, and every so often I get a notification that I've earned cashback. It’s a pleasant surprise.

Over the past year, I've managed to save around £40 on my mobile bill. It's essentially free money for spending I was doing anyway. It’s not a life-changing amount, but it pays for a couple of months of my phone contract, which is brilliant. Redeeming the credit against my O2 bill was simple through the app once I hit the £10 mark; it just appears as a credit on my next statement.


Is Airtime Rewards Worth It? Pros and Cons

Pros ✅

  • Effortless & Passive: Earn cashback automatically – zero faff required after setup.

  • Free Money: Reduces your mobile bill for shopping you'd do anyway.

  • Easy Setup: Linking cards was quick and felt secure via Open Banking.

  • Good Range of Retailers: Includes supermarkets, high street shops, and restaurants.

  • Free to Use: No subscription fees.


Cons ❌

  • Slow Accumulation: Don't expect huge savings overnight; it's a slow and steady build-up.

  • Retailer Limitations: You only earn if you shop at their specific partners.

  • Pending Periods: You have to wait for rewards to be approved (sometimes over a month).

  • Minimum Redemption: Need to earn £10 before you can cash out to your bill.

  • Requires Linked Cards: You have to be comfortable linking your bank cards.


Who is Airtime Rewards Best For?

This app is ideal for:

  • Anyone who shops regularly at the partner retailers.

  • People looking for a super simple, zero-effort way to save a bit of money.

  • Individuals comfortable with using Open Banking to link their cards securely.


If you're looking for big cashback amounts fast or you don't often shop at the partner stores, it might not feel worth it for you.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Is Airtime Rewards safe? Yes, it felt secure to me. It uses regulated Open Banking APIs to link to your bank. They don't store your full card details or banking logins.

  • Does it cost anything? No, the app is completely free to download and use.

  • How long do rewards take to track? Rewards usually show as 'pending' within a few days, but the validation period before they become redeemable can take up to 35-45 days, depending on the shop's return policy.

  • Can I use it with other cashback apps/sites? Generally, yes. Because Airtime Rewards tracks via your linked card, it often works alongside sites like TopCashback or Quidco where you click through their links first. I haven't had any issues, but it's always worth checking a shop's specific terms.


Get Started with an Airtime Rewards Bonus Code! 🎁

If you fancy giving Airtime Rewards a go, using a referral code is the best way to start as it gives you a little extra boost.

Use my code: YLN3JQEX

When you sign up with this code, you'll get a £2 bonus added to your account once you spend £5 at any of the partner retailers within your first 7 days.

As a thank you for using my code, Airtime Rewards will also give me a £5 bonus, which is a massive help! 😊

➡️ Sign Up for Airtime Rewards Here


To enter the code:

  1. Download the app - here.

  2. Go to 'More' (usually in the bottom right corner).

  3. Tap 'Promotions'.

  4. Tap 'Promo Code'.

  5. Enter YLN3JQEX and tap 'Submit Code'.


Final Thoughts
The bottom line is this: Airtime Rewards won't make you rich, but it's a genuinely effortless way to shave a bit off your mobile bill each month for shopping you're already doing. If you shop at their partner retailers and use a supported mobile network, it's a no-brainer to install. It’s free, feels secure, and requires basically zero effort after the initial setup. Give it a go.