Can I use a discount code or coupon and still earn cashback?

Category: Portal Cashback (650+ Stores)

Yes, in most cases you can use a discount code and still earn cashback through Kick — but the order in which you do things matters more than most shoppers realise. Get the sequence right and you can stack the two savings on the same order. Get it wrong and the cashback won't track at all.

The golden rule: codes from Kick Cashback first, codes from elsewhere never

Affiliate tracking works on a "last click" basis. Whichever site you most recently visited that has an affiliate relationship with the retailer is the one that gets credited for the sale. If you click through from Kick Cashback, then open a coupon website in a new tab to grab a code, that coupon site has now "stolen" the affiliate credit and your cashback won't track.

The safe pattern is:

  1. Open your Kick Cashback portal first.
  2. Find the store and check the store's Kick Cashback page for any current promo codes — these are codes the retailer has authorised for use alongside cashback.
  3. Click through from Kick Cashback to the retailer.
  4. Shop as normal and apply the code at checkout.
  5. Complete the purchase in the same session.

Why third-party coupon sites break tracking

Most "free coupon" websites earn money the same way Kick does — they're affiliate publishers. When you click a code on one of those sites, you're often clicking through their affiliate link to the retailer, which overwrites the Kick cookie that was set a few minutes earlier. The retailer then pays the commission to the coupon site instead of to Kick, which means there's no Kick commission to share back with you.

What about codes you found yourself, in an email from the retailer?

Codes that come directly from the retailer (in their newsletter, on their homepage banner, or in a welcome email) usually don't break tracking, because using them doesn't involve clicking through any other affiliate link. Click through from Kick Cashback first, then paste the code at checkout. If the cashback later fails to track, lodge a missing-cashback claim — see the missing cashback troubleshooting guide.

Codes the retailer specifically blocks for cashback

Some retailers exclude orders that use a discount code from earning cashback. This is most common with very large promo codes (think "30% off everything") and with influencer codes. The store's page in the Kick Cashback portal usually flags these. If you're unsure, the safer choice is to skip the code and take the cashback — for most categories the cashback rate beats the marginal saving from a small code.

What about codes for sale or clearance items?

That's a separate question worth its own answer — see does cashback apply on sale items.

The combination of cashback plus an authorised promo code is one of the highest-value ways to use Kick. Browse the stores directory to see which retailers currently have stackable codes.

About Kick Cashback

Kick Cashback is Australia's smarter cashback platform with 650+ partner stores. Free for shoppers — no membership fees, no subscription costs. Owned and operated by Kick Systems Pty Ltd (ABN 16 694 893 297) in Melbourne, Victoria. For support, contact info@kickcashback.com.

Our Experience

We are a first-party cashback platform — we work directly with retailers rather than reselling another company's network. Our team negotiates cashback rates, manages partner relationships, and processes payments in-house. According to industry data published by IAB Australia, affiliate and cashback marketing represented over $1 billion in tracked Australian retail sales in 2024 (source: IAB Australia Online Advertising Expenditure Report). Kick Cashback is part of this growing sector and is committed to passing the majority of retailer commissions back to shoppers as cashback.

Our editorial team draws on direct experience working with major Australian retailers and global affiliate networks. We publish detailed cashback information, retailer terms, and shopping guides based on first-hand knowledge of how cashback tracking, attribution, and payments work. Where industry standards or regulatory guidance applies — such as the Australian Consumer Law administered by the ACCC, or the Privacy Act 1988 administered by the OAIC — we cite the relevant source so readers can verify our claims.

Trust & Transparency

  • Australian-owned: Kick Systems Pty Ltd, ABN 16 694 893 297, headquartered in Melbourne, Victoria.
  • Privacy: We comply with the Australian Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act 1988. Read our Privacy Policy.
  • Terms: Full Terms & Conditions published and updated regularly.
  • Cookies: See our Cookie Policy for details on tracking and consent.
  • Secure: All connections are encrypted with HTTPS (TLS 1.2+).
  • Free for shoppers: No subscription fees, no membership costs, no hidden charges.
  • Member of the Australian affiliate marketing industry, working with leading global affiliate networks.

Contact Kick Cashback

Company: Kick Systems Pty Ltd (trading as Kick Cashback)

ABN: 16 694 893 297

Email: info@kickcashback.com

Address: Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Website:

Customer portal: kickpay.co

Learn more about Kick Cashback and our team. For questions, see our FAQs or contact us.