Referral Plug · The blog
Reviews and walkthroughs.
First-hand write-ups of the UK referral schemes I’ve actually used, newest first.
How much does Surfshark cost in the UK, and how to get it cheapest
Surfshark7 minute readA plain-English 2026 breakdown of what Surfshark VPN actually costs in the UK: the three plan lengths, why the list price is almost never what you pay, the auto-renewal trap, and the two real levers (the referral free months and Surfshark's own campaign) that get it cheapest.
UK energy refer-a-friend league table (2026): who actually pays what
energy13 minute readWe read the public refer-a-friend terms of every UK domestic energy supplier that runs one: 12 live schemes, from Octopus to Sainsbury's Energy. ScottishPower tops the headline number at up to £60, but the pounds figure is the least useful column. Most pay bill credit, a few pay vouchers, and several only pay in full for a dual-fuel switch. Plus a legitimate way to collect two rewards at once by splitting your gas and electricity across two suppliers. Full table, method, and the T&C traps that quietly void the reward.
British Gas referral code 2026: how it works, and how it compares
Octopus Energy7 minute readYes, British Gas runs a refer-a-friend scheme in 2026: £50 in vouchers for a dual-fuel switch (£25 gas plus £25 electricity), £25 for a single fuel, or £100 for referring a new boiler. There's no code to type in: you need a personalised link from an existing customer, and the reward is paid up to 90 days after you switch. Here's exactly how it works, and how switching to Octopus Energy or E.ON Next compares.
ScottishPower referral code 2026: how it works, and how it compares
Octopus Energy6 minute readScottishPower runs a refer-a-friend scheme that pays energy account credit: up to £60 each for a dual-fuel switch, or £30 each for a single fuel, credited after 28 days on supply. There's no code to type in: you need a personalised link from an existing customer. Here's how it works in 2026, and how it compares with switching to Octopus Energy or E.ON Next.
Shell Energy referral code 2026: what happened, and what to do now
Octopus Energy6 minute readShell Energy no longer supplies home gas and electricity in the UK. Octopus Energy bought its home energy business in December 2023 and finished moving all 1.3 million customers across by March 2024, so there's no Shell Energy referral code anymore. If you were a Shell Energy customer, you're now with Octopus. Here's what that means and how to get a referral reward from here.
Octopus heat pump & solar referral: get a £100 gift card each
Octopus Energy6 minute readOctopus’s Smart Tech referral pays you and a friend a £100 gift card each when they install a heat pump or solar system. How it works, the one term that trips people up (add the link before the survey), and how it differs from the £50 energy referral.
Best UK bank referral bonuses in 2026: every scheme we've tested
banking8 minute readFive UK banking brands pay a referral bonus right now: Monzo (£20 to £100 mystery reward), Tide (£100 for business), American Express (6,000 Avios), Yonder (£10 off plus two months free) and Zilch (£5). Starling has just begun trialling a £25 scheme we haven't tested yet, and the big high-street banks don't run refer-a-friend schemes at all: they pay switching bonuses instead. Every ranked offer on this page was re-tested in early June 2026.
UK voucher code sites compared: how often the codes actually work
voucher-codes9 minute readHow many UK voucher codes actually work swings wildly month to month: testing VoucherCodes.co.uk four weeks apart, the working rate jumped from 5 in 15 to 10 in 15. HotUKDeals scored 9 in 15; MoneySavingExpert's edited list passed all 12. Our comparison of five UK voucher sites, ranked by model (three spot-tested at checkout), with the full method and limitations.
Where this guide disagrees with Which? on Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy7 minute readWhich? is the UK's most rigorous consumer reviewer and has named Octopus a Recommended Provider for nine consecutive years. Here's where my six-year customer perspective lines up with theirs, and the three places it doesn't.
What do reviewers say about Surfshark?
Surfshark6 minute readA summary of what Deloitte, Cure53, the major tech press and the wider VPN-review landscape say about Surfshark: the audit history, the value-vs-speed trade-off, the Nord Security merger, and where Surfshark sits in the 2026 UK VPN market.
What do reviewers say about Yonder?
Yonder5 minute readA summary of what Smart Money People, MoneySavingExpert, Which? and the wider UK consumer-review landscape say about Yonder: the BBA Best Newcomer award, where Yonder fits in the credit-card market, and the caveats reviewers consistently flag.
Why MoneySavingExpert recommends Chase over Monzo for cashback
Monzo6 minute readMoneySavingExpert treats Chase as the answer for cashback and Monzo as the answer for budgeting. Here's exactly what MSE says about both, the maths behind their position, and where this guide agrees and disagrees with them.
What does Which? say about giffgaff?
giffgaff5 minute readA summary of what Which? and the wider UK consumer-review world say about giffgaff: the uSwitch Network of the Year streak, customer-service surveys, value rankings against the big four networks, and where reviewers caveat the budget MVNO.
Best second UK bank account to pair with Monzo (2026)
Monzo10 minute readWhich account to open alongside Monzo, by use case. Chase UK for cashback, Revolut for travel and investing, Starling for cheaper overdrafts and travel ATMs, Nationwide for branches. Plus the single account I'd add if I could only pick one.
E.ON Next for EV owners: is Next Drive worth it?
E.ON Next7 minute readA breakdown of E.ON Next's EV tariffs (Next Drive and Next Drive Smart): rates, eligibility, what they save a typical EV driver, and how they compare to Octopus Go and Intelligent Octopus in 2026.
E.ON Next vs British Gas referral: which gives you more?
E.ON Next6 minute readComparing the E.ON Next and British Gas refer-a-friend schemes side by side. Both headline £50, but the conditions, timing, and voucher flexibility differ. Here's which is actually better in 2026.
Monzo Max review (2026): worth £17/month? Max vs Perks vs Extra
Monzo8 minute readMonzo Max costs £17/month and is worth it for one specific person: someone who'd otherwise buy travel insurance, phone insurance or breakdown cover separately. Its savings rates no longer beat Perks (both pay 3.25% AER instant access since Perks gained a 0.50% boost), so the £10/month gap between Max and Perks is purely buying the insurance stack. Most people should stay on the free plan.
Monzo referral not working? How to fix it
Monzo5 minute readIf your Monzo referral reward hasn't arrived, here are the most common reasons and what you can do about each one.
What does Martin Lewis say about Monzo?
Monzo5 minute readA summary of what Martin Lewis and MoneySavingExpert have said about Monzo, covering their digital banking recommendations, how Monzo compares to Starling and Chase, and where MSE sees its strengths and weaknesses.
Monzo vs Starling Bank: which digital bank is better in 2026?
Monzo9 minute readA comparison of Monzo and Starling Bank, covering budgeting tools, savings rates, overdraft costs, travel spending, ATM limits, and referral bonuses to help you pick the right free bank account.
What does Martin Lewis say about Octopus Energy?
Octopus Energy6 minute readA summary of what Martin Lewis and MoneySavingExpert have said about Octopus Energy: covering customer service, smart tariffs, the price cap, and where MSE rates Octopus against the rest of the UK supplier market.
How to switch to Octopus Energy: a screen-by-screen guide (2026)
Octopus Energy5 minute readA visual walkthrough of switching to Octopus Energy using a refer-a-friend link, with screenshots of every screen: postcode entry to direct debit setup, plus what happens in the 2–3 weeks after you click switch.
Can I switch energy supplier if I'm moving house? (2026 guide)
Octopus Energy8 minute readA practical 2026 guide to switching energy supplier when moving house in the UK, covering new builds, existing properties, rental moves, and what to do at the old address. Written by a six-year Octopus customer who's done it twice.
Octopus Energy for landlords: how the referral works (2026 guide)
Octopus Energy8 minute readA straight 2026 guide to using Octopus Energy as a UK landlord: how the £50 domestic and £75 business referral schemes work across multiple properties, void-period billing, tenant switching rights, and which tariff fits a rental portfolio.
Octopus Energy no standing charge: is it possible? (2026 guide)
Octopus Energy8 minute readA clear-eyed 2026 explainer on no-standing-charge energy tariffs at Octopus: what standing charges are, who actually saves on a zero-standing-charge tariff, and why the smart-tariff route often wins instead.
Who is cheaper than Octopus Energy? (2026)
Octopus Energy9 minute readA no-spin 2026 look at which UK suppliers undercut Octopus Energy on unit rates, covering Utility Warehouse, So Energy, Outfox the Market, OVO, EDF, E.ON Next, and the smart-tariff comparison.
Which Octopus Energy tariff is right for you? (2026 guide)
Octopus Energy12 minute readA plain-English 2026 guide to Octopus's tariff lineup (Tracker, Agile, Go, Intelligent Go, Cosy, Fixed and Flexible) from a six-year Octopus customer.
Is Tide worth it? A hands-on business account review
Tide8 minute readA first-person Tide review covering the free plan, paid tiers, invoicing, accounting integrations, FCA regulation, and whether Tide is the right business account for sole traders and limited companies in 2026.
Is VOXI worth it? A hands-on mobile network review
VOXI8 minute readA first-person VOXI review covering plans, pricing, unlimited social media data, Vodafone coverage, Trustpilot ratings, and whether VOXI is worth switching to in 2026.
Is Motorway worth it? A review from someone who sold a car
Motorway7 minute readA Motorway review after selling a car on the platform: how the bidding works, what price I got, the collection process, and whether it beats private sale or part exchange.
Is a Ledger wallet worth it? A review after 6 years
Ledger8 minute readA Ledger hardware wallet review after 6 years of use: security, the 2023 data breach, pricing, and whether it's still the best way to store crypto in 2026.
Is giffgaff worth it? A review after 15 years
giffgaff7 minute readA first-person giffgaff review after 15 years as a customer, covering plans, pricing, the O2 network, community support, Trustpilot ratings, and whether giffgaff is still worth it in 2026.
Is Freetrade worth it? A hands-on investing app review
Freetrade8 minute readA Freetrade review after 4 years: commission-free trading, the free ISA, real costs, and whether it beats Trading 212 and Hargreaves Lansdown for UK investors.
Is the BA Amex worth it? A credit card review
American Express8 minute readA first-person British Airways Amex Classic review after holding the card for two years, covering Avios earning, the referral bonus, acceptance issues, and whether the BA Amex is worth it in 2026.
Is Bitrefill worth it? A review for spending crypto
Bitrefill7 minute readA Bitrefill review: how the crypto gift card platform works, whether the prices are fair, Lightning Network support, and who it's actually useful for in the UK.
Is E.ON Next worth it? A review after 4 years
E.ON Next9 minute readA first-person E.ON Next review after four years as a gas and electricity customer, covering pricing, service, the app, renewable claims, and whether E.ON Next is worth switching to in 2026.
Is Monzo worth it? A review after 9 years as a customer
Monzo10 minute readA first-person Monzo review after nine years as a customer, covering the free account, paid plans, savings rates, travel spending, borrowing, and whether Monzo is actually worth switching to in 2026.
Is Yonder worth it? A Free vs Full review (2026)
Yonder10 minute readA first-person Yonder review, ten months in. Yonder is two cards, not one: the Free card (£0/month, 1 point per £1) is a no-brainer fee-free travel backup; the Full card (£15/month, 5 points per £1) only beats Free above roughly £750/month of spend, and only if you redeem points on Experiences rather than cashing out. Here is the maths, and who each tier suits in 2026.
Affordable Mobiles review: is it legit and worth buying from?
Affordable Mobiles6 minute readA plain-English review of Affordable Mobiles, covering whether it's a trustworthy phone retailer, how prices compare to buying direct from a network, and whether the cashback referral is worth using.
How to spend Bitcoin in the UK: gift cards, top-ups and more
Bitrefill7 minute readA practical guide to spending Bitcoin in the UK without converting back to pounds first. Covers gift cards, Lightning Network payments, crypto debit cards, and the best platforms for everyday crypto spending.
Best crypto hardware wallet: Ledger vs Trezor compared
Ledger7 minute readLedger vs Trezor: which hardware wallet should you buy? A practical comparison covering security, price, coin support, and ease of use to help you choose the right one.
Zilch review: is 0% buy now pay later worth using?
Zilch7 minute readA hands-on review of Zilch, the BNPL app that works everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Covers the 2% cashback perk, how it compares to Klarna and Clearpay, and whether it's worth signing up.
Best UK bank account for freelancers (2026)
Monzo11 minute readA clear-eyed comparison of the best business bank accounts for UK freelancers and sole traders, covering Starling, Monzo, Tide, Mettle and Wise, with a focus on tax, invoicing and real-world use.
Octopus Energy review: 6 years as a customer
Octopus Energy12 minute readA first-person Octopus Energy review after six and a half years: pricing, service, tariffs, grievances, and whether I'd still switch in 2026.
Monzo joint account review (2026): how it works after 4 years
Monzo9 minute readThe Monzo joint account is free, needs both holders to have personal Monzo accounts first, and is the strongest shared-money setup from a UK digital bank: shared pots, a ring-fenced Bills Pot, Salary Sorter, and joint savings pots at 2.75% AER (3.25% if either of you is on Perks or Max). The catches: no overdraft, no per-person spending limits, and a credit-file link between you both.
Best UK bank account for travelling abroad (2026)
Monzo10 minute readA plain-English comparison of the best UK debit cards for travel, covering Starling, Chase, Monzo, Revolut and Wise on fees, ATM limits, exchange rates and real-world use abroad.
EV Charger Installation: Guide to Home EV Charging in the UK
Octopus Energy7 minute readStep‑by‑step guide to EV charger installation for UK homes, including costs, grants, how the process works and how to choose a safe, smart home EV charger.
Octopus Energy for Business: what's included and how the £75 referral works
Octopus Energy6 minute readA sober summary of Octopus Energy for Business: published tariffs (Shape Shifters, Panel Power, no-standing-charge), who it's a fit for, the £75 referral mechanic, and where the offering has weaker spots.
Monzo Flex review: is the interest-free BNPL card worth it?
Monzo9 minute readA hands-on review of Monzo Flex: how the 3-month interest-free instalments work, the real cost of longer plans, Section 75 protection, and how it compares to Klarna and Clearpay.
Monzo vs Chase UK 2026: cashback or better budgeting?
Monzo10 minute readMonzo and Chase UK are both free, but they win different jobs. Monzo is the better primary account (budgeting, joint accounts, overdraft, Flex); Chase is the better cashback card, now paying 2% on groceries, transport, fuel and eating out (up to £20/month) if you make 15+ payments and keep £1,000 in a Chase saver each month. Chase also pays a 4.5% AER boosted saver for year one; Monzo's ongoing 2.75% AER (3.25% on Perks or Max) wins from year two. The setup that works: Monzo as primary, Chase alongside for everyday spending.
Monzo vs Revolut: which is better for travel, investing and daily banking?
Monzo11 minute readA detailed comparison of Monzo and Revolut across three use cases: everyday banking, travel abroad, and investing. Covers fees, features, savings rates and which to pick.
Monzo Business for freelancers: a review from a real sole trader
Monzo10 minute readA first-hand review of Monzo Business for freelancers and sole traders, covering Tax Pots, invoicing, accounting integrations, Making Tax Digital readiness, and whether the free plan is enough.
Monzo mystery reward explained 2026: how to get £20, £50 or £100
Monzo6 minute readEverything you need to know about the Monzo mystery reward: how it works, the official odds from Monzo's terms, who's eligible, and common mistakes that stop the reward tracking.
Monzo vs Nationwide: which current account is actually better?
Monzo10 minute readA side-by-side comparison of Monzo and Nationwide FlexDirect, covering interest rates, cashback, app experience, overdrafts, travel spending and switch bonuses to help you pick the right account.
Monzo Billsback 2026: what it is and is it worth it?
Monzo9 minute readA review of Monzo Billsback: how it works, the expected-value maths, and whether paying for Extra, Perks or Max just for the chance at free bills makes sense.
Octopus Energy vs E.ON Next referral: which gives you more?
Octopus Energy6 minute readComparing the Octopus Energy and E.ON Next referral schemes side by side. Both offer £50, but which energy supplier is actually better to switch to?
Tide referral code: get £50 when you open a business account
Tide5 minute readUse the Tide referral code JOPOQW to get £50 free credit when you open a Tide business bank account. Here's how to claim and whether Tide is right for your business.
Yonder vs Amex referral: which rewards card is better?
Yonder6 minute readComparing the Yonder and American Express BA referral schemes. Yonder Full offers up to 10,000 points and 2 months free, Amex offers 6,000 Avios. Here's which credit card to choose.
Zilch referral code: get £5 free credit when you sign up
Zilch5 minute readUse a Zilch referral link to get £5 in free credit instantly. No purchase needed: just sign up and verify your identity to claim your reward.
VOXI vs giffgaff: which mobile referral is better?
VOXI5 minute readComparing VOXI and giffgaff referral schemes, plans, and value. VOXI offers up to £40 in gift cards (double rewards until October 2026), giffgaff offers £5 in credit. Here's which to choose.
VOXI referral code: get a gift card worth up to £40
VOXI5 minute readHow the VOXI referral works in 2026: which voucher you can pick (Amazon, PayPal, Just Eat), how the value scales with your plan, the two-month qualifying period, and what to do if your gift card doesn't arrive.
Amex referral code: get 6,000 Avios points with the BA credit card
American Express6 minute readUse an American Express referral link to earn 6,000 Avios points when you sign up for the BA Classic Credit Card and spend £2,000 in 3 months.
Bitrefill referral code: get $5 in Bitcoin when you spend $200
Bitrefill5 minute readUse a Bitrefill referral link to earn $5 in Bitcoin when you spend $200 on gift cards, mobile top-ups, and more using crypto.
Freetrade referral code: get a free share worth up to £100
Freetrade5 minute readUse a Freetrade referral link, deposit £50, and get a free share worth between £10 and £100. Here's how to claim your reward and start investing.
giffgaff referral code: get £5 free credit when you join
giffgaff5 minute readHow the giffgaff referral works in 2026: the £5 you get on activation, how to bring your number across, and what to do if the credit doesn't appear.
Ledger referral code: get $5 to $20 in Bitcoin when you buy a wallet
Ledger5 minute readUse a Ledger referral link to get $5 to $20 in Bitcoin, depending on the device, when you purchase a hardware wallet at full price. Learn which Ledger to buy and why you need one.
Yonder referral code: earn points with a Yonder credit card
Yonder6 minute readLooking for a Yonder referral code or referral link? Use the link in this guide to get £10 off, two months free on Yonder Full, and up to 10,000 bonus points, or £10 off and up to 1,000 points on Yonder Free.
Affordable Mobiles discount code, voucher & referral link: how to save (and why it’s worth using)
Affordable Mobiles6 minute readSearching for an AffordableMobiles discount, voucher code, or referral code? Here’s why Affordable Mobiles is worth using, and how to use the referral link to unlock up to £60 off when you buy a new phone.
Motorway referral code: why you should sell your car with Motorway (and how to claim your reward)
Motorway7 minute readLooking for a Motorway referral code, Motorway discount, or Motorway voucher? Here’s why Motorway is a great way to sell your car, and how to use the referral link so you can earn a reward after your sale completes.