Have you heard of Zilch? It's genius because you can earn hundreds of pounds per year just by downloading its app and enabling your card at a specific store where you can net between 2 and 5 per cent in Zilch rewards. Think of online stores like Amazon, eBay, Next, and even the gas and electricity supplier Octopus Energy. Once you have the app downloaded, you will be impressed at the thousands of popular stores you can access to earn cashback, and that cashback will soon mount.

How to Join Zilch

It's easy to join Zilch. Download the app and click on the relevant button to open an account. You will be asked to verify your ID and add your usual debit card, but this is often done quickly. If you want to earn 500 Zilch rewards, click this link: https://zilch.onelink.me/sOUJ/xbxcxh0x and make your first tap-and-pay or contactless payment in any retail store. Those 500 Zilch rewards will be added to your account for you to spend immediately.

It used to be £15 per referral. I remember buying myself a T-shirt from Amazon. However, companies like this often reduce their perks, and the Zilch referral is now just £5 or 500 in Zilch rewards. Once you sign up, you will also get a Zilch friend referral link to share.

The referral link didn't always require a tap-and-pay or contactless payment to earn your Zilch rewards. It now only rewards you a half per cent, but previously, Zilch anywhere or tap-and-pay would net you 2 per cent in Zilch rewards. For example, this was great for grocery shopping or petrol and diesel purchases.

Pay Now or Pay Over Six Weeks

Zilch offers two ways to pay for your purchases. You need to enable your card and pay now to earn Zilch rewards. Alternatively, for larger purchases up to your chosen credit limit set by Zilch on your account, you can opt to pay over six weeks. However, if you use this feature, you will not earn any Zilch rewards. You will make your first payment and then a subsequent payment every two weeks until the purchase is complete, for a total of four payments.

Subscription Purchases

Should you use companies like Sky Broadband and The Modern Milkman, you can earn 2 per cent in Zilch rewards on your first purchase, but further subscription payments will only net you half a per cent. I wish they would sort this out to provide 2 per cent in Zilch rewards, but that's how Zilch is currently working on the subscriptions.

Spending Zilch Rewards

It's easy to spend your Zilch rewards. On your chosen store, before clicking on enable card, there is a button at the bottom: 'Use £_____ rewards'. Click beside that button and choose Pay now. However, think very clearly about how you spend your Zilch rewards because if you need to return an item, the Zilch rewards are non-refundable. This is why I often use my Zilch rewards at Hotel Chocolat or Joe Brown's homeware.

In Conclusion

Zilch allows you to earn up to 5 per cent cashback in Zilch rewards at thousands of online stores or a buy now pay later (BNPL) option where you can pay over six weeks. Most credit card companies do not even offer 2 per cent cashback, which is why I always use Zilch. Once you get used to using the app and enabling your card, you can earn hundreds of pounds per year. I've earned free bedding from Joe Browns and free chocolates at Hotel Chocolat. It's a win-win for the cash-savvy internet shoppers out there.