Airtime is a cashback app that stands out by automatically applying your earnings as credit towards your mobile phone bill. Unlike traditional cashback sites that require you to click through links, or gift card apps that need in-app purchases, Airtime uses a card-linked system. You connect your Visa or Mastercard once, and any spending at a partner retailer automatically earns you cashback. This accumulated cashback can then be used to reduce your next mobile bill once you reach a £10 balance.
The main appeal of Airtime is its effortless nature. Once set up, you don't need to open the app before shopping, scan receipts, or remember to activate offers. The system works in the background, tracking your eligible purchases at over 200 high-street and online brands, including Argos, Boots, Waitrose, ASOS, Greggs, IKEA, and Deliveroo. This makes it an incredibly low-effort way to save on spending you would do anyway.
Established in 2015, Airtime supports credit redemption for customers on EE, O2, Vodafone, and Three (both contract and Pay As You Go), plus giffgaff and Lebara (Pay As You Go). If your mobile network isn't on this supported list (e.g., Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile, Voxi, iD Mobile), you can still earn cashback, but redeeming it is less straightforward. In such cases, you would need to contact customer services to request a withdrawal to your linked payment card, which incurs a £1.30 fee per withdrawal and has a monthly cap of £20. Be aware that from October 2025, if you switch from a supported to an unsupported network, you must redeem your balance first to avoid losing it.
How Airtime Works
Getting started with Airtime is a simple, one-off process:
- Download the Airtime app and create an account.
- Provide the mobile number you wish to credit and select your network.
- Link your Visa or Mastercard (debit or credit). Card activation can take up to 24 hours.
- Once linked, the system operates automatically.
When you use your linked card at a participating retailer, the transaction is typically tracked within a couple of days. The cashback then moves from 'tracked' to 'cleared' once the retailer confirms the purchase, which can take up to 90 days on the free tier. When your cleared balance reaches £10, you can redeem it within the app, and the credit will apply to your next mobile bill.
Important Notes:
- American Express cards are not supported. Only Visa and Mastercard transactions are tracked.
- Apple Pay and Google Pay work if the underlying card is a supported Visa or Mastercard.
- PayPal, Klarna, and store cards are not tracked.
- Retailer-specific rules are available in the app, but generally, direct payments with your linked card will track.
What Airtime Does Well
- Completely Automatic: After the initial setup, you don't need to interact with the app for cashback to accrue. It's a truly passive way to save.
- Stacks with Other Cashback: As a card-linked system, Airtime doesn't interfere with click-through cashback sites like TopCashback or Quidco. You can often earn from both on the same online purchase. Similarly, if you use gift card apps for a portion of your purchase, Airtime can still track the remainder paid with your linked card.
- Broad Retailer Network: With over 200 UK partners covering daily expenses and larger purchases, you'll likely find cashback opportunities on your regular spending. Rates typically range from 1-5%, with occasional 'Reward Flash' promotions offering 10-20% for limited periods.
- Seamless Mobile Bill Credit: Once you hit the £10 minimum, redeeming is straightforward. The credit is applied directly to your mobile bill with no fees or extra steps, usually appearing on your next bill cycle.
Areas for Improvement
- Limited Mobile Network Support: If you're with an unsupported network (e.g., Tesco Mobile, Sky, Smarty, Voxi, iD Mobile, BT, Plusnet, Virgin, Asda, TalkTalk, Talkmobile, Lycamobile, or Now Mobile), you lose the primary benefit of direct bill credit. Withdrawals to a payment card are subject to a £1.30 fee and a £20 monthly cap, which reduces convenience and value.
- Gift Card Feature is Not Always Optimal: While Airtime allows you to buy gift cards for additional cashback (around 4%), this feature is less appealing due to the £20/month withdrawal cap to a bank card. The main draw remains the automatic card-linked earnings.
- No American Express Support: If American Express is your primary spending card for points or rewards, Airtime won't track those transactions, limiting its usefulness for you.
- Slow Clearing Times on Free Tier: Cashback can take up to 90 days to clear before it becomes redeemable. An optional paid 'Airtime Up' tier (around £1.99/month) reduces this to one day and lowers the minimum redemption to £5, but this is an extra cost to consider.
Is Airtime Secure?
Yes, Airtime is considered safe. Airtime Rewards Ltd is a UK-based company operating since 2015. Their card-linking infrastructure is built on official partnerships with Visa and Mastercard, and they maintain PCI Level 1 compliance for secure handling of card data. Your full card number is not stored in plain text by Airtime; they only receive transaction details like retailer name, amount, and date.
The credit is applied directly to your mobile bill, so there's no third-party balance to worry about losing if the company ceased trading, beyond any unredeemed cashback in your app balance. SmartPiggy recommends redeeming your balance as soon as it reaches the £10 minimum.
How to Sign Up
- Download the Airtime app on iOS or Android.
- Create your account and use referral code
7CTKVTVK if prompted, which may entitle you to a sign-up bonus.
- Enter your mobile number and select your network.
- Link your Visa or Mastercard.
- Start shopping at partner retailers and watch your cashback grow.
Airtime frequently offers sign-up bonuses, typically ranging from £1.50 to £5. Check the current offer within the app or website for the latest details.
How Redemptions Work
- Mobile Bill Credit (Recommended): The minimum redemption is £10. There are no fees. The credit applies to your next generated monthly bill. If your bill for the current month has already been issued, the credit will appear on the subsequent bill.
- Payment Card Withdrawal (Unsupported Networks Only): This option is only available by contacting Airtime customer services. It costs £1.30 per withdrawal and is capped at £20 per month.
SmartPiggy Ratings Table
| Feature | Rating | Notes | --- | --- | SmartPiggy Rating | 3.5/5.0 | |
| Trustpilot Score | N/A | |
| Sign-up Bonus | £2 | Varies; check app for current offer. |
| Minimum Payout | £10 | For mobile bill credit. |
| Cashback Rates | 3.0/5.0 | Typically 1-5%; 10-20% during 'Reward Flash' periods. |
| Payout Speed | 3.0/5.0 | Up to 90 days to clear on free tier (1 day on Airtime Up). |
| Retailer Coverage | 3.5/5.0 | Over 200 UK partner retailers. |
| Reliability | 4.5/5.0 | Card-linked, reducing tracking issues. |
| Trust | 4.0/5.0 | Operating since 2015, PCI Level 1 compliant. |
| Best For | | Shoppers on a supported mobile network looking for effortless, automatic cashback on everyday spending. |
| Watch Out For | | No American Express support. Mobile network must be supported for direct bill credit. Withdrawal to bank card has fees and caps. Gift card feature is not its strongest point. |
Airtime is an excellent choice for those on supported mobile networks who want a truly passive way to save money. Its card-linked technology and automatic bill credit system make it one of the most hands-off cashback options available. While it has limitations for users on unsupported networks or those who primarily use American Express, for many, it's a "set and forget" app that delivers genuine savings without any extra effort.
SmartPiggy