Your guide to broadband with free gifts
Dan Howdle
Broadband providers offer broadband deals with free gifts to incentivise new customer sign ups. These might be anything from cashback and gadgets to vouchers and money off monthly payments.
Our guide will tell you everything you need to know about broadband deals with gifts and will help you weigh up whether a deal is worth signing up for based on the freebies it includes, or whether you could be getting a better package without the sweeteners.
What types of freebies are available?
The incentives on offer within broadband contracts for new customers are different with each deal and each provider. Here are some of the most common:
Broadband deals with cashback – Cashback is often offered with a new broadband contract, usually in the form of a prepaid reward card (or virtual reward card) that you can use anywhere in exchange for signing up.
Broadband deals with free gifts – Deals have been known to include laptops, games consoles, TVs, Bluetooth speakers, headphones, tables and other electronic free gifts. You’ll often find this type of deal around Black Friday, so bear this in mind if your contract comes to an end at this time of year.
Broadband deals with vouchers and gift cards – The most popular freebies on offer with broadband provision are gift cards or reward cards. Amounts vary between providers, but are usually from £40 and upwards.
Free router – Most broadband deals require a home router, and some deals include one free of charge, though you may have to pay for postage to get it to your home. Check the contract fine print, as you may have to return this and any other electronics (like a set top box with a TV and broadband deal at the end of your contract.
Terms and conditions usually apply with all types of freebie - such as the requirement to activate reward cards or vouchers within a specified time frame. Some broadband providers who offer free gifts also include incentives like free installation, which is worth keeping in mind when you’re comparing deals.
Not all welcome gifts and incentives will be available in all areas of the UK, so before getting too excited about a freebie, use our postcode checker to see what’s currently on offer where you live.
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Which providers offer free gifts?
Deals vary from week to week and month to month, but some providers consistently offer the same type of free gift.
Here’s a run down of what incentives to expect from some of the UK’s most popular broadband providers.
BT broadband – The BT Virtual Reward Card is the main draw here. Pre-loaded with cashback, it can be used anywhere online or over the phone where Mastercard® is accepted, and you can monitor your spending in real-time. The company also offers free set-up, postage, and packing for hardware purchases, e.g., the Smart Hub router.
Sky broadband – Mainly offers a range of gift cards and no upfront costs.
Virgin Media broadband – Virgin will sometimes have gadgets available or they’ll offer free set-up. The provider also often includes bill credit as an alternative to the cashback some of its rivals offer.
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How do I claim my free gift?
It’s usually pretty easy to claim a free gift or incentive with a broadband deal, and in many cases items like routers, electronic items, and cashback will be sent out to you automatically once you’ve signed your contract.
Every provider is different, however, so it’s worth checking the terms and conditions before signing on the dotted line - especially if you’re basing your choice of contract on a free gift.
If you don’t receive your freebie once your broadband is up and running, you’ll need to get in touch with your provider to chase it up. Most offers expire within a few months, so if your free gift hasn’t arrived within 30 days, put in a complaint before you miss out for good.
BT broadband, Vodafone broadband and Sky broadband allow you to log in to your online account to claim your free gift, whereas EE broadband, Plusnet broadband, Virgin Media broadband and TalkTalk broadband send you a direct link or set of instructions to claim your gift.
Check your order confirmation email too, as some providers use this to give you details of how to get hold of your reward.
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Should I choose cheaper broadband over a free gift?
Free gifts are designed to tempt new customers into broadband contracts. What initially looks like a great incentive may lose its shine when you’re faced with paying a high monthly fee for your WiFi over a long period.
Incentives are great, but should never be the main reason for choosing a particular broadband deal. It’s also always a good idea to read and understand the terms and conditions that come with your broadband package, or you could find yourself paying more than you expected.
The best way to approach a free gift with broadband is to find an affordable contract you’re generally happy with, and view any freebies that come with this as happy extras.
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Are there any downsides?
Receiving a free gift or incentive with your broadband deal might seem like a no-brainer, but there are a couple of things to consider when choosing this type of package.
The promise broadband with a free gift might be tempting, but carefully weigh up the value of what’s on offer against the amount you’ll be paying overall, for the duration of your contract. It’s also advisable to check the terms and conditions related to the free gift carefully, to make sure what you actually get matches up to how it’s described in the promotional materials.
It’s also vital to check how long a free gift or incentive is available, as many have expiry dates. If you don’t claim or use yours in the time specified, you may lose out.
Try not to let the promise of a free gift sway you when comparing broadband deals. If a package is right for you, an incentive is a nice extra - not a deal breaker.
Broadband with free gifts
