TasteCard Discount Codes

For those trying to stretch a pound without adding a side of dignity erosion, the modern discount landscape can feel bleak. Half the apps don’t deliver what they promise. The other half require more terms and conditions than a rental flat. tastecard, though - with its unglamorous but quietly practical network of pizza deals and chain-restaurant discounts - has been nudging its way into the "might actually be useful" category. Assuming, of course, you eat out at least occasionally and don’t need your culinary experiences to star in a Netflix documentary.

The Value Menu, Digitised

tastecard’s pitch is straightforward: pay a monthly or annual fee and get access to a smorgasbord (a word over-promising glamour, but we’re here now) of discounts, including 2 for 1 meals or 25% off the total bill at restaurants across the UK. Yes, many of those restaurants fall squarely into the "recognisable high street chain" category - Prezzo, Zizzi, Chiquito, Frankie & Benny’s - but if you're already dining there, a discount and a clean table are probably all you're after.

There’s also 25% off barista drinks at Black Sheep Coffee, which is roughly the same as just refusing to buy oat milk (£0.80 saved, give or take). Plus 50% off pizzas from the usual triumvirate: Domino’s, Papa John’s and Pizza Hut Delivery. Though it might not impress a dinner date, it could reassure your bank balance after one-too-many Deliveroo splurges.

Using It: Not Exactly Rocket Science

You start by downloading the tastecard app, which is slightly more competent than you’d expect. It's not beautiful, but it works - much like a reliable kettle, or a regional rail service on a good day. Once inside, you browse deals, select what's near you via postcode (or whatever city you happen to be semi-lost in), and flash your digital card at the restaurant.

For pizza delivery, the process isn’t seamlessly integrated; you’ll get kicked over to Domino’s own site, while Papa John’s and Pizza Hut require a little toggling within the app itself. Still, it's no more painful than the average online checkout, and the 50% discount applies automatically - a rare and oddly gratifying event. Minimum orders apply, though, which makes sense if you're feeding at a "housemate and hangover" scale rather than solo-snacking.

The Numbers (and, Yes, a Little Fine Print)

tastecard drills down on the value proposition: members reportedly save an average of £23 per meal using the 2 for 1 deals. The accuracy of this number probably depends on which side dishes you order and whether you're inadvertently feeding a teenager. Membership starts at £34.99 per year (or monthly rolling plans if commitment issues abound), and they're not shy about throwing out deals and trial periods - some tied to banks or other services, so check your inbox before paying full whack.

Shipping is irrelevant, unless you're ordering pizza, and refunds are available within 14 days if you haven’t activated your membership. So essentially, don’t test the system and then ask for your money back once you’ve polished off garlic knots.

The Taste (Card) Test

Is it revolutionary? No. But tastecard doesn’t claim to reinvent the dining experience - it just tries to make it less expensive. And with dining out increasingly becoming an aspirational activity rather than a regular one, that’s at least a move in the right direction.

It won’t make PizzaExpress taste like Naples, or turn Burger King into a boutique burger lab. But it might make the bill feel a little less personal. And sometimes, that’s enough.

What you need to know