Raise Review – Is Raise Worth Using in the UK?
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Raise is a gift card cashback app that allows users to purchase digital gift cards for popular retailers and earn rewards on their spending.
The app originally built its reputation in the United States but has recently expanded into the UK market. New users can currently receive a £10 discount on their first qualifying purchase through the referral programme.
What Is Raise?
Raise is a gift card rewards app.
Instead of shopping directly with a retailer, you purchase a digital gift card through the Raise app and then use that gift card to pay for your purchase.
In return, Raise gives you cashback (known as Raise Cash) which can be used towards future purchases through the app. The platform advertises rewards at hundreds of participating brands.
How Does Raise Work?
The process is simple:
Step 1
Download the Raise app and create an account.
Step 2
Purchase a digital gift card for a participating retailer.
Step 3
Use the digital gift card online or in-store.
Step 4
Receive Raise Cash back on your purchase.
Step 5
Use your Raise Cash towards future gift card purchases.
The app effectively acts as another cashback layer for spending you were planning to do anyway.
Raise £10 Sign Up Bonus
New users can currently receive £10 off their first qualifying purchase when signing up through a referral link.
Typically this requires purchasing at least £50 worth of gift cards, reducing the cost of your first order by £10. Community members have reported achieving around 20% savings on their first transaction through the promotion.
Can Raise Be Stacked?
Yes.
Many cashback enthusiasts combine Raise with:
Cashback debit cards
Airtime Rewards
Loyalty schemes
Receipt scanning apps
For example:
Cashback Card → Raise Gift Card → Loyalty Points
This allows multiple rewards to be earned from the same purchase.
User Complaints We've Seen
While Raise is a legitimate company, some UK users have reported frustrations during the signup process.
Common complaints include:
Accounts being restricted or deactivated
Requests for photo identification
Additional account verification checks
Delays completing purchases
Raise's help centre confirms that photo ID may be requested in certain circumstances where an account requires verification.
That doesn't necessarily mean you'll encounter issues, but it's worth being aware that the onboarding process can sometimes be more involved than other UK cashback apps.
Is Raise Legit?
Yes.
Raise is a legitimate rewards platform that has operated for many years and has recently expanded further into the UK market. The app is available through both major app stores and works with a large number of participating retailers.
However, gift card purchases are generally final, so it's worth checking retailer terms carefully before buying.
Pros
✅ £10 welcome bonus available
✅ Earn cashback on gift card purchases
✅ Large selection of retailers
✅ Digital gift cards delivered instantly
✅ Can be stacked with other cashback methods
Cons
❌ Cashback is often lower than some UK competitors
❌ Some users report verification issues
❌ Gift card purchases are usually non-refundable
❌ Raise Cash must be reused within the app
Our Verdict
Raise is best viewed as another tool in your cashback stacking arsenal rather than a replacement for apps such as Jam Doughnut or EverUp.
The £10 sign-up bonus is currently the standout feature and can provide excellent value on a first purchase. After that, it's worth comparing Raise's rates against other gift card cashback providers before buying.
For most My Side Gig users, Raise is worth trying for the welcome offer alone, but may not become their primary gift card cashback app long term.
