Start with a product you already want
Make a short list of providers that meet your needs and budget. If you need a SIM, compare network coverage and monthly costs first. If you need an energy tariff, compare the annual bill before looking at any account credit. A sign-up reward does not compensate for a poor ongoing deal.
Check the reward route
Compare a personal invitation, a public offer and any cashback route. Note which side gets the reward and whether an earlier account makes you ineligible. Some programmes count a prior free trial as an account. Follow the final chosen route from a clean start, then confirm the reward appears before committing where possible.
Put the conditions on one line
For each candidate write: qualifying action, required spend, expiry, reward timing and any fee. The Revolut referral listing illustrates why a headline range is not a guaranteed payout: the referrer’s amount is random and the joining customer has several tasks to finish before the campaign deadline.
Keep a record and compare again
Save the offer screen, terms and confirmation ID. If a reward fails, those details help support trace the click or purchase. Promotions change frequently, so recheck the provider’s live page just before signing up; a screenshot from last month may no longer describe today’s campaign.