Meerkat trick: Spend £1ish to get 2for1 at cinemas AND restaurants for a year

Once I’ve done the trick, how does Meerkat Movies and Meals 2for1 actually work?

1. After making a qualifying purchase at Compare the Market, download the Meerkat app to activate your membership. Your 12 months’ 2for1 starts from the date you made the purchase. Activation can take at least 48 hours.

2. Claim your cinema voucher code for any standard 2D ticket online or via the app when you want to see a film (as regularly as once a week either on the Tuesday or Wednesday). If your cinema code isn't used it'll expire at 0.01am on the Thursday after it's issued, and you'll then need to generate a new one. For Meerkat Meals, select a restaurant via the app when you want to dine out (as many times per week as you like between Sunday and Thursday) and get 2for1 on starters, mains and/or desserts, but not drinks. You can use both Meerkat Movies and Meals on the same night.

3. Print the cinema voucher code or show it on your smartphone at a participating cinema. If you're dining out, check to see whether you need to book in advance (this will be indicated clearly when you search for restaurants on the Meerkat app). You should notify the restaurant that you're a Meerkat member when booking. You’ll need to present your digital Meerkat Meals membership number, via the app, to your waiter when you ask for the bill. To get this, click on 'Meals' at the bottom of the app and then click the golden 2for1 in the top right corner.

What days can I use Meerkat Movies?

Your Meerkat Movies 2for1 will be valid every Tue/Wed at all the big chains (eg, Odeon, Vue, Cineworld, Showcase), plus many independent cinemas, though some cinemas may have their own rules on how you can use it and which films, if any, are excluded. If you’re unsure, check with your local cinema before buying.

What days can I use Meerkat Meals?

Your Meerkat Meals 2for1 will be valid every Sun/Mon/Tue/Wed/Thu, but there are some exclusions, including: Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, plus certain days in December at selected participating restaurants. These exclusions will be indicated clearly when you search for participating restaurants on the Meerkat app.

In addition to 2for1 starters, mains or desserts, Meerkat Meals also gives:

• 25% off your total bill (including drinks but excluding alcohol in Scotland) at selected restaurants – the days this is valid varies by restaurant. It's for when a minimum of two people are dining, and a maximum of 10.
• 50% off pizzas when spending £30 on pizza at participating Pizza Hut and Papa John's branches for delivery or collection (excluding all in Northern Ireland). This is available any day of the week.
• A minimum of 10% off your total bill at selected restaurants when ordering takeaway for delivery or collection. Compare the Market hasn't confirmed which days this is valid yet.

See full Meerkat Movies and Meals terms and conditions.