New Meerkat trick: Spend £1ish to get 2for1 at 1,000s of restaurants AND 2for1 cinema tickets for a year

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

Update Tue 21 Aug: As this is a recently launched offer available at numerous chains and 1,000s of different restaurants, there seem to be a few teething issues arising where some staff either aren’t fully aware of the rules or are interpreting them incorrectly. We’ve double checked with Compare The Market and all the info included in the blog is correct – the 2for1 offer’s available on starters, mains and desserts, for breakfast (where available), lunch and dinner. The cheapest meals are free for up to six diners including the membership holder. Here are some examples* of what you'd get free depending on how many people are in your group and what you order. This is how it should work, but in order to avoid disappointment, before ordering it’s worth checking with the waiter that you’ll get the free dishes you’re expecting.

1. After making a qualifying purchase at Compare the Market (see the full list*), 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 online or via the app when you want to see a film (as regularly as once a week either on the Tuesday or Wednesday). Or select a restaurant via the app when you want to dine out (as many times per week as you like between Sunday and Thursday). 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.

Generally, 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, please check with your local cinema before buying.

Generally, 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.

See our Cheap Cinema Tickets and Restaurant Vouchers pages for related deals.