Scrolling through TikTok or Instagram, you see an influencer pushing a product with their personal discount code. But why settle for just that 20% off when you could layer it on top of an existing sale? Stacking creator codes with other promotions is possible, but you need to know where to look. Most codes won’t combine with another code in the same field, but savvy shoppers find ways around this.

The easiest win is finding sales that don’t require a code at all. Sitewide markdowns like “30% off everything” are automatically applied at checkout. That means they don’t occupy the promo box. So you can leave that box open for the influencer’s code. If the retailer’s system allows both, your total will show the sale price slashed twice. Many big brands run automatic sales during holidays, and plenty of creator codes still work in that scenario. It never hurts to try the code, because the worst response is a message that it can’t be combined.

Another layer comes from cashback sites and apps. Rakuten and similar services work through referral cookies, not promo fields. You click from their site to the brand, add your items, and then apply the creator code. Both savings stack because they function independently. A 5% cashback rate added to a 15% creator discount gives you 20% off effectively. Throw in a rewards credit card and you’re getting closer to a quarter back. This method requires almost no extra effort.

One underappreciated stack involves loyalty programs and student or military discounts. If you qualify for any of these, they often apply to the already-discounted price before your creator code goes in. Retailers like Madewell, Nike, and many beauty brands let you combine a membership rate with an affiliate code. For example, a site might give members free shipping and a 10% welcome discount, but that welcome discount expires quickly. Meanwhile, an influencer’s code could take off another 15% on top. Just make sure you are logged into your account before entering the code, because some stacking only works for registered users.

Look for exclusive creator events too. Big influencers sometimes negotiate flash sales that are explicitly stackable. The caption might say “extra 20% off our sale prices” or “get an additional discount on top of current promotions.“ If the language mentions stacking, you’re golden. Conversely, phrases like “cannot be combined with other offers” signal a dead end. Follow creators who are upfront about these details, because they want you to feel good about using their code.

To test any code, open a private browser. Add items to the cart first and see if any automatic discount appears. Then enter the creator’s code. If it goes through, you’ve found a stack. If not, try a different route. Sometimes you can use a code for free shipping instead of a percentage, which might be more valuable for lower-priced items. Always compare the actual amount saved, not just the neat percentage number.

Retailers don’t always make this easy. A site might apply the creator code after the sale discount, still giving you a combination. Others will reject the code if a sale is already active. In those cases, try refreshing the cart or using the mobile app, because some platforms have different rules. Another trick is to click through a cashback portal first, then enter the code, as that changes the tracking path.

Patience matters too. Creator codes expire and get replaced. If one doesn’t stack this week, another might next month. Sign up for brand emails and text alerts, since they often send out exclusive “extra 15%“ codes that are designed to stack with everything. Keep a single inbox and avoid creating multiple accounts, which could get your order flagged.

Stacking is not about breaking the rules. It’s about knowing how sales systems operate. For anyone with disposable income, that knowledge translates into keeping more money while still getting top quality products. So next time you see a creator hyping a deal, don’t just accept their code. Look for a sale in the background, pull up your cashback app, and see if you can combine them. A few minutes of testing can make that smart purchase even smarter.