BOGO discount code issue - keeps saying it is not valid despite trying multiple options

Shopify Discussion
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Topic summary

BOGO discount code not validating for a free gift over $50. Configuration included a code (FREEBOOK), minimum purchase $50, specific collections, and a 1-item free gift. Eligibility tested for subscribers and then all customers.

Resolution for validity: The code works if both items are in the cart first—qualifying product + the designated free gift—then apply the code.

Desired behavior: Auto-add the gift when the code is used. Clarification: Shopify Flow cannot add products to cart/checkout unless on Shopify Plus (which allows checkout customization via code). The OP is not on Plus.

Workarounds suggested: Third‑party apps to auto-include gifts (e.g., Gifter: Cart Auto Include, Freegifts). OP tried Shopify Flow (triggers failed to load) and later tested “BOGOS: Free gift & Buy X Get Y,” reporting multiple issues and leaving a 2‑star review. They paused BOGO, reverting to simpler free gifts/discounts, and may instruct customers to add the gift manually.

Status: Immediate issue (code not valid) resolved by correct cart setup. Automatic gift add-on via code remains unresolved without a reliable app or Shopify Plus. Another user echoed frustration with lack of native support and app pricing.

Summarized with AI on January 12. AI used: gpt-5.
1

Hi, I’m struggling with setting up the BOGO discount code. I have set up a BOGO discount to give a free gift with orders over $50 but I can’t get it to work (including testing multiple variations using incognito mode).

I have used the code FREEBOOK, selected the minimum purchase amount and entered $50. I have then selected specific collections and originally selected ‘All’ collections. When that did not work I tried ticking all the collections individually - this also did not work.

Under ‘customer gets’ I have a quantity of 1, selected ‘specific products’ and clicked on the product that is the free gift. It is restricted to 1 under 'set a maximum number of uses per order. I have also tested it without this box ticked, again with no success.

For customer eligibility, I originally selected email subscribers, but when that did not work I changed it to all customers (it is an offer for my email subscribers but if that causes problems happy to open it to all customers, a sale’s a sale!).

There are no maximum discount uses and I have selected it to work with shipping discount.

Start date was earlier today so it is definitely active, with an end date of 19 February.

I have more than triple checked I am spelling the discount code too, but it is not my thick fingers on this occasion!

I have tried googling it but all the instructions I can find advise me to do what I have already tried.

Any advice on how to get this working is gratefully received.

2

You should add 2 products to cart

  • a product from collection all
  • a product that you want to give free
    then apply coupon code
    Please check if it works
    Thanks!
1 Like
3

Hi,

You can also make it work using Shopify Flow.

Item will be automatically added to cart when customer spends more than $x or when discount code is applied or… You can get as creative as you want.

4

But, I think, we can’t add product to cart/checkout using shopify flow

5

Thanks for replying so quickly and helping me. This did the trick.

I was hoping it would add the free gift automatically when the code was used! I’m guessing that’s not possible without a special app? (The free gift app I already have doesn’t allow you to create a code, it just applies the offer to anyone who meets the criteria :disappointed_face: )

6

Thanks for helping me. I didn’t know about this app. I have installed it and am having a play. At the moment I can’t get the triggers to load when I try to create a flow (just get the spinning circle) but I’ll keep trying! Thanks for letting me know about Shopify Flow.

7

If you are on shopify plus then you can use some liquid and javascript/ajax to add it automatically as checkout is open only for shopify plus. if you are not on shopify plus plan then you can check some app on app store that does the trick

1 Like
8

Hi @pawankumar I installed Shopify Flow and am having a play. At the moment I can’t get the triggers to load when I try to create a flow (just get the spinning circle) but I’ll keep trying! If I can get it to work and load the product automatically using a code I’ll come back here and leave a message. Fingers crossed. Thanks for your support.

9

Shopify flow will not help you in this case you can use an app like this: https://apps.shopify.com/gifter-cart-auto-include
to auto add products
Thanks!

1 Like
10

Sadly not on Shopify Plus. Will do some more digging for apps, but it is great to have your solution - if I have to I can change my email copy to instruct customers to add the product. Just a bit of a clunky process for them. Learning a lot every time I try something new with Shopify!

11

@pawankumar you are a star! Thank you for finding that for me. Will give it a go. Appreciate all your help and time.

12

Yes, you can add a banner or something to add free gift, also you can show free gift on cart or product page to allow customers to add it and
Here is another app https://apps.shopify.com/freegifts that you can try if you are willing to use an app

1 Like
13

This is great, thank you. Will play with that app too!

14

Hey there! Bumped into the same issue hoping that the item(s) are self-applied at checkout/cart when the customer inserts a specific BUY X GET Y discount code. Have you found a solution for that yet? Looking forward to your response!

15

Hi InfernoSP, I did find an app that did this called ‘BOGOS: Free gift & Buy X Get Y’ but had no end of problems with it, including after I ended the campaign. You can see my review of it here: https://apps.shopify.com/freegifts/reviews?ratings%5B%5D=2 (search under 2 star reviews if this link doesn’t take you to it directly, I am the top one on the list). I have given up on BOGOs for the time being, as the other apps I found didn’t meet my (customer) needs. Gone back to doing free gifts and discounts! Would love to hear if you find a good app for this. Sorry I can’t point you to one.

1 Like
16

Hi Connollyc3, thank you for your quick response! Sorry to hear that you were unable to figure out the BOGO issue as well. Quite a surprise to see that such an intuitive and logical gift concept isn’t available natively in Shopify, let alone via third-party Shopify apps. Not to mention $50/mo for a single function in the store is pretty steep pricing for the BOGO app mentioned. This should’ve been way simpler but I suppose I was wrong, haha. And yeah, will let you know if I do find any alternatives :slightly_smiling_face: Thanks again.