First Order Discount Codes in the UAE and Saudi Arabia: How New Customer Offers Work

A first order discount code is a welcome offer that gives new customers a saving on their first purchase, such as a percentage off, free delivery or a fixed amount off. In the UAE and Saudi Arabia these offers are common on fashion stores, marketplaces and delivery apps, but they usually work only once, only on a new account and often only above a minimum spend. Here is how to find them, what the typical conditions are and how to use them so your welcome discount is not wasted.

In this guide:

• Why Stores Offer First Order Discounts
• Common Types of New Customer Offers
• Where to Find First Order Codes
• Typical Conditions to Check
• How to Make the Most of a Welcome Discount
• First Orders on Delivery Apps
• What Happens After the First Order
• Is It Worth Signing Up Just for the Discount?
• Frequently Asked Questions

Why Stores Offer First Order Discounts

Attracting a new customer costs stores far more than keeping an existing one, so many brands are willing to give a generous discount on the first order. They hope you will enjoy the experience, download the app and come back without needing a discount next time.

For shoppers, this means the first order with a new store is often the cheapest one. It is worth planning that order rather than using the welcome offer on a small, last-minute purchase.

Welcome offers also tend to be more generous during busy seasons, when stores compete hardest for new customers. If you are thinking of trying a new store, it can pay to wait for a major sale period, as long as the welcome code can be used on sale prices.

Common Types of New Customer Offers

• Percentage off the first order, sometimes with a maximum discount amount.
• A fixed amount off when you spend above a set threshold.
• Free delivery on the first order or for a limited period.
• A discount for downloading the app and ordering through it.
• Sign-up rewards such as points or wallet credit after your first purchase.

Each type has different value. A percentage discount with a cap may be worth less than a fixed amount off on a larger order, so compare the actual saving for the basket you plan to buy.

Where to Find First Order Codes

Store pages on Dealspapa list current codes and deals, and many include offers suitable for new customers. Fashion and lifestyle stores such as Namshi, 6thStreet, Styli and Shein are popular places to start.

Marketplaces including Temu, AliExpress and Noon often promote new-user deals in their apps. Delivery services such as ToYou and Deliveroo frequently run first-order promotions too.

Stores also show welcome offers in pop-ups when you first visit, in sign-up emails and on their app store pages. Compare these with listed codes, because a general code is sometimes better than the welcome offer, and some stores let you choose only one.

Typical Conditions to Check

New account only

Most welcome codes require an account that has never placed an order. Some stores also check your phone number, delivery address or payment card to stop repeat use.

Minimum order value

A threshold is common. Check whether it is calculated before or after other discounts and whether delivery counts towards it.

Excluded items

Electronics, gold, gift cards and certain brands are often excluded from first order discounts. Sale items may also be excluded.

Channel and country

Some welcome offers are app-only, and almost all are tied to one country store. A UAE welcome code will not work on a Saudi account.

How to Make the Most of a Welcome Discount

1. Plan a meaningful first order. Use the welcome offer on items you were going to buy anyway, ideally a larger basket where a percentage discount has more value.
2. Check the cap. If the discount is capped, there is no benefit in spending far beyond the point where the cap is reached.
3. Combine with a sale where allowed. During big events such as White Friday, a welcome code on top of sale prices can be excellent value, if the conditions permit it.
4. Confirm the discount at checkout. Make sure the discount line appears in the order summary before you pay.
5. Keep the account details consistent. Creating multiple accounts to reuse welcome codes usually breaks store terms and can lead to cancelled orders.

First Orders on Delivery Apps

Food and grocery delivery apps are among the most active users of first-order offers. Discounts may apply to the delivery fee, the order value or both. Restaurant and shop participation can vary, so check which outlets are included.

Keep an eye on the service fee and small-order fee as well as the delivery fee. A welcome discount on the food total can be partly offset by these charges, so compare the final amount rather than the headline offer.

Delivery promotions often change daily. If you plan to try a new app, compare the welcome offer with any listed deals on the store page before ordering. For regular grocery savings, our guide on how to save money on groceries in the UAE has more ideas.

What Happens After the First Order

Once the welcome offer is used, stores usually move you to regular promotions: seasonal sales, app notifications, loyalty points and codes for existing customers. Many coupon codes listed on Dealspapa work for existing customers, so the end of a welcome offer does not mean the end of discounts.

If a code is rejected because you are no longer a new customer, our guide on why coupon codes stop working explains the other common causes and what to try next.

Is It Worth Signing Up Just for the Discount?

It can be, as long as you would have bought from the store anyway. Signing up also gives you order tracking, saved addresses and easier returns. The downside is marketing messages, which you can usually manage in account settings.

Avoid signing up to stores you do not trust just to claim a discount. Stick to well-known retailers, read return policies and pay through secure methods. For more on choosing safe marketplaces, see our guide on whether Temu is legit in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a first order code more than once?

Usually not. Welcome codes are designed for one order per new customer, and stores often check your account, phone number and payment details.

Do first order codes work on sale items?

It depends on the store. Some welcome offers apply to everything, while others exclude sale items or certain categories.

Is a first order discount better than a regular coupon?

Often, but not always. Compare the actual saving for your basket, especially if the welcome discount has a cap.

Why was my welcome code rejected?

Common reasons are an account that has ordered before, a cart below the minimum spend, excluded items or using the code on the wrong country store.

Do delivery apps offer first order discounts?

Many do, often on the delivery fee, the order value or both. Participating restaurants and shops can vary.

Will I get discounts after my first order?

Yes. Stores run seasonal sales, loyalty programmes and codes for existing customers, many of which are listed on store pages.