How to Save on Things to Do at Groupon in December 2025

Groupon: Your Hub for Local Discovery

Groupon has undergone a significant transformation since its inception. While it began as a pioneer of the "daily deal" model—famous for its tipping-point group buying mechanics—it has evolved into a comprehensive, global marketplace dedicated to "Local Discovery." The platform is no longer just a place to grab a cheap lunch coupon; it has become a lifestyle hub where value-conscious consumers can curate entire weekends, vacations, and self-care routines at a fraction of the standard cost. Today, Groupon bridges the gap between consumers looking for adventure and local merchants seeking new customers, shifting the focus from strictly transactional deals to aspirational experiences.

For online shoppers, the value proposition is substantial. Groupon offers a risk-free way to explore your city or a new travel destination. Consumers who might hesitate to pay full price for a luxury spa treatment, a skydiving session, or a family waterpark weekend find these experiences accessible through Groupon’s marketplace, where discounts typically range from 20% to 70% off retail rates. The platform’s "Things To Do" category is particularly robust, helping users plan outings—from axe throwing and bowling to museum visits—without breaking the bank. Furthermore, Groupon keeps users engaged through a strategy of "stackable savings," frequently releasing limited-time Groupon's promo codes (such as "GIFT" or "TIME4FUN") that apply additional percentage-off discounts on top of the already reduced voucher prices.

Groupon Value Programs and Benefit Integration

To truly maximize savings on the platform, shoppers should move beyond simple one-off purchases and utilize Groupon’s integrated value programs. These systems are designed to reward loyalty and streamline the redemption process.

Groupon Bucks (Rewards System)

Groupon Bucks function as the platform's internal currency and store credit system, where one Groupon Buck is equivalent to one U.S. dollar. While these credits are often issued as refunds for cancelled orders, they can also be earned proactively. For instance, the platform’s referral program is a consistent way to build up credit; users who refer a friend to Groupon typically receive $10 in Groupon Bucks once that friend completes their first purchase. These credits are automatically applied to the user's next eligible purchase, effectively lowering the cost of future experiences.

Groupon Select (Subscription Membership)

For the "power user" who purchases deals frequently, Groupon offers a paid monthly subscription service known as Groupon Select (availability may vary by region). This program is designed to pay for itself quickly. In exchange for a monthly fee, members receive an automatic, extra discount—often 25% off—on eligible "Local" deals, including dining, activities, and beauty services. Additionally, members often receive perks like free shipping on "Groupon Goods." If a user buys just two vouchers a month—perhaps a haircut and a family pizza night—the accumulated savings generally outweigh the subscription cost.

Groupon+ (Card-Linked Offers)

Groupon+ represents the platform's move toward a seamless, frictionless dining experience. Unlike traditional vouchers that require printing paper or presenting a phone screen to a server, Groupon+ utilizes card-linked technology. Users simply link an eligible credit or debit card to their Groupon account and "claim" a specific restaurant deal for free. When they dine at that restaurant and pay the full bill with their linked card, the savings are automatically processed as cash back on their credit card statement—often up to 30%. This method is discreet and creates a frictionless experience, comparable to the ease of redeeming Uber's ride discounts without exchanging cash or coupons directly with the driver.

Promo Codes and Sitewide Sales

One of the most effective ways to save on Groupon is to watch for their aggressive sales cycles. The platform frequently runs "Family and Fun" days or holiday-specific events where they release promo codes like PROMO, SAVE, or GIFT. These codes are usually displayed prominently on the homepage banners. Savvy shoppers know that a massage voucher listed at $50 (already discounted from $100) can often be reduced further to $40 or less by applying these codes at checkout.

Product Categories and Offerings: What Can You Buy?

Groupon serves as a digital mall for services, travel, and goods, but its primary strength lies in connecting users with service-based businesses.

Local "Things To Do"

This is the core of the Groupon marketplace, divided into subcategories that cater to every interest.

• Beauty and Spas: This is consistently the most popular category. Shoppers can find significant markdowns on high-end services. Specific brand offerings often include SEV Laser for hair removal packages, vouchers for Botox injections at medical spas, and heavily discounted massage or facial packages at top-rated local wellness centers.
• Activities: This section is dedicated to group entertainment. Popular national brands frequently featured include Bowlero for bowling packages, Spartan Race and Tough Mudder for obstacle course entries, and Dave and Buster's for arcade play. Users can also find niche local activities like axe throwing, escape rooms, and paint-and-sip nights.
• Food and Drink: Beyond standard dining, this category offers experiences such as brewery tours, wine tastings at local vineyards, and "prix fixe" menus at neighborhood bistros.

Groupon Getaways (Travel)

Groupon’s travel division operates similarly to standard booking sites that feature Expedia's vacation deals, but it differentiates itself by bundling extras into the price.

• Family Resorts: High-demand deals frequently appear for Great Wolf Lodge locations nationwide (including the Poconos, Boston, and Williamsburg) and The Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark. Unlike a standard room booking, these Groupon packages almost always include waterpark passes for up to four people, adding significant value.
• Casino Trips: Travelers can find deeply discounted stays at major gaming destinations, including Bally’s Atlantic City, New York-New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, and Saratoga Casino Hotel.
• International Packages: For those looking to go abroad, Groupon partners with tour operators like Affordable World or Great Value Vacations to offer air-inclusive packages to bucket-list destinations such as Rome, Venice, and Paris.
• Live Events: This category provides ticketing solutions for entertainment, often with reduced service fees. Shoppers can find offers for major theme parks like Universal Studios Hollywood or LEGOLAND New York, as well as tickets for touring productions like the Blue Man Group, comedy clubs, and concerts.

Change, Cancellation and Refund Policy

Understanding the fine print regarding Groupon's cancellation policy is vital for a positive experience, as policies differ depending on what you buy.

The "Trade In" Policy

Groupon offers a flexible "Trade In" option for customers who experience buyer's remorse or simply change their plans. For many eligible Local deals, if a user has purchased a voucher but decides not to use it, they can trade that unredeemed voucher in for Groupon Bucks equivalent to the amount paid. This allows the user to immediately apply those credits toward a different deal. This option is generally available in the user's account dashboard up until the voucher's expiration date.

The "3-Day" Rule for Local Deals

To provide peace of mind, Groupon offers a "Perfect Match Guarantee" on the majority of its Local vouchers. Generally, a user can cancel a Local voucher for a full refund to their original payment method within three days of purchase. This applies as long as the voucher has not been viewed (the code hasn't been revealed) or redeemed. Once the three-day window passes, refunds are typically issued only as Groupon Bucks store credit.

Groupon Goods and Getaways Policies

For physical items bought through Groupon Goods, the standard return window is 30 days from receipt, unless the item is marked "Final Sale." However, customers are usually responsible for return shipping costs unless the item arrived defective. For Groupon Getaways, policies vary by booking type. "Book Your Dates" deals follow the specific cancellation policy of the hotel (e.g., 48-hour notice), while "Buy a Voucher" deals usually offer a 7-day refund window if the user cannot find suitable dates to book their trip.

Expired Vouchers: The "Amount Paid" Guarantee

Perhaps the most important policy for users to remember is that they never truly lose their money on an expired Local voucher. While the promotional value (the deep discount) expires on the date listed on the voucher, the Amount Paid never expires. For example, if a user pays $30 for a voucher worth $60 at a restaurant and lets it expire, they can still take that voucher to the restaurant. The merchant is contractually obligated to honor the voucher for the $30 the user originally paid, acting effectively as a gift card for that amount.

Smart Ways to Save and Maximize Value

Navigating Groupon like a pro requires a few strategic habits that can lead to deeper savings and better experiences.

Read the Fine Print First

Before clicking "Buy," always check the "Fine Print" section of the deal. Look for critical restrictions such as "Blackout Dates"—a clause common with travel deals or when looking for American Airlines' flight savings—as well as specific valid days (e.g., "Valid Mon-Thu only") or "New Clients Only" clauses.

Wait for a Code

Patience pays off on Groupon. If you see a deal you like, check the homepage banners first. Promo codes like GIFT, SAVE, or PROMO are released frequently and can knock an extra 20–30% off local activities. These codes usually have a maximum discount cap (e.g., "Max $50 discount"), but they significantly reduce the final price.

Student Discounts

Students should take advantage of Groupon's partnership with verification platforms like Student Beans. Verified students can access an extra discount—often up to 25% off—on local deals for six months or more, making entertainment and food much more affordable.

Check Merchant Availability

For service-based vouchers that require an appointment (like massages or house cleaning), it is wise to check availability before buying. Many deals now feature a "Booking" tool directly on the page that shows open slots. Alternatively, a quick call to the merchant can confirm if they have appointments that fit your schedule.

Program Enrollment and Account Management

Managing purchases and redeeming deals is designed to be user-friendly, centered largely around the Groupon mobile app.

Enrollment

Signing up for a Groupon account is free and can be done via email or by linking a Google or Facebook account. Users interested in the Groupon Select membership can navigate to the subscription tab in their account settings to enroll, which requires a valid credit card for monthly billing.

Account Hub ("My Groupons")

The "My Groupons" section of the website or app acts as the user's digital wallet. In this hub, users can view all their active and expired vouchers. This organization is similar to tracking Priceline's travel coupons within their respective app, ensuring you have all your bookings and vouchers available in one place. This is also where users can track the status of physical goods shipments or print vouchers if necessary.

Redemption

The easiest and most common way to redeem a voucher is via the Groupon Mobile App. Users simply pull up the voucher on their phone screen and present the QR code or barcode to the merchant at the point of sale. The merchant scans the device, and the transaction is complete—no paper required.

Key Terms and Conditions to Know

To avoid confusion at the point of sale, shoppers should be familiar with Groupon's Terms and Conditions and standard terminology used across the platform.

Promotional Value vs. Amount Paid

Every voucher has two values. The "Promotional Value" is the total worth of the service (e.g., a $100 massage). This value is what expires on the date printed on the voucher. The "Amount Paid" is the actual cash the user spent to buy the deal (e.g., $45). As mentioned in the policy section, the Amount Paid never expires.

One Per Person

Most deals carry a "Limit 1 per person" restriction. This means a user can only buy and redeem one voucher for themselves. If they wish to visit the merchant with a friend or spouse, the second person must purchase their own voucher, or the user must buy the second voucher specifically as a "Gift" to be redeemed by someone else.

Gratuity Not Included

This is a crucial point of etiquette. When using a voucher for a service—whether it is dining, a haircut, or a massage—gratuity is rarely included in the voucher price. Users should always calculate the tip based on the full, pre-discount price of the service, not the cheaper price they paid for the voucher. This ensures the service staff is compensated fairly for the full value of the work provided.

How We Find and Publish Deals

Our dedicated team of deal curators is on a constant mission to find the very best Groupon deals for you, our readers. We scour every corner of the internet, monitor their site for new promotions, and verify each offer to ensure it provides real value. This tireless effort means you can trust that the deals you see on DealNews are current, accurate, and the best available.