{"title":"Apply a coupon at the register","slug":"apply-a-coupon-at-the-register","url":"https://support.storeconnect.com/articles/apply-a-coupon-at-the-register","url_markdown":"https://support.storeconnect.com/articles/apply-a-coupon-at-the-register.md","subtitle":null,"summary":"Enter a customer\u0026#39;s coupon code on a POS cart, read the message when a code is turned away, and understand when a coupon stops discounting, is removed, or comes back on a resumed sale.","type":"Help_Documentation","video_url":"","keywords":"POS coupon, coupon code at register, apply coupon POS, promo code POS, coupon rejected, coupon not applied, promotions at POS, coupon limit, coupon offline, resume cart coupon, returns coupon, Promotions v2 POS","last_modified":"2026-10-25T21:42:50+0000","body_markdown":"Use this process when a customer has a coupon code for a Promotion v2 offer and is buying in store. Automatic promotions need no action: the register works them out on its own as items go into the cart.\n\n## Before you start\n\n- The offer has to be set up as a Promotion v2 with a **Coupon Code**. See [About Promotions v2](advanced-promotions).\n- The promotion records have to be synced to the register. A promotion created moments ago may not have reached it yet. See [Manage POS data sync](manage-pos-data-sync).\n- The register needs a connection. A coupon cannot be entered while offline.\n\n## Apply the code\n\n1.  Build the cart as usual.\n2.  Select **Manage cart**, then **Coupon code**. The option shows how many coupons are already applied, for example `1 applied`.\n3.  On the **Add coupon code** screen, type the code in the **Coupon code** field. Case and surrounding spaces do not matter.\n\n    \u003c!-- Screen shot: Add coupon code screen with a code typed in and the Applied coupons list showing one chip marked (not applied) --\u003e\n\n4.  Select **Apply coupon**.\n\nThe register works out every applied coupon and every automatic promotion together. A promotion on particular items is named under each line it discounted, and a promotion on the whole cart gets a separate row in the totals, under **Subtotal**. See [POS cart](pos-cart) for how to read each row.\n\nFor example, a customer buying a $60 jacket gives the code `WINTER10`, a promotion with the **Display Name** \"Winter 10% off\" that takes 10% off the whole cart. After you apply it, the totals show **Subtotal** $60.00, then **Winter 10% off** -$6.00, and the **Order total** is $6.00 lower.\n\nTo remove a coupon, open **Coupon code** again and dismiss it from the **Applied coupons** list.\n\n## When a code is turned away\n\nThe register gives one of these messages.\n\n| Message | What it means |\n|---|---|\n| This coupon code is invalid or doesn't exist. | No such code, or it belongs to another store, channel, or customer |\n| This coupon code isn't currently active. | Outside the promotion's dates, including one that has not started |\n| This cart doesn't qualify for this coupon. | No condition is met, including a delivery outside the promotion's zone |\n| Coupons can't be applied to a cart with only returns. | Nothing is being bought. A coupon with a condition gets \"This cart doesn't qualify for this coupon.\" instead |\n| This coupon code has already been applied. | The same promotion is on the cart, even under a different code or casing |\n| This coupon can't be combined with existing promotions. | The coupon, or a promotion already discounting the cart, is set not to combine with existing promotions |\n| A better promotion is already applied. | The coupon does not beat the coupons already discounting the cart |\n| The maximum number of coupons for this cart has been reached. | The store's coupon limit is reached |\n| Coupons can't be applied while offline. | The register knows it has no connection |\n| This coupon code could not be validated. | Anything the server checks failed, such as a usage limit, a time-of-day rule, or a delivery zone that could not be confirmed |\n\n## While the coupon stays on the cart\n\nA coupon that is applied but not currently discounting anything, such as one beaten by a larger coupon, shows as **CODE (not applied)**. It still counts toward the coupon limit, and you can still remove it.\n\nThe register takes a coupon off by itself when its promotion stops qualifying, expires, or is deleted. If you empty the cart by removing items one at a time, coupons that need items go and any always-applies coupon stays. The cart's **Empty** action clears every coupon.\n\n:::note\nA coupon that qualifies but works out to no discount is still accepted at the register and sits as not applied. It is not an error.\n:::\n\n## Coupons on a parked or returned sale\n\nA parked sale picks its coupons back up from the discounts left on its lines when it is resumed. A coupon that left no discount there is lost, and has to be entered again: one that only gave a free product, one that was showing as not applied, or one whose promotion this register does not have. See [Park an order at the POS](pos-parking-orders).\n\nOn a cart holding returns, promotions are worked out on what the customer is actually buying, after the returned items are netted off. A cart holding only returns gets no promotion and will not take a coupon. See [Returns, refunds and exchanges at the POS](returns-refund-exchange-at-pos).\n\n## If the register loses its connection\n\nAutomatic promotions keep applying, checked against what the register holds. A coupon already on the cart keeps discounting. You cannot enter a new coupon until the connection is back.\n\nA coupon tied to a delivery zone is the exception: the register cannot place a delivery in a zone on its own, so the coupon stays on the cart giving nothing until the connection returns. If it still cannot be checked when you press **Pay** or **Fast Checkout**, checkout is blocked with \"Couldn't check a coupon with the server. Try again, or remove the coupon to continue.\" Removing the coupon lets the sale go through. See [Offline sales at the POS](offline-sales-at-pos).\n\nOnce the coupon's promotion shows on the cart with an amount against it, under a line or in the totals, the discount is on the sale and is kept on the order."}