New National Express customers can currently use referral code REFN3CFL to get 20% off an eligible coach booking. You must create a free My Account and sign in before searching for your journey.
Referral code: London for Cheap receives a separate 20% National Express reward if your eligible booking qualifies. Your own advertised discount is not reduced.
How to use National Express code REFN3CFL
Get the referral saving before you pay
- Open the referral invitation.
Use the offer button above so National Express can recognise the referral journey.
- Create a free My Account.
The referral discount is restricted to new customers. Sign in before searching.
- Find your coach journey.
Select the route, travel time and fare conditions that suit you.
- Enter REFN3CFL.
Type the code into the voucher-code box during booking if it has not been attached automatically.
- Check the final total.
Make sure 20% has been removed from the eligible fare before completing payment.
Signing into My Account also removes the normal online booking fee currently advertised by National Express. Extras such as reserved seats, additional luggage or insurance may remain payable.
Which journeys receive 20% off?
National Express says the referral code works on the majority of its own coach journeys. Third-party routes are excluded, and some restricted or promotional fares may not accept another discount.
The safest check is the final booking screen. Search for the exact route and date, enter the code and confirm that the total changes before entering payment details.
Referral rewards cannot be combined with another National Express promotional offer. If you have a Coachcard, student offer or separate voucher, compare each route independently rather than assuming the discounts will stack.
Is National Express the cheapest airport option?
It depends on the airport, time and number of passengers. A coach can work particularly well for Stansted, Heathrow, Gatwick or Luton when it avoids a difficult connection or expensive rail fare.
Compare:
- The final coach fare after the referral code
- The relevant airport train and any advance fare
- TfL routes where Oyster or contactless is accepted
- Total journey time and the risk of road traffic
- The stop nearest your accommodation
- Luggage included in each ticket
For a group, also check whether an airport operator has a group fare. For a very early departure, verify the coach arrival time at the correct terminal rather than choosing only by price.
Read our London transport and airport payment guide for the main Oyster and contactless exceptions.
What does the referrer receive?
After an eligible new customer books using REFN3CFL, the referrer receives a separate 20% discount reward in their National Express Loyalty Offers area.
National Express currently allows a referral code to be shared with up to five people. After five successful uses, the account holder can reactivate it for another five. The public offer page says the referral code itself has no stated expiry, although National Express can change or withdraw its programme.
Pros
- 20% off an eligible journey for a genuine new customer.
- A free My Account removes the advertised booking fee.
- Useful for airport transfers and longer UK coach journeys.
- The referrer receives a separate 20% reward after a qualifying booking.
Cons
- Previous National Express customers are not eligible.
- Third-party routes and some fare types are excluded.
- The reward cannot be combined with other promotions.
- Coach journey times can be affected by traffic.