The holidays are the best time to buy gift cards for loved ones (or even yourself) from popular restaurants and retailers because of all the bonus offers. Plus, it’s the perfect gift because the recipient can pick exactly what they want at their favorite shop (or enjoy their favorite meal.)
According to the National Retail Federation, more than half of consumers have gift cards on their shopping list. This holiday season, it’s estimated retailers will sell more than $30 billion in gift cards.
The extra savings make gift cards an easy and quick way to check off your holiday shopping list, while maximizing your holiday budget.
Tips on buying holiday gift card bonuses
In order to receive the bonus, gift cards must be purchased by Dec. 31, 2023. However, offers may end sooner. Always read the fine print first.
It’s important to note that most of the offers are for “bonus cards” or “coupons” — not actual gift cards. Therefore, review the fine print for limitations, including any minimum purchase requirements, date restrictions and/or menu exclusions.
Bonus offers are available while supplies last. Many often sell out quickly.
Most bonus cards are not valid until Jan. 1, 2024.
Bonus offers and redemption are only valid at participating locations.
Bonus offers may only be available online or in-store or both. Verify bonus offers availability and the fine print before purchasing because gift cards are typically non-refundable.
Gift card purchases must be made directly with the restaurant or retailer for the bonus — not via a third-party site or business (such as a grocery or big box store.)
National and regional chains aren’t the only businesses in the gift-giving mood. You may find local restaurants or businesses in your neighborhood with bonus gift card offers, so stop by your favorite spots for more potential savings. Gift card purchases are a great way to support local businesses.
Review our tips on how to maximize the value of your gift cards.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday
Many bonuses are doubled for Black Friday, Cyber Monday or all weekend between the two shopping holidays. It’s the best time to stock up on gift cards and enjoy lots of bonus offers.
Gift card deals for 2023
Restaurant: Minimum Gift Card Purchase = Bonus Offer
Abuelo’s: $50 = $10 VIP Card
Another Broken Egg Cafe: $50 = $10 Bonus Gift Card
Auntie Anne’s: Any amount ($5 or more) = FREE Pretzel Reward Card
Applebee’s: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
bartaco: $50 = $10 Bonus
Benihana: $50 = $10 Promo Card / $200 = $60 Promo Card
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: $50 = $10 Bonus Card / $100 = $25 Bonus Card + 20% Off VIP Card
Blanco Cocina + Cantina: $100 = $20 Bonus Card
Bonefish Grill: $50 = $10 Off Coupon
Bruegger’s Bagels: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.: $50 = $10 Reward Card
Buca di Beppo: $50 = $10 Reward Card
Buffalo Wild Wings: $25 = $5 eBonus Card
BurgerFi: $25 = $5 eBonus Card
Cafe Rio Mexican Grill – $30 = $10 Gift Card — from Nov. 24 to 27, 2023
Carrabba’s Italian Grill: $50 = $10 eBonus Card
The Children’s Place: $50 or more = $10 Gift Coupon
Chili’s: $50 = $10 Holiday eBonus Card
Cinnabon: $25 = $5 Reward Card
Cold Stone Creamery: $50 = $15 Bonus e-Card
Del Taco: $30 = FREE small-sized combo meal / $100 = Four FREE small-sized combo meals
DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse): $50 = $10 Bonus Card, $100 = $25 Bonus Card
Einstein Bros. Bagels: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
First Watch: $50 = $10 Bonus Bucks
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: $100 = $20 Bonus Card
Flower Child: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
Fogo de Chão: $125 = $25 Holiday Bonus Card / $300 = $75 Holiday Bonus Card / $400 = $100 Holiday Bonus Card
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: $25 = $5 Bonus Gift Card
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria: $50 = $10 Bonus Card / $100 = $20 Bonus Card
Hand & Stone Massage & Facial Spa: Buy-one-get-one FREE gift card — from Nov. 24 to 26, 2023
IHOP: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
Jamba: $25 = $5 Reward Card
Kona Grill: $50 = $10 Bonus Dollars / $100 = $25 Bonus Dollars
Kroger – Various gift card bonuses and discounts available online — promo dates and offers change often
Logan’s Roadhouse: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
MAD Greens: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
Maggiano’s Little Italy: $100 = $20 Bonus Card
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
Metro Diner: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
Modern Market: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
Morton’s The Steakhouse: $250 = $50 Reward Card
Ocean Prime: $100 = $25 Bonus Card Reward
Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
Outback Steakhouse: $50 = $10 Off Coupon
The Palm: $250 = $50 Reward Card
Panda Express: $30 = FREE bowl
Panera Bread: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
Pei Wei Asian Kitchen: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille: $125 = $25 Reward Card
Portillo’s: $50 = $10 Promo Card
Red Lobster: $50 = Two $10 Off Bonus Coupons
Red Robin: $25 = $5 Bonus Buck Reward
Regal Cinemas: $50 = $10 Concessions Bonus
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery: $50 = $10 eBonus Card
Rusty Bucket: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
Ruth’s Chris Steak House: $300 or more = 10% Bonus Gift Card
Seasons 52: $500 or more = 10% bonus gift card
Shake Shack – $25 = $5 Bonus Card
Smashburger: $25 = $5 Smash Cash
Snarf’s Sandwiches: $25 = $5 Bonus Coupon — available in-restaurant only
Subway: $25 = FREE 6″ sub
STK Steakhouse: $50 = $10 Dining Dollars / $100 = $25 Dining Dollars
T.G.I. Friday’s: $50 = $20 Bonus Bites
The Cheesecake Factory: $50 = $15 Bonus eCard
The Old Spaghetti Factory: $50 = $10 Bonus Certificate
True Food Kitchen: $100 = $20 Bonus Card
Tokyo Joe’s: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
Torchy’s Tacos – $25 = $5 Taco Cash / $100 = $25 Taco Cash / $250 = FREE queso for a year (200 per store)
Village Inn; $25 = $5 Bonus Card
Wendy’s: $3 Frosty Key Tag = FREE Jr. Frosty every visit in 2024
Gift card fine print
Remember, price and participation may vary by location. Review the fine print for limitations, including minimum purchase requirements, date restrictions, or exclusions first. Also, many businesses don’t allow you to combine multiple bonus cards in a single transaction. Most (if not all) bonuses are not valid until Jan. 1, 2021.
Looking for more gift card tips? Read these articles:
Maximize the value of your gift cards
Using gift cards to budget (and to save even more money)
5 ways to get gift card deals and discounts
