Once again, gift cards are at the top of many people’s wish list this holiday season. Gift cards are always an efficient and convenient way to check off your holiday shopping list. Best of all, it pays to give gift cards because of the bonus offers, this time of year. Most of the gift cards must be purchased by December 31, in order to receive the bonus — some promos end earlier, so check first. In addition, some promos are available online or in-store only, while others are available either way. (For true savings, it’s better to buy the gift cards in-store, rather than pay any potential shipping charges.)
We’ve compiled a round-up of bonus offers from popular national restaurants and retailers. However, there may be local deals to be found, too, so stop by your favorite neighborhood spot and ask. Plus, review our tips on how to maximize the promos at the end of the list.
- Merchant – Minimum gift card purchase = bonus offer
- Abuelo’s: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
- Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: $50 = $10 Snack Pass
- Applebee’s: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
- Benihana: $50 = $10 Promo Card
- BJ’s Restaurant Brewhouse: $100 = $25 Bonus Card and 20% off VIP Card / $50 = $10 Bonus Card and 20% off VIP Card
- Bonefish Grill: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
- BRIO Tuscan Grille: $100 = $25 Bonus Card
- Bruegger’s Bagels: $25 = $5 Bakery Bucks
- Buca di Bepp0: $50 = Two $10 Reward Cards
- California Pizza Kitchen: $100 = $20 Promo Card
- Chick-fil-A: $8 2018 Calendar = FREE food and/or drinks each month in 2018
- Children’s Place: $40 = $10 off coupon
- Chili’s: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
- Chipotle Mexican Grill – $30 (from Nov. 20 to Dec. 24) = BOGO FREE burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos with gift card receipt through Dec. 31
- Cinemark Theatres: $35 = $5 Concession Bonus Coupon
- Del Taco – Online: $30 = FREE small combo meal / $100 = Four FREE small combo meals; In-Store: $15 = Two FREE grilled chicken tacos / $25 = Four FREE grilled chicken tacos
- Denny’s: $25 = $50 in Denny’s coupons
- DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse): $100 = $20 Bonus Card — earn additional $5 Bonus Card for each $50 spent in gift cards over the $100 threshold
- Einstein Bros. Bagels: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
- Fleming’s Steakhouse: $100 = $20 Bonus Card
- Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse: $150 = $25 Holiday Bonus Card
- Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria: $50 = $10 Bonus Card / $100 = $20 Bonus Card
- Harkins Theatres: $25 = FREE medium popcorn
- IHOP: $25 = $5 coupon
- Il Fornaio: $100 = $20 Complimenti Card
- Jamba Juice: $25 = $5 off first purchase in 2018
- Landmark Theatres: Film Aficionado Ticket Book for $225 (25 tickets total for $9 each)
- Longhorn Steakhouse: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
- Maggiano’s Little Italy: $100 = $20 Bonus Card
- McCormick and Schmick’s: $100 = $20 Reward Card
- Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
- Mimi’s Café: $25 = $5 Gift Certificate
- MOOYAH: $25 = $5 off meal in the same transaction
- Morton’s The Steakhouse: $250 = $50 Reward Card
- Native Foods Café: $100 = $20 Gift Card
- Noodles & Company: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
- Ocean Prime: $100 = $25 Bonus Card
- Olive Garden: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
- Outback Steakhouse: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
- Panera Bread: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
- P.F. Chang’s China Bistro: $100 = $20 Bonus Card
- Potbelly Sandwich Shop: $25 = FREE Sandwich Ticket
- Red Lobster: $25 = $10 off Coupon or FREE appetizer
- Red Robin: $50 = $10 Bonus Buck Reward / $25 = $5 Bonus Buck Reward
- Regal Cinemas: $50 = $10 Concessions Bonus Card
- Ruby Tuesday: $50 = $15 Bonus Coupon
- Ruth’s Chris Steak House: $250 0r more = 10% Bonus
- Shoney’s: $25 = $5 Shoney’s Bucks
- Smashburger: $50 = $15 Smash Bucks / $25 = $5 Smash Bucks
- Souplantation:$50 = FREE Meal Pass
- Steak ‘n Shake: $20 = $5 Certificate
- Taco Bell: $25 = FREE Combo Meal
- Texas Roadhouse: $30 = $5 Bonus eGift Card
- T.G.I. Friday’s: $25 = Bonus Bites Card worth $5 to $25 and FREE Redbox rental
- The Cheesecake Factory: $25 = 2 FREE slices of cheesecake — offer valid from Nov. 24 to 27
- Tony Roma’s: $50 = $15 Roma Bucks
- Village Inn: $25 = $5 Promo Card
- Wendy’s: $2 Frosty Key Tag = FREE Jr. Frosty with any purchase in 2018
- White Castle: $25 = $5 Promo Card
- Yard House: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
Remember, price and participation may vary by location. It’s also important to note that most, if not all, of the offers are for “bonus cards” — not gift cards. Review the fine print for limitations, including minimum purchase requirements, date restrictions or menu exclusions first. Also, many businesses don’t allow you to combine multiple bonus cards in a single transaction. Plus, most (if not all) bonuses are not valid until Jan. 1, 2018.
Who says gift cards have to be gifts? If you have a favorite restaurant or merchant offering a gift card bonus, “pre-pay” for goods and services now…and “gift” yourself the bonus.
Plus, get more bonuses by breaking down a large purchase. For example, if the bonus is for a $25 (or more) gift card and you’re buying a $50 gift card, why not purchase two $25 gift cards in separate transactions instead? You just doubled your bonus. However, many businesses give you a bonus for each gift card purchased at a specified amount (usually $25 or $50) — so there’s no need for multiple transactions. As always, clarify first before purchasing, especially because gift cards are typically non-refundable.
