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 all 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 VIP Card
- Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: $50 = $10 food & beverage voucher
- AMF Bowling: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
- Applebee’s: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
- Benihana: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
- BJ’s Restaurant Brewhouse: $100 = $25 Bonus Card, 20% off VIP Card and chalkboard beer glass / $50 = $10 Bonus Card and 20% Off VIP Card — online only
- Bonefish Grill: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
- Brio Tuscan Grille: $100 = $20 Bonus Card
- Bruegger’s Bagels: $25 = $5 Bakery Bucks
- Buca di Bepp0: $50 = $10 Reward Card
- Buffalo Wild Wings: $25 = $5 Blazin’ eBonus
- BurgerFi: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
- California Pizza Kitchen: $100 = $20 Promo Card
- Carl’s Jr.: $25 = FREE Original Six Dollar Thickburger
- Carmike Cinemas: Get $25 gift card for $20
- Children’s Place: $40 = $10 off coupon
- Chili’s: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
- Chipotle Mexican Grill: $30 (through Dec. 24) = BOGO FREE burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos with receipt through Jan. 31, 2017.
- Cinemark Theatres: $35 = $5 Concession Bonus Coupon
- Country Buffet: $25 = $5 Bonus Certificate
- Del Taco: Online: $30 = FREE Small Combo Meal / $100 = 4 FREE Small Combo Meals; In-Store: $15 = 2 FREE grilled chicken tacos / $25 = 4 FREE grilled chicken tacos
- Denny’s: $25 = $5 Denny’s Card
- DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse): $50 = $5 Bonus Card
- Einstein Bros. Bagels: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
- Elephant Bar: $50 = $10 Promo Dining Card
- Fleming’s Steakhouse: $100 = $20 Bonus Card
- Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse: $150 = $25 Holiday Bonus Card
- Golden Corral: $25 = $5 Bonus Bucks
- Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria: $50 = $10 Gift Card / $100 = $20 Gift Card
- Harkins Theatres: $25 = FREE medium popcorn
- Hooters: Online: $100 = $20 Gift Card / In-store: $25 = $5 Hooters Bonus Bucks
- IHOP: $25 = $5 coupon
- Il Fornaio: $100 = $20 Complimenti Card
- Jamba Juice: $25 = FREE juice or smoothie
- Joe’s Crab Shack: $25 = $30 in coupons
- Landmark Theatres: Film Aficionado Ticket Book for $200 (25 tickets total for $8 each)
- Longhorn Steakhouse: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
- Maggiano’s Little Italy: $100 = $20 Bonus Card + FREE one-year Food & Wine Magazine subscription
- Massage Envy: $100 = $25 Promo Card / $150 = $50 Promo Card
- McCormick and Schmick’s: $100 = $20 Reward Card
- Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
- Mimi’s Café: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
- MOOYAH: $30 = $5 off your meal — in the same transaction
- Morton’s The Steakhouse: $250 = $50 Reward Card
- Native Foods Café: $100 = $20 Gift Card
- Noodles & Company: $25 = $5 Great Giver Bonus Card
- Ocean Prime: $100 = $25 Bonus Card
- Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
- Olive Garden: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
- Outback Steakhouse: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
- Panda Express: $25 = FREE fortune cookies
- Panera Bread: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
- Papa John’s: $25 = FREE large, one-topping pizza
- Pei Wei Asian Diner: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
- P.F. Chang’s China Bistro: $100 = $20 Bonus Card
- Pier 1 Imports: $25 = $5 Bonus Coupon
- Red Lobster: $25 = $10 Off Coupon or FREE appetizer
- Red Robin: $25 = $5 Bonus Buck Reward
- Regal Cinemas: $50 = $10 Promotional eGift Card
- Ruby Tuesday: $25 = $5 Bonus Coupon / $50 = $15 Bonus Coupon
- Ruth’s Chris Steak House: $250 0r more = 10% Bonus
- Smashburger: $50 = $15 Smash Bucks / $25 = $5 Smash Bucks
- Souplantation:$50 = FREE Meal Pass
- Steak ‘n Shake: $20 = $5 Certificate
- Sweet Tomatoes: $50 = FREE Meal Pass
- Taco John’s: $20 = $5 Bonus Card
- Texas Roadhouse: $30 = $5 Bonus eGift Card
- T.G.I. Friday’s: $25 = $5 Bonus Bites Card
- The Cheesecake Factory: $25 = 2 FREE slices of cheesecake — offer valid from Nov. 25 to 28.
- Tony Roma’s: $50 = $15 Roma Bucks
- Uno Pizzeria & Grill: $25 = $5 Bonus Voucher
- Village Inn: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
- Wendy’s: $2 Frosty Key Tag = FREE Jr. Frosty with any purchase in 2017
- 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, 2017.
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 most gift cards are non-refundable.
Phantom Fireworks Has to Two Great Options!
For Each $100 Gift Card Purchased Receive a $25 Bonus Gift Card
For Each $50 Gift Card Purchased Receive a $10 Bonus Gift Card