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 bonuses 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.) However, always check first, especially if you’re ordering gift cards online. Once you hit the “buy” button, you may be out of luck.
In addition, there may be local deals in your town, 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.
Here’s a round-up of bonus offers from popular national restaurants and retailers:
Restaurant/Business – Minimum Gift Card Purchase = Bonus Offer
Benihana: $50 = $10 Promo Card
Bonefish Grill: $50 = $10 off coupon
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. – $50 = $10 Reward Card
Buca di Beppo: $50 = $10 Reward Card
Buffalo Wild Wings – $25 = $5 Blazin’ eBonus
California Pizza Kitchen: $100 = $20 Promo Card
Carrabba’s Italian Grill – $50 = $10 Promo Card
Children’s Place: $50 = $10 Bonus Card / $75 = $15 Bonus Card / $100 = $20 Bonus Card
Chili’s: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse): $50 = $10 Bonus Card / $100 = $25 Bonus Card
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: $100 = $20 Bonus Card
Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria: $50 = $10 Bonus Card / $100 = $20 Bonus Card
Il Fornaio: $100 = $20 Complimenti Card
Jamba: $25 = $5 Rewards Card
Longhorn Steakhouse: $50 = $10 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
Metro Diner: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
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 off coupon 
Panera Bread: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
P.F. Chang’s China Bistro: $100 = $20 Bonus Card
Red Lobster: $50 = $10 off coupon
Red Robin: $25 = $5 Bonus Buck Reward
Ruby Tuesday: $50 = $15 Bonus Card
Ruth’s Chris Steak House: $250 or more = 10% Bonus
Seasons 52: $100 = $20 Bonus Card
Souplantation: $50/ Dine-in Free meal pass until April 30.
Steak ‘n Shake: $20 = $5 Certificate
Taco Bell: Online – $15 = $5 eGift Card / In-store – $25 = FREE Standard Combo
T.G.I. Friday’s: $25 = $5 Bonus Bites
Tony Roma’s: $50 = $15 Roma Bucks
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, 2020.
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.
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