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 31st, 2023, 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, so stop by your favorite neighborhood spot and ask. Plus, review our tips at the end of the list on how to maximize the promos.
We are listing many national gift card deals, and some of the restaurants are not in the Triangle. We’re including them anyway, in case you’re shopping for someone in a different area.
Much of the content of this post, especially the helpful information for understanding and maximizing gift card deals, is from Living on the Cheap, and is used with permission.
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Tips for getting the best holiday gift card deals
Here are some more things to look for as you review the best gift card bonus offers:
The gift card bonuses are available at participating locations, while supplies last.
Most of the gift card bonus offers are available through December 31st, 2023. However, some of the promotions end earlier, so check first.
Most bonus offers are either available online or in-store only. However, some may be available both online and in-store. If you’re ordering online, be sure it qualifies for the bonus offer. Once you click “buy,” you may be out of luck as most gift card sales are final. (For maximum savings, purchase gift cards in person, so as to avoid any potential online shipping charges.)
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.
As with any promotion, bonus card offers may have limits or restrictions. Therefore, do the math first. You may 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.) As a result, there may be no need for multiple transactions.
Finally, review Living on the Cheap’s tips on how to maximize the value of your gift cards.
Restaurant and Retail gift card deals for 2023
Here’s a round-up of restaurant gift card bonus offers from popular national chains and local restaurants:
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
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
