51 gift card holiday promos & bonuses

This is the one time of the year when it pays to give gift cards because of all the bonus offers. The end dates vary for each promo, but most expire Dec. 31. 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 shipping charges — if a retailer doesn’t offer free shipping on gift cards.)

Here are some of the more popular national deals. However, there are many local deals to be found, too, so check your favorite neighborhood shops for more offers. Plus, review our tips on how to maximize the promos at the end of the list.

These are all deals for national chains but let’s show some love for local businesses too. Do you know of local businesses offering gift card deals? Let me know and I’ll add them. Here’s one:

Buy a $25 gift card to JJ’s Red Hots and get a free JJ’s t-shirt!

• Merchant – Minimum gift card purchase = bonus / promo offer
• Abuelo’s – $50 = $10 VIP Card
• Applebee’s – $50 = Mystery Bonus Card valued from $5 to $25
• Ben & Jerry’s – $10 = FREE scoop of ice cream
• Bonefish Grill – $50 = $10 Bonus Card
• Buca di Bepp0 – $50 = $10 Reward Card
• Buffalo Wild Wings – $25 = Blazin’ Bonus worth $5, $15, $25 or $100
• California Pizza Kitchen – $100 = $20 Promo Card
• Carl’s Jr. – $20 = FREE Original Six Dollar Thickburger
• Children’s Place – $40 = $10 off coupon
• Chili’s – $50 = $10 Bonus Card
• Cinemark Theatres – $35 = $5 Concession Bonus Coupon
• Del Taco – $30 = FREE Combo Meal / $100 = Four FREE Combo Meals
• Denny’s – $25 = $5 Denny’s Card
• Einstein Bros. Bagels – $25 = $5 Bonus Card
• Elephant Bar – $50 = $10 Promo Dining Card
• Fleming’s Steakhouse – $100 = $20 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 – $25 = $5 Santa’s Bonus Card
• IHOP – $25 = $5 coupon
• Jamba Juice – $25 = FREE juice or smoothie
• Joe’s Crab Shack – $25 = $15 Bonus Buck
• Maggiano’s Little Italy – $100 = $20 Bonus Card + FREE one-year Food & Wine Magazine subscription
• McCormick and Schmick’s – $100 = $20 Reward Card
• Morton’s The Steakhouse – $250 = $50 Reward Card
• Native Foods Café – $100 = $20 Gift Card
• Noodles & Company – $25 = $5 Gift Giver Bonus Card
• Ocean Prime – $100 = $25 Bonus Card
• Olive Garden – $50 = $10 Bonus Offer
• Outback Steakhouse – $50 = $10 Bonus Card
• Papa John’s – $25 = FREE large, one-topping pizza
• Pei Wei Asian Diner – $50 = $10 Bonus Card
• P.F. Chang’s China Bistro – $100 = $20 Bonus Card
• Qdoba Mexican Eats – $30 = FREE entree
• Red Lobster – $25 = $10 Off Coupon or FREE appetizer
• Red Robin – $25 = $5 Bonus Buck Reward
• Regal Cinemas – $50 = $10 Promotional eGift Card
• Romano’s Macaroni Grill – $25 = $5 Grazie Gift Bonus Coupon
• Ruby Tuesday – $25 = $5 Bonus Coupon / $50 = $15 Bonus Coupon
• Shoney’s – $25 = 20% off on meals (see site for details)
• Smashburger – $25 = $5 Smash Cash
• Souplantation– $50 = FREE Meal Pass
• Steak ‘n Shake – $20 = $5 Certificate
• Sweet Tomatoes – $50 = FREE Meal Pass
• Texas Roadhouse – $30 = $5 Bonus Gift Card
• T.G.I. Friday’s – $25 = $5 Bonus Bites Card
• The Cheesecake Factory – $25 = FREE slice of cheesecake
• Village Inn – $25 = $5 Bonus Card
• White Castle – $25 = $5 Promo Card

Remember, price and participation may vary. It’s also important to note that many of the promos are “bonus cards” — not gift cards. Review the fine print for limitations, including minimum purchase requirements, date restrictions or menu exclusions first. Plus, most (if not all) bonuses are not valid until Jan. 1, 2016.

If you have a favorite restaurant on the list, consider buying gift cards for yourself to “cash in” on 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.

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