80+ gift card bonus offers for 2023

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 Charlotte area. 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.

 

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 

Duckworth’s: $50 = $10 Gift 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

Link & Pin: $100 = $20 Gift Card

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 

Moon Thai and Japanese: $100 = $20 Bonus Card. $50 = $10 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