The holidays are the best time to buy gift cards for loved ones (or even yourself) from popular restaurants and retailers because of all the bonus offers. Plus, it’s the perfect gift because the recipient can pick exactly what they want at their favorite shop (or enjoy their favorite meal.)
According to the National Retail Federation, more than half of consumers have gift cards on their shopping list. This holiday season, it’s estimated retailers will sell more than $30 billion in gift cards.
The extra savings make gift cards an easy and quick way to check off your holiday shopping list, while maximizing your holiday budget.
Tips on buying holiday gift card bonuses
In order to receive the bonus, gift cards must be purchased by Dec. 31, 2023. However, offers may end sooner. Always read the fine print first.
It’s important to note that most of the offers are for “bonus cards” or “coupons” — not actual gift cards. Therefore, review the fine print for limitations, including any minimum purchase requirements, date restrictions and/or menu exclusions.
Bonus offers are available while supplies last. Many often sell out quickly.
Most bonus cards are not valid until Jan. 1, 2025.
Bonus offers and redemption are only valid at participating locations.
Bonus offers may only be available online or in-store or both. Verify bonus offers availability and the fine print before purchasing because gift cards are typically non-refundable.
Gift card purchases must be made directly with the restaurant or retailer for the bonus — not via a third-party site or business (such as a grocery or big box store.)
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.
Review our tips on how to maximize the value of your gift cards.
Gift card deals for 2024
Restaurant: Minimum Gift Card Purchase = Bonus Offer
- Abuelo’s: $50 = $10 Bonus
- Another Broken Egg Cafe: $50 = $10 Bonus Gift Card
- Auntie Anne’s: $25 = $5 Auntie Anne’s Reward
- 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 = $20 Bonus Card + 20% Off VIP Card
- Blanco Cocina + Cantina: $100 = $20 Bonus Card
- Bonefish Grill: $50 = Two (2) $10 Bonus Cards
- Bruegger’s Bagels: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
- Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.: $50 = $10 Reward Card
- Buffalo Wild Wings: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
- BurgerFi: $25 = $10 Bonus Card
- Cafe Rio Mexican Grill – $25 = $10 Gift Card — from Nov. 29 to December 1, 2024
- Carrabba’s Italian Grill: $50 = Two (2) $10 Bonus Cards
- The Children’s Place: $50 or more = $10 Gift Coupon
- Chili’s: $50 = $10 Bonus eCard
- Cinnabon: $25 = $5 Reward Card
- Cold Stone Creamery: $50 = $15 Bonus e-Card
- Domino’s: $25 = $5 eGift Card
- DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse): $50 = $10 Bonus Card, $100 = $25 Bonus Card
- Eddie Merlot’s: $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 eBonus 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
- Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria: $50 = $10 Bonus Card / $100 = $20 Bonus Card
- IHOP: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
- Jamba: $25 = $5 Reward
- Jersey Mike’s: $25 = $5 Gift Card
- Juice It Up!: $25 = $5 Bonus Card and FREE Small Classic Smoothie
- Kona Grill: $50 = $10 Bonus Dollars / $100 = $25 Bonus Dollars
- Kroger – Various gift card bonuses and discounts available online
- Logan’s Roadhouse: $50 = Two (2) $10 eBonus Cards
- 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 Promo Card
- Morton’s The Steakhouse: $250 = $50 Reward Card
- Ocean Prime: $100 = $25 Bonus Card Reward
- Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom: $50 = $10 eBonus Card
- Outback Steakhouse: $50 = Two (2) $10 Bonus Cards
- The Palm: $250 = $50 Reward Card
- Panda Express: $30 = $8 Bonus Card
- Panera Bread: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
- Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille: $125 = $25 Reward Card
- P.F. Chang’s: $100 = $25 Bonus Reward
- Pinkberry: $50 = $15 Bonus eCard
- Portillo’s: $50 = $10 Promo Card
- Red Lobster: $50 = Two $10 Off Bonus Coupons
- Red Robin: $50 = $10 eBonus Bucks
- Regal Cinemas: $50 = $10 Concessions Bonus
- 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 = $10 Smash Cash
- Snarf’s Sandwiches: $25 = $5 Bonus Coupon — available in-restaurant only
- Subway: $25 = FREE 6″ sub
- STK Steakhouse: $50 = $10 Bonus Dining Dollars / $100 = $25 Bonus Dining Dollars
- The Cheesecake Factory: $50 = $15 Bonus Card
- True Food Kitchen: $100 = $20 Bonus Card
- Tokyo Joe’s: $25 = $5 Bonus Card
- Village Inn: $25 = $5 eBonus Card
- Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux: $50 = $10 Bonus Card
- Wendy’s: $3 Frosty Key Tag = FREE Jr. Frosty every visit in 2025
Gift card fine print
Remember, price and participation may vary by location. Review the fine print for limitations, including minimum purchase requirements, date restrictions, or exclusions first. Also, many businesses don’t allow you to combine multiple bonus cards in a single transaction. Most (if not all) bonuses are not valid until Jan. 1, 2021.
Looking for more gift card tips? Read these articles:
- Maximize the value of your gift cards
- Using gift cards to budget (and to save even more money)
- 5 ways to get gift card deals and discounts
Food deals you can get now
- 75+ restaurant and retail gift card deals for 2024
- Free Pepsi Zero Sugar this holiday season
- Shake Shack celebrates the holidays with 9 days of free burgers
- Wendy’s offers big savings with Biggie Bag meal deals — starting at $5
- Enjoy buy-one-get-one free burgers and sandwiches at Smashburger
- McDonald’s extends $5 Meal Deal through Summer 2025
- Tasty Takeover weekly food truck party
- Wendy’s offers 12 Days of Buy-One-Get-One Deals for the holidays
- Get $10 bonus with gift card purchase at Chipotle
- Enjoy 10 Chicken McNuggets for just $1 at McDonald’s for two weeks
This deal is from Living on the Cheap, our sister site.
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