It’s that time of year, Holiday Bonus Gift Card Offers! Many Restaurants (and some retailers) will offer bonus deals when you buy gift cards. Use the bonus for yourself or pass it on as a gift too. Either way, now is the time to stock up! Most are available till the end of the year, unless otherwise noted.
I was on WCCO This Morning on December 13, 2018 with Reporter Christiane Cordero this month too!
Tips for maximizing your gift card savings!
First, FIND THE DEALS!
- Check my list below – I’ve listed all the bonus deals I could find for restaurants, retailers and attractions.
- Check directly with your favorite store, and sign up to receive emails from your favorite retailers and restaurants! Often, exclusive deals are offered for customers and subscribers. For example, Sportsmans Guide is offering its subscribers a FREE $50 gift card with the purchase of $150 or more on Monday, December 10th only.
- If you have a Target REDCard, buy gift cards from Target this week
(week of December 9th – 15th)! You can save 5% on specialty cards with your REDCard all week (this excludes all Target gift cards). - Consider buying discounted gift cards from such sites as GiftCardGranny.com, CardCash.com and Swagbucks.com. (I LOVE Swagbucks for earning free gift cards or buying gift cards at a discount!) You can save up to 30% on gift cards from places like Target, Best Buy, Kohl’s, Victoria’s Secret, GameStop, Old Navy and many more.
Then, STRETCH THE DEALS FURTHER!
- Combine deals – for example, first buy a discounted gift card. Then use that gift card online and use a promo code to save on your purchase. (I always use retailmenot.com to find current promo codes.) Also be sure to take advantage of free shipping, which you can get at almost every website.
- Pair gift card gifts with coupons for that retailer or restaurant. That way the gift recipient can stretch their gift card even further! For example, some gift card deals include coupons. Savers is offering a coupon for $5 off a $15 purchase with every $30 or more you buy in gift cards.
- Overall – with all the ways to save, you should be able to save money and avoid paying full price for gift cards!
Keep your gift cards safe!
- Treat gift cards like cash – because if you lose them, there is often little you can do.
- That’s why it’s important to also keep the receipt for gift cards you buy, or even to take a picture of the card number.
- Retailers love selling gift cards because they know that many gift cards do not get used completely. So be sure to use yours! Now’s a great time of year to use them – if nothing else, buy a gift with those unused gift cards you have sitting around your house!
- Most gift cards have no expiration date, but some cards do, like VISA gift cards. After a set period of time, like a year, they can start deducting a small fee from the card’s value each month that it’s not used up. So use your VISA prepaid cards – and tell your recipient to use theirs by the expiration date!
Costco Member?
You can get discounted gift cards at Costco if you’re a member! Some of their best ones are movie theater gift cards (like AMC) and Build-a-Bear Workshop (get four $25 e-gift cards for $69.99).
Sam’s Club Member?
Same here – if you’re a Sam’s Club member you can save big on gift cards! For example, get 2 Papa John’s $25 gift cards for only $39.98 online! Also, iTunes gift cards are a great deal here – get $50 worth for $47.98.
Hotels!
Hotels are offering great deals at this time of year too!
Odyssey Resorts, which are all located on the North Shore of Lake Superior, between Duluth and Grand Marais, are offering a Holiday Gift Card Sale! Get $15 on a bonus gift card for every $100 in gift cards purchased!
Their hotels include Beacon Pointe, Breezy Point Cabins on Lake Superior, Grand Superior Lodge and more.
Give a gift card as a gift or for yourself!
Something Unique
Indoor Skygiving at Ridgedale opens December 27th and you can get a gift card for any value from $25 to $500. (Two “falls” are $65.) While there is no promotion with this, it does sound like a really fun gift idea!
Restaurant Bonus Gift Card Offers 2018 (Restaurants with locations in Minnesota)
For a more comprehensive list, check out WCCO’s Jason DeRusha’s list for gift card deals at restaurants in the Twin Cities!
Applebee’s: receive a $10 bonus card when you buy $50 gift cards thru 1/6/19. Bonus card expires 3/3/19.
Al Vento Italian Restaurant: receive a $100 gift card when you buy a $100 gift card. Valid through January 4th.
Benihana: receive $10 bonus card when you buy $50 gift cards. Promotional cards are valid from 1/2 – 3/31/19.
Boston Market:(not updated for 2018 yet) receive a $5 Bonus Card for every $25 in gift cards purchased thru 12/31 in-restaurant or online. Bonus Cards redeemable 11/24/17-1/31/2018.
Bucca di Beppo: receive a $10 reward cards when you buy a $50 gift card by 12/31/2017, Reward Card valid 1/1/2018 – 2/28/2019
California Pizza Kitchen: receive a $20 rewards card when you buy $100 worth of gift cards until 1/1/19. Bonus card redeemable 1/7-2/24/19.
Champps: receive a $10 Extra Points Card with every $50 gift card purchase.
Cheesecake Factory: For every $25 in The Cheesecake Factory gift cards or eGift you purchase online you will receive one complimentary slice of cheesecake or layer cake. Slice of Joy card redeemable on a future visit from 1/1/2019 – 3/31/2019 for one complimentary slice of cheesecake or layer cake.
Chili’s: receive a $10 bonus card when you buy $50 worth of gift cards. Bonus card is valid 1/2- 2/6/19.
Cold Stone Creamery: receive a FREE $10 bonus gift when you buy $30 of Cold Stone gift cards online. Ends 11/20/18
Denny’s: receive $50 in Denny’s coupon for every $25 Gift Card purchase. Promotion ends 12/25/18.
Famous Dave’s: receive $5 Rewards Card when you buy $25 in gift cards. Participating locations only.
IHOP: Get a $5 bonus coupon when you buy a $25 giftcard. Valid 10/29/18 – 12/31/18.
Joe’s Crab Shack: receive a $10 bonus card when you purchase $50 in gift cards thru 12/24. Bonus card is valid 1/2-5/31/19. (excluding Mother’s Day and Valentines Day)
Landry’s Locations: receive a $10 bonus card when you purchase $50 in gift cards thru 12/24. Bonus card is valid 1/2-5/31/19. (excluding Mother’s Day and Valentines Day) – Includes Rainforest Cafe and Bubba Gump Shrimp at the Mall of America
Noodles & Company: receive a $5 bonus card for every $25 you buy in gift cards. Gift card promo valid 11/17/18-12/31/18. Bonus cards valid from 11/7/18-1/15/19.
Olive Garden: Receive $10 off bonus coupon when you buy $50 in gift cards. Bonus card is valid 1/1 – 2/10/19.
Outback Steakhouse: receive $10 bonus gift card when you buy $50 in gift cards. Bonus card redeemable 1/1-2/10/19.
Panera: receive $10.00 bonus card for every $50 in Panera Bread plastic gift cards and eGift cards purchased or reloaded in-cafe or online between 11/14/18–12/31/18.
P.F. Chang’s: receive a $20 bonus card for every $100 you spend on gift cards online. Bonus card valid 1/01/2016 – 3/31/2019.
Potbelly: receive a free sandwich when you purchase $25 in gift cards. Deal valid through 12/31/18.
Red Lobster: receive $10 off bonus coupon when you buy $50 in gift cards online. Bonus coupon is valid 1/2/18 – 2/5/19.
Red Robin: receive a $5 Bonus Buck Rewards card with every $25 gift card you buy. Bonus Bucks valid 1/1 -2/28/2019.
Ruby Tuesday: receive $15 bonus coupon when you buy $50 in Ruby Tuesday Gift Cards (plus free Shipping!). Free bonus coupons delivered via email and are valid from 1/2-3/5/2019.
Ruth’s Chris: receive 10% Bonus Card when you buy $250 or more in gift cards. Holiday bonus cards valid 1/1 through 3/31/19.
Texas Roadhouse: receive $5 bonus eGift Card when you buy $30 in Texas Roadhouse Gift Cards Online. Bonus eGift Card emailed within 48 hours of gift card shipping.
TGI Friday’s: For every $25 you spend on Gift Cards, receive a Fridays Bonus Bites card worth $5, plus a FandangoNOW movie rental when you spend $50.
White Castle: (not updated for 2018 yet) receive $5 promo card when you buy $25 in gift cards, while supplies last. Promotional Gift Card valid 1/2- 2/28/18.
Retail Gift Card Offers 2019 (Retail stores with locations in Minnesota)
Aeropostale: Buy a $50 Aeropostale gift card and get a free $10 cash card. Promotional card is valid for $10 off purchases of $50 or more between December 26, 2018 and January 31, 2019.
Children’s Orchard: Buy $50 worth of gift cards, get $10 gift card free; Buy $25 worth of gift cards, get $5 gift card free! Maple Grove location. (This is a children’s resale shop where you can buy clothes, toys and other items or sell them for cash or store credit.)
The Children’s Place: receive a $10 off coupon when you buy $40 in Gift Cards thru 12/24.
DSW: receive a $5 bonus gift card when you buy $50 in gift cards. Bonus card is valid between 1/6 – 1/26/19. Plus VIPS get 100 points.
Device Pitstop: receive a $5 gift card free with purchase of a $25 gift card. Valid only at Maple Grove and Minnetonka locations. Mention Twin Cities Frugal Mom to get this deal!
Gordmans: Buy $50-$74.99 in Gordmans e-Cards, get a $5 e-Card free. Buy $75-$99.99 in e-Cards, get a $10 e-Card free. Buy $100 or more in e-Cards, get a $15 e-Card free for each $100. Offer valid for Gordmans e-Gift Cards purchased December 1 – December 25, 2018.
Guitar Center: For every $100 in Guitar Center eGift cards you purchase from GuitarCenter.com between 12/6/18 and 12/16/18, get a $20 Guitar Center promo egift card, valid from 12/26/18 through 1/31/19.
Half Price Books: receive a $5 bonus gift card when you buy $25 in gift cards. Gift cards must be purchased by 12/24/18, bonus gift card valid 1/1-1/31/19.
L. L. Bean: receive a $10 gift card with a $50 purchase by 12/24/18. Plus Free shipping with $50 purchase.
Savers: From November 23 – December 24, get a $5 off a $15 purchase coupon with each gift card purchase of $30 or more. (Give a gift card with the coupon!)
Museums and Attractions Gift Card Offers (with locations in Minnesota)
Marcus Theatres: Buy a $25 gift card and get $5 in snack cash. This offer is available through 1/1/2019.
Minnesota Children’s Museum: Get $20 off a gift members or $3 off gift tickets with my special code TCFM, Expires 1/15/19.
My Gym Eden Prairie: Two deals! Buy two months of class and get a third free. Buy a $50 gift card get an additional $25 free.
Regal Cinemas: Buy $50, get $10! For every $50 in Gift Cards purchased in-theatre, guest will receive a $10 Concessions Bonus Card. Concessions Bonus Card is redeemable towards concession purchases only (excluding any alcoholic beverages). Concessions Bonus Card is valid 1/1/2019 – 2/28/2019. This offer may not be combined with any other discounts, coupons or offers. While supplies last. (There is one Regal Cinemas location in the Twin Cities: Regal Eagan Stadium 16, 2055 Cliff Road, Eagan, MN.)
Restaurants Bonus Gift Card Offers (Restaurants with locations NOT in Minnesota)
Bahama Breeze: receive (2) $10 bonus cards when you buy $50 gift cards. One $10 bonus card valid on dine-in, valid from 1/1/2019 – 3/31/2019 (except on 2/14), One $10 bonus card valid on online To Go, valid from 1/1/2019 – 3/31/2019 (except on 2/14)
BJ’s Restaurants: receive a $10 bonus card when you buy $50 gift cards or $25 bonus with $100 purchase. Also receive a 20% off VIP card delivered via email. Bonus card and VIP card valid 1/1/18 – 2/13/19.
Black Angus: receive $10 bonus gift card when you buy $50 in gift cards.
Bonefish Grill: receive $10 bonus gift card when you buy $50 in gift cards. Bonus card redeemable 1/1-2/10/19.
Bravo: receive $25 in bonus gift card with every $100 in gift cards. Bonus card redeemable 1/1-3/15/19.
Brio: receive $25 in bonus gift card with every $100 in gift cards. Bonus card redeemable 1/1-3/15/19.
Carrabba’s: receive $10 bonus gift card when you buy $50 in gift cards. Bonus card redeemable 1/1-2/11/18.
Claim Jumper: receive a $10 bonus card when you purchase $50 in gift cards thru 12/24. Bonus card is valid 1/2-5/31/19.
Eddie Vs: receive 10% back in Bonus gift cards and an elegant martini set when you spend $500+.
Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse– receive a $25 Holiday Bonus Card for every $150 in gift card purchases. Available 10/31-12/31/18, Online or in Restaurants. Redeemable 1/2- 3/31/19. Gift Cards may not be redeemed on the day of purchase.
LongHorn Steakhouse: Receive $5 bonus gift cars when you buy $25 in gift cards online. Bonus card is valid 1/1 – 2/3/19.
Maggianos: receive a $20 promotional Bonus Card for every $100 in gift cards.
Max & Erma’s: receive a $5 bonus card for every $25 you buy in gift cards. Bonus cards are valid 1/1/ – 3/31/19.
Menchie’s: receive a $5 bonus card for every $25 you buy in gift cards. Bonus cards are valid until 6/30/18!
Montgomery Inn: receive a $20 bonus gift card when you buy $100 in gift cards. Bonus card valid 1/2-3/31/19.
Morton’s: receive a $50 bonus card when you purchase $250 in gift cards thru 12/24. Bonus card is valid 1/2-5/31/19.
First Watch: receive $20 Bonus Bucks when you buy $100 in gift cards. Bonus Bucks valid 1/1-2/28/19.
Roy’s: receive $20 bonus gift card when you buy $100 in gift cards. Bonus card redeemable 1/1-2/11/19.
Rusty Bucket : receive a $10 bonus card when you buy $50 gift card purchase. Bonus card valid 1/2-2/28/19
Shoney’s: receive a $5 Shoney’s Bonus Bucks when you buy $25 in gift cards.
Smokey Bones: receive $10 in bonus Bucks when you buy $50 in gift cards.
Steak ‘n Shake: receive a $5 Bonus certificate when you buy $20 in gift cards. Certificate valid 1/3-2/28/19.
Taco Cabana: receive $5 Guest Appreciation card when you buy $25 in gift cards through 12/31/18. Appreciation card valid 1/1 -2/28/19.
Tony Roma’s: receive $15 in RomaBucks For every $50 in Tony Roma’s Gift Cards you purchase. RomaBucks are valid 1/1 – 3/22/19.
Uno Chicago Grill: receive a $5 bonus voucher when you buy $25 in gift cards. Promotional Gift Card valid 1/2- 2/13/19.
Yard House: Receive $10 bonus card with every $50 gift card purchase thru 12/31/17. Bonus cards valid 1/1/18 – 3/31/19
Retail Gift Card Offers 2018 (Retail stores with locations not in Minnesota)
Giant Eagle: receive $0.20 in Fuel Perks for every $50 in gift card purchases. Limited time offer (thru 11/18) on 6 select gift cards.
Kroger: 4x the fuel points with gift card purchases promotions and individual digital coupons for select gift cards.
What other gift card deals do you know of? Share in the comments or email me at twincitiesfrugalmom @ Gmail.com!
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