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.

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 . Ch ang’s China Bistro – $100 = $20 Bonus Card
Qdoba Mexican Eats – $30 = FREE entree
R ed Lobster – $25 = $10 Off Coupon or FREE appetizer
R ed Robin – $25 = $5 Bonus Buck Reward
Regal Cinemas – $50 = $10 Promotional eGift Card
Ro mano’s Macaro ni Grill – $25 = $5 Grazie Gift Bonus Coupon
Ru by 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
Ste ak ‘n Shake – $20 = $5 Certificate
Swe et 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
W hite 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.