Although 25 percent of us still have unused gift cards from last year, 62 percent of us plan to give a gift card as a holiday gift this year, according to a recent Consumer Reports poll.
Maybe that’s why so many restaurants are willing to make their gift cards more appetizing by offering to give you a free gift card in exchange for buying one.
Whatever their reason, you may as well take advantage of the freebie offers if you’re among the 62 percent who plan to give a gift card – or even if you’re not. Paying $100 for a $125 gift card is like getting a 20 percent discount, whether you pass the cards on to loved ones or keep them for yourself.
Below is a list of more than 20 regional and national chains that are giving away free gift cards or meals if you buy a certain amount of gift cards. If you plan to purchase them in person, just call your local restaurant first to make sure their location is participating. If you purchase them online, make sure you see the freebie before you enter your credit card info.
Restaurants
- If you buy: $50 in gift cards
- You also get: $10 bonus card that’s valid Jan. 2 through March 31
- Offer available: In restaurants and online
- Offer ends: Dec. 31
- If you buy: $25 gift card
- You also get: $5 bonus card that’s valid through Jan. 31
- Offer available: In restaurants
- Offer ends: While bonus card supplies last
- If you buy: $100 in gift cards
- You also get: $20 bonus card that’s valid Jan. 3 through March 6
- Offer available: In restaurants and online
- Offer ends: Dec. 24
- If you buy: $100 in gift cards
- You also get: $20 bonus card that’s valid Jan. 1 through Feb. 10
- Offer available: In restaurants and online
- Offer ends: Dec. 31
- If you buy: $50 gift card
- You also get: $15 extra points card
- Offer available: In restaurants
- Offer ends: Not specified
- If you buy: $25 if gift cards or e-gift cards
- You also get: Slice of Joy Card, redeemable for a free piece of cheesecake at a future visit between Dec. 26 and March 31
- Offer available: In-restaurant availability not specified; online
- Offer ends: Dec. 25
- If you buy: $20 in gift cards
- You also get: A card for a free meal that’s valid in January
- Offer available: In restaurants
- Offer ends: Not specified
- If you buy: $25 gift card
- You also get: $5 bonus card that’s is valid Jan. 1 through Feb. 29
- Offer available: In-restaurant availability not specified; online
- Offer ends: Dec. 31
- If you buy: $20 gift card
- You also get: Quarter-pound Little Thickburger
- Offer available: In-restaurant availability not specified; online
- Offer ends: Dec. 31
- If you buy: $25 gift card (or $50 gift card)
- You also get: $5 bonus card (or $10 bonus card) that’s valid Jan. 2 through Feb. 29
- Offer available: In restaurants
- Offer ends: Not specified
- If you buy: $50 in gift cards
- You also get: $10 dining certificate that’s valid Jan. 1 through Feb. 29
- Offer available: In restaurants
- Offer ends: Not specified
- If you buy: $25 gift card
- You also get: $5 off your next visit
- Offer available: In restaurants
- Offer ends: Jan. 31
- If you buy: $25 in gift cards
- You also get: $5 bonus card that’s valid Jan. 1 through Feb. 12
- Offer available: In restaurants and online
- Offer ends: Dec. 31
- If you buy: $20-plus in gift cards
- You also get: Free piece of whitefish fillet
- Offer available: In restaurants
- Offer ends: Not specified
- If you buy: $25 in gift cards
- You also get: $5 bonus card that’s valid Jan. 2 through Feb. 29
- Offer available: In-restaurant availability not specified; online
- Offer ends: Jan. 1
- If you buy: $100 in e-gift cards
- You also get: $20 e-bonus card that’s valid Jan. 1 through Feb. 29 and a free subscription to Wine & Food magazine
- Offer available: Online
- Offer ends: Dec. 31
- If you buy: $100 in gift cards
- You also get: $20 bonus card that’s valid Jan. 1 through Feb. 10
- Offer available: In restaurants and online
- Offer ends: Dec. 31
- If you buy: $50 in gift cards
- You also get: $10 promotional card that’s valid Jan. 2 through March 31
- Offer available: In-restaurant availability not specified; online
- Offer ends: Dec. 31
- If you buy: $50 in gift cards
- You also get: $15 bonus coupon
- Offer available: In-restaurant availability not specified; online
- Offer ends: Dec. 31
- If you buy: $50 in gift cards
- You also get: $10 bonus card
- Offer available: In restaurants
- Offer ends: Dec. 24
- If you buy: $50 gift card
- You also get: $10 in bonus cards
- Offer available: In-restaurant availability not specified; online
- Offer ends: Not specified
Souplantation & Sweet Tomatoes
- If you buy: $50 in gift cards
- You also get: Meal pass for the gift recipient
- Offer available: In-restaurant availability not specified; online
- Offer ends: Dec. 31
- If you buy: $100 in gift cards
- You also get: $25 bonus card that’s valid Jan. 15 through March 15
- Offer available: Not specified
- Offer ends: Jan. 3
- If you buy: $20 gift card
- You also get: Chicken flatbread sandwich combo
- Offer available: In restaurants
- Offer ends: Dec. 25
Dessert and smoothie places
- If you buy: $10 in gift cards
- You also get: Regular-size Italian ice, frozen custard, Gelati, Blendini, or Misto
- Offer available: In-store availability not specified; online
- Offer ends: Not specified
- If you buy: $25-plus gift card
- You also get: 16-ounce smoothie, or a coupon for a free 16-ounce smoothie that’s valid through Jan. 10
- Offer available: Not specified
- Offer ends: Jan. 3
- If you buy: $25 gift card
- You also get: Smoothie
- Offer available: In stores
- Offer ends: Unknown
Karla Bowsher runs our Deals page, writes “Today’s Deals” posts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; and covers consumer and retail issues. If you have a comment, suggestion, or question, leave a comment or contact her at [email protected].
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