Holiday Gift Card Offers

Many restaurants now offer bonuses with gift card purchases. If you’re considering giving gift cards this Christmas (or even eating out yourself over the holidays), be sure to keep an eye out for these offers. Many stores offer bonus cards (which are usually treated like coupons and have an expiration date) or even free meals and gift cards when you buy gift cards. If you’re going to be giving gift cards or spending money at a restaurant anyway, you might as well take advantage of any available bonuses. I have sometimes stocked up on gift cards for my favorite restaurants to use myself throughout the year so I could get the bonus offers that are only available around the holidays.

Below, I’ve summarized some of the gift card bonuses I’ve come across so far. I’ve tried to note limitations on the offers, but be sure to check them out yourself at the restaurant’s website to get all the details if you’re interested. I will add additional offers as I run across them, but if you’re curious about a restaurant not on my list, check their website or call them to ask about special holiday gift card offers.

Applebee’s: $10 bonus card (good through Feb 28) with $50 gift card purchase

Benihana: $10 promo card (good Jan 2–Mar 31) with $50 gift card purchase

Cheesecake Factory: Free slice of Cheesecake (good Jan 1–March 30) with $25 gift card purchase

Chili’s: $10 bonus card with $50 gift card purchase

Corner Bakery: $5 bonus card (good Jan 1–31) with purchase of large cinnamon creme cake

Jamba Juice: free small smoothie with $25 gift card purchase

Joe's Crab Shack: get a scratch off with prizes ranging from $5 to a free steampot (good Jan 1--Feb 12) with $25 gift card purchase

Macaroni Grill: $5 coupon (good Jan 1–Feb 12) with $25 gift card purchase

Melting Pot: Get four $25 bonus cards to use in 2014 with $100 gift card purchase

Olive Garden: $10 bonus card (good Jan 1–Feb 9) with $50 gift card purchase

Paradise Bakery: Free dozen cookies with $25 gift card purchase

Pei Wei: Free small entree (good Jan 7–Feb 2) with $25 gift card purchase

P.F. Chang’s: $20 bonus card (good Jan 1–Mar 31) with $100 gift card purchase

Pier 49 Pizza: $5 gift certificate with $20 gift card purchase

Pita Pit: free pita with $20 gift card purchase

Red Mango: $10 bonus card with $30 gift card purchase

Red Lobster: $5 coupon with $25 gift card purchase online

Red Robin: $5 bonus card with $25 gift card purchase

Soupplantation/Sweet Tomatoes: free meal with $50 gift card purchase

T.G.I. Friday's: $10 bonus bites card (good Jan 1–Feb 28) with $50 gift card purchase

Texas de Brazil: get $10 added to your $60 gift card purchase or $25 added to your $100 gift card purchase (offer expires 11/30)

TGI Friday's: get a $5 bonus card with $25 gift card purchase or $10 bonus card with $50 gift card

Z’tejas: $5 bonus card with $25 gift card purchase