Gift cards are always a popular item at this time of year. They’re an efficient and convenient way to simplify holiday shopping.

Best of all, it pays to buy gift cards at this time of year — because of the bonus offers. Yes, many retailers will throw in a bonus card if you spend a certain amount. For example: buy a $50 gift card and get a $5 bonus card.

In the list below, most of the offers require that gift cards must be purchased by December 31, in order to receive the bonus — but some promos end earlier, so click through and check the details. Some are Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals.

In addition, some bonuses are available either online or in-store only, while others are available either way. Often, cards ordered online will have FREE shipping, but you’ll want to check on that. You don’t want shipping charges to erase your bonus.

You may also be interested in:

• Lights of Life drive-thru holiday attraction in Marietta
• Discounts for Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens
• Discounts for Stone Mountain Christmas
• Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

Things to know about “bonus” cards

It’s important to note that most (if not, all) of the offers below are for “bonus cards” — not gift cards. Bonus cards are more like coupons.

Most bonus cards are not valid until January 1st. Retailers don’t want you using the bonus until after the holiday shopping season is over!

Also, bonus cards are excluded from expiration laws, according to Money Magazine, so you may have a short window in which to use them. For this reason, it’s a good idea for you to keep that “bonus” card for yourself—and use it promptly.

We suggest that you review the fine print for limitations, including minimum purchase requirements, date restrictions, or menu exclusions right away, after receiving the bonus card, so you won’t run up against a surprise in April when  you go to use it and find it’s no longer valid.

Tips for maximizing your bonus

Check the terms of the purchase requirement for the bonus. In some cases, you may get more bonuses by breaking down a large gift card purchase. For example, if the bonus is given for a gift card purchase of $25 or more and you’re buying a $50 gift card, why not purchase two $25 gift cards in separate transactions? You just doubled the bonus!

However, many businesses offer a bonus for every $25 spent (or some other specified amount) in gift cards. As a result, there’s no need for multiple purchases — just be sure you purchase gift cards in the proper amount for the most bonuses.

Here’s a round-up of bonus offers from popular national restaurants and retailers.
Restaurants are listed first, followed by retailers.

2022 restaurant bonus card offers

The list is written in this format:
Restaurant: Minimum Gift Card Purchase = Bonus Offer

Abuelo’s: $50 = $10 Card 

Ace Hardware – $50 = $10 eGift Card — ends Nov. 27

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: 25% off purchase of $50+ gift card — ends Nov. 28

Another Broken Egg Cafe: $50 = $10 Bonus Gift Card

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 = $25 Bonus Card 

Blanco: $100 = $20 Bonus Card 

Bonefish Grill: $50 = $10 eBonus Card 

Bruegger’s Bagels: $30 = $5 Bonus Card 

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.: $50 = Two (2) $10 Reward Cards — from Nov. 25 to Dec. 2 

Buca di Beppo: $50 = $20 in Reward Cards

Buffalo Wild Wings: $30 = $5 eBonus Card 

BurgerFi: $25 = $5 eBonus Card

Cafe Rio Mexican Grill – $25 = $10 Gift Card — from Nov. 25 to 28

Carrabba’s Italian Grill: $50 = $10 eBonus Card 

The Cheesecake Factory: $50 = $15 Bonus e-Card 

The Children’s Place: $50 or more = $10 Gift Coupon 

Chili’s: $50 = $10 eBonus Card

Chipotle Mexican Grill: $30 = Buy-One-Get-One FREE Entrée — from Nov. 23 to 27

                                            $40 = Buy-One-Get-One FREE Entrée — from Dec. 19 to 25

Cold Stone Creamery: $50 = $15 Bonus e-Card 

Del Taco: $30 = FREE small size combo meal / $100 = Four (4) FREE small size combo meals 

Denny’s: $25 = $5 Bonus Card 

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit: $25 = $5 Bonus Gift Card 

DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse): $50 = $10 Bonus Card, $100 = $25 Bonus Card 

Einstein Bros. Bagels: $30 = $5 Bonus Card 

Firehouse Subs: $15 = FREE medium sub — available through Nov. 28

First Watch: $100 = $20 Bonus Bucks 

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: $100 = $20 Bonus 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 

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop: $25 = $5 Bonus Card 

Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant: $50 = $10 eBonus Card 

Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria: $50 = $10 Bonus Card — from Nov. 25 to 28 

Hand & Stone Massage & Facial Spa: Buy-one-get-one FREE gift card — from Nov. 25 to 27 

You may also be interested in:

• Day-by-day list of free & cheap holiday events
• Best places to see holiday lights this year
• Holiday markets around metro Atlanta
• The 10 best Christmas tree farms near Atlanta
• Free photos with Santa for pets and people
• Where to get Christmas dinner to go

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