Don't Ignore Gift Card Deal Promotions This Holiday Season

As you finalize your holiday shopping this December, you may buy gift cards for friends and family. They're an excellent gift idea because they give the recipient more flexibility. Before you shop for gift cards, you may want to review current gift card promotions. Many retailers have valuable gift card offers throughout the holiday season. Let me explain how these deals could help you get extra gift cards for free.

Earn extra gift cards for free

Many retailers heavily promote their gift card offerings during the busy holiday shopping season. For businesses, both big and small, gift cards are a win for their bottom line because they get paid as soon as a gift card is purchased.

To encourage more gift card sales, some companies run gift card promotions. For example, a restaurant might run a promotion that allows customers to earn a bonus $10 gift card when they spend $50 on gift cards.

Usually, offers like this are only available for a limited time. But these promotions can help you stretch your money further without spending more than you planned. While gift card deals like this won't make you rich, they can help you keep more money in your checking account.

It's worth mentioning that some retailers have restrictions set for bonus gift cards. For example, you might need to wait until the new year to use your bonus gift card. Always review the terms of these promotions to avoid costly surprises and disappointment.

What to do with free gift cards

One strategy is to earn additional bonus gift cards and use them as presents. But you may want to avoid doing this if the bonus gift cards you've earned have specific date-of-use restrictions. This strategy could make gift planning easier if the bonus gift cards don't have date limitations or other restrictions.

Another option is to use your gift cards for your own future purchases. This is an excellent option if your regular go-to restaurants or retailers are running gift card promotions now. If your budget allows, you can buy a few extra gift cards to save money later.

Don't miss the gift card promotions

If you plan to buy gift cards in the coming days and love the idea of getting additional gift cards at no extra cost, here are a few promotions you may want to consider:

• Barnes & Noble: Through Dec. 15, 2023, earn a $10 bonus gift card for every $100 in B&N gift cards purchased in stores or online. The $10 bonus gift card will be emailed on Jan. 12, 2024.
• Buffalo Wild Wings: Earn a $5 eBonus for every $25 in gift cards purchased at participating restaurants or online through Dec. 31, 2023. eBonus coupons are valid from Jan. 1, 2024 through Feb. 29, 2024.
• Panera Bread: Get a $10 bonus card for every $50 in Panera Bread plastic gift cards and eGift cards purchased or loaded in-cafe or online through Dec. 31, 2023. Bonus cards are valid online and in-cafe at participating locations from Jan. 1, 2023 through Jan. 31, 2023.
• The Cheesecake Factory: Receive a $15 bonus card for every $50 worth of gift cards purchased in a single transaction at participating restaurants and online through Dec. 31, 2023. Bonus cards can be used in restaurants or online from Jan. 1, 2024 through Feb. 29, 2024.

Looking for more financial guidance? Review our personal finance resources to learn more.