60 gift card bonus offers for 2018

Once again, gift cards are at the top of many people’s wish list this holiday season. Gift cards are always an efficient and convenient way to check off your holiday shopping list. Best of all, it pays to give gift cards because of the bonus offers, this time of year.

Most of the gift cards must be purchased by December 31, in order to receive the bonus — some promos end earlier, so check first. 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 potential shipping charges.) However, always check first, especially if you’re ordering gift cards online. Once you hit the “buy” button, you may be out of luck.

In addition, there may be local deals, so stop by your favorite neighborhood spot and ask. Plus, review our tips at the end of the list on how to maximize the promos.

This list was compiled by Living on the Cheap. We’re keeping all the gift cards on the list even if the establishment does not have a presence in Baltimore, for those shopping for friends and family in other areas.

If you’d like to keep up with the latest deals, discounts and free & cheap events happening around Charm City, be sure to sign up for the Baltimore on the Cheap Newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook and on Twitter

Gift card bonus offers from popular national restaurants and retailers

Restaurant/Business – Minimum Gift Card Purchase = Bonus Offer

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: $50 = $10 Snack Pass

Applebee’s: $50 = $10 Bonus Card

Barnes & Noble – $75 = $10 Reward Card — bonus offer ends Nov. 19

Benihana: $50 = $10 Promo Card

Blaze Pizza – $25 = FREE Pizza Pass

Bonefish Grill: $50 = $10 off coupon

Boston Market – $25 = $5 Bonus Card

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. – $50 = $10 Reward Card

Buca di Beppo: $50 = $10 Reward Card

Buffalo Wild Wings – $25 = $5 Blazin’ eBonus

BurgerFi – $25 = $5 Bonus Card

California Pizza Kitchen: $100 = $20 Promo Card

Carrabba’s Italian Grill – $50 = $10 Promo Card

Children’s Place: $50 = $10 Bonus Card / $75 = $15 Bonus Card / $100 = $20 Bonus Card

Chili’s: $50 = $10 Bonus Card

Del Taco – Online: $30 = FREE small combo meal / $100 = Four FREE small combo meals; In-Store: $15 = Two FREE grilled chicken tacos / $25 = Four FREE grilled chicken tacos — Offer starts Nov. 20.

Denny’s: $25 = $50 in Denny’s coupons

DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse): $50 = $5 Bonus Card / $100 = $20 Bonus Card / $150 = $30 Bonus Card

Einstein Bros. Bagels: $25 = $5 Bonus Card

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

Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse: $150 = $25 Holiday Bonus eCard

Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria: $50 = $10 Bonus Card / $100 = $20 Bonus Card

IHOP: $25 = $5 coupon

Il Fornaio: $100 = $20 Complimenti Card

Jamba Juice: $25 = $5 Bonus Card

Jumpstreet Indoor Trampoline Park: $60 = $15 Bonus Card

Landmark Theatres: Film Aficionado Ticket Book for $225 (25 tickets total for $9 each)

Longhorn Steakhouse: $25 = $5 Bonus Card

Maggiano’s Little Italy: $100 = $20 Bonus Card

McCormick and Schmick’s: $100 = $20 Reward Card

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt: $25 = $5 Bonus Card

Metro Diner: $50 = $10 Bonus Card

MOOYAH: $25 = $5 off meal in the same transaction

Morton’s The Steakhouse: $250 = $50 Reward Card

Native Foods Café: $100 = $20 Gift Card

Noodles & Company: $25 = $5 Bonus Card

Ocean Prime: $100 = $25 Bonus Card

Olive Garden: $50 = $10 Bonus Card

Outback Steakhouse: $50 = $10 off coupon

Panera Bread: $50 = $10 Bonus Card

P.F . Ch ang’s China Bistro: $100 = $20 Bonus Card

Qdoba Mexican Eats: $30 = FREE entrée (from December 1 to 31) — bonus offer ends November 30

R ed Lobster: $50 = $10 off coupon

R ed Robin: $25 = $5 Bonus Buck Reward

Regal Cinemas: $50 = $10 Concessions Bonus Card

Ru by Tuesday: $50 = $15 Bonus Card

Ruth’s Chris Steak House: $250 or more = 10% Bonus

Seasons 52: $100 = $20 Bonus Card

Ste ak ‘n Shake: $20 = $5 Certificate

Swe et Tomatoes: $50 = $10 Bonus Card

Souplantation: $50 = $10 Bonus Card

Ste ak ‘n Shake: $20 = $5 Certificate

Taco Bell: $10 = FREE Regular Crunchy Taco

Taco John’s – $25 = $5 Bonus Card

Texas Roadhouse: $30 = $5 Bonus eGift Card

T .G.I. Friday’s: $25 = $5 Bonus Bites

Tony Roma’s: $50 = $15 Roma Bucks

Village Inn: $25 = $5 Promo Card

Wendy’s: $2 Frosty Key Tag = FREE Jr. Frosty with any purchase in 2019

Yard House: $50 = $10 Bonus Card

Tips on gift card bonus offers

Remember, price and participation may vary by location. It’s also important to note that most (if not, all) of the offers are for “bonus cards” — not gift cards. Review the fine print for limitations, including minimum purchase requirements, date restrictions or menu exclusions first. Also, many businesses don’t allow you to combine multiple bonus cards in a single transaction. Plus, most (if not all) bonuses are not valid until Jan. 1, 2019.

Who says gift cards have to be gifts? If you have a favorite restaurant or merchant offering a gift card bonus, “pre-pay” for goods and services now…and “gift” yourself 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. However, many businesses give you a bonus for each gift card purchased at a specified amount (usually $25 or $50) — so there’s no need for multiple transactions. As always, clarify first before purchasing, especially because gift cards are typically non-refundable.