Holiday gift card bonus offers

Time is running out for holiday shopping, and you can cross off some of your holiday shopping list with gift card purchases.  No one will complain about a gift of a free meal or shopping, and there’s a bonus in there for you! 

Many local and national restaurants and retailers offer gift card bonus offers during the holiday season, so whether you’re purchasing gift cards as gifts or for yourself, these gift card bonus offers will leave you feeling jolly.

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.)

Local Restaurant and Stores Gift Card Bonus Offers

Restaurant/Business – Minimum Gift Card Purchase = Bonus Offer

Lindey’s: $100 = $25 bonus gift card. Promotion available November 26 – December 31. Bonus gift card available on food only; no expiration listed

Texas di Brazil: $100 gift card = $25 bonus card; $50 gift card = $10 bonus card

Cameron Mitchell restaurants: $100 = $25 Bonus Card Reward valid Sunday-Thursday, January 3 – February 28, 2021. Bonus card not valid on Valentine’s Day or with any discounts, including happy hour.

Corse Ventures Restaurants: $50 = $10 card, $100 = $20 card, $200 = $50 card. Participating restaurants include The Pint House, Standard Hall, Forno, Short North Food Hall, Goody Boy Diner, Urban Meyer’s Pint House. Available for purchase in-store only.

Taste Hospitality Group: $100 = $25 bonus card. Group includes Wine on High, Hubbard Grille, and Mezzo.

Three Tigers Brewing Company: $100 = $20 gift voucher or $50 = $10 gift voucher or $200 = $40 gift voucher through December 24

Dine Originals Restaurants: Dine Originals Columbus offers discounted gift certificates. Gift certificates prices are $100 for $70, $50 for $35 and $25 for $15. They expire in 6 months and are good towards the food portion of a meal.

Katzinger’s Deli: $100 = $20 gift card with no expiration

Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern: $50 = $10 bonus card Bonus card valid 1/2-2/28/21

El Vaquero Mexican Restaurant: $100 = $20 gift certificate. The promotion starts on Black Friday and will continue throughout the holiday season. Gift certificates can be purchased in-person or over the phone.

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill: $100 = $20 bonus card

Hen Quarter: For every $100 you spend on Hen Quarter gift cards you will earn a free $25 Hen Quarter Bonus card! Bonus ecard redeemable for food only between 1/1/21 and 2/28/21. Not valid on Valentine’s Day or with any other discount or offer.

Gallos: Purchase a $100 gift card through 12/31, and receive a free, $20 bonus gift card. Gift cards available for purchase & use at any Gallo’s location.

Piada Italian Street Food: $25 = free entree card

The Rossi Kitchen + Bar: $50 in gift cards you buy, receive an extra $10 gift card. Now thru December 31st.

Hofbrauhaus Columbus: $50 = Free $10 Bonus Card. $10 Bonus Cards valid January 4, 2021 – March 25, 2021. Only one bonus card per table, per visit. Does not apply to alcohol.

Barcelona: $100 = $25 BONUS gift certificate

Mitchell’s Steakhouse: $100 = $20 reward card redeemable for dine-in or carry out starting January 1, 2021. *Gift cards must be purchased November 1 – December 31, 2020, to qualify. Reward Cards are valid January 1 – May 31, 2021, excluding Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day. 

Tucci’s: $100 = $25 gift certificate. Bonus gift certificates are valid 1/1/2021 – 4/30/2021. Valid for food purchases and dine-in only; alcohol not included. Not valid on tax & gratuity, limit 2 per table.

Restaurant Chain Gift Card Bonus Offers

Restaurant/Business – Minimum Gift Card Purchase = Bonus Offer

Abuelo’s: $50 = $10 VIP Card. $10 VIP is redeemable January – March 2021

Benihana: $50 = $10 Promo Card, $200 = $60 promo card. Promo cards valid Dec 21, 2020 – March 31, 2021

BJ’s Restaurant Brewhouse: $100 = $25 Bonus Card / $50 = $10 Bonus Card, plus receive a 20% OFF VIP Card. Bonus card valid 1/1/2021 – 2/13/2021

Bonefish Grill: $50 gift card = $10 Bonus Card. Bonus card valid 1/1/2021 – 2/7/2021

Buca di Beppo: $50 = $10 Reward Card. Reward valid 1/1/2021 – 2/28/2021

Buffalo Wild Wings: $25 = $5 Blazin’ eBonus. Bonus valid Jan-Feb, 2021

California Pizza Kitchen: $100 = $20 Promo Card. Promo code valid 1/4/21-2/28/21

Carrabba’s Italian Grill: $50 in gift cards = $10 bonus card. Bonus Card valid 1/1/21 – 2/7/21.

The Cheesecake Factory: $25 = 2 FREE slices of cheesecake if purchased before 11/30. *Each Slice of Joy card redeemable on a future visit 1/1/21 – 3/31/21 for one complimentary slice of cheesecake or layer cake. One card per guest

Chili’s: $50 = $10 Bonus Card

Columbus Fish Market: $100 = $20 reward card from November 1 – December 31

Denny’s: $25 = $5 bonus card

Eddie Merlots: $100 = $25 Bonus Card. Bonus cards are redeemable January 2, 2021 through September 30, 2021

Firehouse Subs: $25 = free medium sub offer to use in 2021

McCormick and Schmick’s: $100 = $20 Reward Card. Reward Cards are valid January 1-May 31, 2021, excluding Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day

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

Morton’s The Steakhouse: $250 = $50 Reward Card. Reward card valid Jan-May 31, 2021

Noodles & Company: $25 = $5 Bonus Card. Bonus Cards valid from 11/18/20-01/15/21.

Outback Steakhouse: $50 = $10 off coupon. Coupon valid 1/1/21-2/7/21.

Panera Bread: $50 = $10 Bonus Card. Bonus card valid January 1–31, 2021

Penn Station: $30 = Free Small Sub

Red Lobster: $50 gift card = (2) $10 gift cards to be used in January and February* – one for $10 off two adult dinner entrées and another for $10 off a To Go or delivery order of $30 or more placed through RedLobster.com. Valid 1/1/21 through 2/28/21, excluding 2/14/21 

• Black Friday through Cyber Monday, guests will receive 10% off online gift card purchases of $100 or more. And, new this year, Red Lobster gift cards are now, for the first time, redeemable when placing To Go and delivery orders at RedLobster.com.
• Red Lobster is offering FREE delivery Black Friday through Cyber Monday on To Go orders over $30 placed through RedLobster.com with the coupon code Thankful.

Red Robin: $25 = $5 Bonus Buck Reward

Rusty Bucket: $50 gift card = $10 Rusty Bucket bonus card. Bonus cards are valid January 2 – February 28, 2021. 

Ruth’s Chris Steak House: $250 = 10% bonus card. Bonus cards valid 1/1/21-3/31/21.

Subway: $25 = free 6″ sub

Taco Bell: $10 = $2 e-bonus card

Texas Roadhouse: $30 = $5 Bonus eGift Card

T.G.I. Friday’s: $25 = $5 Bonus bites card. Bonus bites card valid January-February 28, 2021

Wendy’s: $2 Frosty Key Tag = FREE Jr. Frosty with any purchase in 2021 (great stocking stuffer for teens!)

Zoup: $25 = $5 bonus card

Applebee’s: $50 = (2) $10 Bonus Cards. This offer valid at Applebees.com between 11/25/20 – 11/30/20. Bonus cards EXPIRE 2/28/21

BRAVO Cucina Italiana: $50 = $10 Bonus Card Bonus Card valid 1/1/2021 – 2/28/2021

Brio Tuscan Grille: $50 = $10 Bonus Card Bonus Card valid 1/1/2021 – 2/28/2021

Retail Gift Card Bonus Offers

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

Cinemark Theatres: $35 = $5 Concession Bonus Coupon

DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse): $50 = $10 Bonus Card / $100 = $25 Bonus Card. Bonus cards redeemable January 1-24, 2021

Half Price Books: $25 = $5 gift card valid for a $25 purchase in January

About gift card offers

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 after Jan. 1, 2021, and have to be spent by a certain date, so check the details.

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, you should purchase two $25 gift cards in separate transactions to double your bonus.  As always, clarify first before purchasing, especially because gift cards are typically non-refundable.

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The below are from 2019 and are being updated for 2020

Jeni’s Ice Cream: $100 = $20 gift card to spend in store or online.

IHOP: $25 = $5 coupon

Longhorn Steakhouse: $50 = $10 Bonus Card

Olive Garden: $50 = $10 Bonus Card

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