51 Gift Card Deals for Last-Minute Shoppers Who Love Free Stuff

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When you’re at a loss for what to get people for the holidays, many of us look to gift cards. Gift cards work well for anyone on your list, whether it’s a last-minute gift or something for your pickiest loved one. We’ve got a list of 51 retailers, restaurants and movie theaters with great gift card deals. Most are offering $5, $10 even $50 in free gift cards when you purchase a certain amount.  Scroll through the list to find a favorite of your friends and family that allows you to give more for less, or have a little perk for yourself.

Restaurant Gift Card Deals

1. P.F. Chang’s

Photo courtesy of P.F. Chang’s

Give the gift fresh lettuce wraps, tangy orange chicken or divine Great Wall of Chocolate cake. At P.F. Chang’s you can receive a $25 bonus reward when you buy $100 worth of gift cards before Jan. 5. Use your reward to treat yourself between Jan. 6 and Feb. 10, 2025.

2. BJ’s Restaurants

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BJ’s has two bonus gift card deals that run through Jan. 1, 2025. Buy a $50 gift card and get a $10 bonus card, or buy a $100 gift card and get a $20 bonus card, plus 20% off a VIP card.  Want more money-saving tricks like this? Here are eight more you should try.

3. Bonefish Grill

Photo courtesy of Bonefish Grill/Facebook

If you’re a fan of Bonefish Grill, share the love with this gift card deal: Purchase $50 in gift cards and get a free $10 bonus card. You can even upload a photo to personalize your gift card.  This deal is available until Dec. 27, 2025. Outsmart inflation with these eight tips savvy shoppers know by heart.

4. Bravo! Italian Kitchen

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This gift card deal is the perfect treat for those who love Italian cuisine. Receive a $10 gift card for every $50 you spend on gift cards at Bravo! Italian Kitchen. This offer is available until Dec. 31, 2024. 

5. Buffalo Wild Wings

This is the exterior of a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant with a palm tree obstructing some of the direct sunlight.
Tina Russell/The Penny Hoarder

If you have football fans in your life who are already planning for next year’s Super Bowl, check out this gift card deal from Buffalo Wild Wings. Receive one $5 eBonus for every $25 you spend on gift cards. This offer is valid for gift cards purchased in restaurants or online through Dec. 31, 2024. There are numerous styles of cards ranging from “Thanks Coach” to “Feliz Navidad” to “Happy Hanukkah” and one saluting health care workers.  Can’t tighten your budget anymore? Make these six money moves.

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6. Brio Italian Grille 

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Here’s another deal for the Italian food lovers in your life. Receive a $10 gift card for every $50 of cards you purchase. This offer is available until Dec. 31, 2024.

7. Taco Bell

The Taco Bell logo is seen at a restaurant.
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For those who crave Crunchwrap Supremes and Doritos Locos tacos, a Taco Bell gift card is a great gift. Right now you can grab a $50 physical Taco Bell gift card and you’ll get a $10 eBonus card in return. Spend your bonus before Dec. 31, 2024.  Another money hack? Stop spending too much money on these dumb things.

8. California Pizza Kitchen

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If you know any fans of this California-style gourmet pizza shop, give the gift of pizza with this deal — and get a little something for yourself, too. Between now and Jan. 6, 2025, you can grab a free $25 eCard when you spend $100 on gift cards at California Pizza Kitchen. Note that the eCard is only redeemable from Jan. 1 and Feb. 6, 2025, at participating locations.

9. Carrabba’s Italian Grill

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Yes, more Italian! Carrabba’s is offering a $10 bonus card when you purchase $50 in gift cards.  This offer is available until Dec. 31, 2024, and you can redeem your bonus card between Jan. 1 and Feb. 9, 2025. You could be wasting your hard-earned money. Here’s how to keep more of it.

10. The Cheesecake Factory

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Photo courtesy of Cheesecake Factory/Facebook

The menu that offers something for everyone also has a gift card deal. Buy $50 worth of gift cards and get a $15 gift card free. That’s a great reason to take a shopping break and treat yourself to some cheesecake or a beer. 

11. Chili’s Grill & Bar

Photo courtesy of Chili’s Grill & Bar/Facebook

Receive a $10 bonus card for every $50 you spend on gift cards at Chili’s. This offer is available until Dec. 31. Need some extra cash to fund the holidays? Try one of these 50 ways to make extra money this month.

12. Qdoba Mexican Eats

Photo courtesy of Qdoba

Fresh, fast Mexican cuisine is a great gift for anyone on your list. Buy a $50 gift card and you’ll get a $10 bonus card to gift or use yourself. 

13. Cold Stone Creamery

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This is a stocking stuffer staple. Buy $50 worth of gift cards and get a $15 card free until Dec. 31.  Got a birthday coming up? These 117 places will give you free stuff on your birthday.

14. Del Fresco’s Grille

A woman hugs a card she received on Christmas. This story is about gift card deals for the holidays.
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Between now and Dec. 31, Del Fresco’s will offer a free $20 card when you buy $100 in gift cards. Your reward card can be redeemed between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2025 (except for Valentine’s Day).

15. Portillo’s

Photo courtesy of Portillo’s

Portillo’s serves classic Chicago-style street food, and they’ll give you a little something extra when you shop with them this holiday season. When you spend $50 on gift cards, they’ll give you a $10 promo card.  Make your money work harder for you with The Penny Hoarder’s top picks for savings accounts.

16. Denny’s

The exterior of a Denny's restaurant.
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From now until Dec. 26 while supplies last, Denny’s will give a $5 bonus card when you buy $25 worth of gift cards.

17. The Capital Grille

A woman smiles as she reads a Christmas card next to her small Christmas tree and presents.
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If you are open to spending a little bit more, high-end chain The Capital Grille will gift you a set of signature steak knives when you spend over $500 in gift cards. You’ll find this chain in most major metro areas and would make a great gift for a nice night out. Looking for another money-saving life hack? These companies give you food and other products for free.

18. Einstein Bros. Bagels

einstein bros. coffee on table
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Give the gift of bagels and coffee with this gift card deal from Einstein’s. Get a $5 bonus card with the purchase of $25 in gift cards.

19. First Watch

Maple syrup pouring onto pancakes.
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Give six folks the gift of a good breakfast for $100. This daytime cafe will give you $10 in Bonus Bucks with $50 in gift card purchases between now and Dec. 31. Here’s how to start saving money, even if you don’t have room in your budget.

20. Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

Photo courtesy of Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Bar

You can also give the gift of a couple cocktails to a few friends or one special night to two or three people. From now through Dec. 31, 2024, Fleming’s will offer a $20 bonus card for every $100 spent on gift cards. 

21. Fogo de Chão

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This may be the best deal yet. But you do have to spend more money to save more money. This Brazilian steakhouse is actually giving away $100 worth of gift cards if you buy $400 worth. You can also get a $75 card for buying $300 in gift cards or a $25 card for buying $125 in cards. Looking for new ways to save? Try one (or al!) of The Penny Hoarder’s top picks for money-saving apps.

22. IHOP

A store front location of IHOP in Nashville, TN. Now through the rest of the year, kids 12 and under get a free entree from IHOP with every adult entree purchase.
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The pancake favorite offers you a $5 bonus card with a $25 gift card purchase at participating locations. 

23. Genghis Grill

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This build-your-own-stir-fry place will give you a bonus card for $5 off a purchase of $25 or more when you purchase a gift card. In the market for a new checking account? Here are The Penny Hoarder’s top picks.

24. Golden Corral

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This all-you-can-eat buffet and grill will give you a $10 bonus card with every $50 gift card purchase. This offer is available until Jan. 5.

25. Jamba

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Jamba’s delicious fruity menu makes for a great treat, breakfast or snack on the go. You’ll get $5 in rewards when you spend just $25 in gift cards. That means with just a handful of gift cards, you could score a free smoothie! Looking for some work flexibility? You can do these 17 make-your-own-schedule jobs from home.

26. Longhorn Steakhouse

longhorn steakhouse exterior
Photo by Preston Mack for Darden Restaurants

The popular steakhouse doesn’t offer free gift cards this year, but it does make some one-stop shopping pretty easy. For $75 you can get one gift card for a $50 dinner and $25 at the movies with Fandango.

27. Moe’s Southwest Grill 

A woman holds a burrito cut open.
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Welcome to Moe’s and its gift card deal. Spend $30 and get a free $10 card. Go to the website just to see a photo of a gift card being dipped in melted cheese. Gross or yummy? You be the judge. Love to play on your phone? These 22 legit games pay real money.

28. Noodles & Company

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Give yourself or your college kids a break from Ramen with this gift card deal from Noodles & Company. Buy $25 worth of cards and get a $5 card free. 

29. Ocean Prime

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Here’s an elegant deal. Spend $100 on gift cards at this steak and seafood favorite and get a $25 card free. Wrangle your grocery budget with these 25 tools and tricks to save you $100 (or more)!

30. Benihana

Photo courtesy of Benihana

Benihana isn’t just food, it’s an experience. Give the gift of delicious hibachi-style Japanese dining this holiday season. When you spend $50 gift cards, you’ll get a $10 promo card, or kick it up a notch and purchase $200 worth of gift cards and get an impressive $60 in promo cards. 

31. Outback Steakhouse

The exterior of Outback Steakhouse.
Photo courtesy of Outback Steakhouse

Buy $50 in gift cards and get a little $10 bonus for yourself when you shop at Outback Steakhouse. Buy your gift cards before Dec. 31 to get the bonus and use your bonus between Jan. 1 and Feb. 9, 2025. Expecting? Get free baby stuff with these 38 freebies and deals.

32. Panera Bread

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Panera Bread will give you a $10 bonus card for every $50 you spend on gift cards. This offer is available in cafes only until Dec. 31. Its website also allows you to send any amount from $2 to $200.

33. Texas de Brazil

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Texas de Brazil has two offers for you this holiday season. Purchase $100 in gift cards and they’ll give you an additional $25 card. Purchase a $50 card and you’ll get a $10 bonus card just for you! Get your gift cards by the end of the year and you’ll have until the end of April to spend your bonus card. Got $1,000 in your checking account? Make these money moves.

34. Red Lobster

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Cheddar Bay Biscuits. Need we say more? Well, OK. It offers seafood, too.  Red Lobster will give you, not one, but two $10 bonus coupons for every $50 you spend on gift cards. 

35. Red Robin

Photo of a Red Robin
Photo courtesy of Red Robin

Red Robin’s holiday offer is $10 bonus bucks when you buy $50 in gift cards. Yuuuuuuum. Barely getting by? Make these six money moves.

36. Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Photo courtesy of Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse

Purchase $300 or more in gift cards at this classic steak house and you’ll receive a 10% bonus gift card. You can divide that up into multiple, separate gift cards, and you’ll always have a classy gift on hand. Use that 10% for a discounted night out for Valentine’s Day. 

37. Famous Dave’s

Photo courtesy of Famous Dave’s

Mouth-watering BBQ is always a win! Famous Dave’s will give you the classic bonus of $10 for a $50 gift card purchase. Considering debt consolidation? Here are five strategies to consolidate your credit card debt.  

38. Texas Roadhouse

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Did someone say rolls with cinnamon butter? Texas Roadhouse will give you a $5 bonus electronic gift card for every $30 you spend on gift cards. 

39. Tijuana Flats 

Tijuana Flats
Photo courtesy of Tijuana Flats/Facebook

We’re starting to see a pattern here. Buy $25 in gift cards and get $5 in bonus bucks. You’ll earn an additional $5 in bonus bucks for every $25 added to your gift card. In the market for a new car insurance policy? This new tool from The Penny Hoarder can help you save $500.

40. Village Inn

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Known for its pie, made-from-scratch buttermilk pancakes, eggs cooked any style and pot of hot coffee on every table, this family-style restaurant will give you a $5 promo card for every $25 you spend on gift card purchases. 

41. Melting Pot

Photo courtesy of Melting Pot

This unique dining experience of fondue delights will help you give a gift that’s fun and delicious. Melting Pot will give you $50 in bonus certificates when you buy $150 in gift cards (at participating locations only). Play Santa without going broke with The Penny Hoarder’s holiday budget planner.

42. World of Beer

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“Give Good Vibes and Great Food” is the saying for World of Beer’s holiday gift card deal, which makes a great stocking stuffer for the beer lovers in your life. World of Beer will offer a $10 bonus card for every $50 in gift card purchases. This offer is available online through the gift card page and at participating locations.

43. The Children’s Place

Two children play on the couch inside their home.
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If you can’t keep track of how fast your nieces, nephews or grandkids are growing, this deal can save you the time trying to find the right fit.  Now through Dec. 25, The Children’s Place is offering a $10 coupon when you buy gift card purchases of $50 or more. This offer is available online and in-store. To get all the information, visit The Children’s Place website. Get too many gift cards this year? Here’s everything you need to know about selling gift cards online.

44. Designer Shoe Warehouse

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What do you give the person who loves shoes? A gift card for shoes, of course! Designer Shoe Warehouse is offering a free $25 card when you buy $100 in gift cards or a $10 card when you buy $50 in gift cards.

45. Bass Pro Shops

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You might not automatically think of Bass Pro Shops as a clothing store, but you can score on hundreds of brands for the active or outdoorsy person on your list. Their holiday deal is 10% off all gift cards (limit 5 per household). This eight-day savings challenge is going viral by making people richer.

46. Gymboree

A child gets twirled around by their parent.
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Those clothes for babies and toddlers are so adorable, but it’s hard to know the best size when they grow so fast. So give those moms and dads a gift card instead. Get a $10 coupon when you buy $50 worth. 

47. Barnes and Noble

A couple read while laying on the floor.
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Almost everyone could find something to love at Barnes and Noble. If you are a member of their rewards program (free to sign up), you can get a $10 eGift card with a purchase of $100 worth of gift cards. This deal is only available on their website, so head there for more details. More of a TV person? Here are 14 free TV apps you should download now.

48. Cinemark Theatres

A woman puts on 3D glasses at the movie theater.
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Treat your favorite cinephile (movie lover) to a night at the movies! When you spend $50 or more on gift cards at Cinemark, you’ll receive $10 in bonus cards so you can load up on popcorn and soda at the concessions stand. This offer ends Dec. 31, 2024. 

49. Regal Cinemas  

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Photo courtesy of regalmovies/Instagram

Regal Cinemas offers a $10 voucher good for the concession stand when you buy $50 worth of gift cards. You can decide if you give the voucher to the lucky recipients of the gift cards or if you keep it for yourself. If you want to order in bulk, you can get a free $35 gift card when you spend $350 on Regal Gifting Products. NEVER do these six things with your money.

50. Chuck E. Cheese’s

The mouse from Chuck E Cheese runs around of their locations with children.
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Give the gift of pizza and fun with this Chuck E. Cheese’s gift card deal. Get a $10 bonus card when you buy $50 worth of cards. 

51. Dave and Buster’s

group playing games at dave and buster's
Photo courtesy of Dave & Buster’s

There’s food AND fun at Dave and Buster’s. You’ll earn a $10 bonus card when you spend $50 on gift cards. Then maybe everyone can meet up for date night after New Year’s. Urgent alert: These companies are overcharging you.

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