Corrections & Clarifications: Applebee'supdated the end date for gift card purchases. It is through July 2.
It's one of the best times of the year to buy gift cards, especially restaurant gift cards.
At many popular chain restaurants, when you buy a gift card you'll get something free in return. A few stores also are running gift card promotions perfect for Mother's Day, graduation and Father's Day gifts.
Although gift cards might seem impersonal, surveys including the National Retail Federation’s 2017 Mother’s Day Spending Survey, show they're one of the most requested gifts.
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Besides buying cards as gifts, consider buying some cards for yourself. Remember, bonus cards have various expiration dates and exclusions apply, so read the fine print.
Some offers are available online while others are available at participating locations and while supplies last.
Restaurant card deals
Applebee’s: Through July 2, for every $50 gift card purchased, get a $10 bonus card valid from the next visit through Aug. 13.
BJ's Restaurant: Through May 14, for every $50 in gift cards purchased, get a $10 bonus card to redeem May 15 through June 17.
Bahama Breeze: Through June 30, buy a $50 gift card and get two $10 dine-in bonus cards and one $10 to go bonus card. The first bonus card is valid May 29 through July 31, the second July 1 through Aug. 31 and the third from May 29 through Aug. 31.
Benihana: Through May 14, for every $50 in gift cards purchased, get a $10 promotional card that can be redeemed May 15 through June 19.
Black Angus: Through June 18, buy $50 in gift cards and receive $10 bonus bucks to redeem June 19 through Aug. 31.
Bonefish Grill: Through June 18, for every $50 in gift cards purchased, get a $10 bonus card to redeem May 15 through July 21.
Brio Tuscan Grille: Through June 18, for every $50 in gift cards purchased online, get a $10 bonus card to redeem June 19 through Aug. 31. According to the chain’s Facebook page, purchase $100 of gift cards at participating restaurants and receive a $25 bonus card.
Buffalo Wild Wings: Through June 18, get a $5 electronic bonus card for every $30 in gift cards purchased, which can be redeemed on a future visit through July 31.
Carrabba's Italian Grill: Through June 18, buy $50 in gift cards and receive a $10 bonus card, which can be redeemed on a future visitMay 15 through July 21.
Cicis: Through June 5, with every $25 of gift cards purchased online, get a free adult buffet or large one-topping pizza. The offer will be rewarded through the MyCicis app up to eight weeks after the online gift card purchase.
Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group: Through May 23, for every $100 in gift cards purchased, get a $10 bonus card to use May 26 through July 31. The restaurant group includes Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House, Del Frisco’s Grille and Sullivan’s Steakhouse.
Einstein Bagels: Through May 14 at participating locations purchase a $25 Mother’s Day gift card pack and get a $5 bonus card to redeem May 15 through June 5.
First Watch: Through June 18, buy $100 in gift cards and get a $20 bonus card to use June 19 through July 31.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse: Through June 18, for every $100 in gift cards purchased, get a $20 bonus card to use May 15 through July 21.
Fogo de Chao: Through June 18, for every $125 in e-gift cards purchased, get a $25 bonus card.
Kona Grill: Through May 14, for every $50 worth of gift cards purchased, get a $10 promotional gift card that can be redeemed for any menu items during a single visit.
Landry’s restaurants: Through June 15, for every $50 worth of Aquarium, Bubba Gump, Cadillac Bar, Mai Tai, Rainforest Café, Rusty Pelican & T-Rex gift cards purchased, get a $10 reward card to use June 1 through Sept. 30, except for Father’s Day. Learn more about this multi-brand gift card deal and find additional Landry restaurant gift cards here.
Logan’s Roadhouse: Through June 18, get a $10 bonus card emailed for every $50 in gift cards purchased. Bonus cards, which are not valid in California, Augusta, Ga., North Carolina andSouth Carolina, expire July 31 and cannot be used on day purchased.
Longhorn Steakhouse: Through June 18, buy a $50 gift card and get a bonus card for a free appetizer or dessert, which is redeemable June 19 through July 23 with the purchase of two adult dinner entrees.
Morton’s Steakhouse: Through June 15, buy a $250 Morton’s or Morton’s Grille gift card and receive a $50 Reward Card, which can be redeemed June 1 through Sept. 30, except for Father’s Day.
Noodles & Company: Through June 20, for every $25 gift card purchase, get a $5 bonus card valid through June 30.
O’Charley’s Restaurant + Bar: Through May 14, buy $25 in gift cards online and get two $5 rewards card to use June 19 through Aug. 20.
Olive Garden: Through May 14, get a $10 bonus offer for every $50 in gift cards. Bonus cards are valid June 1 to June 30.
Outback Steakhouse: Through June 18, for every $50 in gift cards you buy, get a $10 bonus card, which can be redeemed on a following visit May 15 through July 21.
Panera Bread: Through May 31, for every $50 in gift cards, get a $10 bonus card to redeem June 1 through 30.
P.F. Chang’s: Through June 18, buy $50 in gift cards and can get a $10 bonus card to redeem June 19 through July 31.
Red Robin: Through June 19, buy a $25 limited edition movie-themed gift card and get a free movie ticket for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. You’ll need to register for the movie code by July 2.
Romano’s Macaroni Grill: Through May 14, get 25% off e-gift cards with promo code MOM17.
Ruby Tuesday: Through June 18, for every $50 in gift cards purchased online, get a $15 holiday bonus card, which can be redeemed May 15 through July 25. The in-store promotion is expected to run through May 14.
Steak 'n Shake: Through Aug. 22, buy $20 in gift cards and get a free $5 gift certificate, which is valid for 30 days after purchase.
TGI Friday's: For every $50 in gift cards purchased through June 30, get a $10 Bonus Bites card, which is valid July 1 through Aug. 31. Fridays Rewards members also receive double rewards points for gift cards purchased at participating locations through May 14 and June 8 through 18.
Tony Roma’s: Through June 20, for every $50 in gift cards or e-gift cards purchased, receive $15 in Roma Bucks to redeem June 21 through Sept. 14.
Yard House: Through June 26, for every $50 gift card purchase, get a $10 bonus card to redeem July 1 through Sept. 30.
Retail gift card deals
AMC Theatres: From Monday to May 14, purchase $50 in e-gift cards and receive a $10 bonus card.
Best Buy: Through May 13, buy $100 e-gift card and get a $10 savings code via email May 27 to use May 27 through June 10. Savings code can be redeemed online and in store.
Brooks Brothers: Through 3 a.m. ET May 15, buy a single $150 e-gift card and receive a $25 e-gift reward card. Limit five reward cards per customer.
DSW: Through May 14, get a $10 bonus gift card for every $50 in gift cards purchased in-store and online or a $25 bonus card for the first $100 in gift cards purchased. The bonus cards can be redeemed May 21 through June 11.
Harry & David: Through 3 a.m. ET May 15, for every $50 e-gift card purchased, get a $10 bonus card to use through June 30.
J.C. Penney: Through May 14, when you buy $75 in gift cards or e-gift cards, get a $10 off $10 coupon that can be redeemed May 15 through 31. For Mother's Day, select stores also are selling a gift card pack with three $20 gift cards and a free Mother's Day greeting card for $50. The pack includes a $20 Sephora inside J.C. Penney card, $20 for the store and a $20 gift card for the store's salon.
Massage Envy: Through May 14, get a voucher for a free 60-minute facial session or 30-minute massage upgrade when you purchase $125 in gift cards at participating locations. The vouchers expire Aug. 12.
Stein Mart: Through May 14, for every $100 in e-gift cards purchased, get a $20 bonus e-card, which can be redeemed now through May 29.
Winn-Dixie: Through June 20, earn six-times Plenti points on gift card purchases. Excludes Winn-Dixie, Visa, MasterCard and American Express gift cards. Go here to learn more about the Plenti rewards program.
More deals: The easiest way to find out whether your favorite local restaurant is having a gift card promotion is to check the restaurant’s Facebook page. For more gift card deals, check Groupon.com and weekly store sale circulars. Plus, save on gift cards at wholesale clubs such as Costco, BJ's Wholesale Club and Sam's Club. At Target, save 5%on most gift cards with a Target credit or debit card.
Unwanted gift card?
If you get an unwanted card, you can sell it or trade it for another card at sites such asCardPool.com, Raise.com and CardCash.com.
Or you can trade almost any gift card for a Target gift card at Target stores. Learn more at Targettrade-in.com. Just know you won't get the full value of the cards.
Follow Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @TCPalmKelly
