Restaurant Gift Card Deals & Bonus Offers for 2026

Best Restaurant Bonus Gift Card Offers — Back-to-School & Late Summer 2026

Important: Updated 8/14/2026. Late summer update: most July bonus cards have expired — use any remaining ones this week! IHOP just launched a new back-to-school promo. Several August bonus cards expire in the next two weeks. Always verify terms on the merchant page before purchase.

One of my favorite frugal tricks for dining out is stocking up on gift cards that either came with a bonus or were bought at a discount. Our family grabs a few for our favorite spots, and when you stack those with current dining deals and kids eat free nights, the meal sometimes costs the same as — or less than — eating at home. And no dishes for mom! 😄

Gift cards are one of my favorite easy gifts — and mid-August is the time to check your wallet and USE the bonus cards you earned this summer before they expire. Most of the July bonuses are gone, but several August cards are still valid, IHOP just launched a fresh back-to-school deal, and the warehouse clubs continue to offer solid upfront discounts. The next big wave of promos starts in November.

---

Best Gift Card Deals Right Now

Most of the summer bonus card promos have wrapped up, but there are still active deals to use — and one brand new back-to-school offer just launched. Here’s what to know right now:

• 🆕 IHOP Back-to-School: Buy $50 in IHOP gift cards, get a $10 Bonus Card. Promo runs 8/10–9/13/26. Bonus expires 10/13/26. Great for teacher gifts!
• ⚠️ Snooze A.M. Eatery: The $10 Bonus Card expires 8/16/26 — that’s this Sunday! Use it now.
• ⚠️ Miller’s Ale House: The second $10 Bonus Card (from a $50 spring purchase) is valid through 8/30/26. Use it before the end of the month!
• Ruby Tuesday / Outback / Bonefish / Carrabba’s / Fleming’s: Summer bonus cards valid through 8/23–8/31/26 — still time to use them.
• P.F. Chang’s: Bonus card valid through 9/1/26 — still plenty of time.
• Carrabba’s second bonus: Valid 8/24–10/25/26 — just becoming redeemable now.
• QDOBA: Summer bonus card valid through 8/31/26 — use it this month.

---

How Bonus Gift Card Promos Work

You purchase a gift card, and the restaurant gives you a bonus card, reward card, coupon, promo card, or discount code to use on a future visit. It’s essentially a built-in discount — buy now, save later.

Most bonus cards are promotional, which means they may be single-use, may not carry a leftover balance, and may exclude taxes, gratuity, alcohol, delivery, catering, or gift card purchases. Always read the terms before you buy.

Spring and early summer promos are typically tied to graduation, teacher appreciation, and Father’s Day. Most of those have now fully expired. A back-to-school wave is just beginning — IHOP has already launched one. The next major wave of bonus gift card promotions returns in November and December for the holidays, when most of these same restaurants will run their biggest deals of the year.

---

🎉 Restaurants & Casual Dining — Active Bonus Gift Cards (A–Z)

• Beef ‘O’ Brady’s: Summer promo ended, but the $10 Bonus Card (on $50 purchase) or $20 Bonus Card (on $100 purchase) is valid through 8/31/26.
• Benihana: Summer promo ended, but the $20 Promotional Card (on $50 purchase) is valid through 8/31/26.
• Denny’s: Spring promo ended, but the $5 Bonus Coupon earned on a $25 gift card is valid through 8/30/26.
• Green Mill: Summer promo ended, but the $25 Bonus Card earned on $100+ is valid through 8/31/26.
• IHOP: 🆕 Back-to-school promo is live! Buy $50 in IHOP gift cards and get a $10 Bonus Card. Promo runs 8/10–9/13/26. Bonus expires 10/13/26. Great for teacher gifts and family dining.
• Miller’s Ale House: The second $10 Bonus Card earned on a $50 spring purchase is valid through 8/30/26. ⚠️ Use it before the end of the month!
• P.F. Chang’s: Summer promo ended, but the $10 Bonus Card earned on a $50 purchase is valid through 9/1/26. Still plenty of time!
• Red Lobster: The $5 off bonus coupon earned per $25 purchased is valid through 8/30/26.
• Ruby Tuesday: Summer promo ended, but the $10 Bonus Card earned on a $50 purchase is valid through 8/23/26.
• Snooze A.M. Eatery: Summer promo ended, but the $10 Bonus Card earned on a $50 online purchase is valid through 8/16/26. ⚠️ Expires this Sunday — use it now!

---

🥩 Steakhouses & Upscale Dining — Active Bonus Gift Cards (A–Z)

• Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza & Wings: Summer promo ended, but the $25 Bonus Card earned on $100+ is valid through 8/30/26.
• Bonefish Grill: Summer promo ended, but the $10 Bonus Card earned on $50+ is valid through 8/23/26.
• Carrabba’s Italian Grill: Two bonus cards still in play. The first $10 Bonus Card is valid through 8/23/26. The second $10 Bonus Card is valid 8/24–10/25/26 — just becoming redeemable now.
• Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse: Summer promo ended, but the $20 E-Bonus Card earned on $100+ is valid through 8/23/26. Valid at participating Fleming’s locations only.
• Fogo de Chão: Summer promo ended, but the $50 Bonus eCard earned on $200+ is valid through 8/31/26.
• Kona Grill: The $10 Promotional Card (on $50 purchase) or $60 Promotional Card (on $200 purchase) is valid through 8/31/26.
• Outback Steakhouse: Summer promo ended, but the $10 Bonus Card earned on $50+ is valid through 8/23/26. Valid at any Bloomin’ Brands restaurant in the United States.
• STK Steakhouse: The $10 Promotional Card (on $50 purchase) or $60 Promotional Card (on $200 purchase) is valid through 8/31/26. Confirm current purchase window before buying.

---

🍕 Fast Casual, QSR, Pizza & Coffee — Active Bonus Gift Cards (A–Z)

• QDOBA: Summer promo ended, but the $10 Bonus Card earned on a $50 purchase is valid through 8/31/26. Use it before it expires!
• Tender Greens: Buy $50 in eGift cards and get a $10 eGift card. Confirm current dates and redemption rules before purchase.
• Tocaya: Spend $50 on eGift cards and get a $10 eGift card. Confirm current dates and redemption rules before purchase.
• Scooter’s Coffee: Earn a $5 bonus reward when you purchase $25 in gift cards. Available in-store and in-app where offered. Confirm current availability.

---

🍦 Desserts & Treats — Active Bonus Gift Cards (A–Z)

• Carvel: Receive a $5 bonus reward with a $25 gift card purchase. Confirm current dates and redemption rules before purchase.
• Cinnabon: Receive a $10 bonus reward with a $25 gift card purchase. Confirm current dates and redemption rules before purchase.
• Cold Stone Creamery: Buy $25 in gift cards and get a $5 bonus eCard. Confirm current availability before purchase.

---

🎟️ Entertainment & Experiences — Active Bonus Gift Cards (A–Z)

• Dave & Buster’s: Summer promo has ended. Check back for fall and holiday offers — Dave & Buster’s typically runs gift card promos multiple times per year.
• Main Event: Summer promo has ended. Check back for fall and holiday offers.

---

💳 Warehouse Club Discounted Gift Cards — Costco & Sam’s Club

These are not “buy a gift card, get a bonus” offers — they’re discounted gift cards sold below face value, which can be an even better deal because you save upfront rather than waiting to use a bonus card later. Here’s what’s currently available:

Costco (current offers — member pricing):

• Two Bob Evans $50 eGift cards ($100 value) for $79.99
• Four Domino’s $25 eGift cards ($100 value) for $79.99
• Two Dave & Buster’s $50 eGift cards ($100 value) for $79.99
• Four P.F. Chang’s $25 eGift cards ($100 value) for $79.99
• Four Papa John’s $25 eGift cards ($100 value) for $79.99
• Five Peet’s Coffee $20 eGift cards ($100 value) for $79.99
• Four Smashburger $25 eGift cards ($100 value) for $79.99
• Two Sullivan’s Steakhouse $50 eGift cards ($100 value) for $64.99
• Four TGI Fridays $25 eGift cards ($100 value) for $79.99
• Two Potbelly $50 eGift cards ($100 value) for $74.99
• Two Logan’s Roadhouse $50 eGift cards ($100 value) for $74.99
• Four Krispy Kreme $15 eGift cards ($60 value) for $44.99

Sam’s Club (current offers — member pricing):

• Blaze Pizza $50 eGift card for $39.98
• California Pizza Kitchen $50 eGift card for $39.98
• Landry’s $100 eGift card for $79.98 (valid at Landry’s Seafood, Chart House, Saltgrass Steak House, Bubba Gump Shrimp, Claim Jumper, Morton’s, and more)
• Logan’s Roadhouse $100 eGift card for $75.00
• Panera $50 eGift card for $39.98
• Ruby Tuesday $75 eGift card for $56.25
• Smashburger $50 eGift card for $39.98
• Sullivan’s Steakhouse $100 eGift card for $75.00
• Krispy Kreme $50 eGift card for $37.50

Browse all current offerings: Costco Gift Cards and Tickets | Sam’s Club Gift Cards. Inventory changes frequently — check back often.

Tip: A 20–25% upfront discount at a warehouse club is often better than a future bonus card with restrictions and an expiration date to track.

---

🛒 Where to Buy Discounted Gift Cards Year-Round

Even when there’s no restaurant bonus promo running, you can often find gift cards for your favorite dining spots at 5–30% below face value. Here’s where to look, from the safest options to the deepest discounts.

Lowest risk — buy directly or from major retailers:

• Buy directly from the restaurant: The safest option, always. No risk of a drained or fraudulent card. Check the restaurant’s website first.
• Costco and Sam’s Club: See the warehouse section above. Membership required, but risk is essentially zero and discounts are real.
• BJ’s Wholesale Club: Similar to Costco and Sam’s Club — rotates discounted restaurant and retail gift card bundles for members. Worth checking if you have a membership.
• Target (with Target Circle Card): Target sells gift cards at face value, but paying with a Target Circle Card (debit or credit) gets you an automatic 5% off — including on gift cards. Small but consistent and effortless.

Secondary marketplaces — deeper discounts, slightly more risk:

• Gift Card Granny: A comparison engine that searches multiple resellers at once so you can find the lowest price in one place. Always start here before buying anywhere else.
• GCX (formerly Raise): One of the largest peer-to-peer gift card marketplaces. Discounts average around 20% off. Comes with a buyer guarantee.
• CardCash: Buys and resells gift cards at up to 35% off from over 1,300 brands. Offers a 45-day money-back guarantee.
• Card Depot: Buys gift cards in bulk directly from brands and passes the savings along — similar model to a discount retailer. Offers a 100-day guarantee and strong Trustpilot reviews.
• CardCookie: Another reputable resale marketplace with a 100-day guarantee and a wide selection of restaurant and retail cards at a discount.

Watch for periodic sales at:

• Newegg: Primarily a tech retailer, but runs periodic restaurant gift card sales — sometimes up to 15% off brands like Domino’s, Chipotle, Outback, Olive Garden, IHOP, Applebee’s, and Red Robin. Deals are sporadic but worth bookmarking.
• Giftory: A newer platform that sells restaurant gift cards at a discount. Watch for deals like a $50 Olive Garden eGift card for $40.

A note on Dollar General and Family Dollar: Both stores sell gift cards in-store, but at full face value — there is no discount. They are handy for picking up a last-minute card, but not a place to save money on them.

Important: Even reputable secondary marketplaces carry some risk — cards can occasionally be fraudulent, drained, or deactivated before you use them. For the lowest risk, always buy directly from the restaurant or from a trusted retailer like Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s, or Target. If you do use a resale platform, stick to ones with a buyer guarantee and always check your card balance immediately after purchase.

---

📅 When More Gift Card Deals Pop Up

• Back-to-school: August and September — IHOP just launched one; watch for more from other brands through mid-September
• Labor Day weekend: September — occasional flash promos tied to the holiday
• Black Friday through Christmas: the biggest bonus gift card season of the year — most of the restaurants above will run holiday versions of these same promos, often with even larger bonuses. Bookmark this page and check back in November!

---

💡 How to Save the Most on Gift Cards

• Use expiring bonus cards this week: Snooze expires 8/16, Ruby Tuesday and Outback expire 8/23 — check your wallet now.
• Stock up on IHOP now: The new back-to-school promo runs through 9/13 — a great deal for teachers and families heading into fall.
• Buy where you already spend: A bonus card is only useful if you’ll actually redeem it before it expires.
• Read the restrictions: Bonus cards may exclude tax, tip, alcohol, catering, delivery, or gift card purchases.
• Compare bonus vs. discount: A warehouse club or secondary marketplace discount may be a better deal than a future bonus card.
• Stack with other savings: Pair a discounted gift card with dining deals or kids eat free nights for maximum savings.
• Track your bonus: Add every expiration date to your phone calendar immediately so you don’t lose the extra value.

---

🔒 Gift Card Safety (FTC)

Gift cards are for gifts — never to pay bills, fines, government fees, or “urgent fees” from someone who called you. If anyone asks you to pay with a gift card, it is a scam. Learn more and report fraud at the FTC: Gift Card Scams.

---

Frequently Asked Questions About Restaurant Gift Card Deals

Are there any new restaurant gift card deals right now in August 2026?

Yes! IHOP just launched a back-to-school promo — buy $50 in gift cards and get a $10 Bonus Card. The promo runs through September 13, 2026, and the bonus is valid through October 13, 2026. It’s a great deal for teacher gifts and family dining. Check back as more brands may launch back-to-school and Labor Day offers through September.

The purchase window has closed — can I still use my bonus card?

Yes, as long as the bonus card itself hasn’t expired. The purchase promo ending and the bonus card expiring are two different dates. Check the specific redemption dates listed above for each restaurant — several summer bonus cards are still valid through the end of August.

When is the best time of year to buy restaurant gift cards?

There are two peak seasons: spring (April–June, tied to graduation, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day) and the holiday season (November–December). Back-to-school in August and September brings a smaller but worthwhile wave of promos. Bookmark this page and check back in November — most of these same restaurants will run their biggest deals of the year.

What is a bonus gift card promo?

When you buy a qualifying amount in gift cards, the restaurant gives you a separate bonus card, reward card, or promo coupon to use on a future visit. The bonus is typically 10–20% of the purchase amount and comes with its own expiration date and restrictions.

Are discounted gift cards from secondary marketplaces safe?

They can be, but they carry more risk than buying directly from a restaurant or a trusted retailer like Costco or Target. Stick with established platforms that offer a buyer guarantee — CardCash, GCX, Card Depot, and CardCookie are among the more reputable options. Always verify your card balance immediately after purchase.

Do bonus gift cards have restrictions?

Yes. Bonus cards typically cannot be used to purchase additional gift cards, and they often exclude alcohol, tax, gratuity, catering, and delivery orders. Some are single-use only and do not carry a leftover balance. Read the fine print for each restaurant before buying.

What restaurants offer bonus gift cards every year?

The most consistent programs year after year include Applebee’s, IHOP, Outback Steakhouse, Red Robin, Panera Bread, BJ’s Restaurant, and most of the Bloomin’ Brands family (Outback, Carrabba’s, Bonefish Grill, Fleming’s). These brands typically run spring and holiday promotions reliably — and IHOP has now added a back-to-school promo to its annual lineup.

---

More Ways to Save on Dining Out

• Current Dining Deals and Restaurant Saving Tips
• Kids Eat Free Deals (by Day of the Week)
• Latest Deals on Fabulessly Frugal
• Holiday and Christmas Deals Hub
• Get our best deals by email

Want more money-saving tips, dining deals, and gift card alerts sent straight to your inbox?

Sign Up for Free Email Updates

Gift card deals change frequently. Always verify pricing, purchase windows, bonus redemption dates, and exclusions directly on the merchant’s website before buying.