Restaurant Gift Card Deals & Bonus Offers for 2026

Best Restaurant Gift Card Bonus Deals — Holiday Season 2026 Is Here

Important: Updated 10/29/2026. The holiday gift card season has officially launched! Applebee’s is live now through January 3. Saltgrass, McCormick & Schmick’s, and Del Frisco’s Grille are all running through December 31. More brands launching in the next two weeks — check back often! 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! 😄

The holiday gift card season is the single best time of year to buy restaurant gift cards. Applebee’s already launched their holiday promo this week. Several other brands are running now through December 31, and the big names — Outback, Panera, Cheesecake Factory, BJ’s, Red Robin, IHOP, Olive Garden, Chili’s — are expected to launch in the next two to three weeks. This page updates weekly as deals go live. Sign up for email alerts below so you don’t miss any!

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Best Gift Card Deals Right Now

The holiday gift card wave is officially here — and it started earlier than usual this year. Here’s what’s live and confirmed as of today:

• 🆕 Applebee’s: Buy $50 in gift cards, get a $10 Bonus Card. Running now through 1/3/27. Bonus expires 2/28/27. Available online and in-restaurant.
• 🆕 Saltgrass Steak House: Buy $50 in gift cards, get a $10 reward card. Running now through 12/31/26. Online and in-store.
• 🆕 McCormick & Schmick’s: Buy $100 in gift cards, get a $20 reward card. Running now through 12/31/26.
• 🆕 Del Frisco’s Grille: Buy $100 in gift cards, get a $20 reward card. Running now through 12/31/26.
• The Cheesecake Factory: The $10 Bonus Card earned during the October promo (on $50 purchased 10/1–10/25) is redeemable now through 11/22/26. The holiday promo (typically buy $50, get $15) is expected in mid-November.
• Peter Piper Pizza: Buy $50 in digital gift cards through 10/31/26 and get a $10 bonus card valid 11/1–12/1/26. Today is the last day to buy!

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🎄 Holiday Promos Launching Soon — What to Expect

Based on consistent prior-year patterns, these brands are expected to launch their holiday gift card promos in November. We’ll update this page as each one is confirmed — most run through December 31 with bonus cards redeemable in January and February 2027.

• BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse — typically buy $50, get $10 Bonus Card; buy $100, get $20 Bonus Card
• Bonefish Grill — typically buy $50, get $10 Bonus Card
• Carrabba’s Italian Grill — typically buy $50, get $10 Bonus Card
• The Cheesecake Factory — typically buy $50 online, get $15 Bonus Card (usually mid-November online, Black Friday in restaurants)
• Chili’s — typically buy $50, get $10 Bonus Card
• Dave & Buster’s — typically buy $50, get $10 Bonus Card
• Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse — typically buy $100, get $20 Bonus Card
• IHOP — typically buy $25, get $5 Bonus Card (holiday version)
• Logan’s Roadhouse — confirmed launching 11/1/26: buy $50, get $10 Bonus Card
• LongHorn Steakhouse — typically buy $25, get $5 Bonus Card
• Olive Garden — typically buy $50, get $10 Bonus Card
• Outback Steakhouse — typically buy $50, get $10 Bonus Card or two $10 Bonus Cards
• Panera Bread — typically buy $50, get $10 Bonus Card
• Red Robin — typically tiered: $10 bonus on $50, $25 bonus on $100
• Ruth’s Chris Steak House — typically 10% bonus card on $250+

These are expected deals based on prior years — not yet confirmed for 2026 holiday season. We update this page as each promo launches. Bookmark it and check back!

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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.

The holiday season (November through December 31) is the best time of year to buy restaurant gift cards. Bonus cards earned during holiday promos are typically redeemable in January and February — a great way to stretch your dining budget into the new year, or stack them with post-holiday deals.

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🎉 Restaurants & Casual Dining — Active Holiday Gift Card Deals (A–Z)

• Applebee’s: Buy $50 in gift cards and get a $10 Bonus Card. Promo runs 10/12/26–1/3/27. Bonus expires 2/28/27. Available online and in-restaurant at participating locations. Bonus card cannot be redeemed on the day of issuance.
• The Cheesecake Factory: The $10 Bonus Card from the October National Dessert Month promo is redeemable through 11/22/26. Use it for dine-in or takeout! The holiday promo (typically buy $50 online, get $15 Bonus Card) is expected to launch in mid-November — check back.
• P.F. Chang’s: Check the P.F. Chang’s site for their upcoming holiday gift card promo — they typically launch one in November with a $20 Bonus Card on $100 purchased.
• 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.

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🥩 Steakhouses & Upscale Dining — Active Holiday Gift Card Deals (A–Z)

• Del Frisco’s Grille: Buy $100 in gift cards and get a $20 reward card. Running through 12/31/26.
• McCormick & Schmick’s: Buy $100 in gift cards and get a $20 reward card. Running through 12/31/26.
• Saltgrass Steak House: Buy $50 in gift cards and get a $10 reward card. Running through 12/31/26. Online and in-store.

Bonefish Grill, Carrabba’s, Fleming’s, Outback Steakhouse, Fogo de Chão, and Ruth’s Chris holiday promos are expected in November — check back as we confirm each one.

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🍕 Fast Casual, QSR, Pizza & Coffee — Active Holiday Gift Card Deals (A–Z)

• Peter Piper Pizza: Buy $50 in digital gift cards today (10/31/26 is the last day!) and get a $10 Bonus Card valid 11/1–12/1/26.
• 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.

Panera, IHOP, Chili’s, Olive Garden, Logan’s Roadhouse (launching 11/1), and others are expected soon. We’ll update as each promo is confirmed.

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🍦 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.

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🎟️ Entertainment & Experiences — Coming Soon

Dave & Buster’s and Main Event typically run holiday gift card bonus offers. Check back in November — we’ll update this section as deals launch.

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💳 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. Warehouse club gift card inventories rotate frequently and tend to expand significantly in November and December. Always verify current stock before purchasing.

Costco (member pricing — verify current availability):

• 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 (member pricing — verify current availability):

• 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. Holiday inventory expands significantly in November — 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.

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🛒 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. 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. Worth bookmarking for holiday deals.
• 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.

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📅 When More Gift Card Deals Pop Up

• Right now — Applebee’s is live! Through January 3, 2027 — one of the earliest holiday launches we’ve seen.
• November 1: Logan’s Roadhouse launches. More brands expected to follow throughout the first two weeks of November.
• Mid-November: The Cheesecake Factory typically launches their holiday promo online. Panera, IHOP, BJ’s, Outback, Chili’s, Olive Garden, Red Robin, and others expected to follow.
• Black Friday: Several brands launch in-restaurant gift card promos on Black Friday. Great day to buy if you’re out shopping anyway.
• December 31: Most holiday purchase windows close. Bonus cards are then redeemable through January and February 2027 — a great way to keep dining out on a budget after the holidays.

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💡 How to Save the Most on Gift Cards

• Buy Applebee’s now: Their holiday promo launched October 12 and runs through January 3 — but don’t wait until December when you’re overwhelmed with shopping. Buy early and give them as gifts.
• Use your Cheesecake Factory October bonus: It expires 11/22/26 — that’s just three and a half weeks away.
• Don’t wait until December: The best promos launch in early-to-mid November. A few brands sell out of bonus cards before December ends.
• Stack with other savings: Pair a discounted gift card with dining deals or kids eat free nights for maximum savings.
• Buy where you already spend: A bonus card is only useful if you’ll actually redeem it. Stick to restaurants your family loves.
• Read the restrictions: Bonus cards may exclude tax, tip, alcohol, catering, delivery, or gift card purchases.
• Check warehouse clubs weekly: Costco and Sam’s Club expand their gift card inventory significantly in November and December.
• Track your bonus: Add every bonus card expiration date to your phone calendar the day you receive it.

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🔒 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Restaurant Gift Card Deals

Which restaurants have holiday gift card deals right now in late October 2026?

Applebee’s launched their holiday promo early this year — buy $50, get a $10 Bonus Card, running through January 3, 2027. Saltgrass Steak House, McCormick and Schmick’s, and Del Frisco’s Grille are all running buy-$50-get-$10 or buy-$100-get-$20 deals through December 31. Logan’s Roadhouse launches November 1. The big names — The Cheesecake Factory, Outback, Panera, BJ’s, Chili’s, Olive Garden, Red Robin, and IHOP — are expected mid-November. Check back weekly as we confirm each one!

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

The holiday season (November through December 31) is the single best time of year. Most major chains run their biggest bonus card promotions of the year during this window. A smaller spring wave runs April through June tied to graduation and Father’s Day. If you’re buying for yourself or as gifts, November is the sweet spot — promos are live but stores aren’t yet overwhelmed.

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. Holiday bonus cards are usually redeemable in January and February of the following year — restrictions apply, so always read the fine print.

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. Most bonus cards are single-use and do not carry over a leftover balance. Some also cannot be used on the same day they are issued. Read the fine print for each restaurant before buying.

What restaurants offer bonus gift cards every year without fail?

The most consistent programs year after year include Applebee’s, IHOP, Outback Steakhouse, Red Robin, Panera Bread, The Cheesecake Factory, BJ’s Restaurant, and the Bloomin’ Brands family (Outback, Carrabba’s, Bonefish Grill, Fleming’s). These brands run both spring and holiday promotions reliably every year.

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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

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