Restaurant Gift Card Deals & Bonus Offers for 2026

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

Important: Updated 8/26/2026. End-of-August update: many summer bonus cards expire this week — use them before August 31! IHOP’s back-to-school promo is still live through September 13. 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 if you bought during the spring and summer promos, this is crunch time. A lot of bonus cards expire August 30 and 31, so check your wallet right now! IHOP still has their back-to-school deal running through mid-September, and the next big wave of holiday promos starts in November. In the meantime, warehouse clubs continue to offer solid upfront discounts year-round.

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Best Gift Card Deals Right Now

We’re at the tail end of summer promo season. Several bonus cards expire August 30 and 31 — check yours today. IHOP is the only active purchase promo right now, and it’s a good one for back-to-school gifting.

• 🆕 IHOP Back-to-School: Buy $50 in IHOP gift cards, get a $10 Bonus Card. Promo runs through 9/13/26. Bonus expires 10/13/26. Still time to buy — great for teacher gifts!
• ⚠️ Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza: The $25 Bonus Card expires 8/30/26 — use it this week!
• ⚠️ Denny’s: The $5 Bonus Coupon expires 8/30/26 — use it this week!
• ⚠️ Miller’s Ale House: The second $10 Bonus Card expires 8/30/26 — use it this week!
• ⚠️ Red Lobster: The $5 off bonus coupon expires 8/30/26 — use it this week!
• ⚠️ Beef ‘O’ Brady’s: Bonus cards expire 8/31/26 — use them before September!
• ⚠️ Benihana: The $20 Promotional Card expires 8/31/26 — use it before September!
• ⚠️ Fogo de Chão: The $50 Bonus eCard expires 8/31/26 — use it before September!
• ⚠️ Green Mill: The $25 Bonus Card expires 8/31/26 — use it before September!
• ⚠️ Kona Grill: Promotional cards expire 8/31/26 — use them before September!
• ⚠️ QDOBA: The $10 Bonus Card expires 8/31/26 — use it before September!
• ⚠️ STK Steakhouse: Promotional cards expire 8/31/26 — use them before September!
• Carrabba’s: The second $10 Bonus Card is valid 8/24–10/25/26 — just became redeemable, plenty of time.
• P.F. Chang’s: The $10 Bonus Card expires 9/1/26 — use it this week!

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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 spring and summer promo season is winding down. Most purchase windows closed in June, and bonus card redemption windows are now ending. IHOP is running the only active back-to-school purchase promo right now. The next major wave returns in November and December when most of these same restaurants run their biggest deals of the year — often with even larger bonuses.

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

• Beef ‘O’ Brady’s: The $10 Bonus Card (on $50 purchase) or $20 Bonus Card (on $100 purchase) expires 8/31/26. ⚠️ Use it before September!
• Benihana: The $20 Promotional Card (on $50 purchase) expires 8/31/26. ⚠️ Use it before September!
• Denny’s: The $5 Bonus Coupon earned on a $25 gift card is valid through 8/30/26. ⚠️ Use it this week!
• Green Mill: The $25 Bonus Card earned on $100+ expires 8/31/26. ⚠️ Use it before September!
• IHOP: 🆕 Back-to-school promo still live! Buy $50 in IHOP gift cards and get a $10 Bonus Card. Promo runs through 9/13/26. Bonus expires 10/13/26. Great for teacher gifts and fall dining.
• Miller’s Ale House: The second $10 Bonus Card from a $50 spring purchase expires 8/30/26. ⚠️ Use it this week!
• P.F. Chang’s: The $10 Bonus Card earned on a $50 purchase expires 9/1/26. ⚠️ Use it this week!
• Red Lobster: The $5 off bonus coupon earned per $25 purchased expires 8/30/26. ⚠️ Use it this week!

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

• Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza & Wings: The $25 Bonus Card earned on $100+ expires 8/30/26. ⚠️ Use it this week!
• Carrabba’s Italian Grill: The second $10 Bonus Card is valid 8/24–10/25/26 — just became redeemable, plenty of time to use it.
• Fogo de Chão: The $50 Bonus eCard earned on $200+ expires 8/31/26. ⚠️ Use it before September!
• Kona Grill: The $10 Promotional Card (on $50) or $60 Promotional Card (on $200) expires 8/31/26. ⚠️ Use it before September!
• STK Steakhouse: The $10 Promotional Card (on $50) or $60 Promotional Card (on $200) expires 8/31/26. ⚠️ Use it before September!

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

• QDOBA: The $10 Bonus Card earned on a $50 purchase expires 8/31/26. ⚠️ Use it before September!
• 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.

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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 Back Soon

The summer entertainment gift card promos from Dave & Buster’s and Main Event have ended. These brands typically re-launch gift card bonus offers in time for the holiday season — check back in November.

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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. 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.

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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 — 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.

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📅 When More Gift Card Deals Pop Up

• IHOP back-to-school promo: Active now through September 13 — still time to buy!
• Labor Day weekend: September 1 — watch for possible flash promos from a few brands
• Black Friday through Christmas: The biggest bonus gift card season of the year. Most of the restaurants in this post will run their largest deals of 2026 starting in late October and November — often with two bonus cards per purchase instead of one. Bookmark this page and check back then!

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💡 How to Save the Most on Gift Cards

• Use expiring cards THIS WEEK: Anthony’s Coal Fired, Denny’s, Miller’s Ale House, and Red Lobster all expire 8/30. Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, Benihana, Fogo de Chão, Green Mill, Kona Grill, QDOBA, and STK all expire 8/31. Check your wallet today.
• Still time to buy IHOP: The back-to-school promo runs through September 13 — a great deal for teacher gifts or just a family breakfast out this 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.

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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

Are there any restaurant gift card deals to buy right now in late August 2026?

Yes — IHOP’s back-to-school promo is still live through September 13, 2026. Buy $50 in IHOP gift cards and get a $10 Bonus Card, which is valid through October 13, 2026. It’s a great deal for teacher gifts or just stocking up for fall dining. Check back in November when the holiday wave of promos launches — that’s when most brands run their biggest gift card deals of the year.

I have a bonus card expiring August 31 — where can I use it?

Several bonus cards expire August 31, including cards from Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, Benihana, Fogo de Chão, Green Mill, Kona Grill, QDOBA, and STK. Use them for dine-in or online orders before midnight on August 31. Remember that most bonus cards cannot be used on the same day they were issued, and may exclude alcohol, tax, and gratuity. Check the specific terms on your card.

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). A smaller back-to-school wave typically runs in August and September. If you missed the spring deals, bookmark this page and check back in November — most of these same restaurants will run their biggest promos 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.

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 now runs a back-to-school promo in August as well.

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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.