12 discounted gift cards you can buy online today
Summer Hull , aka Mommy Points, ran the Mommy Points site for families who want to travel more for less using miles and points for seven years. She now heads up a variety of special projects at TPG when she isn't exploring the world with her own two girls.
Dec. 22, 2020
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6 min read
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Now that we are beyond most shipping deadlines for the big day quickly approaching on Dec. 25, a new shopping opportunity has emerged. There are now many discounted and bonuses on gift certificates and e-gift cards that you can print or send electronically, valid at retailers big and small.
Whether you are still checking off the rest of your holiday shopping list or are looking to score a discount for your own future expenses, discounted gift cards can be a good opportunity to maximize the dollars you planned to spend anyway. It can be an even better opportunity if you have some credit card bonuses and offers that stack right on the top of it all.
While this is in no way an exhaustive list of all the discounted gift cards and related bonuses out there, hopefully it's enough to get you looking around at the places where you pretty consistently spend your money or have a known upcoming purchase.
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Stack your gift card savings
Before we get to the specific discounted gift cards available in 2020, here are some important things to remember:
- Check for any relevant Amex Offers you can add to your savings.
- Pay with the credit card that gives you the biggest rewards. Here are some of the best credit cards for gift card purchases and some that are currently awarding me 5x - 21x bonus miles per dollar right now.
- While not listed here as they frequently change, Amazon also has a rotating list of discounted gift cards. Here are 26 ways to maximize your Amazon purchase and potentially stack on even more savings if you shop there.
Get a $50 bonus gift card at Nordstrom
- $50 promo card when you buy $300 in eGift cards when purchased by Dec. 26.
- $25 promo card when you buy $175 in eGift cards when purchased by Dec. 26.
- Your bonus promo gift card will be emailed by Jan. 1 and is valid until Jan. 31.
Related: All about the Nordstrom 'Nordy Club'
Two free slices of Cheesecake with $25 in Cheesecake Factory gift cards
- For every $25 spent on Cheesecake Factory gift cards (including either physical gift cards or electronic gift cards) purchased online (from thecheesecakefactory.com) in a single transaction, the purchaser will receive two Slice of Joy Cards (each a “Slice of Joy Card”).
- The offer expires at 3 a.m. on Dec. 26.
- Free slice cards can be redeemed from Jan. 1 - March 31 for cheesecake or layer cake slices.
Related: The credit card that gives you $10 toward free cheesecake each month
$500 Alaska Airlines gift card for $449.99 at Costco
- Gift cards are delivered via email within 24 business hours (additional processing time may be required on holidays and weekends).
- Limit 10 per member.
- Only valid at alaskaair.com for Alaska Airlines flights.
Related: Best credit cards to use at Costco
Buy $50 in Outback Steakhouse gift cards, get $20 bonus cards
- For every $50 in Outback e-gift cards purchased today (Dec. 22), you'll get two $10 bonus e-cards that will be valid from Jan. 1 - Feb. 7.
No purchase fees on Vanilla Visa gift cards
- No purchase fee on Vanilla Visa gift cards when using code EGIFT2020 by Dec. 25.
Related: Best credit cards to buy gift cards
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10% off Gap gift cards
- 10% off Gap and Gap Factory eGift Cards purchased online by 3:00 a.m. ET on Dec. 26.
- Discount limited to one order per customer and can only be applied to a single receipt. Qualifying purchase up to a total maximum gift card order amount of $250 (before discount).
Related: Best credit cards for online shopping
Adidas $50 gift card for $40
- Purchase a $50 Adidas gift card for $40 from adidas.com in the U.S.
- Valid until Dec. 31.
Buy a $50 Pappas gift card get a $10 e-reward bonus card
- Earn a $10 bonus e-reward gift for every $50 in Pappas gift card purchased.
- $10 bonus is valid from Jan. 1 - Feb. 28.
$10 bonus card with $50 Panera gift card purchase
- Get a $10 bonus card for every $50 in Panera Bread plastic gift cards and eGift cards purchased or reloaded in-cafe or online by Dec. 31.
- Bonus card is valid for redemption from Jan. 1 - Jan. 31.
Related: Best credit cards for dining purchases
Buy a $25 Shake Shack gift card, get a free shake
- Buy $25 worth of Shake Shack gift cards or eGifts, get a free shake voucher. (Buy $50 worth, get two, etc.).
- Gift cards, eGifts, and vouchers can only be used in-Shack and not at the kiosk, app, or online.
- Offer valid until Dec. 31.
Related: How to get a Shake Shack meal (almost) for free
Buy $25 in Subway gift cards, get a free sub
- Buy $25 in Subway gift cards, receive a free 6" sub.
- Maximum of four free 6” subs per order.
- Free subs redeemable Jan. 1 - Feb. 13, 2021.
Bonus $10 Barnes & Noble gift card with $100 gift card purchase
- Get a $10 Barnes & Noble eGift Card with each purchase of $100 worth of Barnes & Noble Gift Cards or Barnes & Noble eGift Cards on Barnes & Noble.com in a single transaction only at Barnes & Noble.com.
- Your purchase must be made by Dec. 26, 2020 at 2:59 a.m. Eastern to qualify for this offer.
- Your $10 bonus card will be emailed on Jan. 20.
Related: 19 of the best travel books to inspire your next trip
Bottom line
These are just 12 of what are likely hundreds of discounted or bonus gift card offers available now as retailers shift to immediate electronic ways that can help you spread holiday cheer (while still getting your cash). And while a discounted gift card can be a win all by itself, stacking available savings offers and credit card bonuses on top makes the deals even sweeter.
Featured image by You can redeem your points on the Citi Rewards+ for gift cards. (Photo by Summer Hull / The Points Guy)
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. If anyone on our team wouldn’t recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldn’t recommend it on The Points Guy either. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners.
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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
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Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Rewards
3 - 4X points
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Annual Fee
$250
Recommended Credit
670-850
Excellent/Good
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro Offer
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.60,000 bonus pointsAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees