The holidays are a great time to buy gift cards for special people on your shopping list. Many restaurants and retailers are offering bonuses this time of year so they’re an even better choice because of the additional savings.
Every year, we see articles and posts that try shaming us into believing gift cards are impersonal, boring holiday gifts for the special people on our list.
Bah, humbug!
Whoever said that doesn’t know the joys of finding a forgotten gift card tucked way in your wallet as you’re contemplating a purchase. They also haven’t experienced the hassle of exchanging or returning Christmas gifts. Even worse, the guilt of shoving something in the back of your closet only to donate it to Goodwill months later.
Here at Kansas City on the Cheap we believe in getting the most out of your money. If you’re going to spend time and money to get someone a gift this holiday season, why not make it something they’ll make use of – a gift card.
Even better, why not get a little extra out of the deal for yourself.
Here is a list of available gift cards that come with bonuses right now. Most of these are chain restaurants, but we’ve done some digging to find a variety, including some from local businesses. There are a few chains that don’t have a location in Kansas City, but we’ve included them anyway. Many allow you to get the gift card holiday bonus even if you’re shopping online and these may be for places your friends and family in other cities may enjoy.
It may seem that a few of these are getting away from our frugal mindset by requiring a higher amount purchase to receive a bonus. We figure if you’re splurging on someone special or buying multiple gift cards from a single place, you should still know how to get the best deal for everyone, yourself included.
If your business is offering a gift bonus, send us details at info@kansascityonthecheap.com and we’ll add it to our list for free.
2020 Holiday Gift Card Bonus Offers for Kansas City Shoppers
These 2020 holiday gift card bonus offers are listed in alphabetical order so keep scrolling until you find something you like. Check back because we’re seeing more of these pop up and we’ll add them here.
Be sure to read the fine print before your purchase. Many of these gift card holiday bonus offers have restrictions and rules. Many have date restrictions or requirements, menu exclusions or can’t be used with another offer. Pay attention and be sure you know what you’re getting and giving.
Applebee’s Gift Card Bonus
When you purchase a $50 Applebee’s Gift Card for someone in your neighborhood, you’ll receive a $10 bonus card you can use for yourself. More details.
Beer Kitchen Gift Card Savings
Save 10% when you buy a Beer Kitchen gift card using coupon code: HOLIDAYS2020. More details.
Benihana Bonus
Share the Benihana restaurant experience with friends and family. Buy $50, get $10 promo card; $200, $60 and $400, $120. More details.
Bo Lings Chinese Restaurant
Shop easy and local with Bo Lings gift cards. Get a $10 BONUS certificate for every $50 purchased in gift cards or $20 if you buy $100 in gift cards. Gift cards come in customized versions of the traditional red envelopes given to family and friends at Lunar New Year. Electronic versions are available too. More details.
Bonefish Grill Holiday Gift Card Bonus Deal
Receive a $10 Bonus Card for every $50 purchased in gift cards now through December 31, 2019. More details.
Bravo Italian Kitchen Offer
Receive a $10 Bonus Card for every $50 purchased in gift cards now through December 31, 2020. More details.
Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant Gift Card Special
Purchase a $50 gift card by Dec. 31, 2020 and receive a $10 reward card. Offer available in restaurants and online. More details.
Buffalo Wild Wings Bonus Gift Card
Pick up a $25 BWW gift card for a special wild and crazy person in your life and you can get a $5 ebonus for yourself. More details.
California Pizza Kitchen Gift Card Offer
Get a $20 bonus card for yourself when you buy $100 in gift cards from California Pizza Kitchen. More details.
Carrabbas Italian Grill Gift Card Bonus Offer
When you buy $50 in gift cards from Carrabbas through Dec.31, you’ll get a $10 bonus. More details.
Char Bar Special
Save 10% when you buy a Char Bar gift card using coupon code: HOLIDAYS2020. More details.
The Children’s Place Gift Card Event
Spend more, get more at The Children’s Place: $10 bonus card with a $50 purchase; $15 with a $75 purchase, $20 with a $100+ purchase. More details.
Chili’s Holiday Bonus Offer
Buy $50 in gift cards and get a $10 ebonus card from Chili’s. More details.
The Cheesecake Factory Treat
Buy Cheesecake Factory gift cards online by Dec. 25 and you’ll be eating FREE cheesecake in the new year. More details.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit will offer a $5 Bonus Card with $25 gift card purchase or a $10 Bonus Card with $50 gift card. This holiday offer is available online or in-store. More details.
DSW Bonus Gift Cards
Get a $10 bonus card for purchasing a $50 card and a $25 bonus card for purchasing $100 in gift cards. More details.
Firehouse Subs Offer
Any guest that orders Firehouse Subs gift cards of $25 or more online at FirehouseSubs.com between now through December 27 will receive a free medium sub voucher through the Firehouse Subs app. You must be a Firehouse Subs reward member to receive the voucher. Guests who purchase $25 in Firehouse Subs gift cards in a restaurant between now and December 31 will receive free medium sub voucher to redeem in the new year. More details.
FOGO de CHAO Holiday Bonus Card Offer
The more you give from FOGO de CHAO, the more you receive. Get $25 for every $125 you purchase; $75 for every $300 and $100 for every $400. More details.
Homer’s Coffee House Special
Power up at this downtown Overland Park coffee house with 20% off egift cards using promo code: SHOPSMALL or purchase in store for bonus cards. More details.
Houlihan’s Offer
Buy $50 in gift cards, get a $10 dining certificate. Offer good through December. More details.
Kelly’s Westport Inn Gift Card Special
Get $25 gift cards for Kelly’s Westport Inn for $20 through Christmas. More details.
Kona Grill Dining Dollars Deal
Earn $25 Bonus Dining Dollars For Every $100 Gift Card Purchased OR $10 Bonus Dollars For Every $50 Gift Card Purchased. More details.
Longhorn Steakhouse Gift Card Bonus
Several different options to choose from, including Dinner & Gift Combo Pack. More details.
Maggiano’s Little Italy Special Offer
Get $20 when you purchase $100 in Maggiano’s gift cards. More details.
Massage Envy Bonus
Buy one 60-minute service at the non-member rate and receive one FREE 60-minute service voucher. An $80 gift card nets you a $20 voucher, $150 nets you a $50 voucher.
Mickey’s Hideaway Gift Card Savings
Save 10% when you buy a Mickey’s Hideaway gift card using coupon code: HOLIDAYS2020. More details.
Outback Steakhouse Gift Card Bonus
$50 for them, $10 for you with this Outback Steakhouse gift card bonus deal. More details.
Panera Bread Gift Card Bonus
For every $50 in Panera gift cards you buy, get a free $10 bonus card. More details.
Pie Five Pizza Freebie Deal
Get a FREE large 1-topping pizza when you purchase $25 in Pie Five Pizza gift cards. More details.
RA Sushi Bar & Restaurant Special
Give the gift of sushi this season. Get a $10 promo card when you buy $50 in gift cards and a $60 promo card with a purchase of $200. More details.
Red Lobster Give a Gift, Get a Gift Promotion
Now through the end of December, for every $50 spent on Red Lobster gift cards purchased in-restaurant or online, guests will receive two bonus coupons to be used in January and February (excluding 2/14) – one for $10 off two adult dinner entrées and another for $10 off a To Go or delivery order of $30 or more placed through RedLobster.com. More details.
Red Robin Bonus Buck Reward
Get a FREE Red Robin $5 Bonus Buck Reward for every $25 gift card purchase. More details.
Seasons 52 Holiday Bonus
Buy $100 in Seasons 52 gift cards and enjoy a $20 bonus for yourself. More details.
Story Gift Card Offer
Spend $100 and get a $20 bonus from Story. More details.
Tabard’s Kitchen Bonus
For every $25 in gift cards you buy at Tabard’s Kitchen, you get a $5 voucher good for food or beverage in January and February. More details.
Taco Bell Holiday Gift Card Promo
Buy $10 online and get a $2 eGift Card. If you buy $10 in stores, you’ll get two FREE seasoned beef crunchy tacos. More details.
2019 Holiday Gift Card Bonus Offers for Kansas City Shoppers
Abuelo’s Gift Card Fiesta
Through December 31st Abuelo’s is giving you a $10 VIP card for every $50 spent in gift card purchases. VIP cards are redeemable January through March 2020.
Baker’s Square Gift Card Offer
Purchase $25 in Baker’s Square gift cards by Dec. 31, 2019 and get a Free $5 Coupon Card valid Jan. 1 through Feb. 7, 2020. This offer is valid in restaurants and online.
BurgerFi Gift Card Extras
For every $25 in gift cards spent by Dec. 31, receive a $5 bonus card that can be redeemed Jan. 1, 2020 through Feb. 29, 2020. Guests can register each bonus card through BurgerFi’s website for a chance to win prizes, including FREE BurgerFi for a year. Digital gift cards can also be purchased online or via the BURGERFI app to redeem the bonus cards (and automatically enter the sweepstakes).
Cheesecake Factory FREE Slices
Get two FREE slices of cheesecake for every $25 gift card you buy at the Cheesecake Factory Nov. 29-Dec. 2, 2019. Coupons for a FREE slice of cheesecake or layer cake can be redeemed on a future visit Jan. 1-March 31, 2020. Check here for details.
Chicken N Pickle Free Play Offer
Purchase $100 in Chicken N Pickle gift cards and get $20 of FREE open play. There is no limit on how much credit for open play you can earn. Gift cards need to be purchased by Jan. 5, 2020. Don’t forget, in addition to the current Northland location, Chicken N Pickle plans to open an Overland Park, KS location in the fall of 2020.
Chipotle Gift Card, Free Entree Deal
This is one of the better gift card bonus deals we’ve found so far. Available in-restaurant only, purchase $30 or more in gift cards through Dec. 24 and return with your original receipt on your next visit to receive a buy-one-get-one FREE entrée. More details here.
Culver’s Gift Card Treat
Spend at least $30 on Culver’s gift cards and get a certificate for a FREE Regular Value Basket for your next visit. You’ll need to buy your gift cards by Dec. 29, 2019. The FREE Regular Value Basket certificate is good though Feb. 29, 2020.
Dunkin’ Donuts
November 29, through December 24, when you purchase at least $50 in Dunkin’ gift cards at giftcards.dunkindonuts.com, you’ll receive a $10 promo card in return. Terms and conditions are here.
Einstein Bros. Holiday Bonus Card
Get a FREE $5 bonus card when you buy a $25 gift card for the best brother in your life. Details here.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard Favorites Offer
For a limited time, receive ONE free Freddy’s Favorites with your $25 gift card purchase. Choose from: Freddy’s Famous Seasoning (SEASON), Freddy’s Famous Fry Sauce (REGSAUCE), Freddy’s Famous Jalapeño Fry Sauce (JALSAUCE).
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop Bonus Deal
For each online and in-store gift card purchase of $25 or more, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop will make the case that “it’s better to receive” by giving each purchasing guest a $5 bonus card, valid during the month of January 2020. More info here.
Half Price Books Gift Card Deal
Buy your favorite bookworm a $25 gift card by Dec. 24, 2019 and get a $5 bonus card you can redeem in stores during the month of January 2020. Find out more here.
HopCat KC Gift Card Promotion
When you buy a $50 gift card before the end of 2019, you’ll get a $10 coupon for any food purchase from January 1, 2020 thru February 29, 2020. You can buy a new card online as well, but the coupons only apply to in-store purchases. More info here.
HyVee Grocery Gift Card Special
On Black Friday (Nov. 29, 2019) only, you can get a $20 HyVee gift card when you purchase at least $150 of select gift cards from a HyVee store. We haven’t been able to find a link to the 2019 gift card offer, but here’s a picture of the weekly ad that arrived in the mail on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019. Terms and conditions for the 2018 offer are here. We’ll update this information as soon as we can find something.
Logan’s Roadhouse Bonus Card
When you spend $50 on Logan’s Roadhouse gift cards, you’ll receive a $10 bonus card to use later! There is no Logan’s Roadhouse location in Kansas City, but this deal is good on physical gift cards or e-gift cards. If you have out of town friends or family who enjoy eating there, you could give them the $50 card and the $10 bonus. It’s sure to land you on Santa’s nice list. Here are the details.
Longhorn Steakhouse Gift Card Bonus
Receive a $10 bonus card when you buy a $50 (or more) gift card from Longhorn Steakhouse. Here’s the offer.
The Melting Pot Buy $100, Get $100 Special
Buy $100 in Melting Pot gift cards and receive four (4) $25 gift cards that can be used in 2020. More details here.
Olive Garden Christmas Gift Card Bonus Promotion
Give the gift of Italy Olive Garden says! Most budgets don’t allow for that, but a taste of Olive Garden might work. Get a $10 gift card with every $50 of Olive Garden gift cards purchased. Offer available until Dec. 30, 2019 and bonus gift cards valid Jan 2-Feb. 9, 2020. More information here.
Outback Steakhouse Gift Card Bonus
Have a good day with this bonus deal. Buy a $50 gift card as a gift, get $10 for yourself. The bonus deal is available through Dec. 31, 2019. The $10 bonus card is valid Jan. 1-Feb. 9, 2020. See full terms and conditions.
P.F. Chang’s Gift Card Bonus
Give the gift of good fortune. Receive a $20 bonus reward with every $100 P.F. Changs gift card purchase through Dec. 31. Learn more here.
The Roasterie Gift Card Special
For every $25 you buy in Roasterie gift cards, you’ll receive a $5 drink voucher for you. Stop by any Roasterie Café location to purchase.
Ruby Tuesday Gift Card Extra
Stuff your own stocking with a $15 bonus card from Ruby Tuesday for every $50 in gift cards you buy. Your bonus cards last a bit longer than most, as they’re good Jan. 2 through March 5, 2020. See more details here.
Smoothie King Freebie
There’s no problem swallowing this holiday special from Smoothie King. Get a free 20 oz. Smoothie for the new year with a $25 gift card purchase. Smoothie bonus card is valid January 1 – February 29, 2020.
Tom’s Town
Tom Pendergast wouldn’t have let his friends drink poor quality liquor and you shouldn’t either. Buy $50 worth of Tom’s Town gift cards and get a $10 card FREE. You can buy gift cards and other merchandise online or in person at the distillery at 1701 Main, Kansas City, MO.
