Ok, through a bunch of research and scouring the web …and a few trips to Applebee’s, I have compiled a list of places that will pay you back this Christmas season! Literally, get paid to give a gift card!! SCORE!!
AMC Theaters - Buy $50 in gift cards and get a free $10 concession card.
Applebee’s – Buy a $50 gift card and get a $10 bonus gift card through Feb. 29, 2011.
Arby’s - Participating locations are offering a free combo when you buy a $20 gift card.
Barnes and Noble – Buy a $100 gift card by Dec. 6, 2011 and get a free $10 e-gift card on Dec. 26, 2011.
Borders - Buy a $50 gift card and get a $10 bonus.
Benihana – Join the Chef’s Table and get a $30 gift certificate mailed to you in your birthday month. Or get a bonus $10 gift card when you buy a $50 gift card. Ends Dec. 31, 2010 and the gift cards expire Mar. 31, 2011. If you can combine the two, you’ll pay $50 for $90 in gift cards!
Ben & Jerry’s – Get a free ice cream when you buy a gift card for $10 or more. Unclear when this deal expires.
Black Angus - Buy a $50 gift card by Dec. 31, 2010 and get a $10 bonus gift card.
Buca di Peppo - Buca di Beppo is offering a $10 Reward Card with every $50 in gift card purchases.
California Pizza Kitchen - Buy a $100 gift card and get a free $20 bonus card that is valid Jan. 10, 2011 through Mar. 25, 2011.
Cheesecake Factory – Get a voucher for a free slice of cheesecake on your next visit when you buy a $25 gift card. Ends Dec. 24, 2010.
Chick-fil-A - Select locations (check ahead of time) are giving away a free 2011 calender stocked with freebies when you buy a $20 gift card. Otherwise the calenders cost $6.
Chili’s – Gift card orders of $100 or more are 10% off. Chipotle – There are rumors that if you buy a $25 gift card in stores before Dec. 24, 2010, you’ll get a free entree on your next visit with the original receipt. You must claim the freebie by Dec. 31, 2010, which is a tight window.
CiCi’s Pizza – Buy a $20 gift card and get a free adult buffet card that is good through Jan. 2011. One per person. Beverages not included.
Claim Jumper – Buy a $50 gift card and get a voucher for a free slice of Chocolate Motherlode Cake on your next visit (good through Jan. 9, 2011) and a $10 gift card that is good Jan. 10, 2011 through Mar. 31, 2011. So you’ll have to make two visits to redeem both. Buy $500 or more in gift cards and get 20% back in gift cards that never expire.
Coffee Bean – Get a free 12-ounce drink of your choice when you buy a $25 gift card or reload an existing card (with $25 or more). Valid in AZ and CA, but not at Ralphs, casinos, school campus, and military bases. Not valid online. CVS – For every $25 gift card you buy, get a free $5 bonus gift card.
Del Taco – Get various freebies when you buy a gift card between $15 and $100, from free tacos to a free T-shirt. Offers may vary in restaurants. Unclear when they expire.
Denny’s – Buy a $25 gift card, get a $5 bonus card free. For a limited time. Each order has a $1.95 processing fee.
Friendly’s - Get a free $5 gift card with every $25 gift card you buy. No details on exclusions.
Fuddruckers – Get a $5 bonus gift card for every $25 gift card you buy. Ends Dec. 31, 2010. The bonus cards are valid Jan. 1, 2011 through Feb. 28, 2011.
Islands – Buy a $100 gift card and get a $20 gift card free. Ends Dec. 19, 2010.
Jamba Juice – Buy a $25 gift cards and get a free 16-ounce smoothie through Jan. 3, 2011. Not valid at Safeway, Vons, Pavilions or Hawaii store locations.
LL Bean – Get a free $10 gift card for every $50 you spend through Dec. 24, 2010. One card per customer per day. The free gift cards are valid through Feb. 15, 2011.
Macaroni Grill – Buy a $25 gift cards before Jan. 5, 2011 and get a free $5 gift card that is valid Jan. 1 2011 to Feb. 28, 2011. Not valid in Puerto Rico.
Maggiano’s – Get a $20 bonus card with a $100 gift card purchases. Ends Dec. 31, 2010. The bonus card is good Jan. 1, 2011 through Feb. 1, 2011 and requires a $50 purchase. Lame.
Outback – Buy a $100 gift card and get a free $20 gift card that is valid Jan. 1, 2011 to Feb. 10, 2011.
Panda Express – Word on the street is that you get a free two-item combo when you buy a $25 gift card. Unclear when this ends.
Qdoba – Get a $5 voucher with every $25 Qdoba gift card you buy. The bonus voucher is good Jan. 1, 2011 through Feb. 28, 2011.
Ralphs – Ralphs in California is offering 4X bonus points for each gift card you buy from the grocery story. For example, if you buy a $25 Barnes and Noble card, you get 100 points.
Red Robin – Get a $5 bonus gift card for every $25 gift card you buy, or get $20 off a gift card of $500 or more. The $5 bonus is valid Jan. 1, 2011 through Feb. 28, 2011.
Ruth’s Chris – Buy a gift card for $250 or more and get 10% back in bonus cards that are valid Jan. 1, 2011 through Mar. 31, 2011. Promotion ends Dec. 31, 2010.
Safeway - Reader Shelley Hunter said Safeway/Vons is doing a $15 grocery coupon when you buy $150 in gift cards from them.
Subway – This promotion may only be happening in Canada, it’s unclear. Get a free 6-inch sub when you buy a $25 gift card. Some exclusions. Ask the cashier before you order.
Taco Bell – Get a free large soda when you buy a $10 or $20 gift card. The fine print says the free soda requires a purchase, but I’m assuming you can use your gift card to cover the balance.
TGI Friday’s - Buy a $25 gift card and get a $5 bonus card. Ends Jan. 3, 2011. Read fine print carefully for redemption rules.
The Children’s Place - Get a free $10 egift card for every $40 of egift cards you buy through Dec. 26, 2010.
UNO Chicago Grill – Buy a $25 gift card and get a free $5 bonus card that is valid Jan. 1, 2011 through Mar. 31, 2011.”