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A black colored gift card in a gold ribbon next to a picture of an IHOP sign.
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Nothing speaks to the spirit of mindful holiday gift-giving like this list of the best gift card deals where you get a gift back for yourself. Times are tough out there, and it’s becoming increasingly common to see inspired online conversations break out between people who are fed up with the steadily escalating costs of basic life necessities like food. 

So, being able to purchase a restaurant gift card for a loved one or a dear friend while setting something aside for yourself in the process is an undeniable win!

Applebee’s

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Kicking things off with Applebee’s, and it’s really no surprise that they’re on this list. It seems like Applebee’s has always been committed to setting customers up with great deals since they first opened their doors. 

Through the end of 2023, you’ll be able to get a free $10 Applebee’s gift card alongside the purchase of any $50 gift card.

Benihana

The outside of a Benihana restaurant.
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If you have a friend or family member that still errs on the side of celebrating special occasions in their life at Benihana, then go ahead and think about spending $50 in gift cards at Benihana, as you’ll get a $10 promo card for yourself in the process. Plus, if you end up spending $200 in gift cards, you’ll actually get $60 to spend just for yourself.

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse

Close-up of someone cutting into a nice steak dinner.
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This deal spans through New Year’s Day, and you’ll be able to get a $10 bonus card if you purchase a $50 gift card online at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse. Then, if you spend $100 you’ll get a $20 bonus card, with the added fun of a VIP card that secures you a 20% discount off any purchase.

Buca di Beppo

The outside of a Buca di Beppo restaurant.
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If you find yourself in the mood to spend $50 in gift cards at the famed Buca di Beppo you’ll get two $10 reward cards back for yourself. If you’ve ever been to Buca di Beppo you already know that $10 can go a long way when it comes to buying one of their impressively sizable platters of seemingly endless pasta.

Black Angus Steakhouse

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If you spend $50 on gift cards at Black Angus through December 31st, you’ll be able to get $10 back in “Bonus Bucks.”

California Pizza Kitchen

An image of the outside of the California Pizza Kitchen.
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When you spend $100 on gift cards at California Pizza Kitchen you’ll get a bonus $20 gift card back. Now that might be the difference between you having a meal out for yourself next time you can’t resist the cali pizza kitchen.

The Cheesecake Factory

An image of a Cheesecake Factory sign.
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You’ll be able to get $15 back when you spend $50 on Cheesecake Factory gift cards.

Chili’s

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Up until December 31st you can get yourself a bonus $10 e-card when you spend a minimum of $50 on Chili’s gift cards.

Cold Stone Creamery

An image of a Cold Stone Creamery sign.
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Sometimes, the urge to commit to a delectable dessert like the infamous “Birthday Cake Remix” ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery is simply too much to resist. So, consider spending $50 on your next Cold Stone Creamery outing, and then you’ll get $15 back. 

Denny’s

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With every $25 gift card purchase that you make at Denny’s, you’ll be able to get yourself a complimentary $5 gift card back. 

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IHOP

An image of an IHOP sign.
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Up until January 7th, 2024, every time you spend $25 in gift cards at IHOP, you’ll be able to get a $5 reward card that you must spend by Feb. 25th, 2024. 

Related: IHOPPY Hour: The Best Deals on Food and Drinks at IHOP

Jamba

A Jamba Juice sign.
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When you buy $25 in Jamba Juice gift cards before Christmas Day, you’ll be able to get a free $5 gift card back. 

The Old Spaghetti Factory

An image of a spaghetti dish in pasta sauce.
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Up until Dec. 24th, you can receive a $10 bonus certificate for each $50 gift card purchase that you make at The Old Spaghetti Factory

Panera Bread

An image of a Panera Bread sign.
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Through the end of December, any Panera customer is able to get a $10 bonus card for each $50 gift card that they purchase online or in an actual cafe. 

Related: Panera Grilled Cheese Fans: Here’s the Trick to Recreating This Gooey Goodness at Home

Red Lobster

An image of the outside of a Red Lobster restaurant.
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Up until January 7th, 2024, each time you buy $50 worth of Red Lobster gift cards, you’ll be able to get yourself two coupons for $10 off. 

Red Robin

An image of the outside of a Red Robin restaurant.
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For every $25 you spend on Red Robin holiday gift cards, you’ll be able to get $5 Bonus Bucks back for yourself. 

Shake Shack

An image of the outside of a Shake Shack restaurant.
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Shake Shack is running a lovely holiday promo that will gift you $5 back on each $25 you spend on a gift card

Related: Shack Hacks: 7 Items From the Shake Shack Secret Menu I Can’t Stop Thinking About

Subway

An image of the outside of a Subway restaurant.
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We know that times haven’t been easy with Subway taking the notorious $5 foot long away from us. However, you can get a free 6-inch sub each time you buy a $25 Subway gift card

TGI Fridays

An image of the outside of TGI Fridays.
Peter Fleming/istockphoto

We’ll close it out with maybe the most generous holiday promo of the bunch. TGI Fridays is offering $20 in Bonus Bites when you spend $50 on TGI Fridays gift cards

Meet the Writer

Matt has spent the last 8 or so odd years as both a writer and editor in Seattle and Brooklyn, where he is now based. He loves escaping the tirelessly fast pace of the “Mad Apple” that is NYC by taking walks and runs through parks where he’s able to catch up on the latest tea about society from the city’s ever chatty, always hungry, occasionally rabid, pigeons. When he’s not taking his urban nature strolls, or dutifully combing the deepest rabbit holes of the internet to find the content that’s worth sinking your mind’s teeth into, he’s likely holed up at a dark-lit dive bar with a book and/or some friends, or just easily he could be on the hunt for the next addition to his steadily growing plant family.