Restaurant Gift Card Bonus Offers 2017 Holiday Freebies And Promotions

During the 2017 holiday season, many popular restaurant chains offered special deals on gift card purchases, providing bonus incentives for shoppers. These promotions ranged from additional gift card value to complimentary meals, beverages, and other perks. According to the National Retail Federation's annual survey, gift cards were the most requested holiday item for the 11th consecutive year, with 61% of those surveyed listing them as their top wish. This widespread popularity prompted restaurants to offer attractive bonus deals to encourage gift card purchases.

Most of these holiday promotions required purchases to be made by December 30 or 31, 2017, with bonus offers typically becoming available for redemption in January 2018. The bonus cards and certificates generally had various expiration dates throughout early 2018, with some expiring as early as January 31 and others extending through May. Some offers were available online, while others were limited to participating locations and subject to availability.

Steakhouse and Grill Promotions

Several steakhouse and grill chains provided attractive bonus offers during the 2017 holiday season. These establishments typically required higher gift card purchase amounts but offered substantial bonuses in return.

Morton's The Steakhouse offered one of the most generous promotions among steakhouse chains. Customers who purchased $250 in gift cards received a $50 reward card to be used through May 2018. This offer was valid through December 24, 2017, with the rewards cards valid from January 1 to May 31, 2018. The promotion excluded Mother's Day and Valentine's Day, and was not applicable to gift card purchases of $500 or more.

Black Angus Steakhouse provided a straightforward bonus: for every $50 in gift cards purchased by December 31, customers received $10 in bonus bucks. These bonus bucks could be applied to future purchases at the restaurant.

Bahama Breeze offered a unique dual-bonus promotion. When customers purchased $50 in gift cards, they received two $10 bonus cards. One bonus card was valid for dine-in services from January 1 to February 28, 2018 (excluding February 14), while the second was valid for online To Go orders during the same period, also excluding Valentine's Day.

Bonefish Grill provided a $10 bonus gift card with every $50 in gift cards purchased, with the bonus cards redeemable from January 1 to February 11, 2018.

Benihana offered a $10 bonus card with $50 gift card purchases, with promotional cards valid from January 2 to March 31, 2018.

Casual Dining Chain Offers

Numerous casual dining chains participated in holiday gift card promotions, with most requiring $25 to $50 in gift card purchases to receive bonus offers.

Applebee's featured one of the longer-running promotions, allowing customers to receive a $10 bonus card when purchasing $50 gift cards through January 8, 2017. The bonus cards expired on March 4, 2018, and could not be redeemed on the same day as the gift card purchase.

Boston Market offered a $5 bonus card with every $25 gift card purchase, with the promotion running through December 31. The bonus cards were valid from November 24, 2017, to January 31, 2018.

TGI Fridays provided an attractive package with $25 gift card purchases, including a Fridays Bonus Bites card worth $5 to $25 and a free one-night movie or game rental from Redbox. These coupons expired on February 28, 2018. The chain also offered a way to get a free Bonus Bites card without any gift card purchase.

Tijuana Flats offered $5 bonus bucks for every $25 in gift card purchases, with the bonuses redeemable from January 2 to February 28, 2018.

TooJay's provided a $5 bonus card with every $25 gift card purchase through December 24, with the bonus cards valid from December 26 to February 28.

Village Inn offered a $5 promo card with $25 gift card purchases, valid from January 1 to February of 2018.

Twin Peaks implemented a tiered bonus structure, offering $5 back on a $25 gift card, $10 back with a $50 gift card purchase, $20 back with a $100 card purchase, and $20 back plus a calendar with a $150 gift card purchase. All bounce back cards were valid from January 1 to 31.

Family Restaurant Promotions

Family-friendly restaurants also joined the holiday gift card promotion trend, offering various bonuses to attract gift card buyers.

Abuelo's provided a $10 bonus card for every $50 in gift cards purchased, with the bonus cards redeemable from January 1 to March 31.

Bad Daddy's Burger Bar offered a $10 bonus card with $50 gift card purchases, valid from January 1 to February 13, 2018.

BJ's Restaurants provided two options: a $10 bonus card with $50 gift cards or a $25 bonus with $100 purchases. Customers also received a 20% off VIP card delivered via email. Both the bonus card and VIP card were valid from January 1 to February 13, 2018.

Bravo offered $10 in bonus gift card with every $50 in gift cards purchased, though specific expiration dates were not provided in the source material.

America's Taco Shop provided a $5 bonus for every $30 gift card purchase made online, with no additional details about redemption periods available.

Italian Cuisine Special Offers

Italian restaurant chains presented unique gift card promotions during the 2017 holiday season.

Bertucci's offered a simple but appealing deal: purchase a $25 e-gift card by December 25 and receive a $5 bonus card. This promotion had a specific deadline for purchase but did not specify an expiration date for the bonus card.

Brio Tuscan Grille provided one of the most generous percentage-based bonuses among Italian restaurants, with customers receiving a $25 bonus card for every $100 in gift cards purchased by December 30, 2017. The bonus cards were valid through March 15, 2018.

California Pizza Kitchen offered a $20 bonus card with every $100 gift card purchase, with the bonus cards valid through February 2018.

Antonello Ristorante & Enoteca Lounge Quattro Caffé provided multiple tiers of rewards for gift card purchases made through December 31, 2017. Customers received 10% back on every $100 spent on Antonello Specialty Restaurant Group gift cards. Additionally, purchases of $500 or more included a 375 ml bottle of Hello Kitty Sweet Pink wine, while purchases of $1000 or more included a limited-edition 750 ml bottle of Hello Kitty Sparkling Rose.

Unique and Specialty Promotions

Several restaurants offered distinctive promotions that went beyond standard bonus cards or additional gift card value.

TAPS Fish House & Brewery provided an experiential bonus with every $100 in gift cards purchased through December 31. Customers received a certificate for a complimentary Sunday Brunch valued at $38.99. This lavish brunch included seafood on ice, a carving station, made-to-order omelets, charcuterie and gourmet cheeses, a variety of TAPS signature dishes, and a decadent dessert bar with chocolate fountain. Two TAPS award-winning beers or free-flowing champagne were included, with the brunch valid from January 1 to November 30, 2018 (excluding holidays). Gratuity was not included.

Vaca offered a straightforward percentage bonus, providing an additional gift card loaded with 25% of the initial gift card purchase value for purchases of $100 or made through December 2017. The additional card had no restrictions and could be used like any Vaca gift card, with the option to add it to the original $100 gift card purchase.

Water Grill provided a $20 bonus card for every $100 in gift card purchases, with bonus cards redeemable from January 1 to March 31, 2018. The gift cards could be used at any King's Seafood restaurant.

Leatherby's Cafe Rouge offered a $20 bonus card for every $100 spent on gift cards, with gift cards needing to be purchased by December 31, 2017, to be eligible. The bonus cards were redeemable from January 2 to March 31, 2018, with some restrictions applying.

Seasons 52 provided both a standard bonus and an escalating incentive. Customers received a $20 bonus card with $100 gift card purchases and a 10% bonus gift card when spending $500 or more. The bonus cards were valid for in-restaurant use from January 2 to March 31, 2018, with additional terms and restrictions.

Juice It Up! combined immediate gratification with future value. Customers purchasing a $25 gift card received a free small juice or smoothie at the time of purchase, plus a $5 coupon to use before January 14, 2018.

Philly's Best offered a $5 Bonus Card with every $25 gift card purchase through December 31, with the bonus cards redeemable in January 2018.

Jimboy's Tacos provided a $5 bonus card for every $25 spent in Jimboy's gift cards at participating locations through December 31.

Tony Roma's offered $15 in Roma Bucks with $50 gift card purchases, with the bonuses redeemable from January 1 to March 22.

Pizza Chain Promotions

Pizza chains also participated in the holiday gift card promotion trend, with offers ranging from free food to additional gift card value.

Blaze Pizza provided a unique perk with $25 gift card purchases, offering a free Pizza Pass valid through March 1, 2018. This pass likely provided customers with free pizza during the promotional period.

Fine Dining and Special Occasion Restaurants

Some higher-end restaurants provided gift card promotions that included premium items or experiences.

Antonello Ristorante & Enoteca Lounge Quattro Caffé not only offered a 10% bonus card on gift card purchases but also included special gifts for larger purchases. Those spending $500 or more received a 375 ml bottle of Hello Kitty Sweet Pink wine, while customers spending $1000 or more received a limited-edition 750 ml bottle of Hello Kitty Sparkling Rose.

Understanding Promotion Terms and Conditions

Before taking advantage of these holiday gift card promotions, consumers should be aware of several common terms and conditions that applied across various offers:

1. Purchase Deadlines: Most promotions required gift card purchases to be completed by December 30 or 31, 2017, though some had earlier deadlines, such as Bertucci's (December 25) and TooJay's (December 24).

2. Redemption Periods: While most offers allowed purchases through December 2017, the bonus cards typically became available for redemption in January 2018. These redemption periods varied widely, with some bonuses expiring as early as January 31 and others extending through May 2018.

3. Exclusions: Several promotions excluded specific dates from redemption, particularly Valentine's Day (February 14) and Mother's Day. Some offers also excluded holidays or had other date restrictions.

4. Purchase Requirements: The minimum gift card purchase amounts varied by restaurant, ranging from $25 to $100, with corresponding bonuses based on the purchase amount.

5. Bonus Usage Restrictions: Some promotions specified how the bonus cards could be used, such as separating dine-in and online orders (Bahama Breeze) or limiting use to certain menu items.

6. Online vs. In-Person Availability: While many offers were available both online and in-restaurant, some were restricted to specific purchase methods.

7. Supply Limitations: Some offers were subject to availability and could be discontinued while supplies lasted.

Conclusion

The 2017 holiday season saw numerous restaurant chains offering attractive bonus deals with gift card purchases. These promotions provided shoppers with additional value beyond the gift card itself, ranging from straightforward bonus cards and additional gift card value to complimentary meals, beverages, and unique items. While most offers required purchases by December 30 or 31, 2017, the bonuses typically became available for redemption in January 2018, with various expiration dates throughout early 2018.

Consumers interested in these promotions should verify current availability with their local restaurants, as participation could vary by location. Understanding the terms and conditions of each offer, including purchase requirements, redemption periods, and any applicable restrictions, was essential to maximizing the value of these holiday gift card deals.

Sources

1. NBC Connecticut - Restaurant Gift Card Deals for the Holidays
2. Eat Drink OC - 2017 Holiday Gift Card Options
3. USA Today - Holiday Gift Card Roundup
4. Chaos is Bliss - Holiday Gift Card Bonus Offers