This holiday please be careful when giving out gift cards. Many stores are considering closing after the holidays and if this happens, you may be stuck with useless gift cards.
So, if you plan on giving gift cards around the holidays, you need to be careful that the cards will be honored after the first of the year. Stores that are planning to close after Christmas are still selling the cards through the holidays even though the cards will be worthless January 1.
I have only tried a few of these offers myself, and am not endorsing them, only passing along information that I have received.
Gift Cards at a Reduced Cost:
- Dining Deals
Check the Orlando Sentinel for some outstanding deals at local restaurants. Pay $15 for a $30 certificate, $25 for a $50 certificate. I've ordered these certificates several times and was impressed at how quickly they arrived in the mail.
On-going promotion. - Beauty and Spa Deals
Again from the Orlando Sentinel, these half-priced certificates are available for local spas throughout the Orlando area.
On-going promotion. - Starbuck's Cards
Area Costco Wholesale Clubs are offering five $20 Starbucks gift cards for only $79.99. Item # 330867. I found this promotion in the mail and it does not seem to be available on-line.
- Outback Restaruants
Purchase $100 in gift cards from for OSI Restaurants and receive a $20 bonus card. These cards can be used at Carrabba's, Roy's, Bonefish Grill, Fleming's, Lee Roy Selmon's, Cheeseburger in Paradise and Blue Coral Restaurants.
Found on their website 12/05/08. - Infusion Tea
Purchase either $100 of merchandise or $100 in gift cards from Infusion Tea and receive a certificate for $100 in free gas. To receive the free gas, you must purchase $100 a month in gas from one company for four months. You get to name which company. For every month you do this, they mail you a $25 gift card. Hmmm, I may have to check this one out a little further.
Received in an Email dated 12/02/08. - Straub's Seafood
Receive a bonus $10 gift certificate with every $100 gift certificate purchase.
Found on-line 11/28/08. - First Watch
Receive $20 bonus bucks for every $100 in gift certificates purchased. Bonus Bucks are valid till 2/28/09. First Watch is one of my favorite breakfast spots, so I went ahead and gave this one a try.
Found at the Longwood restaurant 11/28/08. - Buca di Beppo
Earn a $25 reward card with every $100 purchase.
Found on-line 11/28/08. - Park Plaza Gardens
Receive a bonus $10 gift certificate with every $100 gift certificate purchase.
Received in an Email dated 11/19/08. - Luma on Park
Season's Givings - Get in the Holiday Spirit with a gift form Luma. Purchase a $100 gift card for someone else and receive a complimentary $20 gift card for yourself.
Received in an Email dated 10/06/08. - Flemings
Receive a $20 bonus card for every $100 in Fleming's gift cards you buy, with a minimum purchase of $200.
Received in an Email dated 11/12/08.
