Finding discount gift cards is a great way of stretching your holiday budget while still getting your loved ones the things they want from the places they want. more »
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If you have a friend or loved one who enjoys a particular restaurant, gift cards are a great way of finding another reason to share a holiday meal. Most chains market their gift cards prominently, and it’s easy to pick one up, both in store and online. But there are a few things you should keep in mind before you knock out your holiday shopping with some dining credits. Let’s consider how to get the most out of the experience.
Know What You Want
As mentioned, almost all restaurant chains have gift cards available to you – but you may want to start by making sure you’re picking the right one. Some restaurants market very aggressively, and you’ll be able to find them easily, but it may not be what the recipient enjoys most. Try not to get taken in by the first results you find in a search; they may not be ideal, and there can be too many to choose from. Why not think of the restaurant you’re looking for before you get started? It can save you some time.
Understanding the Pitfalls
The trick is that people tend to spend more than they intended when they use gift cards at restaurants. Research has demonstrated that the trend is almost universal. The user wants to get the most out of the card – you don’t want to leave money on the table – but it’s nearly impossible to get close without going over. Very often the customer is tempted even further than that. The bottom line being that the recipient of your gift may end up having to shell out more money just to use it properly.
How to Find the Best Deals
Before you even go buying a restaurant card: did you know that most major credit card companies have agreements with several popular national chain restaurants to reward customers with points to spare? If you’re a major credit card holder, you can use the points that have little other value towards a restaurant gift card. It’s a slick and effective way of coming up with a great gift without stretching your budget.
Buying one could still be a good idea if you notice promotions that offer discounting arrangements on gift card purchases. Barring that, there’s also the market for secondhand cards – ones that haven’t been used but are of no use to the holder. Online retailers like PlasticJungle.com, GiftCards.com and GiftCardsAgain.com buy the cards and resell them for a marked discount to use – sometimes as much as 30%. Another reliable option is Restaurant.com, which has some impressive deals on a wide variety of gift cards. Look through their catalogued to see if anything is appropriate to you and the person you’re shopping for.
Conclusion
Restaurant gift cards are a simple and exciting way to make the people on your holiday shopping list happy, and give you the chance to spend a little time with them too. So look around for the best deals, be wary of the bad ones, and bon appetit!
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