Amazon is offering discounts of up to $30 on select third-party gift cards with physical or digital delivery in a deal available for a limited time. It’s a quick, adaptable way to jump on last-minute gifting or save an extra buck or two on places where you’re already shopping and dining.
The offerings touch dining, entertainment, and apparel, as well as wellness. Examples include fast-food chains, movie tickets, clothing brands, and spa days—many available at prices that are 15% to 20% off on $50 denominations, with the occasional higher-dollar cards selling for up to $30 less. Availability and the brands on offer can fluctuate, as offers are claimed.
What’s on sale and how this Amazon gift card deal works
Some of the top offers currently include $50 restaurant cards for $40 for chains like California Pizza Kitchen, IHOP, Cracker Barrel, White Castle, Chuck E. Cheese, Lazy Dog, and Rubio’s. Apparel and lifestyle brands are also part of the mix—Aéropostale and Bloomin’ Brands cards have featured 15% off, while category standouts include $100 cards from retailers including Tommy John and inKind with savings up to $30. Entertainment and health-related offerings such as Fandango, Eddie Bauer, and Spafinder complete the list.
On most listings you can choose between receiving a physical card and an e-gift card. If you opt for the physical, double-check the estimated delivery window at checkout to make sure that it arrives on time. If you go the digital route, a send date is often an option and the card can be delivered to someone’s email or as a text, which makes it easy to time a surprise or deal with multiple recipients in just a couple of minutes.
Why this discounted gift card purchase can be a smart move
Gift cards are still the most requested holiday gift, according to the National Retail Federation, and more than half of shoppers plan to buy them. A discount at purchase effectively stretches your budget: $40 for a $50 card is 20% savings before you even place an order or sit down to eat.
They’re also practical for self-gifting. If you commonly shop at a featured brand, the act of buying at a discount is just about as close to “free money” as it gets. Billions of dollars in gift cards go unspent each year, Bankrate’s latest research has shown, so selecting retailers that you and your recipient frequent is critical to capturing the full value.
How to get the most value out of this limited-time deal
- Check delivery timing: Physical cards should list an estimated arrival at checkout, while e-gifts can be scheduled for same-day or future delivery. If digital, check that they don’t go to junk mail and consider sending one to yourself first if you want to print and give in person.
- Watch the purchase cap: Certain deals cap how many discounted cards you can buy per account. When the deal is tiered, prioritize effective savings (for example, a $50 card often drops to 20% off, while select $100 cards hit the full $30 off).
- Stack smartly: Lots of gift cards work with retailer loyalty programs or in-restaurant promos. After you’ve applied a coupon or earned some points, use a discounted card to pay and increase the value of your overall haul. Movie tickets, spa reservations, and apparel purchases often allow sale prices in combination with gift card payment at checkout.
- Track balances: If possible, add cards to brand apps so the balances are in one place and not at risk of being left behind. If you’re giving it as a gift, note the remaining balance so the recipient knows what they have.
Fine print details and key consumer protections to know
Many third-party gift cards are not returnable or refundable once mailed. Be sure the listing indicates it’s sold by Amazon or the brand’s official store and not sold through a marketplace platform to avoid any surprise marketplace purchases. Some deal offerings are one-time-per-customer or limited in quantity, so when they’re gone, the price changes back.
Most gift cards cannot expire for at least five years, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, but promotional bonus credits can have an earlier expiration and other terms. Most restaurant cards don’t include gratuities, and some brands may limit use for alcohol or certain services; review the redemption details on the product page before making your purchase.
Bottom line: tips for saving with Amazon gift card deals
For a dependable last-minute gift—or to lock in deals where you already shop—Amazon’s gift card options are tough to beat. With typical 15%–20% discounts on $50 cards, and select offers that go as high as $30 off in higher denominations, a short amount of planning can yield meaningful holiday savings.