How to Get Free Gift Cards: A Guide to Saving Money
Are you looking to save money on purchases you’re already making? Gift cards can be a great way to do that, especially when they’re free. In this article, we’ll explore several methods for earning free gift cards, from taking online surveys to joining loyalty programs. By the end of this guide, you’ll be ready to start saving money on everything from groceries to clothing.
Taking Part in Online Surveys
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to earn gift cards, participating in online surveys might be the solution. Here are some popular survey websites:
- Swagbucks
- Toluna
- Vindale Research
- Pinecone Research
- Survey Junkie
- Opinion Outpost
While taking online surveys can be an effective way to earn gift cards, there are some pros and cons to consider. On the one hand, surveys are typically quick and easy to complete, and they’re free to join. On the other hand, you may only get a few cents per survey, and some websites may not be legitimate.
If you want to maximize your earnings from online surveys, try to sign up for multiple survey websites and look for surveys that offer high payouts. Additionally, make sure to read reviews online to ensure that the website you’re using is legitimate.
Signup Bonuses
Another way to earn free gift cards is through signup bonuses. Here are some popular websites that offer signup bonuses:
- Rakuten
- Ibotta
- Capital One Shopping
- Fetch Rewards
The pros of using signup bonuses are that they’re generally quick and easy to obtain, and they often offer higher rewards than online surveys. The cons are that there’s usually a spending requirement before you can claim the bonus, and some websites may not be legitimate.
To ensure that you’re using a legitimate website and to maximize your earnings, carefully read the terms and conditions of any signup bonus offer before signing up.
Referral Bonuses
Referral bonuses are another way to earn free gift cards. Companies offer these bonuses to reward you for referring friends and family to their products or services. Here are some examples of companies that offer referral bonuses:
- Airbnb
- Uber
- Dropbox
- Amazon Prime
The pros of using referral bonuses are that they can be very lucrative, and you can earn multiple bonuses by referring multiple friends. The cons are that you may need to persuade your friends to sign up for a service, and some companies may not offer referral bonuses.
To maximize your earnings from referral bonuses, look for companies that offer high rewards and make sure to follow the instructions for referring others.
Cashback Apps
Cashback apps are a great way to earn free gift cards while shopping online or in-store. Here are some popular cashback apps that offer gift cards:
- Rakuten
- Ibotta
- Shopkick
- Fetch Rewards
The pros of using cashback apps are that they’re free to use, and you can earn rewards while shopping for things that you would buy anyway. The cons are that the rewards may be small, and some apps may not work with all retailers.
To maximize your earnings from cashback apps, try to use multiple apps and look for rewards that offer high discounts or cashback percentages.
Social Media Giveaways
Companies often hold social media giveaways to promote their products or services. By entering these giveaways, you can earn free gift cards. Here are some tips for finding and entering social media giveaways:
- Follow brands and influencers on social media
- Look for posts advertising a giveaway
- Follow the rules for entering the giveaway
The pros of entering social media giveaways are that they’re usually easy and free to enter, and you can win big rewards. The cons are that there’s no guarantee that you’ll win, and some giveaways may be scams.
To avoid scams and maximize your chances of winning, carefully read the rules and look for giveaways that are sponsored by legitimate companies.
Loyalty Programs
Loyalty programs are programs offered by retailers and restaurants that reward you for shopping or dining with them. Here are some examples of loyalty programs that offer gift cards:
- Starbucks Rewards
- Target Circle
- Barnes & Noble Membership
- Sephora Beauty Insider
The pros of using loyalty programs are that they’re often free to join, and you can earn rewards while shopping for things that you would buy anyway. The cons are that rewards may be limited, and some programs may require a minimum amount of spending to earn rewards.
To maximize your earnings from loyalty programs, join multiple programs and look for rewards that offer high discounts or free gift cards.
Credit Card Rewards
Credit card rewards are rewards offered by credit card companies for using their credit cards to make purchases. Here are some examples of credit cards that offer gift card rewards:
- Chase Freedom
- Discover it Cash Back
- Citi Double Cash
- Capital One Venture
The pros of using credit card rewards are that you can earn rewards while making purchases that you would make anyway, and the rewards can be significant. The cons are that you may be tempted to overspend to earn rewards, and some rewards programs may have annual fees.
To avoid credit card debt and maximize your earnings from rewards programs, carefully read the terms and conditions of any credit card before signing up. Look for cards with high rewards rates and no annual fees.
Conclusion
By using the methods we’ve outlined in this article, you can start earning free gift cards and saving money on everyday purchases. To maximize your earnings and avoid scams, be sure to carefully read the terms and conditions of any method you use, and look for legitimate websites and companies.