Gift cards are great. You can use them to buy things you need or splurge on things you might not have been able to afford otherwise.
The only problem with gift cards is you have to wait until someone gives them to you…or do you?
The truth is, there are many ways you can get gift cards that don’t involve getting them as gifts.
If you love gift cards, here are some ways you can cash in.
Take Online Surveys
There are many online survey sites that will compensate you for giving your opinion on certain subjects. All you have to do is sign up for these sites and they will begin sending you emails with links to their surveys. In general, these surveys take just minutes to complete.
Participants get a certain number of points for completing each survey. Then, once you rack up enough points, you can cash them in to receive real cash or a gift card in return for your time.
Not all online survey sites are created equal and some will offer you more compensation than others.
Here are a few we recommend.
Trade In Your Electronics
Do you have electronic devices in your home that you don’t use anymore? Certain retailers allow you to trade these in in exchange for gift cards. If you have a video game console, old smart phone or any other similar device, talk to stores like Target, Walmart and Amazon to find out more about their trade in policies.
Redeem Credit Card Points
Many credit cards offer rewards. Some of these are cash back rewards or travel rewards, but guess what? A lot of them offer gift cards.
You may have to do a bit of research to find a credit card company that will reward you with gift cards, but they are out there!
However, it is important to note that using these credit cards could be slippery slope. Card users can become so focused on getting rewards that they end up racking up debt they are unable to pay off.
The Discover card is recommended because it gives you cash back on things you already buy such as gas and groceries. Rewards can come in the form of cash or gift cards.
Other cards that are recommended include:
But no matter which card you go with, be sure to read the fine print in advance to make sure you are not stuck in a financial situation you can’t get out of.
Join Rakuten
Rakuten is a cash back shopping site that can get you up to 40% off your purchases at thousands of stores. In addition to great discounts, the site rewards you with a $10 gift card after your first purchase.
As you continue shopping through the Rakuten portal, you will begin to receive cashback rewards. You have the option to redeem these rewards in the form of gift cards for retailers like Target, Starbucks and Home Depot or get a Visa gift card that you can use wherever you’d like.
The My Points Program on Amazon
Many of us shop on Amazon, but did you know you can be earning gift cards while doing so?
All you have to do is download the My Points app. Like many survey sites, My Points rewards you with cash, travel rewards and discounts for taking surveys, watching videos and searching the web. However, they also have fun extras thrown in like games you can play and coupons that will help you save money.
You can even get gift cards by buying gift cards!
The My Points program sometimes offers added incentives to new customers like a gift card rewards after the first purchase. Keep your eye open to make sure your timing is right.
Download the Drop App
The Drop App is another app that gives shoppers rewards when they make purchases. For instance, they may be advertising a 5% discount at Target. Shoppers who go to the store and make a purchase will not only get a discount, they will get cash rewards that they can cash in for gift cards.
Although the Drop app seems like a win win for shoppers, it does come with its share of drawbacks. The app only provides gift cards as rewards; not cash. You are also required to pay with a card to take advantage of the service.
Use The Ibotta App When Grocery Shopping
Love saving money but hate clipping coupons? The Ibotta app has a solution for that.
To use Ibotta, start by completing simple tasks to get offers on great products. Shop for these products, then upload your receipt to the app. This will allow you to earn cashback rewards or gift cards that you can use at stores like Amazon, Lowe’s, Home Depot and more.
Ibotta also allows you to work as a team with other members so you can accumulate rewards faster.
Add The Honey Chrome Extension To Your Browser
If you’re looking for online savings, Honey Chrome is the way to go. Here’s how it works.
You start by downloading the extension onto your browser. It’s completely free and it works with Chrome, Safari, Firefox and Opera.
The extension follows you around as you shop finding every promo code on the internet, so you are sure to find the best deals possible. Honey will instantly apply the best deal to your cart. Just click, purchase and save.
And not only does Honey help you find the best deals, it gets you gift cards too. Combine these with the promo deals to get items for unbelievable low prices and sometimes even free!
Search Instagram For Free Gift Card Giveaways
Companies often offer promotions where they give away free gift cards. Instagram is a great place to find these offers because you can search from them using hashtags.
To find free gift card promotions, here are some recommended hashtags you should be searching for:
#giveaway
#contest
#sweepstakes
#freebie
#freebiefriday
Instagram also gives you the option to follow certain hashtags. That means that instead of having to search for hashtags every day, promotions will automatically come up in your newsfeed.
Perform HITs on Amazon Mechanical Turk
HITs or Human Intelligence Tasks are basic tasks that almost any human can perform like identifying pictures, transcribing audio recordings and doing basic research.
Mechanical Turk is an Amazon company that pays humans in cash or gift cards for doing these tasks. It makes great supplemental income for students, retirees, or just about anyone!
Test Drive Cars
This may seem like an unusual way to earn gift cards, but it’s totally a thing!
Many car dealerships will offer you a free gift card if you swing by and take one of their cars out for a test drive.
Be warned, this is a way for dealerships to try and get you to by a car so you will need to be prepared to give them a firm no. However, if you have a strong resolve, it’s a great way to get a free gift card…and maybe a hot cup of coffee and a donut thrown in as well!
Refer A Friend
Some retailers reward their customers if they are able to refer a friend to their business. Sam’s Club, for example, gives customers a $10 gift card if they are able to get a friend to sign up for membership. Be sure to keep your eyes open for other businesses that offer similar deals.
Ask Friends And Relatives For Gift Cards And Gifts
And finally, if you are looking for a simple way to get gift cards, why not just ask for them?
Friends and relatives are often reluctant to buy gift cards because they feel they are a cop out. They are not personal and show a general lack of effort.
However, if you ask for a gift card, they will probably be happy to provide you with one since it is so easy to buy.
As a side note in etiquette, it’s probably not best to ask for a gift card for no reason. Save these requests for the holidays or right before your birthday.
Final Thoughts
Gift cards can be a lot of fun. People love them because it helps them save money on purchases and afford items that may have been unaffordable without the help of a gift card.
Stores love them because they bring people into their business increasing brand awareness. Customers who come in with a gift card may also end up making purchases that exceed their gift card amounts.
Hopefully this article has provided you with valuable information that will help you save money on purchases and get the items you have always dreamed of.
