Gift cards are like permission from the almighty to indulge in life’s little luxuries. Whether you win them in a raffle or get them as presents, it can be extremely satisfying to enjoy this guilt-free pass for spending on something you might not have purchased otherwise. However, these gift cards don’t fall into our laps other than holiday season or birthdays and anniversaries unless you know where to look. To make your life easier, we have done all the research work and compiled a list of ways availing which you can get gift cards. So, read on and be well prepared before you go treasure hunting for the gift cards:
1. Assist big brands in market research
Websites like Branded Surveys allow users to earn points by taking surveys that can be redeemed for gift cards. It takes between 5 to 15 minutes to complete the surveys and the answers help brands in improving their products based on the feedback. The purchase history and demographics of users are considered by the websites before shaping their surveys to get correct feedback from them. You can earn gift cards worth 100 bonus points immediately upon signing up. A minimum of 1000 points is required before cashing out through PayPal or getting gift cards to Airbnb, Amazon, Chipotle, Lowe’s, and more. Though the entire process is a bit time taking, you can earn gift cards by taking surveys consistently. With Prize Rebel, you can earn points by completing online surveys that can be exchanged for gift cards to stores like Dunkin’ Donuts, iTunes, Amazon, Kohl’s, and Steam. Another excellent site is MyPoints where you earn points even if you don’t qualify for a survey.
2. Play games
If you enjoy playing mobile games, then you can get gift cards by putting your free time to use. You need to sign up with websites like Swagbucks and start playing your favorite games. The rewards points can be donated to charities, exchanged for PayPal deposits, or redeemed for gift cards to popular retailers like Home Depot.
3. Trying a new search engine
Rewards sites like Swagbucks offer the chance to users to earn points for activities like shopping online, taking surveys, searching the web, and playing games. Earning points every time you browse becomes easy by making Swagbucks your default search engine. You will be sent a notification every time your account is credited. Though this isn’t a super-fast means of earning gift cards, it requires next to no effort. New members get a sign-up bonus of $10.
4. Join gift card giveaways
You can find the latest opportunities on getting gift cards by doing a simple Google search. A great website is SweepstakesBible which compiles the best and latest giveaways to join. You can enter these contests by registering yourself and offering some personal details.
5. Scan product barcodes at nearby stores
By downloading the Shopkick app, you can earn points simply by walking into stores like CVS or Target. On reaching the store, additional points can be earned by scanning different products using the app. You can even turn it into a fun scavenger hunt with your entire family while earning rewards in the process. There are in-app videos that help you earn more points while waiting in line to check out. The gift cards can be redeemed from retailers like Aerie and American Eagle or department stores like Walmart or Target.
6. Trade in your old electronics with Amazon
If you have a collection of old electronics gathering around dust, then you can avail of the Amazon trade-in service. This allows upgrading to a new device as you exchange your old electronics and avail yourself of free Amazon gift cards.
7. Get free give card giveaways from Instagram
You can easily come across companies giving away free stuff on Instagram. Entering these giveaways can help you earn gift card codes. The giveaway rules vary but usually, you need to follow the account where the contest details were posted and like their image, comment, and tag your friends. Hashtags like #contest, #freebiefriday, #giveaway, #freebie, and #sweepstakes can offer you some of the best opportunities to earn gift cards. Once you follow these hashtags on Instagram, you won’t have to search these terms manually every day. Rather they will pop up automatically in your feed and on winning those giveaways, the company will get in touch and inform you how to claim your prize.
8. Watch videos online
You can get gift cards by watching videos online. With Swagbucks, you need to opt from pre-selected videos belonging to different categories including home games, entertainment, and travel. You can easily earn around $5 each day by running the videos in the background during your daily activities. With MyPoints, you can earn points watching videos using their custom video app or your desktop web browser. InboxDollars can help you earn around $225 each month by watching videos.
9. Sell your internet
Users are offered an opportunity of earning passive income by allowing the Honeygain application to use some of their internet resources which are availed to perform market research. The main aim here is to understand what consumers search for while shopping online. Honeygain doesn’t sell the private information of users to a third party and all the data collected is sent anonymously. You can easily cash in on free “honey” provided you have unlimited internet bandwidth and enjoy the complete gift cards that are up for grabs.
10. Refer friends to your preferred services
Whenever we stumble across something we love, our first instinct is to share it with our friends and family. You can earn gifts and rewards by sharing the services you like the most be it applications like Lyft, Uber, or Airbnb. Even game apps come with referral links that can be shared and once your friend sets up a direct deposit or books the first trip, you receive your referral reward which might be in the form of gift cards.
11. Swap gifts for gift cards
This is undoubtedly the fastest and easiest way of getting gift cards. People often ask what to gift you during your birthday or gift-giving season. You can say you would like gift cards to your favorite store. Alternatively, you can ask for a Visa prepaid debit card if you want to enjoy flexibility in spending your newly found free money.
12. Return unwanted gifts
Despite being the least tech-savvy, this is the most underappreciated way of getting gift cards. You can get store credits on returning the items that missed the mark provided they are in their original condition.
13. Earn gift cards with purchases
Often gift cards are given away by shopping apps and services on using their website or application for shopping. In turn, these companies receive a small commission for purchases made. You can get gift cards easily without taking surveys and at no additional cost on your end. You can take the example of Ebates using which you can shop online and earn cash back with every purchase. You also need to keep your eye open for lucrative deals on gift cards like Best Buy or Sam’s Club.
14. Use rewards browser extension
This is a passive way of earning gift cards by accumulating points. All you need to do is use a rewards browser extension while shopping online. Capital One Shopping credits can be redeemed by consumers for gift cards to shop from retailers like Lowe’s, eBay, and Nordstorm. On installing the browser extension, you will have to shop online and the Capital One Shopping shall pop up automatically with the offer of a reward. Once the offer gets activated, a notification shall be sent from Capital One Shopping with the available reward credits.
15. Get gift cards in exchange for grocery cashback
If you don’t like the idea of clipping coupons or carrying them around, then you can strike gold with the Ibotta cashback app. Initially, this app was launched as a cashback app for grocery stores but has currently added more retailers like Macy’s, Target, and Walmart.
16. Be a shopaholic
Smartphone rewards app Drop serves as a perfect complement to a computer-based rewards extension. You can shop directly using the app or earn points automatically while shopping from chosen retailers by linking your credit or debit card. On sharing the app with friends, you stand a chance of earning 5000 more points for the first 10 friends you refer. On attaining the 5000 points mark, you can redeem it for gift cards to Starbucks, Netflix, or other popular retailers.
17. Get gift cards from different lifestyle brands
Websites like Fetch Rewards partner with different brands like Lay’s, Dove, and dozens more thus offering guaranteed points every time you purchase from these brands. Once you have downloaded the free app, you need to shop normally and scan your receipts. Points can also be earned by referring your friends and family every time they sign up using your referral link and submitting their first receipt. You can cash out your rewards and get gift cards from retailers like Best Buy, Airbnb, Stitch Fix, and Sephora.
18. Benefit from a rewards credit card
If you aren’t staggering under credit card debt, then you can get yourself a rewards credit card that offers between 1-3% in travel points or cashback. You might even get higher rewards on certain categories like travel or groceries. The Chase Freedom credit card can help you make money from the onset with a cashback of $200 on spending $500 within the first three months of account opening. You can redeem your rewards with gift cards from major retailers.
Conclusion
Everyone loves using a gift card during checkout so that they can avail of all the goods without having to pay for them. Be it books, new clothes, a simple massage, or the latest video games, the every-glorious prepaid plastic can let you have anything you wouldn’t buy normally in a fair game.