With the current state of the economy, many people are looking for ways to save money. One way to do this is to buy discounted gift cards.
Gift cards can be purchased for a variety of stores and businesses, and they can be used just like cash. However, they often have a higher value than the actual cash value. This means that you can save a significant amount of money by using discounted gift cards.
In addition, many businesses offer special promotions and discounts when you purchase their gift cards. As a result, you can end up saving even more money. So if you're looking for a way to save money, discounted gift cards are definitely worth considering. Here’s what to know and how to snag the best discounted gift cards.
How to Buy Discounted Gift Cards
Interested in learning how to buy discounted gift cards? Gift cards are a popular present, but they can be expensive. How can you get the best deals on gift cards? Here are four tips.
- Look for deals online. A number of websites offer discounts on popular gift cards. For example, Gift Card Granny offers an average discount of 18% on cards from over 750 retailers. But do take time to read the reviews of Gift Card Granny in the Apple store or Google store. Or, Raise.com. This site specializes in selling discounted gift cards, and you can often find cards for up to 20% off. Finally, don't forget about Cardpool.com. This site also offers a wide selection of discounted gift cards.
- Sign up for a store's loyalty program. Many stores offer loyalty programs that give members access to exclusive deals, including discounts on gift cards. For example, members of Target's REDcard program get 5% off every gift card purchase.
- Wait for a sale. Stores often run sales on gift cards, so it's worth checking your favorite retailer's website or weekly ad before making a purchase. For example, Best Buy regularly runs sales where you can get $5 off a $50 gift card.
- Use the Cheese app. Ultimately, however, we find it easiest if you can browse through discounted gift cards when using your regular banking app. With Cheese, that’s possible. If you have a Cheese Debit Card, you’re eligible to use the app and browse our discounted gift card deals through our partnership with Prizeout. Simply visit the Offers Cash Back section in the Cheese app and you will find the Bonus Value Gift Cards. Nike, Lululemon, Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Starbucks and more for you to explore!
By following these tips, you can make sure you're getting the best deal on a gift card (and making your money go further).
*Note: You need a Cheese Debit Card to view these deals. If you don’t have one, get yours today!
What Are the Gift Card Redemption Policies?
Gift card redemption policies can vary by store. Some stores require that you have the physical gift card in order to redeem it, while others allow you to enter the gift card number online or over the phone.
There may also be restrictions on how and when you can use your gift card. For example, some cards can only be used in-store, while others can be used for online purchases as well. And some cards must be used within a certain time frame after they are activated, while others do not expire.
To avoid any surprises, it's always a good idea to check the redemption policy of a store before you purchase a gift card. That way, you'll know exactly what the recipient can and cannot do with the card.
Here are a few of the most common retailers and their gift card redemption policy.
Nike Gift Cards
You can redeem a Nike gift card both online and in Nike stores. Nike gift cards are not returnable and cannot be redeemed for cash (except as required by law). However, here’s the best part: Nike gift cards don’t expire!
To redeem your Nike gift card online, simply enter the Nike gift card number and PIN at checkout. The value of your Nike gift card will be applied to your order total.
To redeem your Nike gift card in a Nike store, present the Nike gift card at checkout. The value of your Nike gift card will be applied to your purchase total. Do note that you cannot combine multiple Nike gift cards on a single purchase, though.
JCPenney Gift Cards
Likewise, you can also use a JCPenney gift card online or in-store. To redeem a JCPenney gift card online, enter the 16-digit card number and 4-digit PIN at checkout.
JCPenney gift cards can also be used to pay for JCPenney credit card balances. To check the balance of your JCPenney gift card, visit jcpenney.com/giftcards or call 1-800-542-0800.
Similar to Nike, JCPenney gift cards have no expiration date and no fees will be charged against the balance of the card.
Saks Fifth Avenue Gift Cards
Saks Fifth Avenue's gift card redemption policy is pretty straightforward: you can use your Saks Fifth Avenue gift card at any Saks Fifth Avenue location, online, or over the phone.
If you're using your Saks Fifth Avenue gift card online, simply enter the gift card number and PIN at checkout. When redeeming your Saks Fifth Avenue gift card over the phone, just give the customer service representative your gift card number and they'll take care of the rest.
And finally, if you're redeeming your Saks Fifth Avenue gift card at a physical location, just present it to the cashier at checkout.
Macy’s Gift Cards
Finally, Macy’s gift card redemption policy is simple like the other gift card redemption policies mentioned here.
You can use a Macy’s gift card to purchase merchandise or services at Macy's stores, Macys.com, and Macy's Backstage locations nationwide. However, similar to other policies, Macy's gift cards cannot be redeemed for cash (except as required by law), used to purchase other Macy's gift cards, or applied as payment or credit to Macy's credit accounts.
When redeeming a Macy's gift card online, the value of the Macy's gift card will be applied to your order first; if your order total is more than the value of the Macy's gift card, you'll need to pay the remaining balance with another form of payment.
Does Buying Discounted Gift Cards Help You Save Money?
Absolutely, yes! View discounted gift cards as free money.
If you’re looking to save money on your next purchase, consider buying a discounted gift card. Discounted gift cards are cards that have been purchased at a reduced price. For example, if you were to purchase a $100 gift card for $80, you would be getting the card at a 20% discount.
The best part? Discounted gift cards can be used just like regular gift cards, and they can help you save money on your purchase. When you buy a discounted gift card, you are essentially getting a store credit at a cheaper price. This means that you can use the gift card to purchase items at the store and get them at a discounted price.
In addition, many stores offer discounts or coupons when you use a gift card. This means that you can potentially save even more money by using a discounted gift card if you snag a coupon on top of it.
How Much Can You Save with Discounted Gift Cards?
Ultimately, it depends on where you get the discounted gift card and which retailer it’s from. When browsing the Cheese discounted gift cards via our app, you can often find gift cards at a discount price of about 30% to 40%.
However, that’s about the maximum you can expect to save. Typically, gift card retailers and the retailers themselves won’t offer discounted gift cards for over 50%.
Discounted gift cards are available for almost any type of purchase, however, from groceries to entertainment to travel. And the savings can be significant if you know which ones to look for and how to buy them. For example, you could find a discounted gift card for a hotel chain and save 10-20% off your stay. Or you could use a discounted gift card for your airfare and save hundreds of dollars on your next vacation.
The bottom line is that if you want to save money on your purchases, using discounted gift cards is a great way to do it.
Browse Discounted Gift Cards from Cheese
Ready to take advantage of the possible savings available to you when you purchase discounted gift cards? Whether you’re looking for a card for your best friend or for yourself, we’ve got you covered.
If you’re a Cheese user and have access to our app, you can enjoy our partnership with Prizeout. Through Prizeout, we’re able to offer you more opportunities to save on gift cards. Simply log into the app and purchase gift cards at up to 40% discounted rates.
Don’t have a Cheese Debit Card? Get yours now. This debit Mastercard also comes with zero fees, up to 10% cashback opportunities, up to 3% deposit bonus and more! Get your card and then be sure to browse our selection and take advantage of our discount gift card offers before they expire!
