Maximize Savings with Discounted Gift Cards

Gift cards make for easy gifts or self-treats. But paying full price leaves savings on the table. That’s where discounted gift cards come in – they let you save money on gifts and purchases you’d make anyway!

Discounted gift cards are gift cards that are sold for less than their face value, allowing you to save money on purchases. These gift cards are available for a wide range of retailers, restaurants, and experiences.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore:

Where to find the best discounted gift cards
How to maximize savings with them
Safety and tips for buying discounted cards
Strategic ways to use gift card deals
Pros and cons compared to store credit cards

So why pay more? Read on to start saving big with discounted gift cards!

If you are looking for ways to save money on gift cards, here are some legitimate options:

Check online marketplaces: Websites like Raise, Cardpool, and GiftCardLab offer discounted gift cards from various retailers. You can often find deals on popular brands like Amazon, Target, and Starbucks.
Look for promo codes: Keep an eye out for promotional codes that can be used to purchase gift cards at a discount. These codes can be found on websites like RetailMeNot, Coupons.com, or by signing up for email newsletters from your favorite retailers.
Take advantage of cashback apps: Apps like Rakuten, Ebates, and TopCashback offer cashback on purchases made through their platforms. This can include gift card purchases.
Use a shopping portal: Shopping portals like ShopAtHome, BeFrugal, and Fetch Rewards offer cashback and coupons for thousands of retailers. You can earn rewards when making purchases through these portals.
Remember to always verify the authenticity of any gift card before purchasing it, and only buy from authorized sellers to avoid scams. Happy saving!

Where to Find the Best Discounted Gift Card Deals

Gift cards sell at a discount for different reasons like expiration dates or unwanted gifts. Here are some top sources for scoring discounted gift cards:

Retailer Gift Card Promotions

Stores like Target, Starbucks, Best Buy, and others periodically offer gift card discounts like:

10-20% off gift card purchases
Bonus ‘free’ cards with purchase
Spend $X get $X promotions

Discounts range from modest (5-15% off) to substantial (20%+ off).

Follow brands on social media or subscribe to newsletters to find the best deals.

Resale Marketplaces

There are several websites where you can buy discounted gift cards, including Raise.com, Gift Card Granny, Cardpool, and CardCash. The discounts offered by these websites can vary, but you can save up to 30% or more on some gift cards.

For example, a $100 Starbucks card may sell for $85 on Raise, saving the buyer 15%. Discounts typically range from 5-30% but can reach up to 90% off!

Sellers trade in unwanted cards for cash at a discount. Buyers purchase those cards for less than face value. It’s a win-win.

Gift Card Swap Apps and Sites

Apps like CardSwap, Gift Card Zen, and CardPool allow you to trade unwanted cards with other users at discounted values.

Swapping $50 of one card for $40 of another means getting 20% off! The ability to bid and exchange facilitates discounted gift card swapping.

Credit Card Rewards Programs

Many rewards cards let you exchange points for gift cards at a discount:

Chase Ultimate Rewards offers discounted gift cards up to 20% off
Citi ThankYou Rewards has rotating gift card deals up to 40% off

Check your program for gift card redemption discounts to maximize your points’ value!

“I wait until Groupon offers a deal on discounted Uber gift cards to save on my regular rides.”

Buying from these various sources can lead to major savings – up to 90% off face value!

Maximizing Savings with Discounted Gift Cards

To really capitalize on gift card deals, use these savvy tips:

Stack discounts – Use gift cards on already discounted items, then apply coupons or promo codes for additional savings.
Buy for frequented retailers – Focus on cards you’ll actually use regularly to maximize value.
Resell at higher value – Some discounted cards can be resold at even higher rates. Amazon, Target, and Walmart cards hold great resale value.
Give as gifts – Pass along gift cards to friends and family and gift them at a discount!

Example Savings Scenarios

Buying a discounted Target gift card during a 10% off store sale and stacking with a promo code coupon
Getting $50 off groceries by redeeming a discounted $100 Kroger card bought for $85
Scoring a discounted $75 Ulta gift card on CardCash for $60 and using it during a 20% off beauty sale

With the right stacking approach, you can save BIG!

Safely Buying Discounted Gift Cards

Buying discounted gift cards is an easy way to save more on almost everything, as it adds an extra layer of savings to your purchase beyond coupons, promo codes, and sale prices. Here are the best places she recommends:

Raise.com: This site offers discounted gift cards and cash back on gift card purchases to over 4,000 brands. You can sell your unwanted gift cards to Raise at a discounted rate or buy them at a discount and save on future purchases. Raise sells discounted gift cards for up to 30% off their face value.

CardBear.com: CardBear compares discounts across a bunch of resellers so you can see who’s offering the highest discount. They also tell you whether to buy the discounted gift card now or wait for a better discount to come later. You can find discounted gift cards for up to 33% off the face value on CardBear.

CardCash.com: Similar to Raise, you can buy discounted gift cards for up to 33% off or exchange your unused gift cards for ones you really want. They sell gift cards to over 1,300 retailers and brands.

Gift Card Granny: This site is more focused on cash-back offers these days. You can earn cash back on gift cards from 1,000 brands.

CrayPay: According to CrayPay, you’ll save an average of 5% when you buy gift cards through them. They offer you cash back on gift card purchases.

Target: If you’re a Target RedCard member, you’ll save an extra 5% on anything you buy from Target with your card — including gift cards.

Sam’s Club & Costco : These stores regularly slash the prices of gift cards or give you a discount when you buy multiples. With these offers, you’ll save anywhere from $5 to $25 on gift cards to retailers, restaurants, airlines, and other brands.

Remember, the best time to buy discounted gift cards is in January right after Christmas when many people receive gift cards they don’t want.

While discounted gift cards offer great value, it’s important to buy safely:

Vet reseller platforms – Only use reputable sites with money-back guarantees and millions of happy customers.
Avoid obvious scams – Don’t purchase cards far below market rate that seem ‘too good to be true’.
Buy official brand cards – Do not buy generic ‘virtual’ Visa cards which are often fraudulent.
Check the gift card balance before buying to verify the available funds. Reputable resellers guarantee balances.
Review FTC guidance on safely buying gift cards – https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/gift-card-scams

When buying discounted gift cards, it’s important to be aware of a few things. For example, some websites may offer lower discounts than others for the same gift card. Additionally, some gift cards may have restrictions on how they can be used, such as only being valid for online purchases or having an expiration date. Finally, it’s important to be cautious when buying gift cards from individuals, as there is a risk of fraud.

By sticking to well-known platforms, reading policies, and verifying cards, you can buy discounted gift cards safely.

Strategic Ways to Use Discounted Gift Cards

Once you have discounted gift cards, use them strategically:

Use during sales – For maximum value, redeem gift cards on already marked down items.
Check expiration dates – Opt for cards with longer validity so you have ample time to use them.
Budget card amounts – Break up bigger purchases across multiple gift cards to save most.
Regift unwanted ones – Give friends, family, and co-workers gift cards from brands they love.
Donate soon-expiring ones – If short on time, donate cards to charity before they expire.

“With the holidays coming up, I always stock up on discounted gift cards to favorite shops and restaurants for easy gifts,” says bargain shopper Carla Johnson.

Following these tips ensures you maximize the value of every discounted gift card.

Discounted Gift Cards vs Store Credit Cards

Store credit cards and discounted gift cards both offer savings, but have key differences:

Ongoing rewards – Credit cards provide ongoing points, discounts, or cashback on purchases. Gift cards offer one-time-use savings.

Brand limitations – Gift cards lock you into specific stores. Credit cards allow spending anywhere.

Credit building – Store cards can help establish positive credit history when used responsibly. Gift cards don’t affect credit.

However, store cards tempt overspending. Discounted gift cards encourage mindful budgeting to extract full value.

The bottom line – Gift cards make sense for occasional shoppers. Credit cards work for those who maximize member benefits through routine eligible purchases.

Start Saving with Discounted Gift Cards!

The world of discounted gift cards opens up exciting savings opportunities for all your shopping wants and gifting needs. You can conveniently buy brand name cards at steep discounts from various online platforms and apps.

Just be sure to follow safe buying practices and use stackable savings strategies to maximize value. With an array of gift card deals at your fingertips, paying full price becomes a thing of the past!

What discounted gift card deal will you take advantage of first? Get ready to start saving big! What discounted gift card deal will you take advantage of first? Get ready to start saving big! Overall, buying discounted gift cards can be a great way to save money on purchases, but it’s important to do your research and be aware of any restrictions or risks involved.

Saving Big with Discounted Gift Cards: A Complete Guide