What Black Friday Gift Card Deals Looked Like Last Year
Amazon discounted select cards by up to 20% in 2025. Examples included a $100 Apple card for $15 in promotional credit, about $10 off a $50 Fandango card, about $7.50 off a $50 PetSmart card and $10 off a $100 Lowe's card. Some arrived as Lightning deals.
Target and Best Buy offered bonus cards instead of price cuts, such as a free $10 to $15 store card with $100 purchases of select cards from Apple, Fandango and DoorDash. Others were 15% to 20% off, for example Xbox and Cinemark cards.
Restaurants followed the bonus model, with $10 to $15 bonus cards per $50 purchased at chains like Applebee's, Panera and Buffalo Wild Wings. Dates varied, often October to December or through year-end, with bonuses valid January to March 2026. As of late October 2026 nothing had been announced, though similar restaurant and store-credit patterns are expected to start around October and November.
How To Pick The Right Gift Card Deal
The three formats work differently, so compare what you actually get.
| Format | How It Works | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| Percent off the card | Pay less than face value | Limited to select cards and amounts. |
| Bonus card | Free card with a qualifying purchase | Minimums of $50 to $100 and short redemption windows. |
| Store credit | Promotional balance on your account | May be tied to an account, such as Target Circle. |
Check the expiry on any bonus before buying, because it is often shorter than the main card. Only buy cards for places you already shop, and avoid anything with fees.
When Do Gift Card Deals Drop?
Black Friday 2026 is November 27 and Cyber Monday is November 30. Last year's gift card deals clustered in late November, and restaurant bonuses sometimes began earlier. Target's early Black Friday sale is November 5 to 7, Walmart's early deals run November 12 to 15 and Best Buy's main deals run November 19 to 28.
Amazon has not announced its 2026 Black Friday dates. If it follows last year's timing, its gift card promotions would appear during Black Friday week, but that is not confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are gift card discounts real savings?
Yes if you would have spent at that store anyway. Spending only to earn a bonus is not a saving.
Do bonus gift cards expire?
Often on a shorter timeline. Last year's restaurant bonuses were valid in January to March 2026.
Is there a minimum purchase?
Frequently $50 to $100, depending on the offer.
Are 2026 gift card deals announced?
No, none had been announced by late October 2026.