Dining out is one of the easiest ways to treat yourself—but it’s even better when you can enjoy your favorite meals for less. One of the most effective (and often overlooked) ways to save is by using discounted restaurant gift cards. Whether you dine in, grab takeout, or order delivery, gift cards can stretch your food budget further—especially when paired with cashback platforms like Fluz.
Where to Buy Discounted Restaurant Gift Cards
- Fluz:
Fluz lets you buy digital gift cards to major restaurants and food delivery services with instant cashback. For example, you can get Chipotle at a discount or earn cashback at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse in seconds. You pay for the gift card (often at the exact amount due), use it immediately, and Fluz credits your account with cashback that you can reuse.
- Raise:
Raise is a secondary marketplace for buying and selling gift cards. Discounts vary depending on availability, but you can often find 2%–10% off restaurant brands. These are typically physical or digital gift cards delivered within minutes.
- CardCash:
Like Raise, CardCash offers discounted gift cards from previous buyers. While the inventory isn’t always as large, it’s a good source for deals on both national and regional dining brands.
When and How to Use Discounted Gift Cards
Dine-in:
Use gift cards just like a credit card when paying your bill. At many casual and fine-dining restaurants, you can simply hand over your digital or printed card.
Delivery and Takeout:
Ordering through platforms like Uber Eats? You can save money on Uber Eats with gift cards purchased via Fluz. The cards can be entered during checkout, just like promo codes or credit cards.
Stacking Rewards:
Gift cards can be combined with loyalty programs (like Chipotle Rewards), promo codes, and even credit card cashback when purchasing the gift card itself. For example, if you buy a $25 Shake Shack gift card through Fluz with 5% cashback and use a 2% cashback credit card to make that purchase, you’re effectively saving $1.75 without changing your dining routine.
Smart Tips for Maximum Savings
- Only buy gift cards shortly before you plan to use them to avoid unused balances.
- Use Fluz at the point of sale by calculating your total and purchasing a gift card on the spot.
- Sign up for loyalty rewards at your favorite restaurants to double-dip on perks.
- For travel or holiday dining, consider buying multiple gift cards ahead of time for predictably used locations like Panera Bread or Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse.
Final Bite: Stretch Your Dining Dollars
With gift cards, saving money doesn’t mean cutting back—it just means paying smarter. Whether you’re dining out weekly or planning a special meal, tools like Fluz, Raise, and CardCash make it easy to get more flavor for your funds. Download Fluz today to start earning cashback on your next meal, right from your phone.