13 Ways To Score Free Gift Cards

Free gift card promotions are great, but some can require more work than the cards are worth. 

The trick is to use the least amount of time finding offers on products you already want. While it's true you'll have to look at several offers before you find the right one, the pay off in savings is worth the effort.

Gift Card Granny has a few ideas on how you can safely and fairly easily cash in on free gift cards.

1. Create A Dedicated Email Address
Create a free gmail, yahoo or Outlook email account and have initial emails sent to this box. If you come across a scam offer or a vendor that sends umpteen emails every day, you can simply abandon that address and move on to a cleaner address.

After you've assessed the offers in your generic inbox, select the ones you want to pursue and sign up again with your primary email account. That way you'll only receive emails from vendors that are worth your while.

2. Read The Terms And Conditions
Every free gift card program should have a "Terms and Conditions" link or drop box. If you don't see this information on the site, close the window and slowly back away because it's probably a scam.

Sure it's incredibly tedious to wade through all this legalize but it's important to know your rights and how your information will be used. You don't want to be surprised when you learn about hidden terms, like you have to refer two friends before you get the free gift card.

3. Recycle Electronics
Get a Best Buy gift card from some outlets when you participate in Best Buy's trade in or recycle program for old televisions, laptops, iPods or mobile phone. This offer varies, so check first.

4. Redeem Gift Card Points
Discover, American Express and other credit card companies often offer points redeemable for gift cards. Check with your credit card carrier to learn if they offer this perk. Frequent travelers may prefer to cash in points for miles, rather than a free gift card. 

5. Pre-Research
Offers may look good on the surface, but some require you first make a substantial purchase. Research requirements before you complete the process. Some offers, particularly the high-dollar ones, can sound appealing but what you end up giving is far more than you get. Finally, bookmark or write down the contact info in case you never receive the free gift card.

6. Attend Trade Shows
Some trade show vendors hand feature contests for free gift cards when you answer questionnaires, sign up for a free trial, etc. However, you may have to invest a fair amount of time checking with vendors throughout the entire show to find these free nuggets. Ask before you make the effort.

7. Give Blood Or Plasma
Donate blood or plasma and some Red Cross will enter your name into a free gift card contest. It's a win/win situation as you'll be donating the fluid of life and possibly getting a freebie in return.

8. Redeem Gift Card Points
Discover, American Express and other credit card companies often offer points redeemable for gift cards. Check with your credit card carrier to learn if they offer this perk. Frequent travelers may prefer to cash in points for miles, rather than a free gift card.

9. Buy Something
Keep an eye out for deals that offer a gift card when purchasing a specific product.


10. Enter Blog Contests
Many bloggers post gift card giveaways to draw readers and improve their search-engine ranking. For many of these contests you only need to leave a comment, but others may require registration for a newsletter or email updates. 

11. Earn Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a highly popular clearing house for freebie programs. Participants earn Swagbucks (which are redeemable for free gift cards) by searching the web, completing surveys, trading in used products and more. 

12. Test Drive A Car
Check with dealerships in your area for any who offer a free gift card when you test drive one of their vehicles. Just make sure you don't get sucked into buying a car as that's a pretty expensive way to get a free gift card.

13. Gift Card Granny Rewards Program
Sign up for the Granny Rewards Program and earn free gift cards when you buy discount gift cards. 

Granny Tip: Join the Granny Rewards Program! Sign up and earn free gift cards when you buy discount gift cards.