While recession-weary consumers hunt for the best deals this holiday season, retailers and restaurants are looking for new ways to entice shoppers to buy from them. The result is that there are some surprisingly good “special incentives” being offered by retailers and restaurants this year.  If “free money” is an incentive to you, you’ll want to check this out, as many downtrodden businesses are offering benefits for the buyer as well as the intended gift card recipient. Here is a list of some of the sweet deals available (Note: being based in Arizona, these may not be available everywhere)  out there in cyberspace and otherwise…

Blockbuster Video. The stores are offering a $5 bonus card with the purchase of a $50 gift card.

California Pizza Kitchen. Their holiday deal gives $20 in rewards to consumers who purchase $100 in gift cards.

Papa Johns Pizza. The deal available on their website states that for every $25 in Papa John’s Gift Cards purchased, a consumer can receive a free, medium, one-topping pizza.  This offer is good through the last day of 2008.

Red Robin and TGIFriday’s Restaurant. Both eateries’ websites are offering additional bonus gift cards ($5 for a $25 gift card, $10 for a $50 purchase). Red Robin goes one further, offering a 20 percent discount for every $500 in gift cards purchased from Red Robin.

Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant. Each $100 gift card purchase will entitle the purchaser to a $25 reward card (the bonus card cannot be used until January 1, 2009).

Outback Steakhouse. Their website states, “Purchase $100 in Outback Gift Cards from November 1 through December 31, 2008 and get a $20 bonus card with our compliments.” (with some restrictions as well).

Fuel Savings: Safeway and Fry’s (Kroger) are offering savings on gasoline for consumers who buy groceries or gift cards at their stores;  Safeway’s Powerpump Rewards program allows folks who use their Club Card to get 10 cents off per gallon for every $100 they spend on groceries or gift cards; this deal lasts through December 25, 2008. The Fry’s Holiday Fuel Saver Rewards program is similar, promising 10 cents a gallon off a fuel purchase with $50 or more on gift cards. Naturally, there are additional restrictions on each offer.

Home Depot. The home-improvement mogul is going to Disneyland:  According to their website, anyone who selects the Disney-themed Home Depot gift card and charges it with at least $25 can receive two free tickets to the Walt Disney movie Bedtime Stories (while supplies last, of course).

Denny’s, IHOP, Elephant Bar, Rubio’s, Someburros, and Qdoba restaurants. Although not all franchise stores are participating in the deal, it is rumored that a $25 gift card purchase will entitle the purchaser to receive a $5 bonus card. Some of the restaurants have specific time restrictions or other rules that apply with the gift card rewards, but it is still worth investigating if you are a fan of these establishments.

If a gift card is on your list for giving this holiday season, these deals are certainly worth a look– I know I’ll be checking them out for my friends and family this year!

Popularity: 17% [?]