Buying a gift card for less than its face value is one of the oldest tricks in deal hunting. If you were going to spend the money at that store or restaurant anyway, a discounted gift card is simply a discount on everything you buy there.
Here’s where Canadians can get gift cards below face value, how to earn bonus points on them, and the gift card rules that protect you.
Where to buy discounted gift cards
Costco gift card packs
Costco sells multi-packs of gift cards for restaurants, entertainment and experiences for less than their face value. If you eat at those restaurants anyway, it’s an easy saving. Selection changes, so check in the warehouse or on Costco.ca.
Holiday bonus card promotions
Around the holidays, many restaurants and retailers run “buy a $50 gift card, get a $10 bonus card” promotions. Read the terms: bonus cards usually have a limited redemption window and can’t be combined with other offers.
Bonus loyalty points on gift cards
Shoppers Drug Mart, grocery stores and other retailers regularly offer bonus loyalty points when you buy third-party gift cards, for example extra PC Optimum points on gift cards for restaurants, streaming services or other stores. When those points are worth 10% or more of the card’s value, it’s effectively a discount. Look for these in your loyalty app’s offers; our PC Optimum guide explains how points convert to dollars.
Credit card and app offers
Some credit cards, banking apps and cashback programs run limited-time offers on gift card purchases. These change often, so treat them as a bonus when they appear.
How to make discounted gift cards actually save money
- Only buy for places you already spend. A 20% discount on a card you’ll never use is a 100% loss.
- Use them for planned purchases. Buying a gift card ahead of a big purchase, during a bonus event, locks in the extra value.
- Stack them. A discounted gift card can usually be used on top of a sale price, so the savings multiply.
- Keep track of them. Take a photo of each card and its number, and note the balance. Unused balances are the biggest way gift card “deals” go wrong.
Gift card rules in Canada
Gift card rules are set by each province, but the main protections are similar across the country:
- No expiry dates on most retail gift cards. All provinces with gift card rules ban expiry dates on regular store gift cards. Common exceptions include cards for a specific service, such as a spa treatment, and promotional or bonus cards you didn’t pay for.
- Limited fees. Fees for activation or inactivity are banned or restricted in most provinces. Mall-wide and prepaid credit-card-style gift cards follow different rules and can carry fees.
- Bonus cards are different. Free promotional cards, like the “$10 bonus card” with a holiday purchase, can usually have an expiry date. Use them first.
If a store refuses a valid gift card or charges a fee you don’t think it’s allowed to, contact your provincial consumer protection office.
Watch out for gift card scams
Gift cards are a favourite of scammers because they’re hard to trace. No real government agency, utility or business will ever ask you to pay a bill or a fine with gift cards. If someone tells you to buy gift cards and read them the numbers, it’s a scam. Hang up.
Buy gift cards from the store or a reputable retailer, and check that the packaging hasn’t been tampered with before you buy.
What to do with gift cards you don’t want
- Regift it, or trade with friends or family.
- Use it for essentials sold at that store, such as household items at a department store.
- Check the balance regularly, since partly-used cards are easy to forget about.
Get gift card deals sent to you
We post gift card deals and bonus offers when they come up, especially around the holidays. Set up Deal Alerts for “gift card” and we’ll email you when one goes live.
FAQ
Do gift cards expire in Canada?
Most retail gift cards can’t expire under provincial law. Exceptions include cards for a specific service and free promotional or bonus cards.
Where can I buy discounted gift cards in Canada?
Costco gift card packs, holiday bonus card promotions, and bonus loyalty point offers on gift cards at stores like Shoppers Drug Mart are the most common ways.
Can I be asked to pay a bill with gift cards?
No legitimate organization will ask you to pay with gift cards. It’s always a scam.
Are bonus gift cards subject to the same rules?
Usually not. Free bonus cards from a promotion can often have an expiry date and other restrictions. Read the terms and use them first.
Last checked October 2026. Gift card rules vary by province; check your provincial consumer protection office for the details where you live.
