Most people think about coupons and promo codes when it comes to saving money, but gift cards? Yeah, they’re usually seen as something you give or get—not something you use to save. But here’s the thing: gift cards can be a powerful tool in your savings strategy, especially when you know how to combine them with coupons and cashback offers.

Stacking gift cards with other discounts isn’t just possible—it’s surprisingly easy. And once you get the hang of it, you’ll never look at a digital gift card the same way again.

What Does “Stacking” Gift Cards Actually Mean?

Stacking, in this context, means combining a discounted or bonus-loaded gift card with other money-saving tools like:

• Promo codes
• Coupons
• Loyalty points
• Cashback platforms
• Credit card rewards

It’s about layering the savings so that by the time you check out, you’ve shaved dollars off the total from multiple angles.

Step 1: Buy Discounted Gift Cards

You can get gift cards at a lower price than face value if you know where to look. This gives you instant savings before you even start shopping.

Popular places to find discounted gift cards:

• Gift card resale marketplaces
• Cashback portals with gift card bonuses
• Grocery store promotions (e.g., buy $50, get $10 off your next trip)
• Holiday or seasonal bonus deals

For example, if you get a $100 gift card for $90, that’s already 10% off whatever you buy—even before coupons kick in.

Step 2: Use the Gift Card Like Real Money

Once you’ve got your discounted card, use it to pay like you normally would. Most retailers let you use gift cards and still apply:

• Promo codes
• Coupons
• Points or rewards
• Even store credit or store cash (like Kohl’s Cash or Target Circle earnings)

It’s essentially prepaid shopping—with a discount already baked in.

Step 3: Layer On Coupons and Promo Codes

This is where it gets fun. Your gift card is your payment method—but now you can shop the same way you normally would, applying all the deals you can find.

Don’t forget to:

• Apply a site-wide or category-specific coupon
• Use loyalty points or first-time buyer discounts
• Activate a cashback extension before checkout
• Stack store rewards or rebates if available

Your gift card doesn’t affect any of these—it just pays the final balance.

Where This Strategy Works Best

Not every store allows total freedom when it comes to combining offers. But plenty do, and they’re perfect for this strategy.

Great stores for gift card stacking include:

• Target
• Starbucks (yes, really—promo + discounted reloads)
• Kohl’s
• Sephora
• Ulta
• Amazon
• Best Buy
• Home Depot
• Old Navy and Gap
• Airbnb (especially during seasonal gift card promotions)

Each of these retailers offers either promo codes, loyalty programs, or cashback opportunities that work seamlessly with gift cards.

Use Cashback to Buy the Gift Card Itself

Some cashback platforms and credit cards offer rewards just for buying the gift card.

For example:

• A cashback portal offers 5% back on gift card purchases
• You buy a $100 card and get $5 back
• You then use that card to make a purchase with an additional promo code
• You’ve already saved before you even touched the product page

Some credit cards also offer quarterly or rotating 5% categories, including supermarkets or warehouse clubs—where you can buy gift cards to major retailers.

Use Loyalty Programs to Multiply the Value

If the store has a loyalty program, you can often earn or use points while paying with a gift card.

Example:

• Use a 15% off coupon
• Pay with a discounted gift card
• Earn store points or rewards on the full item price

Yes, it feels like cheating. No, it’s not.

Stack With Flash Sales and Seasonal Deals

When you combine a discounted gift card with a holiday sale or limited-time promo, you can unlock serious savings. This works particularly well during:

• Black Friday and Cyber Monday
• Back-to-school sales
• End-of-season clearance events
• Anniversary or brand birthday sales

Use the gift card as your method of payment, just like a credit card, and layer in every other deal the store allows.

Real-Life Example: Ulta + Discounted Gift Card = Big Win

Let’s say you:

• Buy a $100 Ulta gift card for $90
• Wait for a 20% off storewide promo
• Use it on a $100 order that’s now $80
• Pay using the discounted card
• Earn Ulta reward points on the full purchase

Total spent: $90
Total saved: $30+
Result: You get the items, the promo deal, the rewards points, and you still have $10 left over.

Tips for Gift Card Stacking Like a Pro

• Always check for expiration dates or usage restrictions on gift cards
• Save screenshots or emails for eGift cards, just in case
• Read the fine print—some retailers don’t allow gift cards to buy other gift cards
• Don’t go overboard—only buy discounted gift cards for stores you actually shop at
• If a store doesn’t allow code + gift card stacking, try calling customer service—they sometimes apply codes manually

What About Return Policies?

If you return something purchased with a gift card, most stores will issue the refund back to the original card or give you store credit. Keep that in mind, especially for big purchases.

If you stacked discounts and returns get messy, screenshot your original cart for reference in case you need to explain your way through a return or exchange.

Gift cards aren’t just for birthdays or last-minute gifts. They’re a powerful savings tool when you combine them with coupons, cashback, and sales. Think of them as the quiet MVP of your shopping strategy.