I remember how excited I was when I cashed in my first free Amazon gift card – a crisp $25 that felt like found money. I was an underprivileged college student juggling a limited budget, and discovering a way to earn gift cards without spending a dime was pivotal for me. Over the years, I’ve earned over $2,500 in Amazon, Walmart, iTunes, Steam, Ebay and Starbucks gift cards using free apps, websites, and smart strategies.
If I could do it, so can you! In this in-depth guide, I’ll share over 10 proven ways to get gift cards for free, with step-by-step steps, real-life examples, and tips for maximizing your rewards. Whether you’re looking to treat yourself or supplement your budget, these methods are simple, legal and available to anyone with a smartphone and some free time.
Why Gift Cards are Just as Good as Cash
Gift cards are like digital gold: they let you shop at your favorite stores, from Amazon to Target, without taking paper money out of your wallet. The global gift card market is more than $1 trillion, and millions of people get them for free by doing simple tasks like taking surveys, shopping, or playing games. And the best part? You don’t need special skills or a big budget – just consistency and the right tools. I’ve used these methods to cover everything from groceries to Netflix subscriptions, and I’ll show you how to do the same.
Note: “Free” does not mean “effortless.” Most methods take time or require you to provide minimal data (like survey responses or receipts). Always avoid platforms that ask for sensitive information like bank details, and use a separate email for rewards programs to avoid confusion.
12 Proven Methods for Earning Gift Cards for Free
Here are 12 actionable smart strategies to start earning gift cards today, with examples, tools and tips to maximize your results.
1. Take Paid Online Surveys
Surveys are one of the easiest ways to earn gift cards: you don’t need any skills, all you have to do is voice your opinion on a topic. Companies like Swagbucks and ySense pay you for sharing feedback on products, ads, or trends. In my tests, I earned $30 in Amazon gift cards from ySense over the weekend by completing ten 10-minute surveys.
How it works: Sign up for free platforms like Swagbucks (over $500 million in payouts) or ySense (over 20 million members). Complete surveys (5-20 minutes) to earn points that can be redeemed for Amazon, Walmart or Visa gift cards.
Do it right now:
- Create accounts on Swagbucks and ySense
- Completely fill out your profile to unlock more surveys (e.g., age, interests, buying habits)
- Spend 30 minutes each day answering surveys during downtime
- Redeem points for gift cards (e.g., 500 points = $5 off an Amazon card at Swagbucks)
Example: I earned 700 SB points ($7) on Swagbucks in a week by filling out surveys about snacks and streaming services. I redeemed them for a $5 Starbucks card and $2 in PayPal cash.
Pro tip: Use Branded Surveys to enroll in rewards programs like Branded Elite, which boosts points for loyal users. I earned a $1 sign-up bonus and $6.50 in two hours.
2. Scan Receipts with Cashback Apps
Turn grocery or gasoline receipts into gift cards with apps like Fetch or Ibotta. These apps reward you for downloading receipts from almost any store – no brand loyalty required.
How it works: Shop as normal, take a photo of your receipt and earn points. Fetch gives you 25+ points per receipt that can be redeemed for Amazon, Target, or Visa gift cards.
To do:
- Download Fetch or Ibotta for free
- Upload receipts within 14 days of purchase (grocery, gas, retail)
- Redeem points (e.g., 3,000 Fetch points = $3 on an Amazon card)
Example: I uploaded 10 grocery receipts to Fetch in a month, earning 2,500 points ($2.50). A bonus offer for buying a certain brand added 1,000 points, which allowed me to cash in my Walmart card for $5.
Pro Tip: Connect your email to Fetch for e-receipts (e.g., Amazon purchases) to earn points automatically.
3. Shop Through Cashback Portals
Cashback apps like Rakuten and MyPoints (and similar) pay you for shopping at online stores you already love. You earn points or cashback that can be redeemed for gift cards or money into your PayPal account.
How it works: Shop through the app portal at stores like Walmart or Sephora. Earn 1-10% cashback that can be redeemed for gift cards or PayPal cash back.
Actions steps:
- Sign up for an account on the Rakuten or MyPoints site
- Install the browser extension to automatically activate the offers
- Shop through their links and earn cashback (e.g. $10 Rakuten cashback = $10 Amazon card)
Example: I earned $15 cashback on Rakuten by buying a $150 laptop during the double cashback promotion. I redeemed it for a $15 Visa card.
Pro tip: Watch out for seasonal promotions (like Black Friday) when cashback doubles to 10-20%.
4. Play Games on Apps with Rewards
Sites and apps like ySense and Freecash pay you to play mobile games like Solitaire or Yahtzee, and rewards can be redeemed for gift cards.
How it works: Download games through the app, play by reaching milestones (like level 10), and earn points. ySense delivers gift cards within 48 hours.
Actions:
- Go to the website – ySense (clicking this link will get you a welcome bonus!) or Freecash and register with your real details, this is important to get more earning opportunities and easy payouts
- Play 1-2 games daily for 15-30 minutes or more, passing the levels specified in the terms and conditions
- Exchange points (e.g. 50,000 ySense points = $50 to Amazon card)
Example: I played Solitaire on ySense for a week, earning 70,000 points ($70). I cashed out with a $50 Target card and accumulated 2,000 points for my next reward.
Pro tip: Focus on the high-paying game offers on ySense (some pay up to $1000+ for reaching advanced levels).
5. Share Your Internet Bandwidth
Apps like Honeygain and Pawns App pay you to share unused internet bandwidth that companies use for market research or fraud prevention. It’s a passive service that runs in the background.
How it works: Install the app, launch it, and earn credits that can be redeemed for gift cards or PayPal cash. Over the course of a year, Honeygain paid me $260 for doing nothing.
Actions:
- Sign up on the Honeygain website or Pawns app
- Install the app on a laptop or phone with stable wifi
- Exchange credits (e.g., $5 = $5 to an Amazon card at Honeygain)
Example: I ran Honeygain on a spare laptop for three months, earning $15, which I exchanged for a $15 Visa card.
Pro tip: Use multiple devices (if allowed) to maximize earnings, but watch your data usage to avoid slowdowns.
6. Trade-in Your Old Electronics
Retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy offer trade-in programs where you exchange old gadgets (phones, tablets, consoles) for gift cards.
How it works: Answer questions about the condition of your device, ship it for free, and get a gift card. Amazon’s trade-in program covers thousands of products.
To do:
- Visit the Amazon Trade-In or Walmart Gadget to Gift Cards portal
- Specify your device and get an offer
- Submit it and redeem the gift card (e.g., $50 for an old iPhone)
Example: I traded an old Kindle to Amazon for a $30 gift card. The process took a week, and I used the card to purchase other items.
Pro tip: Compare trade-in values at different stores to get the best deal.
7. Enter Sweepstakes and Giveaways
Sweepstakes are a luck-based way to win gift cards. Brands and influencers often host giveaways on social media, offering $50–$500 gift cards.
How it works: Follow brands on X or Instagram, enter giveaways by liking or commenting, and win gift cards. I won a $25 Walmart card from a local store’s X giveaway.
Action steps:
- Follow brands like Amazon, Target, or Starbucks on X
- Search hashtags like #GiftCardGiveaway or #FreeGiftCards
- Enter 5–10 giveaways weekly (takes 10 minutes)
Example: I entered 20 giveaways on X and won a $50 Target card after a month.
8. Refer Friends to Apps and Services
Referral programs reward you for inviting friends to apps or services. This is one of the most easy ways to make money. Many pay $5–$10 in gift cards per referral. Get $10 right now from ySense.
How it works: Share your unique referral link. When friends sign up or make a purchase, you earn points or gift cards.
Action steps:
- Join apps with referral programs like Swagbucks or ySense
- Share links on X, Reddit, or WhatsApp groups
- Redeem rewards (e.g., $10 per referral on ySense)
Example: I referred three friends to ySense, earning $30 in Amazon gift cards.
9. Use Reward Apps for Everyday Tasks
Apps like instaGC and MyPoints pay for tasks like watching videos, testing apps, or browsing the web. Easy money.
How it works: Complete tasks (e.g., watch a 2-minute ad) to earn points. instaGC offers instant gift card delivery with a $1 minimum.
Action steps:
- Sign up for instaGC or MyPoints
- Complete 5–10 tasks daily (e.g., watch ads, test apps)
- Redeem points (e.g., 100 points = $1 Amazon card on instaGC)
Example: I earned $5 on instaGC in a week by watching ads and testing two apps.
10. Test Drive Vehicles
Car dealerships often offer $50–$100 gift cards for test-driving vehicles. It’s a low-effort way to earn rewards.
How it works: Visit a dealership, test drive a car (15–30 minutes), and receive a gift card. Check for local offers online.
Actions:
- Search “test drive gift card offers” on Google or dealership websites
- Call to confirm and book a test drive
- Redeem your gift card (e.g., $50 Amazon card)
Example: I test-drove a Hyundai and got a $50 Visa card. It took 20 minutes.
11. Join Loyalty Programs
Retailers like Sephora, Target, or Starbucks offer loyalty programs that reward purchases with points redeemable for gift cards.
How it works: Sign up for free, earn points per purchase, and redeem for gift cards. Starbucks Rewards gives stars for every dollar spent.
Action steps:
- Join loyalty programs at stores you shop at (e.g., https://www.starbucks.com/rewards)
- Link your account to earn points on every purchase
- Redeem points (e.g., 150 stars = $5 Starbucks card)
Example: I earned 300 stars at Starbucks over two months, redeeming a $10 gift card for free coffee.
Pro Tip: Use loyalty apps to track points and redeem before they expire.
12. Participate in Bonus Gift Card Promotions
Restaurants and retailers often offer bonus gift cards when you buy a certain amount (e.g., buy $50, get a $10 bonus).
How it works: Purchase gift cards for others (or yourself) and receive a bonus card. Use the bonus for personal rewards.
To do:
- Check sites like P.F. Chang’s or California Pizza Kitchen for deals
- Buy gift cards during promotions (e.g., $100 for a $20 bonus)
- Use the bonus card yourself
Example: I bought a $50 Taco Bell gift card and got a $10 eBonus card, which I used for meals.
Your 30-Day Plan to Earn $50+ in Gift Cards
Here’s a step-by-step plan to start earning gift cards in just 30 days:
Week 1:
- Sign up for Swagbucks, ySense, Fetch, and Honeygain.
- Complete 10 surveys (30 minutes daily) for $5–$10.
- Upload 5 receipts to Fetch for $2–$3.
Week 2:
- Play games on ySense for 20 minutes daily ($5–$7).
- Share referral links for Rakuten or Swagbucks on X (aim for 1–2 signups, $10–$20).
- Run Honeygain in the background ($2–$3).
Week 3:
- Shop via Rakuten for everyday purchases ($5–$10 cashback).
- Enter 10 giveaways on X or Instagram ($0–$50, luck-based).
- Complete 10 tasks on instaGC ($3–$5).
Week 4:
- Trade in an old device on Amazon ($20–$50).
- Redeem points from Swagbucks, Fetch, or ySense ($10–$15).
- Total: $50–$100+ in gift cards.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Falling for scams: Avoid sites asking for payment or sensitive info. Stick to trusted platforms like Swagbucks or ySense.
- Low-paying tasks: Skip surveys paying less than $0.50 or games with long milestones. Focus on high-value offers (e.g., $5+ per task on Freecash).
- Inconsistency: I earned $0 my first week because I wasn’t consistent. Dedicate 30–60 minutes daily for steady results.
- Ignoring terms: Always read program rules to avoid bans (e.g., Swagbucks prohibits VPNs).
Scaling Up: From $50 to $500+ Monthly
Once you hit $50, reinvest your time wisely:
- Combine methods: Use surveys, cashback, and gaming apps together for $100+/month.
- Focus on referrals: Share links in niche communities for $10–$50 per signup.
- Optimize shopping: Use Rakuten for all online purchases to stack cashback.
My Journey
I started with ySense, earning $10 in gift cards my first month. By adding Fetch, Swagbucks, and referrals, I hit $150 monthly within six months. Last year, I earned $2,500 in gift cards, covering groceries, tech, and gifts. Consistency and diversification were key.
Bonus Tips for Success
Use a separate email account: Keep your rewards program emails organized and avoid spam.
Stack rewards: Combine cashback apps with loyalty programs to get double points.
Keep it safe: Never share bank details or pay to participate in rewards programs.
Track your earnings: Use Google Sheet to register points and redeem them.
Conclusion
Earning gift cards for free is a legitimate way to supplement your budget or treat yourself. From taking surveys on Swagbucks to scanning receipts on Fetch, playing games on ySense (up to $10 000 on games), or sharing bandwidth on Honeygain, these 12 ways are proven and affordable. My journey from $0 to $2,500 in gift cards shows that it’s possible with a little effort. Get started today: sign up at ySense, upload your receipt to Fetch, and enter the prize drawings. Your first $25 gift card is closer than you think!
Have you tried earning by playing games or taking surveys for a fee? Write in the comments!
