Who doesn’t like receiving gift cards and extra rewards? I look forward to receiving them. It is free stuff, after all.
Such opportunities do not automatically fall on one’s radar, especially not if you don’t even know where to look.
Don’t worry, though; I’ve got you. In this quick guide, I will talk about how to get free gift cards online without completing offers.
Why Do Market Research Companies Give Free Gift Cards?
Market research companies give out free cards because it remains the most efficient way to encourage their participants to give quality consumer insight.
Aside from that, it is an excellent approach to getting the interest of consumers beyond the sampling community.
Just think about how you got into sampling. Wasn’t it because of a sweet deal?
In addition, handing out gift cards also helps boost the credibility and reliability of a market research company.
The next time these market research companies conduct other surveys and discussions, people will know that they genuinely give out rewards, such as cash and gift cards.
Also, these companies would need to continually recruit people and get valuable insight, especially regarding new services.
The rewards are, therefore, already ingrained in their practice. Excellent and convenient, isn’t it?
How To Get Free Gift Cards Online Without Completing Offers
Below are the creative ways and places you need to check out so that you earn and collect all of these gift cards. Read on to know more.
1. Utilize Instagram for giveaways.
It’s incredible, right? Who knew that social media platforms like Instagram showcase more than just travel photos and personal moments?
Several companies give out their stuff via Instagram, so try joining these giveaway contests and win gift card codes.
Note that these activities and giveaways have varying rules, though.
Usually, you need to follow a business account, promote that business, repost an image and content, and tag a fellow friend or two.
You can also discover gift cards with the help of hashtags like #giveaway, #sweepstakes, #freebie, #contest, and the like.
Also, do it the easy way by following these hashtags; posts with these hashtags will automatically be part of your feed.
There will be no need, moving forward, to do manual searches.
Once you win one of these giveaways, the companies and hosts let you know how to claim the gift card prize.
2. Refer your friends and acquaintances.
Another way to earn gift cards is through referrals. You can refer as many friends and acquaintances to your heart’s content.
You can start by looking at apps like Lyft, banks, and retail websites. Game apps also have shareable referral links.
What happens is that you grab the referral codes and send them to people who can also benefit from the program.
Usually, a specific action must be completed, like booking the first ride, before getting the reward needed.
Ensure that you follow all the specific instructions and program details to get that gift card.
3. Get a rewards browser extension.
Another way to earn gift cards is through rewards browser extensions utilized when shopping online.
Getting this extension is an excellent way to accumulate points, primarily through number cashback.
A specific example is the use of CapitalOne Shopping credits, which you can exchange for eBay gift cards and other similar cards.
Here’s how you can use a browser extension for rewards:
Step 1: Install the extension.
Step 2: Do online shopping the usual way you would.
Step 3: When you see a pop-up (for example, from Capital One Shopping) with the offer of a reward.
Step 4: Activate the reward credits whenever made available.
Step 5: Enjoy the qualifying purchase.
Easy-peasy, right?
Linking your credit card to this app is also a way to get more points from the CapitalOne Shopping extension.
4. Sign up for survey sites.
Users like us can access a lot of survey sites via the web. Sign up for all those for which you are eligible.
By registering for many survey sites, you can increase your chances of getting more invitations.
You have more chances of getting the gift cards as rewards by having more invitations.
Make sure you maintain an excellent track record and do your due diligence to ensure that the survey sites are legitimate.
5. Maximize the benefits of having a rewards credit card.
Not everyone likes having credit cards, especially since they are afraid to overspend.
Those who want to get out of debt would do well, too, to avoid having credit cards.
However, those who have one and can manage it well should definitely get one that comes with rewards.
With a rewards credit card, you enjoy benefits like one to three percent in travel points or other forms of cashback.
Lo and behold, what other forms of incentive can you have? Gift cards! You can use these cards for travel, groceries, and other purposes.
Just make sure you research well and pick the rewards credit card right for you.
6. Consider various lifestyle brands as a resource.
Another chance you have at getting gift cards is through household brand names.
For example, brands like Lay’s and Dove form partnerships with Fetch Rewards so that their clients can get points.
You don’t have to do anything out of the ordinary. You just need to shop the usual way, download the app, and earn points along the way.
These lifestyle brands also encourage referrals for earning points, so that’s another way to secure that gift card soon.
7. Trade grocery cashback for gift cards.
Another way to earn that gift card is to use a cashback app for your grocery shopping.
Before you know it, you would have already accumulated a lot of rewards, enough to be exchanged for a gift card.
Retailers and grocery stores like Walmart, Target, and Macy’s usually have this option.
Downloading the related apps also helps you find other offers for your cashback.
Before claiming a request, you will probably just need to read a short fact—no hassle at all.
8. Return gifts that you do not need.
Though this is not an appreciated approach, and many consider it the least savvy, you can get gift cards by returning gifts you do not need nor like.
Some stores offer credit upon returns, provided that the returned merchandise is still in original, excellent condition, whether you still have the receipt.
Don’t feel guilty if you are trading someone’s gift for credits. You can still appreciate the thought and get the gift card for something you need.
9. In line with gift-giving, ask for gift cards upfront.
Asking for gift cards upfront is a way to ensure getting them, especially if you have the option of picking a gift that one will hand out to you.
You don’t need to use any technology or involve any apps by doing this.
If it’s your birthday and gift-giving season, grab the chance to ask for what you want.
You can even specify your favorite stores so that your loved ones will know where to give your gift cards.
Others even choose flexibility by asking for gifts like a Visa prepaid card.
You do not have to be shy, especially towards friends who want to get you what you need.
10. When at your local grocery, scan product barcodes.
With apps like Shopkick, you can get a gift card without spending. You need to be inside the store and earn points or “kicks” by scanning products.
Scanning the product barcodes is also a way to spend time with the family by turning the act into a scavenger hunt activity.
You earn rewards while you do it. Last time I checked, you can get a dollar for 250 kicks.
You can then get gift cards from retailers like American Eagle or department stores like Walmart.
11. Use a new search engine.
By making other browsers such as Swagbucks your default search engine, you have a chance at earning points just by simply browsing the web.
These points, when accumulated, can be exchanged for a gift card.
This method requires minimal effort. However, getting the needed points for gift card acquisition will take some time.
Another option is the use of Bing. Switching from Google to Bing helps you score a gift card.
12. Watch videos (in-app or not).
Many apps and websites hand out gift cards provided that you watch videos.
This way, you don’t need to complete any offer. You just need to watch sponsored content, movie trailers, and a few advertisements.
Occasionally, these sites would require you to answer some questions about the videos. However, you can let videos run in the background more often than not.
Your options include AdWallet, a video-based website for surveys. You just need to watch an ad and answer a few questions.
Swagbucks also offers a broader range of videos to watch. Isn’t that great—to earn a gift card just by watching a video or two?
13. Trade your data.
Suppose you are comfortable trading information regarding the way you use the internet.
In that case, companies like Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel are willing to get that data for the equivalent of $50 annually in the form of gift cards.
All you need to do is download the required app on your mobile phone or any compatible gadget.
Just check your account balance from time to time to see the number of points you have earned every month.
14. Transform your lock screen into a monetizing tool.
Did you know you can monetize your lock screen? I only found out about this recently.
As long as you have an Android device, you can let companies show their ads or other related ads through your lock screen.
Just manage your expectations that you won’t earn a lot, but it’s still a way to get a gift card without too much work.
Make money with your lock screen through Slidejoy, Current Rewards, and S’more options. You can enjoy $10 at most, but that’s still something, right?
15. Play mobile games.
You read it right. You can get a gift card by playing games on your mobile phone. Isn’t that incredible?
You have so many options, such as live streaming on Twitch.
Some of your choices that give payout through gift cards include Mistplay, a mobile game with a loyalty program.
Mistplay runs on Android and gives you rewards just by playing the games. Just collect the points and exchange them for PayPal cash or gift cards.
Install the new games, devote the needed playtime, and do some in-game tasks.
You get to enjoy gaming while earning credits, so what’s there to lose?
The app also matches the games you will enjoy based on your activity and demographic profile. How cool is that?
16. Make the most out of the availability of in-store promotions.
Major stores like Target and CVS run in-store promotions for gift cards.
Watch out for these promotions so that you can participate. You can check small promotional tags distributed across the stores to gather the info needed.
Gift cards will work their magic for you, even up to 25 percent of cashback rates. That’s already a good deal.
17. Participate in trade-in programs.
While you won’t earn a lot of money from participating in trade-in programs, at least you don’t need to put in a lot of work.
You don’t even need to pay shipping fees. Just do the tasks specified to get the gift card you want.
An example is Amazon’s trade-in program. Amazon is ready to give gift cards in exchange for unwanted gadgets.
However, you need to check if your items are suited for the trade-in and the equivalent value.
Amazon has a trade-in page that helps you check their current offers.
18. Join virtual focus groups.
By participating in focus groups through programs like Respondent, you can earn money and gift cards.
You just need to qualify for the market that companies like Respondent need.
They will reach out to you if you qualify and ask for your opinions on their upcoming releases or even political issues.
For your valuable time, they will reward you with gift cards and extend more opportunities for you in the future.
You can enjoy up to $500 worth of gift cards. That’s an amazingly high offer.
19. Walk your way towards a gift card, literally!
Did you know that there’s a program called Sweatcoin? This app, connected through your smartphone, helps you earn points by walking.
Imagine getting paid to walk. What the app does is track the number of steps you have daily.
You also receive rewards based on your sweating. For every thousand steps, you get that reward.
It’s not just a gift card you’re receiving. It’s also the gift of being in healthy shape.
20. Share your opinions online.
We all love to share our opinions through our social media accounts. Why not do that through a site called Opinion Outpost?
If you have spare time, you can get Amazon, Walmart, and Home Depot gift cards in exchange for your perspective on various matters.
They will gather opinions through a variety of surveys, and this only takes a few minutes to complete.
21. Do your shopping in various locations.
Lastly, you can get a gift card by using a program, Dosh. The app tracks how you make purchases at various locations.
The app aims to locate the top local deals in your community. They will provide you with the needed cash back once you shop at these places.
That said, it’s another way to get a free card without the hassle of completing any offer.
Top Sources of Free Gift Cards
With the 21 ways on how to get free gift cards online without completing offers, you surely won’t miss a chance.
Improve your options further by looking at these top sources listed below.
1. Swagbucks
Many consider Swagbucks one of the best places to earn a gift card. All you need is to sign up to become a member and engage in their online activities.
You even get to enjoy a $5 welcome bonus upon sign-up.
And you don’t have to do all their tasks. Just go for those that are fun for you and receive points. It’s that easy.
2. Ibotta
Another top source for you is Ibotta. You can enjoy this through your usual grocery shopping and enjoy a $20 bonus upon signing up.
Ibotta has a mobile app that you can download.
The app gives you cashback when buying groceries, alcohol, clothes, and even medicines.
Link your loyalty accounts to Ibotta to get more rewards and save more cash for that gift card.
3. Stan’s Gigs
Lastly, don’t miss out on opportunities to hear the latest through my newsletter.
As one who also loves receiving gift cards, your subscription can only benefit you with the recent updates out there.
Conclusion
See? There are many ways to get items worth enjoying in life with minimal effort.
I hope the methods I listed above will help you in your quest for better shopping and rewards.
Of course, there are other ways to earn free gift cards, though you’ll need to exert a bit more effort.
Feel free to check out other guides on how to get free gift cards without completing offers.
Whether you use those approaches or the ones on this post, that’s up to you. Enjoy!
I am a father to a beautiful baby girl, a husband and a serial gigster 🙂 I live in Toronto, Canada. My claim to fame: I made thousands of dollars from focus groups and surveys over the last 15 years. Studied Marketing in Ryerson Univerity and worked in Marketing and Marketing Research for the last 14 years+ My mission is to educate others how to be successful with side hustles. You can contact my be email or on Facebook.
