How to Save Money While Eating Out Using Gift Cards: A Step-by-Step Guide

Dining out is a delightful experience, but it can quickly become expensive. Fortunately, using gift cards strategically can help you enjoy your favorite meals without overspending. Here's a comprehensive guide to saving money while eating out using gift cards, complete with practical steps, examples, and data points.

Step 1: Identify Your Preferred Dining Establishments

Begin by listing the restaurants and food delivery services you frequent. This will help you focus on acquiring gift cards that align with your dining habits. Popular options in India include:

• Domino's

• McDonald's

• Barbeque Nation

• Zomato

• Swiggy

Step 2: Purchase Discounted Gift Cards

Once you've identified your preferred dining spots, look for discounted gift cards. Several platforms offer gift cards at reduced prices or with added benefits:

• Saverpe.com: This platform offers discounted gift cards for various restaurants and food delivery services. For example, you might find a ₹1,000 Domino's gift card available for ₹950, providing an immediate ₹50 saving.

• Amazon Pay: Occasionally offers discounts on restaurant gift cards, especially during festive seasons.

• Paytm: Provides cashback offers on the purchase of food-related gift cards.

Example: During a festive sale, Saverpe.com offered a ₹1,000 Barbeque Nation gift card for ₹900, resulting in a ₹100 saving.

Step 3: Utilize Cashback and Wallet Offers

Digital wallets often provide cashback incentives when purchasing gift cards through their platforms:

• PhonePe: Offers 5-10% cashback on select restaurant gift cards.

• Google Pay: Runs promotions that include cashback on gift card purchases.

Example: Purchasing a ₹500 Zomato gift card via PhonePe could yield a ₹25-50 cashback, effectively reducing the cost of your meal.

Step 4: Leverage Festive and Seasonal Promotions

During festive seasons like Diwali, Christmas, or New Year, many platforms and restaurants offer special promotions on gift cards:

• Zomato: May offer a ₹1,000 gift card for ₹900 during Diwali, along with additional cashback offers.

• Swiggy: Often provides discounted gift cards during major sales events.

Example: During Diwali 2023, Zomato offered a ₹1,000 gift card for ₹900, plus a 10% cashback, effectively bringing the cost down to ₹810.

Step 5: Combine Gift Cards with Existing Offers

Maximize your savings by using gift cards in conjunction with ongoing restaurant promotions:

• Swiggy: If offering a 20% discount on orders over ₹500, paying with a discounted Swiggy gift card amplifies your savings.

Example: An order totaling ₹1,000 with a 20% Swiggy discount reduces the bill to ₹800. Paying with a ₹1,000 gift card purchased at a 5% discount (₹950) means you've saved ₹150 overall.

Step 6: Plan Group Dining with Gift Cards

For group outings, using gift cards can lead to substantial savings:

• Barbeque Nation: If your group's total bill is ₹5,000, using a gift card purchased at a 5% discount saves ₹250.

Example: Purchasing a ₹5,000 Barbeque Nation gift card for ₹4,750 results in immediate savings, especially beneficial for large gatherings.

Step 7: Monitor and Track Your Savings

Keep a record of your gift card purchases and the savings accrued:

• Monthly Tracking: If you spend ₹5,000 monthly on dining and save 10% using gift cards, that's ₹500 saved each month, totaling ₹6,000 annually.

Example: Consistently using discounted gift cards for dining can lead to significant annual savings, allowing you to allocate funds to other expenses or savings goals.

Conclusion

By strategically purchasing and using discounted gift cards, you can enjoy dining out without straining your budget. Platforms like Saverpe.com offer a convenient way to access these savings. Remember to combine gift cards with existing promotions and keep track of your expenditures to maximize benefits. Happy dining and saving