9 Smart Ways To Earn Gift Cards In Your Spare Time

Discover the best ways to earn gift cards online through simple activities like surveys, shopping, and more. Start saving money now!

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by Robert Segrest
Published May 13, 2024
Last Updated Jun 7, 2026
10 min read
9 Smart Ways to Earn Gift Cards in Your Spare Time

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Key Takeaways
  • Gift cards can be earned through reward sites, apps, trade-in platforms, and credit card points, with Idle-Empire offering rewards from over 100 brands.

  • Trading old electronics can turn clutter into rewards, and Gazelle can give a device offer in about 2 minutes after you select the model and condition.

  • PrizeRebel can work for spare-time rewards, with surveys often paying around $0.25 to $1.00 and 500 points usually equaling about $5.

Gift cards are a gift from heaven! If you love free stuff like I do, you’re probably a gift card hunter just like me. And if you’re like me, I’m sure you already know that these gift cards are easily to acquire nowadays.

Unlike years ago, when gift cards were hard to come by, they are now much easier to obtain. In the past, you had to work hard to earn them as rewards, or you might get lucky if someone handed one to you. But now, there are plenty of ways to get gift cards with little effort.

If you’ve ever scrolled through social media, you’ve likely stumbled upon offers for gift cards. Does it seem too good to be true? Well, it’s not! I’m here to share other places where you can get these gift cards.

With the steps and sources I’ll outline below, you can earn gift cards online for popular places like Amazon, eBay, and Google Play. No tricks—just smart ways to earn some free stuff to enjoy at your favorite stores. Let’s get started!

smart ways to earn gift cards in your spare time

1. Getting Started With instaGC

The truth is out there, folks—easy-to-earn dollars in the form of gift cards are waiting just beyond our screens, ready to enhance our shopping experiences without emptying our bank accounts. First on our list are platforms like InstaGC and Idle-Empire. With these platforms, earning sweet rewards is as easy as pie.

InstaGC is a platform where completing simple tasks—like watching videos or taking surveys—earns you points. And what can you do with those points? You can exchange them for gift cards to shop at your favorite stores.

Here’s how you can get your gift cards:



  • Create an account—it’s free.
  • Browse a variety of tasks available to you.
  • Select and complete the task you want to do.
  • Earn points for each task you finish.
  • Redeem those points for gift cards.

Yes, it’s that straightforward!

2. Playing With Idle-Empire

Moving on to another reward platform—Idle-Empire. Imagine a place where playing games, answering surveys, or simply logging in daily fills up your virtual wallet. Earn points that can fetch you anything from Amazon vouchers to gaming subscriptions—all for free.

With more than 500,000 users since 2015, Idle-Empire has gift cards for everything you could imagine from over 100 brands. Their reward center contains gift cards for Amazon, eBay, Spotify, Netflix, Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, iTunes, Google Play, and dozens of other platforms.

earn free gift cards with idle-empire

To kickstart this journey:



  • Create an account on their website; again, no costs are involved here.


  • Try any activity that catches your eye—from gaming quests to tech surveys.


  • Rack up those precious point totals by staying active and engaged.


  • Select the perfect reward once you’ve got enough digits in your point bank.

  • Rinse and repeat.

Surely now seeing “free” next to “gift card” doesn’t seem so far-fetched, huh? By putting in a little effort online through InstaGC and Idle-Empire, everyone can pocket some extra perks.

Whether it be a shopping spree fuel or that much-needed entertainment subscription, get started today and watch those points pile up. As a result, you can have those coveted rewards we all love so much.

3. Earning Points Through Online Surveys

The tasks you do in InstaGC and Idle-Empire involve one of the most common ways to earn gift cards online—surveys. With just a few clicks and answering some simple—yet can be mundane—questions, you can earn points toward gift cards.

First up, Survey Junkie. It’s a goldmine for opinion sharers, feeling akin to striking it rich with every survey completion. Completing surveys here earns you points, which can become free gift cards or even PayPal cash. And if you truly need cash, you might want to try some PayPal games for real money.

It’s as simple as signing up and starting to share your thoughts on everything from new products to advertising campaigns.

4. Trading In Old Electronics For Points

The clutter you’ve been ignoring could actually be a gold mine waiting to reveal its worth. That old phone or tablet gathering dust could help you score some serious rewards in the form of gift cards. The question is, where can you do this? Platforms like Gazelle can help you get an offer in about 2 minutes and receive the quoted payment once the device model and condition are verified.

Here’s how it works:

  • Select your device: Choose the old electronics you want to trade in.

  • Ship it off: Send your device for free.

  • Get rewarded: Earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards.

I’ve done this a few times myself. It can be a bit of a hassle, but the gift cards make it worth the effort! Moreover, this matters because old devices are valuable beyond cash. The EPA says recycling 1 million cell phones can recover 35,000 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, and 33 pounds of palladium. So, trading in old tech can help you earn rewards while keeping useful materials out of waste streams.

By the way, do note that the type of device you can send depends on what’s available in the site’s list. In Gazelle, you’ll be limited to only trading in iPhones, iPads, Samsung, and Google phones.

5. Cashing Out Credit Card Points

And of course, who could forget about credit card points? It’s time to make the most of these points passively accumulating in your card, and redeem them into gift cards.

From Amazon shopping sprees to dining out, check with your credit card provider. This could change the way you view spending money!

6. Installing Apps That Offer Real Gift Cards

Who doesn’t love free stuff, right? Especially when it’s as easy as tapping away on your phone. You can do just that by installing apps that offer real gift cards.

Are these apps genuinely offering real gift cards, or is it just a myth? Can you actually earn gift cards just by using apps? The answer is a big, resounding yes!

From taking surveys to playing games or simply shopping online, there are countless ways to rack up points or cash rewards that you can exchange for gift cards. It’s like turning everyday activities into mini treasure hunts. Here are a few apps to consider:



  • Fetch Rewards: Scan your grocery receipts, and just like that, you’re earning points.
  • Ibotta: This gem is perfect for shoppers. You can earn cash back after shopping at your favorite stores and convert those earnings into gift cards.
  • Rakuten: If online shopping is more your style, Rakuten gives you a percentage of what you spend back in cash and gift card rewards.

Keep in mind that these aren’t one-off deals; they offer regular opportunities to keep earning those sweet digital dollars!

If the app games and platforms aren’t enough for you—don’t worry; we’ve got more avenues explored here: Websites to earn gift cards.

Aside from InstaGC and Idle-Empire, there are other platforms designed specifically with reward hunters in mind—those who wouldn’t mind spending an extra minute or two to snag some cool perks along their daily digital journey.

gift card websites



PrizeRebel is another rewards site where users can earn points from quick tasks, including surveys, offers, and some video-based activities. Those points can be redeemed for PayPal cash, Bitcoin, or gift cards from brands like Amazon, Google Play, Apple iTunes, eBay, Walmart, and Visa. Earnings are small, so treat them as spare-time money.

Surveys from PrizeRebel often pay around $0.25 to $1.00 each, while some offers may pay a few dollars more depending on the task. For example, 500 points usually equals about $5, which is enough for many basic cash-out options.

Social media-savvy folks can leverage platforms like Swagbucks, where even web searches can net some neat benefits. Some can even rack up over 100 freebies from Swagbucks alone.

8. Leveraging Rewards Credit Cards

earning gift cards through shopping

Want to get something for shopping? Yes, we’re talking about earning gift cards through reward programs. Do so with your plastic—not just any plastic, but rewards credit cards. These are not your run-of-the-mill credit cards; they’re your ticket to free gift card town.

Every swipe can earn points convertible into gift cards at your favorite stores or online marketplaces. Imagine your shopping funds growing with every tank of gas and grocery run.

9. Using A Rewards Browser Extension

Installing the rewards browser extension turns your casual online browsing and shopping sessions into opportunities to earn more points. Sites like Swagbucks and Honey offer extensions that make it easier than ever to rack up reward points without breaking a sweat.

Leverage the power of rewards credit cards or install savvy browser extensions for effortless point accumulation during online escapades. So, go ahead and start transforming those mundane errands into thrilling treasure hunts for that next big splurge.

FAQs

Did you find the information above lacking? Well, here are some FAQs that might fill the gaps!

Are free gift card apps legit?

The short answer? Yes, but there’s a catch. Not all apps are created equal. Some are as promising as finding an extra fry at the bottom of your takeout bag—genuinely delightful surprises that deliver on their promises.

Then there are others… Let’s just say they’re about as disappointing as biting into what you thought was chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream only to discover it’s raisin oatmeal instead.

To avoid these less-than-stellar experiences, stick with well-reviewed and widely recognized platforms. They’ve carved out a notable niche by earning a reputation for genuinely compensating folks for straightforward activities, such as uploading pictures of their supermarket bills or making purchases on the web.

What is the fastest way to earn gift cards?

Combine top apps for quicker rewards without extra work. You can also register on the websites and apps of various fast food companies to get gift cards. You can even enjoy some birthday freebies from them as well!

Since you’ll be doing some groceries, why not use receipt scanners and credit card rewards? Or that Chrome extension when you go shopping online?

Utilizing multiple ways and using the mentioned apps can help you earn gift cards fast.

Are there age restrictions for using gift card reward apps?


Yes, most apps require users to be at least 13 years old, while some may have higher age requirements. If you’re below the minimum age, you can always get some help from your parents or siblings.

Of course, do note that there are some platforms that have 18+ content. If you spot them and you’re a minor, be sure to consider another platform instead to get your gift cards.

Conclusion

These days, we can earn gift cards easily! From apps or websites—you name it—we can flip old gadgets into gift cards or turn survey answers into shopping sprees! All while doing our everyday online activities and purchases.

Earning some freebies doesn’t always require extra effort, and we should enjoy it! You don’t need magic tricks or insider secrets because everything required lies within reach—just waiting for you to tap in.

So let’s toast—to smarter spending, savvy saving, and, yes—the sweet victory of legitimately earned gift cards!

Sources

  1. Idle-Empire. (n.d.). Free Rewards. www.idle-empire.com/rewards
  2. Gazelle. (n.d.). How It Works. www.gazelle.com/trade-in
  3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2025). Electronics Donation and Recycling. www.epa.gov/recycle/electronics-donation-and-recycling
  4. The College Investor. (2025). PrizeRebel Review: Earn PayPal Cash And Gift Cards. thecollegeinvestor.com/38879/prizerebel-review/
about the author
Robert Segrest
Rob is a medical professional and blogger. Having been at the bottom and broke with all the time in the world then going to college and accumulating a ton of debt and making $250,000/yr. He's paid off almost $100,000 in loans and credit card debt to now leaving the daily grind behind and getting back the most valuable asset...time!!

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