Applebee’s Gift Cards: Prices, Where to Buy, Balance Check & Complete 2026 Guide
Trying to figure out where to buy gift cards for Applebee’s, how much they cost, or how to check what’s left on one you already have? You’re in the right place.
Applebee’s gift cards are one of the easiest “safe” gifts you can give, everybody eats, nobody has to guess your size or taste in candles, and the card never expires. But between physical cards, digital eGift cards, third-party retailers, and the occasional bonus-card promotion, there’s more to know than you’d think.
This guide covers real pricing, where to actually buy them (official site vs. grocery store vs. third-party marketplaces), how balance checks work, current bonus offers, and since most people buying a gift card also want to know what it’ll actually get them a full breakdown of Applebee’s menu prices and calories so you know what your money buys.
What Are Applebee’s Gift Cards?
Applebee’s gift cards are prepaid cards, available in physical or digital (eGift) form, that can be used to pay for food and drinks at any Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar location in the U.S. and Canada, or through applebees.com and the Applebee’s mobile app. They never expire, never lose value while sitting in a drawer, and can be purchased in custom amounts either in-restaurant or in fixed increments online.
Applebee’s Gift Card Prices & Denominations
Unlike a lot of restaurant chains that lock you into a few preset amounts, Applebee’s gift cards are fairly flexible depending on where you buy them.
| Purchase Channel | Available Amounts | Format |
|---|---|---|
| In-restaurant | Any custom amount you choose | Physical card |
| Applebees.com (official site) | Preset amounts, typically $25–$200 | Physical or eGift |
| Kroger Gift Cards | $15–$500 | Physical or eGift |
| Giftcards.com | $10–$200 | Physical or eGift |
| Costco | $50 cards sold as a two-pack ($100 total value) | eGift |
| Newegg | $25 and $50 | eGift (email delivery) |
A few things worth noting on pricing:
- There’s no purchase fee. You pay face value a $50 gift card costs $50, unlike some prepaid debit-style gift cards that tack on a processing charge.
- Bulk and corporate orders are available directly through Applebee’s for teams, offices, or holiday gifting, often with volume-based savings.
- Prices, available denominations, and promotions can vary by location and retailer, so it’s worth double-checking the current options before you buy, especially around holidays.
Where to Buy Applebee’s Gift Cards
You have more options than just the restaurant itself. Here’s how the main channels stack up:
| Where to Buy | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Any Applebee’s location | Custom dollar amount, instant physical card | Requires an in-person visit |
| Applebees.com | Multiple card designs, mail or email delivery | Ships within a couple of days for physical cards |
| Grocery store gift card racks (Kroger, etc.) | Convenient if you’re already shopping | Fixed denominations only |
| Costco / Sam’s Club | Often bundled deals (bonus value) | Membership required |
| Giftcards.com / eGifter / Newegg | Instant digital delivery, good for last-minute gifts | Some resellers add a markup on multi-brand bundles |
Buying tip: If you need it today, the eGift card option on applebees.com or a third-party site like eGifter is your fastest route it can be emailed and printed or shown on a phone within minutes. If you want a physical card to hand someone, buying in-restaurant is quicker than waiting on shipping.
Physical vs. Digital Applebee’s Gift Cards
| Feature | Physical Gift Card | Digital eGift Card |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery time | 2+ days if mailed, instant if bought in-restaurant | Instant (email) |
| Customization | Multiple card designs | Multiple e-card designs |
| Redeemable in-restaurant | Yes | Yes (print or show on phone) |
| Redeemable online/app | Yes | Yes |
| Reloadable | No | No |
| Expiration | Never expires | Never expires |
Both formats work identically once redeemed — the only real difference is delivery speed and whether the recipient gets something physical to open.
How to Check Your Applebee’s Gift Card Balance
Before you head in (or place an online order), it’s smart to confirm your balance so there are no surprises at checkout. There are three ways to do it:
- Online: Visit Applebee’s official gift card balance page and enter your card number and PIN.
- By phone: Call the gift card customer service line and follow the automated prompts, or speak with a rep.
- In-restaurant: Ask any staff member to check the balance at the register you can even spend it in the same visit.
If your balance reads “$0” or “card not found,” double-check that you entered the number without spaces, and note that brand-new cards can occasionally take a few hours to activate.
How to Use an Applebee’s Gift Card
Applebee’s gift cards work across every ordering method:
- Dine-in: Hand your card to your server at the end of the meal.
- Carside To Go / takeout: Present the card number when you pay.
- Online or app orders: Enter the 19-digit gift card number and PIN at checkout.
A couple of fine-print details to keep in mind: gift cards cannot be used to buy more gift cards, they’re not reloadable once the balance runs out, and per Applebee’s terms they’re not redeemable for cash unless required by state law. Gratuity can typically be covered using a digital gift card balance as well.
Applebee’s Gift Card Bonus Offers & Deals
Applebee’s regularly runs limited-time bonus-card promotions where buying a gift card gets you free bonus money to spend later. Recent examples have included:
- Spend $50 on a gift card, get a $10 bonus card (seasonal, e.g., Father’s Day)
- Spend $40 online or in the app, get a $10 bonus card
- Holiday flash sales offering two $10 bonus cards for a $50 gift card purchase
Bonus cards typically come with restrictions they usually can’t be redeemed the same day they’re issued, they expire within a set window (often 6–8 weeks), and they’re only valid for specific order types (online-only, in some cases). Always read the terms attached to the specific promotion before counting on the bonus.
Since deals rotate throughout the year, check the official Applebee’s gift cards page for whatever promotion is currently running before you buy.
Applebee’s Gift Card Reviews: What Customers Say
Feedback on Applebee’s gift cards is generally positive, with a few recurring themes:
- Convenience is the most-cited pro — buyers like that cards are available both online and at any location, with no purchase fee.
- Bonus card promotions get called out as good value, especially around holidays.
- The most common complaint isn’t about the gift card itself, but about scam attempts Applebee’s has issued repeated warnings about fraudsters asking people to buy gift cards as payment (see below).
- A smaller number of reviews mention wishing cards were reloadable, since once the balance hits zero, that’s it you’d need to buy a new one.
How to Avoid Applebee’s Gift Card Scams
Applebee’s has published specific fraud warnings worth taking seriously:
- Grandparent scam: Scammers pose as a relative in trouble and ask you to buy gift cards and read them the numbers over the phone.
- Mystery shopper scam: You receive a fake check and are asked to cash it, buy gift cards, and send the codes back the check later bounces.
- Fake “Meal Pass” cards: Applebee’s does not sell or issue a “Meal Pass” card. If you see one advertised, it’s not affiliated with Applebee’s and cannot be redeemed.
- Rule of thumb: no legitimate business, government agency, or family member in a real emergency will ever ask you to pay them in gift cards. If someone does, that’s the scam.
Also See : Applebee’s Happy Hour menu and times
FAQs
Final Thoughts
Applebee’s gift cards are a low-effort, high-flexibility gift — buyable almost anywhere, usable everywhere Applebee’s operates, and backed by a “never expires” policy that beats a lot of other retailers. Whether you’re buying one for a birthday, stocking up during a bonus-card promotion, or just want to check the balance on one sitting in your wallet, the process is straightforward as long as you know where to look. Keep the pricing table and balance-check steps above handy, and you’ll get the most out of every dollar loaded onto your Applebee’s gift cards.