Got a stack of gift cards from the holidays? Perfect timing. January is basically a gift card goldmine if you know where to shop. Winter clearance sales are happening right now, and when you stack gift cards with cash back offers, you’re essentially getting paid to shop with money that was already free.
Let’s turn those plastic rectangles into serious savings.
Amazon Gift Cards: Everything Under One Roof
Amazon gift cards are the Swiss Army knife of gift cards. Whatever you need is likely available, and items are currently on clearance, especially post-holiday.
Smart buys for your Amazon gift card:
Tech accessories are getting slashed hard. Wireless earbuds, phone cases, charging cables, and smart home gadgets all hit rock-bottom prices in January. Retailers dump last year’s inventory before new models drop in spring.
Home and kitchen stuff are everywhere. Storage containers, small appliances, bedding, and organizational tools are prime January territory. Everyone’s in declutter mode, so Amazon prices these items to move.
Beauty products deserve attention, too. Skincare, hair tools, makeup, and personal care items often cost less in January. Use Subscribe & Save for automatic discounts and stretch that gift card even further.
The bonus move: Shop Amazon through RebatesMe and earn up to 20% cash back on select deals (1% on regular items). Your gift card pays for everything, but you still get cash back. It’s free money on top of free money.
Walmart Gift Cards: Clearance Paradise
Walmart goes absolutely wild with January clearance. If you have a Walmart gift card, you’re about to become very popular with yourself.
Where Walmart gift cards hit hardest:
Organization products are marked down like crazy. Bins, baskets, drawer dividers, closet systems… all on sale because everyone wants to start the year fresh and clutter-free.
Winter clothing clearance is borderline absurd. Coats, sweaters, boots, and scarves are 50-70% off. Buy your cold-weather gear for next year at a fraction of the price.
Beauty and wellness aisles are fully stocked with great drugstore brands. Load up on makeup, skincare, and vitamins while using your gift card.
Pro tip: Shop Walmart online through RebatesMe and earn 7% cash back. Your gift card covers the purchase, you earn cash back, and you can stack Walmart+ benefits for even more savings. Triple win.
Sephora Gift Cards: Beauty Lover’s Dream
Sephora gift cards in January? Chef’s kiss. The winter sale is live, and beauty sets are priced to actually make sense.
Best Sephora gift card moves:
Skincare sets are where it’s at. Brands bundle products into discovery sets or value kits during January. You get way more for your money than buying items separately.
Makeup staples rarely go on sale at Sephora, but January brings percentage-off promotions. Use your gift card on foundations, concealers, and everyday products you’d buy anyway.
Hair tools from premium brands occasionally see promotions in January. If you’ve been eyeing a high-end hair dryer or styling tool, now’s the time.
Cash back hack: Shop Sephora through RebatesMe to earn 10% cash back (first order up to $100) or 4% cash back on larger orders. Stack that with sale prices, and your gift card is working overtime.
Visa and Mastercard Gift Cards: Freedom with Benefits
Prepaid Visa and Mastercard gift cards work everywhere, which means you get to cherry-pick the best deals across multiple retailers. Here’s where to hit up right now.
Top spots for prepaid gift cards (with cash back):
Macy’s is running massive winter clearance on clothing, home goods, and bedding. Use your prepaid card here and earn up to 15% cash back (first order up to $100) or 9% on larger purchases. The January white sales alone are worth the trip.
Home Depot accepts prepaid cards and offers cash back on home improvement purchases. January is prime time to stock up on tools, paint, and organizational supplies before the spring project season begins. Earn 2% cash back while stocking up.
eBay takes prepaid gift cards for literally everything. Tech, collectibles, home goods, fashion… if it exists, it’s on eBay. Shop through RebatesMe for up to 1.2% cash back on both new and pre-owned items. Winter deals on eBay are slept on, but seriously good.
Belk welcomes Visa and Mastercard gift cards online and in stores. The Southern department store runs deep winter clearance on clothing, shoes, and home goods. Shop through RebatesMe to earn 12% cash back while scoring deals on quality brands.
Adidas processes prepaid cards for athletic wear and sneakers. The winter sale cuts prices on performance gear and lifestyle shoes. Earn variable cash back (typically 2-8%, depending on items) while refreshing your workout wardrobe with a gift card.
Ulta Beauty accepts prepaid gift cards for both drugstore and prestige beauty brands. January promotions include point multipliers plus up to 6% cash back through RebatesMe (first order up to $100) or 2% on larger orders when you shop online.
The Cash Back Stacking Secret
This is where gift cards become actual magic. You can use gift cards AND earn cash back simultaneously. It sounds too good to be true, but it’s completely legit.
Here’s how it works:
Shop through RebatesMe using a gift card as payment. The retailer still pays cash back based on your purchase total. Your gift card covers the cost (you pay nothing), and RebatesMe still credits your account with cash back.
Real example: You have a $100 Walmart gift card. Shop at Walmart through RebatesMe and purchase $100 in items. Your gift card gets charged $100. RebatesMe credits you with 7% cash back ($7) within days. You just earned $7 while spending someone else’s money.
Stack even more savings:
Store rewards programs work with gift cards. Walmart+ benefits, Sephora Beauty Insider, and Ulta Rewards all let you earn points when paying with gift cards. You’re building future discounts while spending current gift cards.
Coupons can reduce totals before applying gift cards. Digital or paper coupons lower the purchase amount, so your gift card covers less and lasts longer.
Winter Clearance Timing Matters
January clearance happens in waves. Timing makes the difference between good deals and insane deals.
Early January: Winter clothing and December overstock hit 30-50% off. Solid deals if you need stuff immediately.
Mid to late January: Markdowns deepen to 50-70% as retailers desperately clear space for spring inventory. Peak gift card season is when your money stretches furthest.
Early February: Winter clearance bottoms out at 70-90% off, but selection is slim pickings. Only works if you’re flexible on sizes and colors.
Smart move: Shop online with gift cards during clearance. Websites have better stock than physical stores, and you can quickly compare retailers. Additionally, cash back only applies when shopping online through RebatesMe.
Make Those Gift Cards Work Harder
Gift cards are free money, but smart timing turns them into ridiculous value. Winter sales are underway, with inventory deep and prices low.
Combining gift cards with cash back creates a multiplier effect. You’re using gift money, earning cash back, and buying clearance items. That’s triple savings without touching your own wallet.
The retailers covered here all accept gift cards and offer cash back through RebatesMe. Shop their winter sales now before the best items disappear.
Your gift cards won’t appreciate in value if they sit around. Use them strategically during January clearance, stack them with cash back offers, and watch your purchasing power explode. The deals are live right now, and your gift cards are the golden ticket.
Fine Print: Cash back rates are accurate as of December 30, 2025, and are subject to change. Rates fluctuate based on promotions, merchant agreements, and seasonal offers. Always check current rates on RebatesMe.com before making a purchase to ensure you receive the advertised cash back percentage.
