Restaurant.com has a HOT promotion right now:  you can save 80% on Restaurant.com gift certificates, which means that a $25 gift card to some locations will only be $2!  This promotion is valid through 11/15/11.

Here’s how you can take advantage of this great offer:

1.  Visit Restaurant.com here

2.  Enter your zip code to search for restaurants by location.  Choose a certificate and click on the green “Add to Cart” button.  You can also get a $25 Restaurant.com gift certificate for us at a later date for as low as $2 after the discount!

3.  When you add items to your cart, make sure you enter the promotional code “HAM” in the yellow discount code box at the top of the page.  Complete the check-out process.

DISCLAIMER:  Make sure you read the fine print on the gift certificate options!  They typically have restrictions such as:

-Minimum purchase of X required
-Gratuity added automatically based on pre-discount price
-Valid for dine-in/dinner only

You can also get 35% cash back when you shop through ShopAtHome.com.  If you are new to ShopAtHome.com, you will also get a $5 cash back bonus after your first purchase, which means your gift certificate could be FREE!

To get your 35% cash back, click on the blue “Shop Now” button here–>Restaurant.com 35% cash back

I often get questions asking how this works or if it’s really a good deal.  It is for me.  Here’s an example.  A local restaurant we have been wanting to try has a $25 gift certificate for $20.  The “fine print” says that you have to spend at least $35 and that 18% gratuity is added.  Given thecost of food at this location, we would easily be spending $35 anyway.

Here’s a breakdown on pricing:

Buy $25 Restaurant.com certificate – priced at $20

-$16 (80% off code)

Spend $4 + $10 (because our total would be at least $35) and $6.30 for the 18% gratuity – we’re getting a meal that would have been $41.30 with tip for $20.30.  That’s basically half price!  Sounds like a good deal to me!