15 Gift Card Deals For Back To School Savings
Back to school isn't one purchase. It's a season of them: books, clothes, supplies, shoes, and a dorm's worth of everything else. The smart move is to buy gift cards to the brands already on their list at a discount, then let them check the list off themselves.
Through August 30, you can save 5% on six back-to-school-essential brands with code B2S2026 at Gift Card Granny, and earn cash back across hundreds more. Here are 15 picks worth stocking up on this season. Limited time: 5% off Barnes & Noble, American Eagle, Gap, TJ Maxx, Office Depot, and DSW with code B2S2026 at checkout. Valid 7/7–8/30/2026.
The 5% Off Picks — Code B2S2026
These six are part of our back-to-school sale. Use code B2S2026 at checkout through August 30.
1. Barnes & Noble
Required reading, study guides, and a few fun reads for the year ahead — a Barnes & Noble gift card covers the books on the list and the ones they'll actually want. Save 5% with code B2S2026.
2. Office Depot
Notebooks, binders, pens, a printer cartridge that always runs out at the worst time — an Office Depot gift card handles the supply list from grade school to grad school. 5% off with B2S2026.
3. American Eagle
First-day fits and everyday basics. An American Eagle gift card lets them pick their own size and style, which beats guessing. Save 5% with code B2S2026.
4. Gap
Layers for the classroom-to-cold-walk-home stretch, in sizes for the whole family. A Gap gift card is an easy back-to-school wardrobe refresh. 5% off with B2S2026.
5. TJ Maxx
The value pick that covers a lot of ground: clothes, shoes, and a surprising amount of dorm and apartment decor. A TJ Maxx gift card stretches a back-to-school budget further. Save 5% with code B2S2026.
6. DSW
Sneakers for gym class, something nicer for everything else, and a fresh pair of cleats when the old ones wear down mid-season. A DSW gift card keeps them in shoes that fit. 5% off with B2S2026.
More Brands to Cover the Whole List
These aren't part of the 5% promo, but you still earn cash back when you buy them at Gift Card Granny — and they cover the rest of the back-to-school season.
7. Target
The one-stop run for dorm setup, supplies, snacks, and the three things they forgot. A Target gift card is the safe bet when you're not sure what they still need.
8. Best Buy
Laptops, chargers, headphones, and the tech that keeps a student running. A Best Buy gift card is a strong pick for a college-bound kid setting up for the year.
9. Walmart
Supplies, clothes, snacks, and dorm staples under one roof, at prices that work for a long list. A Walmart gift card is a dependable everything-they-need option.
10. Nike
For the student who lives in athletic wear or plays a sport, a Nike gift card covers shoes, gear, and the practice essentials that wear out fast.
11. Old Navy
Affordable, in-style basics for younger students and budget-minded shoppers alike. An Old Navy gift card is an easy way to refresh a wardrobe without overspending.
12. Staples
The other go-to for the supply list — notebooks, planners, a backpack, and printer ink. A Staples gift card gets the desk stocked before the first assignment is due.
13. Starbucks
For the high schooler or college student powering through early classes and late study sessions, a Starbucks gift card is a small, genuinely useful gift.
14. Chipotle
A reliable between-classes meal that a student will actually use. A Chipotle gift card is a practical pick for the college crowd living off a meal plan and not much else.
15. Apple
For the AirPods, the iPad, the apps and storage a student leans on all year, an Apple gift card is a flexible tech pick that works across their whole setup.
Want to Make It Personal? Try Build-A-Card
If you'd rather the gift feel like more than a code, Build-A-Card lets you add a photo and a personal message to a gift card — you pick the brand, they handle the list. It's a practical back-to-school gift that still feels like you meant it. (Build-A-Card isn't part of the B2S2026 promo, but it's an easy way to send a student off with something they'll keep.)
So What's the Best Back-to-School Gift Card?
It depends on the student and where they are in the prep list. Books and supplies? Barnes & Noble, Office Depot, or Staples. Clothes and shoes? American Eagle, Gap, TJ Maxx, or DSW. Tech and dorm setup? Best Buy, Target, or Apple. When you're not sure, a superstore like Target or Walmart is a safe bet they'll use.
However you split it, buying through Gift Card Granny means cash back on every purchase — and 5% off the six promo brands with code B2S2026 through August 30. The more students on your list, the more those savings add up.
FAQ
What are the best gift cards for back to school? The most useful back-to-school gift cards cover the actual prep list: Barnes & Noble and Office Depot for books and supplies, American Eagle and Gap for clothes, DSW for shoes, and a superstore like Target for everything else.
How do I save on back-to-school gift cards? Use code B2S2026 at Gift Card Granny for 5% off six BTS-essential brands (Barnes & Noble, American Eagle, Gap, TJ Maxx, Office Depot, and DSW) through August 30, and earn cash back on every gift card purchase across the marketplace.
What gift cards are best for college students? College students tend to use tech, food, and dorm brands most: Best Buy and Apple for tech, Target for the dorm, and Chipotle or Starbucks for the meals and study fuel.
Can I send a back-to-school gift card instantly? Yes. Gift Card Granny offers digital gift cards you can send by text or email in seconds, which is ideal for a last-minute send before the first day.
What's the most personal way to give a back-to-school gift card? Build-A-Card lets you add a photo and message to a gift card so it feels personal — you choose the brand, and they shop for what they need.