Father’s Day is just a few weeks away and with all the new movies out in theaters, what better way to let dad know you care than to give him the gift of entertainment?   And with movie ticket prices so high, who wouldn’t love to get a discount?

Movie fans can save some serious cash with discounted movie theater gift cards on Plastic Jungle. Check our stock of discounted Fandango Gift Cards, discounted AMC Theatres Gift Cards, discounted Loew’s Cineplex Gift Cards, and discounted Regal Cinema Gift Cards (which also cover United Artists Theatres and Edwards Cinemas), discounted Cinema De Lux Gift Cards and discounted Landmark Theatres Gift Cards.

Save even more on those summer blockbuster movies by checking out the movie chain theaters’ rewards programs. For example, AMC operates a MovieWatcher Rewards program (separate from gift cards) that offers incentives and discounts for going to the movies. To get movie times and tickets at an AMC Theatre near you, use the AMC Theatres zip code locator.

Check the Balance on Your AMC Theatres Gift Card

Right now, AMC Theatres doesn’t offer an electronic gift card option (no eCODEs from AMC Theatres). For more on the terms and conditions for AMC Theatres Gift Cards visit the AMC Theatres Gift Card page. You can check your gift card balance via:

Online: Here’s a link to check the balance on your AMC Theatres Gift Card,

Mobile Phone: Just text “AMC” and the 19-digit number on your AMC Theatres Gift Card to VALUE (82583) to have your balance information sent to your cell phone.

At the AMC Theatre: Find one near you using the AMC Theatres zip code locator

Sell or Trade Your Gift Card

Once you know your balance, you can safely sell or trade your gift card securely on Plastic Jungle. At Plastic Jungle, you can trade any unused gift card for cash, or trade it for an Amazon.com Gift Card, or use it to donate the funds to charity (Gift Cards for Good—look for the green ribbon at checkout), or even fund a PayPal account.

To know how much your gift card is worth in exchange on Plastic Jungle, on the main page, click “Sell Gift Cards” at the top of the page. Look up the store and enter the gift card balance you’ve just acquired. You’ll see instantly what your gift card balance is worth in cash or trade.

Check other Plastic Jungle blog posts for the same “Check Your Gift Card Balance” information for other stores, including Sears, Land’s End, Macy’s, Best Buy, Lowe’s, and more.

Today’s retail climate gives us plenty of ways to spend money, but many of us consider saving to be a chore. It’s a shame, because with the smallest amount of effort, saving up to 35% can be had when you purchase discounted gift cards on Plastic Jungle.

If you’re a hard-core, never-pay-retail shopper, you’ll start with the discounted gift card from Plastic Jungle, then you’ll double- or even triple-dip into easily found coupons and promo codes.

The key to turning that small-ish percentage off into significant outlet-clearance variety prices is combining the gift card (means of payment) with existing sales and promotions (entered at checkout).

We’ve got a story about a Jungler who saved more than $500 on a personal big home improvement project – window coverings (not cheap!) — already posted on the Plastic Jungle blog. The post details how Marcy, a Jungle fan, purchased discounted Home Depot gift cards, added that to a rebate and in-store sale, and came up with huge savings.

Do It Now – Two Examples of Double-Dip Savings

Save on Omaha Steaks

1)      Purchase a discounted Omaha Steaks eCODE (electronic gift card)  on Plastic Jungle >>>

2)      Go to www.Savings.com or www.RetailMeNot.com (or Google “Omaha Steaks Deals” to find other coupon sites). Click through the coupon link of your choice. This sets up the promo code which will be applied at checkout. Right now, looks like the best deal is to choose an Overstock Bargain, which could give you up to 60% off (on STEAK!).

3)      At checkout, use your already discounted Omaha Steaks eCODE (at time of writing worth up to a 17% discount).

4)      Start counting the money you’ve saved by DOUBLE-DIPPING: Steak at up to 77% off.

Save at JC Penney or JCP.com

1)      Purchase a discounted JC Penney Gift Card or JC Penney eCODE on Plastic Jungle >>>

2)      Go to www.Savings.com where you’ll find all kinds of coupon codes. Find one that suits your needs. Let’s say today it’s “10% off, sitewide” (code=SAVE10), or for in-store value, go to http://printable-coupons.blogspot.com/2005/11/jc-penney-coupons.html (I just Googled “printable JCPenney coupons”), where you’ll find a printable coupon for $10 discount on $50, $15 discount on $75 and $20 discount on purchases of $100 or more.

3)      Check out the JCP.com outlet and clearance racks for already discounted merchandise. (ie: Landing page patio sale has items up to 60% off.) This could be your triple-dip!

4)      At checkout, use your coupon or promo code (online) and pay with your discounted JC Penney Gift Card or, online, your discounted JC Penney eCODE (at time of writing worth up to 14% off). Also look for free shipping coupons or links.

5)      Your savings could be up to 33-80% of regular retail prices, depending on the deal you choose.

Plastic Jungle gives you bottom-line savings, and with minimum effort, you can compound those savings by double-dipping with a quick “–deals” or “–coupons” search in your favorite search engine.

Happy (Discount) Shopping from all of us deal mavens at Plastic Jungle!

Wait! Before you run off to the beach for Memorial Day 2011, remember that Memorial Day is a remembrance day for US soldiers who have served in combat. We honor those who have fought for us.

Now, try your luck at a giveaway or a sweepstakes to help your wallet bounce back from vacation leakage. We here at PJ want you to get the most from your time on the Internet, so most of these are very easy to enter, and pay off with something great.

Do you need funds right now? If you have an unused gift card floating around your house, you can Sell or Swap your gift card at Plastic Jungle to get cash, an Amazon.com Gift Card, or even fund a PayPal account. Some payout options are instantaneous. Check out our Gift Card Seller Learning Center for details and ideas.

*Almost* Free!

Trying to feed a large group? Dying to get a night out even just on your own? Restaurant.com has a new 80% off code: just enter the promo code FLAG at checkout on the site when you buy your Restaurant.com gift card on their site. You can get a $25 gift card, normally for $10 or $15 (depending on restaurant) on the site, but when you use the promo code, you’ll pay only $2 or $3 each. What a deal!

Giveaways & Sweepstakes Open Now

TripAdvisor & Couples Resorts Romantic Escapes Sweepstakes – You’re limited to entering this one only five times (per person or email address), but get your S/O to enter too, because the prize is a trip for two to the winner’s choice of Couples Tower Isle, Couples Sans Souci, Couples Negril or Couples Swept Away resort. The prize package consists of roundtrip airfare for two, six nights’ stay including unlimited meals and beverages, resort gratuities and taxes, and unlimited use of resort sporting equipment. See the Couples Resorts Sweepstakes official rules for details; sweepstakes ends June 1, 2011.

Win 1 of 10 Spa Vacations from Self magazine – See the slideshow of your Free Spa Vacation options on the Self.com website, which include the Seagate Hotel & Spa in Delray Beach, Florida, a Total-Body Makeover at The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge in Malibu, California, a scenic stay at the Springs Eternal Spa at the historic Omni Bedford Springs Resort, in Bedford, Pennsylvania, and much more. See Self’s Official Sweepstakes Rules for details; spa giveaway ends June 15, 2011.

What Cost What School’s Out $150 Amazon.com Gift Card Giveaway – Just share your summer plans with What Cost What on Facebook, and you could win a $150 Amazon.com Gift Card. Gift Card giveaway ends June 1, 2011; see What Cost What giveaway official rules for details.

Scotts Let’s Go Outside Sweepstakes – For every “Like” on Facebook, Scotts Lawn Care Products will donate $1 to a local pet charity. Once you’ve liked Scott’s, sign in and you’ll be entered to win a $500 Gift Card. For details, see Scotts Let’s Go Outside Sweepstakes Official Rules. There are two entry periods: the first ends on May 31, 2011, the next entry period begins on June 1, 2011 and runs through August 3, 2011.

Are you using Gift Cards for your Memorial Day plans? Let us know how they come in handy for you, and we’ll highlight you on the blog! Just leave us a comment with how Gift Cards played a part in your Memorial Day weekend 2011.

That’s all for this week. Enjoy the long weekend!

If you’ve been to Freeport, Maine, you know. While late adds Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s are superstores for the sporting life, 99-year-old institution L.L. Bean is the granddaddy of all superstores and beyond compare. If you like to hike, swim, fish, go to school, hit the slopes, sled the hills, fish the streams, canoe the Boundary, pack the pack, dig the shore, head to the cabin, sail the waves, camp the national parks… well, L.L. Bean should already be a part of your life.

Back in 1912, Mr. Bean’s mail-order catalog became well-known when he started marketing hunting wares to out-of-staters who came in for the season. His catalog’s highlight was the “Bean Boot”, or Maine Hunting Shoe, and the boot remains a staple of the company’s outdoor image and remains trendy today.

The original retail store, located at L.L. Bean’s HQ in Freeport, was known as the “outlet” — which now carries a different connotation for most shoppers — and now is a bit of a Mecca for all kinds of shoppers from all over the world. The store brought so many people to town that the area became home to 100s of retail outlets; you can find information and coupons for the latest slew of stores at FreeportUSA.com, the official site of the merchants’ association.

Today, the L.L. Bean flagship store is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. With its “campus” layout, it might be worth a devoting a day of shopping, as you visit different departments in separate buildings. As always, you can count on their quality customer service, free returns, 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, and now, free shipping on any order, no matter the amount you spend.

For trivia buffs, I propose a bonus question: What is the full name of L.L. Bean, the store’s founder? See the * below for your answer!

With L.L. Bean, you can send or purchase Gift Cards two ways: via mail (5-8 working days for delivery) or via email (2-4 hours for delivery). Check the L.L. Bean Gift Card page for the latest terms and conditions on the cards.

Get discounted L.L. Bean Gift Cards or L.L. Bean eCODEs on Plastic Jungle (up to 11% off at time of writing)  >>>

Check the Balance on Your L.L. Bean Gift Card or L.L. Bean Email Gift Card

Online: Go to L.L. Bean’s Gift Card Check Balance page. If you have an involved question, you could email L.L. Bean Customer Service.

Phone: Call L.L. Bean Customer Service: 800-­441-5713 or click the “Call Me” button on any of L.L. Bean’s website pages.

Want to Find an L.L. Bean Store? Check out the L.L. Bean Retail Store and Outlet Locator online.

Want a Current L.L. Bean Catalog? There are multiple catalogs to choose from: Men’s, Women’s, Kids’, L.L. Bean Hunting, L.L. Bean Fishing, L.L. Bean Gear & Clothing, L.L. Bean Home and more — check the current L.L. Bean Catalog selection online.

Sell Your Gift Card

Once you know your balance, you can sell or trade your gift card securely on Plastic Jungle. At Plastic Jungle, you can trade any unused gift card for cash, or trade it for an Amazon.com Gift Card, or use it to donate the funds to charity (Gift Cards for Good—look for the green ribbon at checkout), or even fund a PayPal account.

To know how much your gift card is worth in exchange on Plastic Jungle, on the main page, click “Sell Gift Cards” at the top of the page. Look up the store and enter the gift card balance you’ve just acquired. You’ll see instantly what your gift card balance is worth in cash or trade.

Check other Plastic Jungle blog posts for the same “Check Your Gift Card Balance” information for other stores, including Sears, Land’s End, Macy’s, Best Buy, Lowe’s, and more.

*Trivia Answer: Leon Leonwood Bean

If you’re looking for a gift that will cover just about any restaurant whim of the recipient, you might want to check into Darden Restaurants Gift Cards. Darden Restaurants Gift Cards can be redeemed at any Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52, or any other Darden restaurant in the US.

So, you can use an Olive Garden Gift Card at any Olive Garden restaurant, or any of the above-mentioned restaurants. They are interchangeable.

With graduation coming up, restaurant gift cards make a great gift, or a great way to send out the group for a meal after the graduation ceremony as a treat on you. There are over 1,700 Darden restaurants across the US, and the Olive Garden has over 650 locations around America. Check the online Olive Garden restaurant locator to find one near you.

Looking for a discounted Darden Restaurant Gift Card?

Darden Restaurants-branded Gift Cards  >> |   Olive Garden Gift Cards  >> |   Red Lobster Gift Cards  >> |   LongHorn Steakhouse Gift Cards  >> |  Bahama Breeze Gift Cards  >> |   Seasons 52 Gift Cards  >>

Remember, if your desired Darden Restaurant Gift Card is not available, you can purchase one from another Darden Restaurant and use it interchangeably. Note that Canadian and US Olive Garden gift cards are not interchangeable. At present, the Olive Garden and Darden Restaurants do not offer eGift Cards. For the latest on terms and conditions on Darden Restaurant Gift Cards, see their Gift Card FAQ page, or call their Gift Card Customer Service number: 800-642-7336, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern.

Check the Balance on Your Olive Garden Gift Card or Olive Garden eGift Cards

Online: Check the balance on your Olive Garden Gift Card online.

Phone: Call 877-230-4120

In Person: Go to any Darden Restaurant (Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52) and ask the host to help you. Find any Darden Restaurant.

Sell Your Gift Card

Once you know your balance, you can sell or trade your gift card securely on Plastic Jungle. At Plastic Jungle, you can trade any unused gift card for cash, or an Amazon.com Gift Card, or use it to donate the funds to charity (Gift Cards for Good—look for the green ribbon at checkout), or even fund a PayPal account.

To know how much your gift card is worth in exchange on Plastic Jungle, on the main page, click “Sell Gift Cards” at the top of the page. Look up the store and enter the gift card balance you’ve just acquired. You’ll see instantly what your gift card balance is worth in cash or trade.

Check other Plastic Jungle blog posts for the same “Check Your Gift Card Balance” information for other stores, including Sears, Land’s End, Macy’s, Best Buy, Lowe’s, and more.

The PJ 10

What were we buying in March? Well, there weren’t any spectaular retail “events” that drove us to specialty stores, so as expected the top three gift card sellers were big box chains offering groceries and fishing supplies and everything in-between. Spring was a bit late late this year, so clearly we were driven to hot, caffeinated coffee, putting Starbucks into our Top 10 Gift Cards in March. And iTunes, with the diversity of media on offer these days, from music to books to TV and movies, proves it’s a great gift card to give and get.

Honorable mentions from March? JC Penney, Pottery Barn, Cabela’s, Barnes & Noble, and Nordstrom.

Salivating over the potential savings at a favorite store? If you’re ready to ditch your unused gift card and trade up to one of the favorites, you can safely and securely SELL or EXCHANGE your gift card on Plastic Jungle, with many different payout and trade options, including an Amazon.com Gift Card, Facebook credits and Paypal account funding.

Top 10 Gift Cards in March, 2011

10 SEARS

Purchase discount Sears Gift Cards on Plastic Jungle, currently at up to 9% OFF.

9 KOHL’S

Purchase discount Kohl’s Gift Cards on Plastic Jungle, currently at up to 14% OFF.

8 STARBUCKS

Purchase discount Starbucks Gift Cards on Plastic Jungle — when they come into stock. Set an Alert Now.

7 MACY’S

Purchase discount Macy’s Gift Cards on Plastic Jungle — when they come into stock. Set an Alert Now.

6 BEST BUY

Purchase discount Best Buy Gift Cards on Plastic Jungle, currently at up to 5% OFF.

5 LOWE’S

Purchase discount Lowe’s Gift Cards on Plastic Jungle, currently at up to 7% OFF.

4 iTUNES

Purchase discount iTunes Gift Cards on Plastic Jungle, currently at up to 7% OFF.

3 TARGET

Purchase discount Target Gift Cards on Plastic Jungle, currently at up to 5% OFF.

2 HOME DEPOT

Purchase discount Home Depot Gift Cards on Plastic Jungle, currently at up to 7% OFF.

1 WALMART

Purchase discount Walmart Gift Cards on Plastic Jungle — when they become available. Set an Alert Now.

What’s your favorite gift card of the moment? Something to get ready for spring — sporting goods or travel? Let us know in the comments below.

Rain and snow are behind us (we hope) and it’s time to open up the house, get up to the cabin, and get going on home improvement projects.

What’s on sale at the home improvement stores? If you want to be the first to know about any home improvement promotion, get on the store’s email sale alerts list to receive notifications regularly. Lowe’s has an everyday low price guarantee. Go ahead and “Like” Home Depot on Facebook, and get privy to Friday sales from 50-70% off. Follow @SearsDeals on Twitter, and big-discount flash sales at Sears (think Kenmore appliances and paint and Craftsman tools) are at your fingertips.

On Plastic Jungle, you can set a discounted gift card email notification alert to be emailed as soon as any discount gift card becomes available at the discount you’re looking for.

Click through now to see the percentage off you’ll save on:

Discount Lowe’s Gift Cards |  Discount Home Depot Gift Cards |  Discount Ace Hardware Gift Cards |  Discount Bed, Bath & Beyond Gift Cards |  Discount Restoration Hardware Gift Cards |  Discount Pottery Barn Gift Cards |  Discount Target Gift Cards |  Discount Sears Gift Cards

Angling for Home Improvement Sales

Have you ever thought of Amazon.com for Appliances or Equipment? If not, the Amazon.com Home Improvement and Tools page, flush with thousands of searchable listings, will be an eye-opener. Dishwashers to pressure washers, kitchen fixtures to light fixtures, hardware, storage, even lawn mowers are called up at a great price in a flash. You could actually turn a gift card you’re not using — could even be a chain restaurant gift card — into an Amazon.com Gift Card by exchanging it on Plastic Jungle.

Think about “double-dipping” – that is, buying a gift card at a discount at Plastic Jungle, then purchasing at a sale price or using a rebate. (And maybe even add free shipping for a deal-lover’s trifecta!) You get the deal with the sale price, AND you’ve got an additional deal in your hand with the discounted gift card. For the deal-lover’s trifecta, add a free shipping coupon or promo code to keep costs down.

Do-It-Yourself, Whatever It Is!

Homeowners regularly attempt their own landscaping, painting, and decorating. But installing a toilet? Making your home more secure? Patching drywall? These and hundreds of other projects are detailed, some with video, on Lowe’s Video & Project Center, and at the Home Depot Home Improvement Clubs.

Another source for how-to do it is TV, of course. You can search the archives of HGTV, or the DIY network for ideas, tips, and video to get the job done.

What’s on your home improvement slate? A new entertainment center? Painting the house, inside and out? Creating an outdoor living space to enjoy your new landscape? Let us know in your comments!

And so goes another month… bring on those May flowers already! Plenty for you to win today, including a trip for two to Tahiti WITH spending money, a fantastic Beauty and a just-in-time fashion giveaway, plus a huge tip on how to be the first one to scoop up the discounted gift card of your choice.

Win $200 in Flowers from 1-800 Flowers – It may not be just in time for Mothers Day, but enter to win $200 in May flowers in celebration of Mother’s Day. Win two Enchanting Tulips Bouquets (vase included) from 1-800-Flowers.com – one for you & one for the recipient of your choice (each valued at $99.99). Click here to see the Enchanting Tulip Bouquet from 1-800 Flowers. To enter, join Coupon Mountain on Facebook, or browse the 1-800 -Flowers deals page & website and answer the following questions in the comments section of the blog post/entry page: In your opinion, what 1-800-Flowers bouquet is the perfect Mother’s Day gift? Everyone who comments will be placed into a random drawing. The contest will end on May 4, 2011; see contest rules on the entry page.

Check Plastic Jungle for discounted 1-800 Flowers Gift Cards now   >>>

Bloomingdale’s Back to Basics Sweepstakes – Have you checked into Bloomingdale’s lately? Here’s your last chance to enter their giveaway, which includes 10 perfectly chosen wardrobe basics from Diane von Furstenburg, James Perse, Citizens of Humanity and more, in your size (worth about $1,600) to get you outfitted. Or click on the Bloomingdale’s SALE banner also on the home page, to get the latest in Women’s, Men’s, Children’s, and more goods on sale (and with a discounted Bloomie’s Gift Card from Plastic Jungle, you’ll increase your savings). Sweepstakes ends May 1, 2011; check the Bloomingdale’s sweepstakes rules for details.

Get a discounted Bloomingdale’s Gift Card now   >>>

Chicken of the Sea Funniest Kids’ Quotes Contest – Win big for the family. Log into Facebook, and look up Chicken of the Sea (or use our link, above). Write up that funny quote from your kids that you repeat to friends making them howl with laughter, because  Chicken of the Sea is giving away a trip to a Disney park for the winning quote, plus runners-up will get $1,000 and $500 respectively. Even better, every Friday during the contest features a random drawing for a Chicken of the Sea prize pack. To enter, submit your short essay on the Facebook entry page of the funny comment or question by June 6 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. Starting June 7 at 9 a.m. PDT, get ready to tell all your friends to vote for your funny story once a day because the entries with the most votes will win! Voting ends June 28, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. See Funniest Kids’ Quotes Contest official rules for details.

Get Chicken of the Sea with a discounted Target or discounted Walmart Gift Card now   >>>

Win $300 of Bobbi Brown Makeup – Just let Bobbi Brown in on your beauty secret and you could be chosen (randomly) as one of five winners of a $300+ Bobbi Brown prize pack: Bobbi’s Best Sellers Beauty Kit. Contest ends May 14, 2011; see contest rules for details.

WAIT There are more Bobbi Brown Giveaways — On Tuesday, May 3, 2011, between 12:01 AM to 11:59 PM EST, you could WIN Bobbi’s Secret Gift Bag in a Tweetstakes. Follow @AskBobbiBrown on Twitter and tweet a response to the prompt with the hashtag #BobbisSecret. Four winners will be chosen at random; check the contest rules for details.

Save on Bobbi Brown with a discounted Macy’s or discounted Nordstrom Gift Card now   >>>

Win a Trip to the Billabong Pro in Tahiti – You may not surf, but you may be looking for a free getaway or free honeymoon in Tahiti, or what the heck, both! Here’s your chance. There are FIVE of the grand prizes to be given away: a trip for TWO to Tahiti (to see the Billabong Pro surfing contest) plus $750 spending money. And just for good measure, the folks at Monster Energy drink are also sponsoring 100 of the 1^st Prizes: a cool Billabong backpack. Sweepstakes ends June 30, 2011; see the Monster Energy giveaway’s official rules on the entry page for details.

Get to Tahiti or plan your honeymoon without winning: Get a discounted American Airlines, discounted US Airways, discounted United Airlines, or discounted Southwest Airlines Gift Card now   >>>

DID YOU KNOW?

Set up a free account with Plastic Jungle (no financial account information required), and then you can set up email notifications for your favorite restaurants or merchants: you’ll be emailed when discounted gift cards or eCODEs from any one of our over 400 merchants come into stock on the site. So, even if there are no discounted United Airlines gift cards available right now, as soon as they come in, you’ll be the first to know!

Enjoy this last weekend of Spring showers and let’s welcome May in with a win! Good luck, and don’t forget to tell us what your favorite sweepstakes are. Perhaps I can respond with more giveaways in your interests.

We are a coffee nation, and Starbucks has over 21 million fans on Facebook to prove it! Founded in Seattle, the chain’s cool sensibilities and consistency in quality have invaded the smallest towns and the largest cities. In the summer it’s Starbucks Frappucinos and Trenta Iced Lattes; in the winter, it’s minty Hot Chocolate and fantastic Chai Lattes.

Starbucks can become a friendly habit. In case you’re looking to save some cash, don’t hesitate to purchase discounted Starbucks Gift Cards here on Plastic Jungle, because while they might give a taste away once in a while, there’s rarely a sale at Starbucks. To be the first to know when new, discounted Starbucks Gift Cards come into stock on Plastic Jungle, make sure to set a Starbucks email alert.

You should know that the new “My Starbucks Rewards” program is very versatile and customizable. You can set the card to reload with an auto-payment option, and collect “stars” toward Gold membership and free drinks. This program will replace the Starbucks Gold program and Starbucks Card Reward program.

For the latest details on the Starbucks Gift Card, Starbucks Card eGifts, and My Starbucks Rewards, check out the Starbucks Gift Card FAQ page.

For Starbucks events and promotions, be sure to follow Starbucks on Twitter, and be one of the 21 million to Like Starbucks on Facebook.

If you’re interested in purchasing Starbucks coffee online, check out the Starbucks Store.

And don’t be silly. If you have an idea for Starbucks, make sure to visit Starbucks’ dedicated site, My Starbucks Idea, where your idea is published and voted on.

To help you create your own Starbucks Signature drink and show you the options you have, the build-your-beverage experience at MyStarbucksSignature.com worth your time.

Check the Balance on Your Starbucks Gift Card

Online: Check your Starbucks Gift Card balance online.  All you’ll need is the card’s 16-digit number and its CSC (Card Security Code), which is an 8-digit number that can be found under the scratch-off coating on the back of your card.

In-Store: Find a Starbucks near you using the Starbucks Store Locator.

Sell Your Gift Card

Once you know your balance, you can sell or trade your gift card securely on Plastic Jungle. At Plastic Jungle, you can trade any unused gift card for cash, or an Amazon.com Gift Card, or use it to donate the funds to charity (Gift Cards for Good—look for the green ribbon at checkout), or even fund a PayPal account.

To know how much your gift card is worth in exchange on Plastic Jungle, on the main page, click “Sell Gift Cards” at the top of the page. Look up the store and enter the gift card balance you’ve just acquired. You’ll see instantly what your gift card balance is worth in cash or trade.

Check other Plastic Jungle blog posts for the same “Check Your Gift Card Balance” information for other stores, including Sears, Land’s End, Macy’s, Best Buy, Lowe’s, and more.

Let Plastic Jungle help make this Mother’s Day even better with an extra $50 to spend!

Be logged into Facebook, and enter to win Plastic Jungle’s Mother’s Day Gift Card Sweepstakes now  >>>

Plastic Jungle is giving away a $50 Gift Card each day, through May 8th, 2011, to deserving moms who simply follow the link and register for the Mother’s Day Sweepstakes.

There is one question moms will have to answer, though: What Kind of Mom Are You? Whether you are a DIY Mom, or a Sporty, Stylish, Foodie or Starlet mother, Plastic Jungle has a discounted gift card just for you!

Do-It-Yourself Mom — You enjoy making it happen. You’re talented at finding the lost item, fixing the broken toy, doing up the veggie garden, and keeping it real. Your favorite discounted gift cards on Plastic Jungle are:

Lowe’s >>> |   Home Depot >>> |   J Jill >>> |   Omaha Steaks >>> |   Lands’ End >>>

Sporty Mom — Nothing wrong with a little challenge! You are talented in many areas, including leading kids in a pick-up game on the yard, knowing where the best hikes are, and fixing perfectly balanced meals. Your favorite discounted gift cards on Plastic Jungle are:

Jamba Juice >>> |   Orvis >>> |   Columbia Sportswear >>> |   LL Bean >>> |   Bed, Bath & Beyond >>>

Stylish Mom – You have a natural brilliance and are usually a fashionable step ahead of everyone else. You’ve got an outfit in your style for every occasion, from PTA meetings to Board meetings and even Soccer on Saturday. Your favorite discounted gift cards on Plastic Jungle are:

H&M >>> |   Nordstrom >>> |   Kohl’s >>> |   bebe >>> |   Ann Taylor >>>

Foodie Mom — Confidence in the kitchen, or anywhere, comes naturally for you. Nothing matters more than good nutrition, which you manage for your family and friends whether you eat in or dine out, and even in those pesky lunch boxes. Your favorite discounted gift cards on Plastic Jungle are:

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf >>> |   Baja Fresh >>> |   Legal Sea Foods >>> |   Crate and Barrel >>>

Starlet Mom — You might be emotional, but it’s all about the story for you: you can’t help but show pride at your daughter’s game-winning goal, jump for joy when you reserve at Disneyland, cry your heart out when your little guy gets his heart broken by a fellow kindergartner. Your favorite discounted gift cards on Plastic Jungle are:

Chico’s >>> |   BabyGap, Gap Kids >>> |   AMC Theatres >>> |   Buca di Beppo >>> | Barnes & Noble >>>

Giveaway ends May 8, 2011 (that would be Mother’s Day!!); check the Plastic Jungle Mother’s Day Sweepstakes official rules for details. Winners will be announced daily at facebook.com/plasticjungle.

What gift card will YOU choose, if you are chosen to win?! Let us know and tell your friends!

Good Luck! Have a Happy Mother’s Day!