Make the most of your stimulus check: Stores that offer stimulus check bonuses

Published
If you haven't received your economic stimulus check by now, chances are you will soon. The government has commenced direct deposits and paper checks are expected to roll out through July 11. In an effort to lure you to their stores, a handful of companies are offering special bonuses when you decide to spend your checks with them. Some stores are offering bonus incentives of 10%, while one store we came across will go as far as doubling your stimulus check (if you use it to buy something expensive). So whether you're expecting $600 or $1,200, below are confirmed deals designed to stretch your rebate check.

Food

Kroger
The Deal: Kroger, which operates stores in 31 states, is offering its customers a 10% bonus added to the purchase of $300, $600, or $1,200 Kroger gift certificates. (That's like getting $330, $660, etc.) The cards can be used at any Kroger-owned store, including City Market, Fred Meyer, and Fry's Food.
The Fine Print: The program has a per household limit of $1,200 and expires July 31. Customers who don't have a hard copy of their checks (i.e., those who received their checks via direct deposit) can buy their gift cards with cash, personal check, or credit card. The gift cards can't be used to purchase alcohol, lottery tickets, pharmaceuticals, or tobacco.

Safeway
The Deal: Starting May 14, all Safeway stores will cash your government stimulus check for free and give Club Card customers a 10% off gift card. Deal applies at all Safeway-owned stores including Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs, Dominick's, Genuardi's, and Pak 'n Save.
The Fine Print: Deal ends July 19. Gift card expires 2 days after being issued.

ShopRite
The Deal: ShopRite is offering its Price Plus members the opportunity to receive a 10% bonus with the purchase of every $300, $600, or $1,200 gift card. ShopRite will also cash your rebate check for free with a gift card purchase. Price Plus is free to join.
The Fine Print: ShopRite's offer expires August 2. If your refund check was deposited into your bank account, ShopRite requires a copy of your bank statement as proof of direct deposit. You can then purchase gift cards with cash or bank debit card only. Gift cards cannot be used to purchase alcohol, lottery tickets, tobacco, postage stamps, money orders, bus tickets, fuel and Metro passes, or additional gift cards.

SuperValu
The Deal: SuperValu is offering a 10% bonus with the purchase of every $300, $600, or $1,200 gift card.
The Fine Print: SuperValu's offer is valid through July 31 and can be used at all SuperValu stores including Acme, Albertsons, bigg's, Cub Foods, Farm Fresh, Hornbacher's, Jewel-Osco, Lucky, Shaw's / Star Market, Shop 'n Save, and Shoppers Food & Pharmacy.

Apparel, Home & Electronics

Meijer
The Deal: Meijer is offering a 10% off coupon with the purchase of every $300, $600, or $1,200 gift card. The coupons may be used with your next "general merchandise and apparel" purchase. The gift cards must be bought with credit card, cash, or personal check.
Small Print: Meijer's bonus coupon offer expires May 31. Reward coupons cannot be combined with other offers and cannot be used to purchase alcohol, tobacco, prescriptions, gas station and C-Stop items, baby diapers and wipes, and park and entertainment tickets. In addition, they cannot be used for any online purchases, making this one of the most restrictive "bonuses" we've seen.

RadioShack
The Deal: Use your stimulus check or IRS tax refund on any $50 or more purchase at RadioShack and get 10% off that purchase. No product exclusions apply.
Small Print: Offer ends July 12. The unspent portion of your check is converted into a prepaid Vision Silver MasterCard that can be used at any store. There is a $2,500 maximum redemption per refund check.

Sam's Club
The Deal: In addition to free stimulus check cashing, Sam's Club is offering non-members free annual membership with the purchase of select products. Current members will receive a $40 gift card with their purchases.
The Fine Print: Deal ends May 31 and only applies with the purchase of select items including BF Goodrich tires, a Brighton Patio dining set, Serta mattresses, select Samsung LCD TVs, a Blue-ray home theater system, Nikon digital camera, and more.

Sears / Kmart
The Deal: Purchase a Sears or Kmart gift card with your government check and receive a 10% bonus added to the total value of your gift card.
The Fine Print: This offer is valid through July 19. To qualify you must convert the full value of your stimulus check into a Sears, Kmart, or Lands' End gift card. The gift cards have no expirations dates or fees and at the time of this writing can only be purchased with a hard copy of your government check.

Staples.com
The Deal: Staples.com is offering special coupon codes designed to stretch your rebate check. Although promoted as a stimulus check deals, these coupons aren't tied to your stimulus check. Coupon codes "74894" and "80486" take $150 off furniture purchases of $1,000 or more and $40 off purchases of $300 or more, respectively (they expire May 18 and May 25). Also, use coupon code "31831" when you spend $499 or more with your credit card and you'll pay no interest or make payments for 6 months (expires June 30).
The Fine Print: To date, all of Staples' coupons exclude laptop and desktop purchases.

Wal-Mart
The Deal: Wal-Mart will cash your rebate check for free, no purchase required.
The Fine Print: None, but your bank will also cash it for free if you have a checking account.

Travel & Transportation

Rosenau Powersports
Deal: Michigan-based Rosenau Powersports will double your stimulus check up to $600 with the purchase of a new motorcycle, scooter, ATV, or watercraft when you use coupon code "SACP-040814".
The Fine Print: Coupon valid for newsletter subscribers only and must be claimed 10 days after your rebate check date. Select vehicles may be excluded.

Zonder.com
The Deal: Use coupon code "TAXES" during checkout at this travel search engine and take 10% off bookings of $600 or more.
The Fine Print: Deal ends August 1. Proof of tax rebate not required.

Louis Ramirez is dealnews' Features editor.

DealNews may be compensated by companies mentioned in this article. Please note that, although prices sometimes fluctuate or expire unexpectedly, all products and deals mentioned in this feature were available at the lowest total price we could find at the time of publication (unless otherwise specified).

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