You're standing there, looking at that sleek card with the iconic script, thinking about a 500-degree sizzling plate of butter-topped ribeye. It’s a classic move. Whether you just found a dusty one in your junk drawer or you're planning to drop a few hundred bucks for a wedding gift, there is actually a lot more to a Ruth’s Chris gift card than just "swipe and eat."
Honestly, the landscape changed a bit recently. Since Darden Restaurants—the powerhouse behind brands like Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse—acquired Ruth’s Chris, the way these cards work has become both more flexible and, for some, a little confusing.
If you've got a card, you've basically got a VIP pass to some of the best steak in the country. But don't just walk in blind. There are weird rules about promotional "bonus" cards versus the ones you actually paid for, and there are some surprising places where your card is as good as gold—even if it doesn’t say "Ruth’s Chris" on the front.
Why Your Ruth’s Chris Gift Card is More Versatile Than You Think
Most people assume their card is only good for a filet at the nearest Ruth’s Chris location. That’s a mistake. Because Ruth’s Chris is now part of the Darden family (as of 2023), your gift card is technically part of a massive ecosystem.
Wait. Does that mean you can use it for endless salad and breadsticks?
Yes. In most cases, a standard, paid-for Ruth’s Chris gift card issued by Darden SV, Inc. is redeemable at any Darden-owned restaurant. We’re talking:
- The Capital Grille (if you want to stay in the high-end steakhouse lane)
- Eddie V's Prime Seafood
- Seasons 52
- Yard House
- Bahama Breeze
- Olive Garden
- LongHorn Steakhouse
This is a huge win if you live in an area where the nearest Ruth’s Chris is a two-hour drive, but there's a LongHorn right down the street. It’s essentially a "multi-restaurant" currency now. However—and this is a big "however"—if you have an older card issued before the acquisition, or a specific "promotional" card, the rules change.
The "Bonus Card" Trap
We've all seen the holiday deals: "Buy a $200 gift card, get a $40 bonus card!" It feels like free money.
It isn't. Not exactly.
A "Bonus Card" or "Promotional Card" is legally different from a standard Ruth’s Chris gift card. Standard cards are like cash; they don't expire, and they're protected by various state laws. Promotional cards are more like coupons. They almost always have an expiration date (often just a few months after the holidays) and can usually only be used at Ruth's Chris, not the other Darden brands.
I’ve seen folks show up for a nice anniversary dinner in July only to find out their "bonus" card expired in March. Don't be that person. Flip the card over and check the fine print for those pesky "Valid from X to Y" dates.
Checking the Balance (The Non-Annoying Way)
Nothing kills the vibe of a $150 dinner like the waiter coming back to tell you there’s only $12.40 left on your card. It’s awkward. It’s avoidable.
You have three main ways to check your Ruth’s Chris gift card balance:
- The Digital Route: Head to the official Ruth’s Chris website. You’ll need the 16-digit card number and the PIN (usually hidden under a scratch-off silver film on the back).
- The Phone Call: If the website is acting up, you can call their automated line at 1-800-290-7500. It’s a bit 1990s, but it works every time.
- The In-Person Ask: Any host or bartender can swipe it for you.
Pro tip: If your card doesn't have a PIN, it's likely a very old version. You might need to call customer service or visit a restaurant to have them "migrate" the balance to a newer card format.
Can You Use a Ruth’s Chris Gift Card for Delivery?
This is where things get a bit sticky. If you're ordering through third-party apps like DoorDash or UberEats, you generally cannot use a gift card. Those apps want your credit card or their own branded gift cards.
If you want to use your Ruth’s Chris gift card for a night in, you usually have to order directly through the Ruth’s Chris website for pickup. Even then, some locations require you to present the physical card when you arrive to pick up the food to prevent fraud. It’s a bit of a hassle, but that’s the current state of things in 2026.
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Buying at a Discount: The Savvy Move
If you're a regular, never pay full price for your steak. There is a thriving secondary market for gift cards.
Sites like Raise or CardCash often have Ruth’s Chris gift card inventory at 5% to 12% off. People get them as gifts, realize they don't like steak (weird, right?), and sell them for quick cash. You can buy a $100 card for $90 and instantly save ten bucks on your meal. Just make sure the site has a "money-back guarantee" for at least 90 days, as some cards can be finicky if they weren't activated correctly at the original register.
Lost or Stolen? The Harsh Reality
Treat your Ruth’s Chris gift card like a stack of $20 bills. If you lose it, it’s probably gone.
Unlike a credit card, gift cards aren't naturally tied to your name. However, if you bought the card online and have the confirmation email, or if you took a photo of the back of the card (highly recommended!), the Darden customer service team might be able to void the old one and issue a replacement. But without that 16-digit number, you're basically out of luck.
Digital vs. Physical Cards
In 2026, the e-gift card is king. You can text a Ruth’s Chris gift card to a friend in about thirty seconds. They get a barcode on their phone, the server swipes it, and everyone is happy.
But if you’re a traditionalist, the physical cards still have that "heft." There’s something about a physical card in a nice envelope that feels more like a "gift" than a text message. Just keep in mind that physical cards sent via mail can take 5–7 business days to arrive. If you’re a last-minute shopper, go digital.
Actionable Next Steps
Don't let that balance sit there and collect dust. Inflation is real, and that $100 card buys slightly less steak every year.
- Audit your drawer: Find any old cards and check the balance immediately. If it's a promotional card, check the expiration date today.
- Merge your cards: If you have three cards with $10 each, you can usually ask a server to combine them into one to make your next checkout smoother.
- Register for "Ruth's Regulars": While you can't "register" the card for theft protection easily, joining their loyalty program sometimes gives you heads-up on "double-point" days when you use your gift card.
- Check Darden compatibility: If you’re tired of steak, take that Ruth’s Chris card to Yard House for some poke nachos and a beer. It’s one of the best-kept secrets of the Darden acquisition.
The best thing you can do right now is verify that PIN is still readable. If that silver scratch-off gets damaged, getting your money back is a massive headache. If it’s readable, take a quick photo of the back of the card and save it in a "Receipts" folder on your phone. Now, go get that steak.