Black Friday 2026: How to Shop and Earn Cashback in the U.S.

Black Friday isn't a single day anymore: it's a five-day marathon that starts on Thanksgiving and runs through the following Monday. In 2025, 202.9 million people shopped during that period in the U.S., a record according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).

With so many promotions on screens and in store windows, the challenge isn't finding discounts but figuring out which ones are worth it. In this guide, you'll see how to plan your purchases, how to make Gift Cards work for you, and which Inter features you can add at checkout.

To make the most of the deals in the United States, it pays to show up with a set list, reference prices, and a fixed budget. Discounts usually kick in before Thanksgiving and stretch over several days, so planning matters more than speed.

When Do the Deals Really Start?

The deals start before the official Friday. In 2026, Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, the big discount Friday is November 27, and Cyber Monday, focused on online shopping, is Monday, November 30. On top of that, many stores launch their own Black Week days earlier.

This works in your favor: you have more time to compare and less pressure to decide on the spot. According to the same NRF survey, Friday was still the busiest day, with 80.3 million shoppers in physical stores.

How Do You Shop Strategically on Black Friday?

To shop strategically without giving in to impulse, follow a simple method: decide what you need, research prices in advance, and compare each deal with what you'd pay any other month. That way, the discount becomes a decision, not a reaction.

1. Define what you want to buy. A short list keeps your cart from filling up with "bargains" you didn't need.
2. Compare prices before the sale. Write down each product's price a few weeks earlier: it's the most direct way to know whether the markdown is real.
3. Check whether the discount is meaningful. 10% off a price that went up the week before isn't a deal.
4. Set a budget. Pick a total limit and stick to it, even when something "too good to miss" pops up.
5. Read the terms. Return policies, warranties, and stock availability change a lot this time of year.
6. Add payment method benefits. The store discount can be combined with cashback and other perks, depending on how you pay.

At its core, understanding how to shop on Black Friday means understanding when not to buy. The best deal is the one that was already on your list.

In gift card Black Friday deals, the card works as a prepaid balance for a specific brand: you buy it, choose the amount, and use it at that store. If you get cashback when you buy it, that benefit adds to the discount the store already offers this season.

How Do You Use a Gift Card During Deal Season?

Using a Gift Card during deal season is simple if you follow an order: first choose where to shop, then check whether that brand's card exists and is accepted on the channel you'll use.

1. Identify the stores where you plan to shop.
2. Check whether there's a compatible Gift Card for that brand.
3. Confirm the terms of use: whether it's accepted online, in store, or both, and whether it has restrictions.
4. Take advantage of the discount the store offers during those days.
5. Pay with the Gift Card when the store accepts it as a payment method.

A hypothetical example: a $100 jacket drops to $70. If you pay with a Gift Card that gave you 5% cashback, you get another $3.50 back. The benefit stacks in two layers: the store discount and the cashback.

If you buy physical cards, the FTC recommends that you check out gift cards before buying them and keep a copy of the receipt. Choosing the digital format, from an app, saves you from handling cards displayed in the store.

From November 25 to 30, Inter will offer Gift Cards with higher cashback in the Super App. If you' re already planning to shop during those days, it's an extra opportunity to add value to the deals you find on your own.

This way, cashback Black Friday offers become a second layer of savings, not a reason to spend more. The logic stays the same: first the product you need, then the benefit.

Important: before you buy, check the app for participating brands, cashback percentages, and the terms in effect from November 25 to 30.

Inter doesn't replace a good deal. It complements it. That's why order matters. Before you pay, follow this logic:

1. Look for a good deal first.
2. Compare prices.
3. Check whether there's a Gift Card for the brand in the app.
4. Review the available cashback.
5. Choose the most convenient payment method for that purchase.

In physical stores, contactless payment makes a difference. Long lines, bags in your hands, and several purchases in one day make every second at the register count.

Inter Ring and Inter Wristband let you tap to pay without taking out your wallet or phone, as long as the terminal accepts contactless payments. They work as an extension of your Inter credit card, and availability depends on each customer's eligibility.

Everything is managed from the Super App, where you also have your Global Account in U.S. dollars and Gift Cards with cashback in one place.

Download the Inter app and get ready for you r holiday shopping with Gift Cards, cashback, and contactless payments.