Booking the perfect hotel is one of the biggest—and often most expensive—parts of travel. Fortunately, travelers today have more tools than ever to earn money back on those bookings. By stacking cashback platforms, loyalty programs, and digital gift card strategies, you can turn your accommodation costs into a reward-earning opportunity.

Here’s a breakdown of the best ways to earn cashback on hotel bookings while maximizing perks and minimizing your spend.

Start with a cashback platform or app

Cashback platforms are the easiest place to start. Sites like Rakuten, Ibotta, and TopCashback let you earn a percentage back when you book hotels through their affiliate links. Each site partners with travel brands like Expedia, Priceline, or Trip.com, offering rates that often beat direct booking sites when cashback is factored in.

Cashback amounts vary by platform and merchant, so it’s worth comparing options before clicking “book.”

Double up with digital gift cards from Fluz

To take your savings a step further, pair cashback platforms with digital gift cards from Fluz. Fluz lets you purchase gift cards for top hotel booking sites and earn instant cashback with a Hotels.com gift card, reducing your total cost upfront.

For example, you can book a room on Hotels.com using a Fluz gift card and still earn loyalty nights through their Hotels.com Rewards program. The trick is purchasing the gift card for the exact amount needed so none of your money goes to waste.

Choose the right booking partner

Some hotel booking platforms offer better cashback and flexibility than others. Here’s how a few stack up:

• Hotels.com – Great for flexible bookings, wide inventory, and Fluz gift card compatibility

• Expedia – Broad coverage, sometimes higher cashback through Rakuten

• Priceline – Good for last-minute deals, often paired with TopCashback bonuses

• Marriott – Direct bookings offer elite status benefits, but may exclude cashback

Always confirm whether the booking site supports third-party gift cards or cashback apps to avoid missing rewards.

Stacking opportunities: what works together

Here’s how to layer multiple cashback tools:

1. Buy a Hotels.com gift card through Fluz to get instant cashback

2. Use Rakuten or Ibotta to access Hotels.com and book through the affiliate link

3. Apply the Fluz gift card during checkout to pay

4. Earn loyalty nights and cashback simultaneously

This method gives you cashback from the Fluz gift card, the shopping portal, and the loyalty program—all for the same booking.

Final thoughts

Hotels don’t have to be a budget killer. With a little planning, you can combine cashback platforms, rewards programs, and tools like Fluz to turn hotel spending into a return on investment. Whether you’re booking a five-star stay or a cozy local inn, make sure you’re getting paid to check in.