With rising travel costs, getting cashback on vacation bookings has become a go-to strategy for travelers who want to spend smarter. From flights and hotels to car rentals and experiences, a range of platforms and apps now offer rewards simply for booking the trip you were already planning. The trick is knowing where to find the best rates—and how to combine them with other perks for maximum value.
Here’s a guide to the top places to earn cashback and save more on your next adventure.
- Rakuten: A leader in travel cashback
Rakuten consistently ranks among the top cashback sites for travel. It partners with major booking platforms like Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, offering cashback that often ranges between 2% and 10%.
The best part? Cashback is paid quarterly by check or PayPal, making it easy to track and redeem.
- Ibotta: More than groceries
While Ibotta is known for grocery cashback, its browser extension unlocks deals for hotel bookings, rental cars, and even airfare. Ibotta users can also access exclusive travel promos when booking through participating online portals.
It’s especially useful when combined with other cashback methods like gift cards or credit card points.
- Fluz: Cashback through digital gift cards
Fluz offers a unique approach to travel savings. Instead of booking through a portal, Fluz allows you to earn cashback with a Hotels.com gift card or get a discount on Uber rides by purchasing digital gift cards to use at checkout.
This method works especially well when you know your total cost and can buy the exact amount needed. Fluz supports instant delivery, so you can use your gift card right away for hotels, rideshares, or even trip essentials at stores like CVS.
- TopCashback: Often the highest rates
TopCashback is a lesser-known but powerful option for travelers. The platform often provides higher-than-average cashback rates and occasionally runs bonus promotions for specific booking sites, including Booking.com and Agoda.
Unlike some competitors, TopCashback returns 100% of the commission they earn, which means more money in your pocket.
- Capital One Shopping: Real-time price comparison
Capital One Shopping is a browser extension that checks for coupon codes and cashback offers while you browse. Though it’s not travel-specific, the tool occasionally finds eligible cashback options for hotels, cruises, and booking platforms.
It’s best used as a companion to other cashback platforms to ensure you’re getting the best available deal.
Stacking strategies to boost savings
To maximize value, savvy travelers use a combination of the above:
- Use Rakuten or Ibotta to access booking sites
- Buy a gift card through Fluz for instant cashback
- Pay with a cashback credit card
- Enroll in hotel or airline loyalty programs for points on top of cashback
Just make sure the booking site allows third-party gift cards and doesn’t restrict cashback for promo code usage.
Final thoughts
Earning cashback on travel is no longer reserved for expert points hackers. With the right tools—from shopping portals to digital gift cards—any traveler can turn their vacation plans into savings. Whether you’re booking a weekend getaway or a multi-week journey, using platforms like Rakuten, Ibotta, and Fluz can put real money back in your pocket.
