How to Earn Cashback on Travel Using Gift Card Apps
Saving on travel doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort or spontaneity. One of the most overlooked strategies for travel savings is using gift card apps to earn instant cashback on expenses you were already planning—hotels, transportation, dining, and entertainment. Here’s how to make every part of your trip work harder for your wallet using gift cards and cashback tools.
Start With Your Major Travel Purchases
Flights, hotel stays, and rental cars are often the biggest-ticket items on a trip. Instead of booking directly with a credit card, savvy travelers often use apps like Fluz, Rakuten, or Ibotta to buy digital gift cards that come with cashback. For example, you can buy a Marriott gift card with cashback on Fluz and use it when booking through Marriott’s site.
Save on Transportation
You can also earn cashback at Uber with a digital gift card from Fluz or get a discount on Uber Eats for in-destination dining using a Fluz Uber Eats gift card. These savings stack on top of any existing promos you might find on the app.
Use Cashback Gift Cards for Dining and Entertainment
Whether grabbing coffee from Starbucks, enjoying a meal at Chipotle, or catching a show at AMC Theatres, gift card purchases through Fluz can unlock immediate cashback. For example, you can earn cashback with a Chipotle gift card from Fluz, or buy an AMC gift card with rewards via Fluz.
Double Dip with Loyalty Programs
Most travel-related gift cards work seamlessly with existing loyalty and rewards programs. This means you can earn hotel points, frequent flyer miles, or dining rewards on top of the cashback earned from your gift card purchase. For instance, paying with a gift card won’t disqualify you from earning Hilton Honors or Starbucks Rewards points.
No Need to Prepay or Overbuy
Some apps, including Fluz, let you buy a gift card at the exact moment you’re paying, and for the exact amount needed. That means you don’t have to preload or worry about leftover balances. It’s perfect for dining out or paying at the hotel front desk.
Stack With Credit Card Rewards for Even More Value
You’re not limited to one type of reward. If you use a rewards credit card to buy a cashback-enabled gift card, you’ll earn points from your card and cashback from the app—effectively stacking your savings.
Track What You Save
Most platforms have built-in savings trackers so you can see exactly how much you’ve earned over time. Whether it’s $5 here or $20 there, it adds up fast—especially on longer or higher-budget trips.
Gift card apps are no longer just for holiday shopping—they’re powerful tools for smarter travel spending. With cashback stacking, flexible use, and real-time purchases, they make it easier than ever to turn your vacation into a value-packed experience.
