Travel can be more than just an expense—it can also be an opportunity to earn rewards that make your next trip easier or more affordable. With the right combination of apps, loyalty programs, and booking strategies, you can turn everyday travel spending into points, cashback, and perks that stretch your budget further.
Here’s how to get started if you’re new to the world of travel rewards.
Step 1: Join the Major Travel Loyalty Programs
Most airlines and hotel chains offer free rewards programs that allow you to earn points on bookings. These can later be redeemed for free nights, upgrades, or flights. If you haven’t already, start by joining:
Make sure to log into these accounts whenever booking directly or through third-party sites that support rewards tracking.
Step 2: Use Cashback Apps with Travel Gift Cards
Cashback platforms like Fluz, Rakuten, and Ibotta allow you to earn money back on travel spending—often before your trip even starts.
For example:
- Buy a Hyatt gift card through Fluz and use it to pay for your stay while still earning Hyatt points
- Get cashback at Marriott by paying with a Fluz digital gift card and booking directly
- Use a Hilton gift card to stack Hilton Honors points with cashback
This approach is especially powerful because it combines loyalty rewards with immediate cashback.
Step 3: Book Through Cashback Portals When Appropriate
Portals like Rakuten reward you for starting your booking process on their site. Look for deals on:
Just make sure that booking through these sites doesn’t void hotel loyalty rewards. Some programs only offer full points and perks if you book directly through the brand’s site.
Step 4: Use a Travel Rewards Credit Card
If you have a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express Platinum, you can earn extra points on travel categories. These points often transfer to airlines or hotels for free bookings. Be sure to:
- Use your card to pay for flights, hotels, and rentals
- Combine it with a gift card from Fluz for the initial booking and still pay with your rewards card later for meals or extras
Step 5: Track Your Rewards in One Place
Apps like AwardWallet help you track all your points and miles in one dashboard. They also notify you before points expire, ensuring you don’t lose out on hard-earned rewards.
Pro Tip: Start with What You Already Use
If you’re loyal to one airline or hotel brand, focus your effort there. Sign up for their loyalty program, find cashback opportunities through gift cards or portals, and use your travel rewards card to pay.
Every trip can earn you more than memories—if you plan smartly, you’ll be earning while exploring.
