When you’re on the move in the city—jumping from taxis to coffee stops to quick shopping runs—every dollar can stretch a little further with the right cashback app. Whether you’re a tourist on a packed itinerary or a local optimizing your daily route, earning rewards between rides is one of the smartest travel habits you can adopt.
Here’s how to compare and use top cashback apps like Fluz, Rakuten, and Ibotta—and how to make the most of your downtime between taxi rides.
Fluz: Instant Cashback When You Shop On-the-Go
Why City Travelers Love It:
Fluz offers instant cashback when you purchase digital gift cards to thousands of brands—perfect for quick city stops without the hassle of scanning receipts or waiting for rewards to add up. With Fluz, you earn cashback the moment you check out.
Top Uses Between Taxi Rides:
- Grab coffee at Starbucks
- Pick up lunch from Chipotle or Panera Bread
- Run errands at CVS or Target
- Restock travel supplies at Walgreens
All it takes is a few taps in the app, and you’re on your way with cash back in your pocket. Download Fluz here.
Rakuten: Great for Online Orders While You’re in Transit
Why It’s Useful for Urban Travelers:
Rakuten partners with a wide range of online retailers, making it perfect for ordering things to your hotel or planning purchases during longer taxi rides. If you’re stuck in traffic, you can still shop and earn.
Best City Uses:
- Order ahead from Ulta Beauty, Macy’s, or Best Buy
- Book travel or experiences from platforms like Expedia or Booking.com
- Stock up on clothing from Gap, Old Navy, or Banana Republic
Pro Tip: Use Rakuten’s browser extension to auto-apply cashback on desktop before heading out—or shop through the app while en route.
Ibotta: Great for Groceries and Everyday Essentials
Best For:
Travelers who plan grocery stops or love to snack and go. Ibotta offers cash back when you scan receipts or link loyalty accounts at grocery and convenience stores.
City-Friendly Uses:
- Stop at Albertsons, Safeway, Kroger, or CVS after your ride
- Grab a snack at 7-Eleven if you’re walking or hailing a cab
- Earn on everyday essentials you were buying anyway
Use Tip:
Save offers in the app before your stop, and upload the receipt when you’re back in the cab or at your hotel.
How to Use Cashback Apps Between Rides
- Add Strategic Stops to Your Taxi Route
Tell your driver to swing by a Fluz-partnered store or nearby grocery before your final destination. Local taxi services like UrbanSwift, CribCab, and TransitCore often allow flexible stops so you can make quick pickups and still keep moving. - Shop While in Transit
Use that time in traffic wisely. Book entertainment, make a dinner reservation, or buy a last-minute gift—all while earning cashback. - Stack Savings
Combine cashback from Fluz with store sales or loyalty programs to double up your rewards. Buy a Fluz gift card and use it during a Rakuten-linked purchase for maximum benefit.
Which App Should You Use?
| App | Best For | How You Earn |
| Fluz | Fast, on-the-go purchases at retail & food chains | Cashback at checkout when using Fluz gift cards |
| Rakuten | Online shopping, travel bookings | Cashback via online portal or app |
| Ibotta | Groceries, everyday essentials | Cashback after receipt submission or linked loyalty accounts |
You don’t need to spend more to earn more—you just need to be smarter about when and how you spend. With Fluz, Rakuten, and Ibotta in your travel toolkit, you can turn every stop, every coffee, and every mile into a money-saving opportunity.
So before your next ride, load your apps, plan your stops, and ride your way into real rewards.
