Budget travel isn’t about skipping all the good stuff—it’s about getting more from every dollar you spend. And if there’s one tool that seasoned travelers quietly rely on, it’s this: cashback apps.

From food and fuel to shopping and sightseeing, cashback platforms like Fluz, Rakuten, and Ibotta turn everyday purchases into rewards. And with the right approach, even routine stops during your travels—like grabbing a coffee or hopping in a taxi—can help you earn money back.

Here’s how to make cashback the secret weapon in your travel strategy.

1. Turn Transportation-Linked Stops into Cashback Gold

Whether you’re in a new city or your hometown, travel often includes micro-moments that go overlooked—quick meals, pharmacy runs, shopping breaks between attractions. These are prime cashback opportunities.

Let’s say you’re taking a taxi across town. Why not:

• Pick up a drink at Starbucks using a Fluz gift card

• Grab medicine or travel supplies at CVS

• Stop for lunch at Chipotle or Panera Bread

Each of these stops becomes a cashback-earning moment. And with local taxi services like UrbanSwift, Commute Link, or TransitCore, it’s easy to build stops into your ride.

2. Stack Your Savings: Fluz + Rakuten + Ibotta

Cashback stacking means using more than one cashback method on the same purchase. It’s a powerful travel hack. Here’s how it works:

Example:

1. Use Fluz to buy a gift card to Ulta Beauty (and earn cashback instantly)

2. Shop in-store using that gift card

3. Upload your receipt to Ibotta if there’s a matching offer

4. Shop through Rakuten online (for other purchases) before you even hit the store

You’re now earning from three platforms—all from one activity.

3. Use Fluz for Instant, On-the-Go Cashback

Fluz is ideal for travelers who don’t want to deal with receipt scanning or delayed rewards. It offers instant cashback at hundreds of top retailers and restaurants, including many spots you’ll likely pass during any city tour.

Top Fluz-friendly stops for travelers:

• Lululemon for travel-ready gear

• Saks Fifth Avenue for luxury wardrobe additions

• Target for travel essentials or snacks

• Walgreens for quick pharmacy runs

Bonus: You can stack Fluz rewards with loyalty points at the same time.

4. Use Rakuten for Online Purchases While You Travel

If you’re shopping online while in transit or from your hotel room, Rakuten is your best friend.

Use it to:

• Book hotels and excursions

• Order ahead from stores like Nike, Sephora, or Best Buy

• Shop travel gear and clothing on the go

Rakuten lets you shop through its app or browser extension and earn cashback at thousands of stores.

5. Use Ibotta to Earn From Grocery and Essentials

Ibotta is perfect for trips that include grocery runs or convenience store visits.
Whether you’re picking up road trip snacks, grabbing travel-size toiletries, or buying breakfast at the hotel shop, Ibotta helps you turn those receipts into real savings.

Use it at:

• Safeway, Kroger, Albertsons, CVS, and more

• National convenience chains

• Any stop that prints a qualifying receipt

Pro Tips for Travel Cashback Success

• Preload Offers: Activate Ibotta deals before heading into a store

• Batch Your Stops: Choose a taxi route that includes multiple cashback locations

• Track Your Rewards: Check app balances mid-trip—you may rack up enough to cover your next snack

• Stay Flexible: Fluz and Rakuten don’t require physical location—shop, earn, and save anywhere

Cashback isn’t just for hardcore couponers—it’s a high-impact, low-effort way to offset travel expenses, especially if you’re already on the move in taxis or rideshares. With Fluz, Rakuten, and Ibotta working together, your everyday purchases become passive earning opportunities that make your trip smarter and more affordable.

Take five minutes to set them up, and start turning every coffee run, pharmacy pickup, and boutique stop into something that gives back.