Travel is one of the biggest spending categories, so it is also one where cashback can add up. It is also where rules are stricter and payments come later than with ordinary shopping. This guide explains how it works for hotels, flights and car rentals and how to avoid the usual traps.

Why travel cashback works differently

When you buy a jacket, the shop knows the order is final after the return period. With travel, the order is final when the trip has taken place. A hotel pays its commission after check-out, a car rental after the pick-up and return, and an airline or booking site after the flight. Cashback follows that timeline, so it can show as pending for weeks or months, and confirmation often comes after you are back home.

Hotels

Hotel bookings usually earn cashback on the room price, often without taxes and fees. If you choose a rate that you can cancel for free, a cancellation removes the cashback. Choose the rate with the conditions that suit you, then check what the booking site says about how the stay is reported. Prepaid and pay-at-property rates can be treated differently, and the shop page on our site notes what we know.

• Open the booking site through our page and search from there.
• Do not switch to a price comparison site halfway.
• Use the same email and name for the booking as in your account where the site asks for them.

Flights

Many airlines and flight sellers pay little or nothing in commission, so cashback on flights is often small or not offered. Where a flight portal does pay, it is normally a fixed amount or a small share of the fare, and base fare is counted, not taxes. Look at the cashback line on the shop page and judge whether the flight is worth booking through the link. A better fare elsewhere beats a small cashback on a more expensive ticket.

Car rentals

Car hire sites pay on completed rentals. Extras such as insurance may be counted or excluded depending on the site. Check whether you have to pick up the car for the booking to count; if you cancel or do not show up, there is no cashback. Where possible, book the full rental in one go instead of adding days later in a separate order.

How to book so the click counts

1. Pick the travel shop on daily cashback and read the notes on conditions.
2. Click the shop button, then make the search and booking in the same tab.
3. Prices move during the day, so finish the booking in the same visit, rather than saving it and returning from a bookmark.
4. Keep your ad blocker off for the booking site.
5. Save the confirmation email and the booking number.

Changes and cancellations

If you change dates or the rate, the booking may be replaced by a new one, and the tracking can break. Ask the site whether the change keeps the same booking number. If it does not, report both numbers when you contact us. A cancelled trip earns no cashback.

Cashback or a better price

For travel, the lowest total price comes first. We show cashback, current offers and cancellation or return terms next to each other so that you can compare. Treat cashback as a bonus on top of a good fare, not as a reason to pick a worse one. Examples with numbers are on our guide on cashback or coupon.

When you get the money

Confirmation after the stay is common. Travel shops often take longer than 30 to 90 days, but orders can be added up to 180 days after purchase. After confirmation, payout is possible from 20 USD by PayPal, after a manual check. You can browse travel shops in the travel category.