Finding the best deal on a hotel stay involves more than just comparing room rates. Smart travelers also look for opportunities to earn cashback and stack rewards. By using a combination of price comparison sites and cashback apps like Fluz, Rakuten, and Ibotta, you can secure a great rate and earn money back at the same time.
Kayak
Kayak is one of the most trusted travel search engines for comparing hotel prices across multiple booking platforms. It aggregates options from sites like Booking.com, Expedia, and direct hotel websites, allowing you to find the lowest price easily. Kayak also provides useful features like price trend predictions and alerts when rates are expected to rise or drop.
Trivago
Trivago specializes in hotel price comparisons, showing rates from dozens of different booking platforms side-by-side. Trivago is particularly helpful for spotting hidden deals and flash sales that might not appear on larger online travel agencies. It is a strong starting point for price-focused travelers.
Fluz
While Fluz is primarily a cashback app, it can be a powerful tool when booking hotels. You can buy Hyatt gift cards online, shop discounted Hilton gift cards, or purchase Marriott gift cards to save instantly before booking direct. Additionally, Fluz virtual cards can be used through Apple Pay or Google Pay at hotels that accept contactless payments, earning you up to 1.5% cashback on bookings.
Rakuten
Rakuten offers cashback when you start your hotel booking through their platform. It partners with travel sites like Hotels.com, Expedia, and major hotel brands. Rakuten frequently runs promotions during peak travel seasons, sometimes offering double or even triple cashback rates.
Ibotta
Ibotta has expanded beyond grocery savings to include hotel bookings through travel partners like Booking.com and Hotels.com. By activating hotel offers through Ibotta before booking, you can earn additional cashback on top of any rewards you earn directly from the hotel.
Tips for Comparing Prices and Cashback
- Always check both price comparison sites and cashback apps before booking. Sometimes a slightly higher rate through a cashback partner will net a better total return after cashback is factored in.
- Use browser extensions like Rakuten’s or Ibotta’s to be alerted automatically when cashback is available.
- Stack cashback opportunities by using a rewards credit card to pay for your booking, especially if you are purchasing a gift card through Fluz first.
Final Thoughts
Combining hotel price comparisons with cashback rewards is the ultimate strategy for budget-savvy travelers. With tools like Kayak, Trivago, Fluz, Rakuten, and Ibotta, you can save on both the front end and the back end of every hotel booking you make.
