Booking travel is one of the fastest ways to spend (or save) big. The best savings usually come from lowering the base price first (dates, alerts, comparisons), then avoiding “extras”, and finally stacking cashback on eligible bookings.
Below are practical, friendly travel booking hacks you can use for flights and hotels—plus a step-by-step section on where ShopBack cashback fits.
What is the best hack to save on travel?
The best hack to save on travel is to stay flexible on dates, use price alerts, and then stack ShopBack cashback on an eligible flight or hotel booking. Flexibility helps you find the cheapest days, alerts help you catch price drops, and cashback can add savings on top of a deal you’ve already found.
If you only do 3 things, do these:
- Search with flexible dates (shift your trip by 1–3 days and re-check prices)
- Set price alerts (so you don’t overpay or panic-book)
- Stack cashback correctly (start in ShopBack, follow the tracking tips, and check store terms)
15 travel booking hacks to save on flights and hotels
1) Use flexible dates before you compare anything else
Airfares and hotel prices can vary a lot depending on the day. If you can move your departure/return by even one day, you can often find a cheaper option without changing the trip.
Try this: check prices across a few days either side of your preferred dates, then lock in the best-value combo.
2) Set price alerts instead of re-checking manually
Price alerts do the work for you and help you avoid the “should I book now?” spiral.
Try this: track your route (or specific flights) and wait for a notification—especially if you’re not travelling in the next few weeks.
3) Compare the total cost, not the headline fare
A cheap fare can become expensive once you add baggage, seat selection, card fees, or “flex” upgrades. Hotels can also jump once you add breakfast, parking, or mandatory charges.
Try this: before you pay, do a quick total:
- Flights: fare + bags + seats + payment fees
- Hotels: nightly rate + any mandatory charges + the extras you’d actually buy anyway
4) Check one-way vs return pricing (both ways)
Sometimes two one-way tickets cost less than a return, and sometimes it’s the opposite. It only takes a minute to compare.
Try this: price your trip as:
- a return ticket, and
- two one-way tickets on the same dates
5) Consider “open-jaw” trips to reduce backtracking
If you’re visiting multiple places, flying into one city and out of another can save money (and time on the ground).
Example: fly into one city, travel overland, then fly home from a different city—often more efficient than returning to the start.
6) Compare nearby airports (but include ground costs)
Nearby airports can be cheaper—but only if you don’t spend the savings on transfers, parking, or extra travel time.
Try this: compare alternate airports, then add:
- parking
- airport transfers
- fuel/tolls (if driving)
- your time (early starts can cost you in other ways)
7) Use mixed airlines only if you can handle the risk
Mixing airlines (or self-transferring) can reduce the ticket price, but it can increase the risk if a delay causes you to miss the next flight.
Try this: if you book separate tickets, leave a bigger buffer and avoid tight connections.
8) Don’t rely on incognito mode for cheaper prices
Private browsing can help you start a “clean” session, but it’s not a guaranteed discount button. Prices usually change due to availability and demand.
Better move: use price alerts and compare across sites/tools—then book when the total price is right.
9) Avoid paying for extras you won’t use
Travel checkouts are packed with add-ons—some useful, many optional.
Try this: before paying, double-check anything pre-selected, like:
- seats
- priority boarding
- insurance
- flexible changes
- bundles that include things you don’t need
10) Be strategic with baggage (especially on budget airlines)
Baggage rules and pricing vary. If you know you’ll need a checked bag, it’s often cheaper to add it earlier rather than later.
Try this: decide upfront whether you’re travelling carry-on only. If not, compare the total cost of:
- carry-on fare + checked bag, versus
- a higher fare type that includes baggage
11) Choose fare types based on what you actually need
The cheapest fare can be restrictive. If there’s a chance your plans change, paying slightly more for a more flexible fare can be cheaper than change fees later.
Try this: compare the rules (changes, refunds, credits) before you book—especially for long trips or group travel.
12) Use hotel filters that change your real-world spend
A low nightly rate isn’t always the cheapest stay once you add the basics.
Try this: filter for the things you’d otherwise pay for:
- free cancellation (more flexibility)
- breakfast included (if you’d buy it anyway)
- parking included (road trips)
- kitchen facilities (longer stays)
13) Lock in free cancellation (then re-check prices later)
If your booking offers free cancellation, you can often secure a good price early, then keep watching. If a better deal appears, you may be able to cancel and rebook—depending on the booking rules.
Try this: set a reminder to re-check hotel pricing closer to your trip.
14) Bundle vs book separately (always run both totals)
Flight + hotel bundles can be great—or they can reduce flexibility or hide where the value really is.
Try this: compare:
- bundle total, versus
- flight alone + hotel alone
Then decide based on the final price and the flexibility you need.
15) Stack savings in the right order
Think of savings in layers:
- Lower the base price (flexible dates, alerts, comparisons)
- Reduce add-ons (bags, seats, upgrades, hotel extras)
- Add cashback (ShopBack) on eligible bookings
This approach helps you avoid “saving” 2% cashback on a booking that’s already inflated by extras.
Where cashback fits
Cashback can be a strong “extra layer” of savings on top of a good flight or hotel deal—but only if you activate it correctly and follow each store’s terms.
How to stack cashback with flight and hotel deals (step by step)
- Open ShopBack app.
- Find the travel store in ShopBack and read the cashback terms on that store page (important for travel).
- Tap Shop Now (or use the ShopBack Browser Extension on desktop).
- Complete your booking in the same session after clicking through from ShopBack.
- Only use promo codes that are allowed under that store’s terms (some codes can make cashback ineligible).
- Pay and confirm the booking, then keep your confirmation email/receipt.
- Wait for cashback to track. Tracking times vary by store.
Helpful next steps if anything looks off:
- Review cashback tracking top tips
- If your cashback hasn’t tracked after the wait period, you can report missing cashback
Common cashback exclusions for travel (plain English)
Travel cashback rules depend on the store, but common exclusions include:
- Cancelled, refunded, or no-show bookings (often rejected once the store confirms the final status)
- Changes or amendments after booking (may affect eligibility)
- Taxes, fees, and surcharges (often excluded from cashback calculations—check the store’s terms)
- Add-ons like seat selection, baggage, upgrades, or insurance (varies by store)
- Promo codes not listed on ShopBack (may prevent tracking or make cashback ineligible)
If cashback is rejected, see why cashback can be rejected.
Tracking caveats (what can stop cashback from tracking)
Cashback tracking can fail when something interrupts the click-through journey. Common causes include:
- Ad blockers or strict privacy tools
- Clicking to the store, then leaving and coming back later (or booking in a new session)
- Opening lots of tabs and checking out in a different one than the ShopBack click-through
- Clicking another ad/offer site before you pay (this can overwrite tracking)
-
Redirect issues while opening the store (see redirect errors while shopping online)
Quick checklist before you book (30 seconds)
Before checkout:
- I started at ShopBack and clicked Shop Now
- I read the store’s cashback terms (especially exclusions)
- I turned off ad blockers / privacy blockers for this purchase
- I’m booking in the same session (not switching apps or devices mid-checkout)
- Any promo code I’m using is allowed under the store’s terms
- I’ll keep my booking confirmation email
FAQs
Does ShopBack offer cashback on flights and hotels?
ShopBack offers cashback on eligible purchases through participating travel stores. Availability, rates, and exclusions vary by store—always check the store page in ShopBack before booking.
How long does travel cashback take to track?
Tracking times vary by store. In general, cashback may take time to appear and can be slower in travel than everyday online shopping. For more detail, see cashback tracking and calculation guide.
Why is my travel cashback taking so long to update?
For many travel bookings, cashback may only be validated after your stay checkout date (depending on the travel company). See cashback status issues for what’s normal and what to expect.
Can I use a promo code and still get cashback?
Sometimes. Some stores allow promo codes, while others only allow codes listed on ShopBack. Using a promo code not advertised on ShopBack may make cashback ineligible.
Why didn’t my cashback track?
Common reasons include ad blockers, leaving the site and coming back later, clicking other offers/ads, or checking out in a different tab/session. Start with cashback tracking top tips.
What should I do if my cashback is missing?
First, check the store’s tracking timeframe. If it’s past the wait period, you can report missing cashback. Keep in mind investigations can take time, especially for travel purchases.
Are taxes and fees included in cashback?
Often not. Many stores exclude certain charges from cashback calculations. Always check the store terms, and review cashback tracking top tips.
What happens if I cancel or change my booking?
Cancelled, refunded, or amended bookings may become ineligible and can be rejected once the store confirms the final status. See why cashback can be rejected.
Next step
When you’re ready to book, find the travel store in ShopBack first, read the cashback terms, then click through and book in one session. If anything doesn’t track as expected, use the steps in report missing cashback.