Many travelers assume they need to choose between earning airline miles or scoring cashback—but in reality, the smartest travel hackers know how to combine both. By using the right platforms and timing your purchases correctly, it’s entirely possible to double up on rewards: miles for your next trip and cashback in your pocket today.
Here’s how to make the most of both strategies when booking airfare.
Start with a flight aggregator, then pivot to the brand
Sites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Hopper are excellent for comparing prices across multiple airlines. Use them to identify your ideal flight—departure times, layovers, seating class—then switch to booking directly through the airline to secure loyalty points or elite status credit.
Booking directly also increases your odds of free changes, better customer service, and smoother access to upgrades using your miles.
Use gift cards to pay—and earn cashback on the purchase
Instead of paying the airline directly with a credit card, consider buying a gift card through a cashback platform first. With Fluz, you can often find airline and travel gift cards that qualify for instant rewards. For example, you can earn cashback with a Delta Airlines gift card or get rewards with a Southwest Airlines gift card.
The trick is to buy the gift card just before you book your flight, in the exact amount you need. This way, you lock in your cashback and still qualify for miles when inputting your frequent flyer number during checkout.
Pay with a rewards credit card for a triple stack
Many travel credit cards offer 2x or 3x points on travel-related purchases. If you use one to purchase the gift card from Fluz, you’ll earn points on the card, cashback on the Fluz transaction, and miles through the airline’s program—all in one transaction chain.
Keep in mind:
- Gift card purchases may not always code as “travel” on your credit card, but the points still accumulate
- Airline programs like American AAdvantage typically still honor miles on gift card bookings
Watch for stacking opportunities during sales
Airlines often run promotions where you can earn bonus miles or companion certificates for specific booking windows. Combine those offers with cashback gift card purchases, and you boost your value further.
Additionally, Fluz occasionally features limited-time higher cashback rates for popular travel brands, especially during holidays, summer, and end-of-year planning seasons.
Things to avoid when mixing cashback and miles
- Third-party booking sites like Expedia or Priceline often disqualify you from earning full airline miles
- Promo codes may invalidate the ability to pay with gift cards
- Basic economy fares might earn fewer miles even if booked correctly, so check fare class rules
Final thoughts
By strategically combining cashback gift card platforms like Fluz with airline loyalty programs, you can turn a standard flight booking into a rewarding experience. Whether you’re a casual vacationer or a frequent flier, these simple switches can lead to major savings and bonus perks over time.
