Travel gift cards aren’t just a thoughtful present—they’re also a powerful tool for getting more out of your travel spend. Whether you’re booking a hotel, reserving a flight, or planning a full vacation package, gift cards can help you unlock bonus perks, reduce out-of-pocket costs, and even stack rewards. And if you pair your purchase with the right rewards platform, the value gets even better.
Here’s how to make the most of travel gift cards and earn rewards while doing it.
Choose gift cards that match your travel style
Start by narrowing down which part of your trip the gift card will cover. If you’re staying in a chain hotel, brands like Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt offer gift cards that can be used across most of their properties. For flights, some airline gift cards can be used toward airfare, seat upgrades, or checked bags, but always check the terms and blackout restrictions before buying.
If your plans are flexible, using a general-purpose travel platform like Hotels.com gives you access to a broad range of lodging options in one place.
Where to get the most value
To maximize your return, avoid buying gift cards directly from the brand unless there’s a seasonal promo. Instead, go through a cashback app that offers rewards when you purchase the card. For example, you can earn cashback with a Marriott gift card or get rewards with a Hilton gift card through Fluz. This lets you double-dip: one reward when buying the card and another when redeeming points from the brand’s loyalty program during your stay.
Fluz often features rotating travel offers, including limited-time bonus cashback at major hotel and airline brands. With Fluz, you can also choose the exact value you need—whether that’s $84.19 for a hotel booking or $50.00 flat for checked bags.
Stack with loyalty programs and credit card rewards
Gift cards don’t exclude you from earning hotel points or airline miles. As long as you’re booking directly through the brand and inputting your loyalty number, you’ll still collect your rewards. Some travel credit cards also offer bonus points for booking travel, even if you pay with a gift card—especially if you use the card to buy the gift card in the first place.
This is one of the easiest ways to triple-stack rewards:
- Get cashback when buying the gift card
- Earn credit card points from the purchase
- Earn loyalty points when redeeming it on a stay or flight
Use for group or business travel bookings
If you’re covering multiple travelers or planning a group trip, buying a gift card upfront can make expense tracking easier—especially when paired with corporate or business travel. Some brands allow you to apply multiple gift cards per transaction or load them into your account for future bookings. This is particularly helpful for frequent travelers who want to stay within a fixed budget.
Watch out for expiration and refund policies
Not all travel gift cards are created equal. Some may have expiration dates, dormancy fees, or restrictions on how they’re applied. Additionally, if you cancel a trip booked with a gift card, the refund may go back onto the gift card rather than your original payment method.
Always read the fine print before making a purchase, and consider calling the brand’s customer service line if you’re unsure how their refund system works.
Final thoughts
Travel gift cards are more than just a one-time savings tool—they’re part of a bigger travel strategy. When combined with loyalty perks and cashback apps like Fluz, they give you control over your spending and unlock better value across every trip. If you’re not already earning cashback on travel gift card purchases, you’re leaving rewards on the table.
