As the cost of living continues to rise, Australians are constantly on the lookout for savvy ways to save money, especially when it comes to indulging in their love of travel. For one self-proclaimed ‘travel junkie,’ the secret to funding her globetrotting adventures has been a simple yet effective online strategy that’s like ‘finding money in your jeans’—a delightful surprise that has netted her over $2,000 in savings.
‘I think it’s one of the best ways to maximise the benefits [of] your travel. Every single dollar counts in today’s age. Inflation is going through the roof and every bit of money counts,’ said Mukta Gwasikoti, a 35-year-old business analyst from Melbourne, who has turned her passion for travel into a cost-saving mission.
Gwasikoti reportedly saved thousands by leveraging the power of cashback sites. Over the past three years, she has been using a cashback platform that partners with a plethora of brands, including travel giants such as Virgin Australia, Flight Centre, Booking.com, Expedia, and Viator, to earn money back on her purchases.
In a recent interview, Gwasikoti shared how she saved between $600 and $700 on a four-week trip to the United States by booking hotels and activities through Cashrewards. She meticulously planned day trips and special excursions, all while keeping an eye out for the best cashback deals.
For instance, when booking a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon—a breathtaking experience that came with a hefty price tag of $1,200 for just 45 minutes—Gwasikoti took advantage of a 20 per cent boosted cashback offer from Viator, significantly offsetting the cost.
But how exactly does this cashback magic work? Major cashback sites like Cashrewards and ShopBack operate by forming partnerships with retailers who pay to be featured on their platforms. These sites then share a portion of their earnings with customers in the form of cashback.
The percentage of cashback varies depending on the retailer and current promotions, with some ‘boosted cashback’ offers reaching up to 20 per cent.
Using these sites is straightforward: shoppers can earn cash back by making purchases via the websites, apps, or browser extensions of these platforms. Within seven days, customers are typically notified if their purchase has ‘tracked’ correctly, and the cashback is approved within a period ranging from 14 to 100 days.
Gwasikoti’s strategy is to always check for deals and boosted cashback offers before making any travel-related purchases. She suggests adding frequently visited merchants to a ‘favourites list’ for notifications on special offers and subscribing to a cashback site’s mailing list for the latest deals.
Gwasikoti describes the joy of cashback as a bonus that arrives when you least expect it, bolstering your budget and making travel dreams more attainable.
‘It’s like finding money in your jeans pocket, which is always a good surprise. You’re not expecting it and it comes in,’ she said.
For our readers over 50, who often have more flexibility and time to travel, this tip could be particularly valuable. Whether you’re planning a grand European tour, a cultural journey through Asia, or simply exploring the wonders of Australia, keeping an eye on cashback offers could significantly offset or reduce your travel expenses.
We’d love to hear from you about your experiences with cashback sites. Have you used them for your travels? Did you find it as rewarding as Mukta Gwasikoti did? Share your stories and tips in the comments below, and let’s help each other make the most of our travel budgets in these challenging economic times.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only. Every financial situation is unique, and readers are encouraged to conduct their own research before taking action based on the content of this article.
Also read: When is the best day to travel? Debunking myths for big savings
Sounds great, but signing up with Cashrewards is not easy. Keeps asking for a promo code that doesn’t exist.