Cashback/Points for Flight booking
Jan 7, 2012, 12:47 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: United Plat, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Diamond, National Exec Elite
Posts: 108
Cashback/Points for Flight booking
I fly EVERY week. I just go to United.com and book a flight a week in advance as I get 3x United miles for every dollar spend in United.com using my United Mileage Plus Preferred Card. Is there a better Credit Card out there for this scenario?
I heard that some of the Cashback sites such as Big Crumb give ~3% Cashback if one buys his/her ticket from Expedia. Has anybody used it? What is the best cashback site for flights within US (from Kayak, Expedia,etc.)? I prefer Star Alliance, so that I can earn mines in United.
Also, for my scenario -- as I value United miles a lot -- what would you recommend me change?
Thanks
I heard that some of the Cashback sites such as Big Crumb give ~3% Cashback if one buys his/her ticket from Expedia. Has anybody used it? What is the best cashback site for flights within US (from Kayak, Expedia,etc.)? I prefer Star Alliance, so that I can earn mines in United.
Also, for my scenario -- as I value United miles a lot -- what would you recommend me change?
Thanks
Last edited by abhicoolmax; Jan 7, 2012 at 12:55 pm
Jan 7, 2012, 3:20 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton GLD, Marriott Plat, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 2,872
I fly EVERY week. I just go to United.com and book a flight a week in advance as I get 3x United miles for every dollar spend in United.com using my United Mileage Plus Preferred Card. Is there a better Credit Card out there for this scenario?
I heard that some of the Cashback sites such as Big Crumb give ~3% Cashback if one buys his/her ticket from Expedia. Has anybody used it? What is the best cashback site for flights within US (from Kayak, Expedia,etc.)? I prefer Star Alliance, so that I can earn mines in United.
Also, for my scenario -- as I value United miles a lot -- what would you recommend me change?
Thanks
I heard that some of the Cashback sites such as Big Crumb give ~3% Cashback if one buys his/her ticket from Expedia. Has anybody used it? What is the best cashback site for flights within US (from Kayak, Expedia,etc.)? I prefer Star Alliance, so that I can earn mines in United.
Also, for my scenario -- as I value United miles a lot -- what would you recommend me change?
Thanks
Jan 8, 2012, 8:43 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: AA Plat 1MM, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Ambassador Platinum
Posts: 63
Yes these cashback sites really do work. Just make sure to check the details on each program. There are a bunch of credible cash back sites. I find it best to compare them using cashreporter.com. Here's what I've found:
Expedia -- Up to 10% or $2.50 cashback
Orbitz -- Up to 5% or $2.50 cashback
Priceline -- Up to 7% cashback
Expedia -- Up to 10% or $2.50 cashback
Orbitz -- Up to 5% or $2.50 cashback
Priceline -- Up to 7% cashback
Jan 8, 2012, 10:05 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,737
Chase Sapphire allows for 2 points per dollar on travel related purchases and you can also get 2 more points for using their rewards mall to purchase a ticket at orbitz and priceline. I think this is better than using a cash back website in that you get the points within 30 days of your purchase. Then getting the 7% bonus at the end of the year on all points earned.
Jan 9, 2012, 7:10 am
#5
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Jan 9, 2012, 7:39 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NYC
Posts: 511
One great resource that I always check for the best online rewards for any program-retailer combo is nerdwallet discount search.
It includes all the various e-shopping portal and cashback opportunities for many online retailers.
If you value your United Miles @ 1 cent per mile than you are getting the mileage equivalent of 3% cash back on your United.com purchases.
I would also keep an eye open for Chase Freedom Ultimate Reward bonus categories in Q4 (October – December): Hotels, airlines, Best Buy and Kohl’s.
That would be a worthwhile investment for somebody like you.
Good Luck!
It includes all the various e-shopping portal and cashback opportunities for many online retailers.
If you value your United Miles @ 1 cent per mile than you are getting the mileage equivalent of 3% cash back on your United.com purchases.
I would also keep an eye open for Chase Freedom Ultimate Reward bonus categories in Q4 (October – December): Hotels, airlines, Best Buy and Kohl’s.
That would be a worthwhile investment for somebody like you.
Good Luck!
Jan 9, 2012, 6:47 pm
#8
Moderator: Chase Ultimate Rewards
Join Date: Apr 2005
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A few of the airlines (e.g. Alaska) will offer you cashback for booking directly with them.
I'd be reluctant to use a site like Expedia only for the cashback. Let's say you buy a ticket for $300 and get 2% back from Expedia. Then you need to make a voluntary change. Many times the airline will send you right back to Expedia as your "travel agent" on the ticket. Is $6 really worth having to deal with Expedia's agents and possible Expedia change fees, etc. ?
I'd recommend continuing to book directly with United using your United credit card.
I'd be reluctant to use a site like Expedia only for the cashback. Let's say you buy a ticket for $300 and get 2% back from Expedia. Then you need to make a voluntary change. Many times the airline will send you right back to Expedia as your "travel agent" on the ticket. Is $6 really worth having to deal with Expedia's agents and possible Expedia change fees, etc. ?
I'd recommend continuing to book directly with United using your United credit card.
Nov 27, 2019, 8:04 am
#9
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Doesn't the MileagePlus shopping portal offer miles for booking flights via Orbitz? I know this is an old thread, but there doesn't seem to be any other discussion about it. Orbitz often appears there, but the miles rarely seem to post on time.
Nov 27, 2019, 12:44 pm
#10
Moderator: Chase Ultimate Rewards
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I think the math is even less favorable than when this thread started. Most of the OTA sites have gone to offering flat $2-$4 rebates on flight purchases. Assuming the purchase even tracks at all, you saved a few bucks but now have a third party involved in your trip. Typically easier to just deal with the airline directly.
Nov 27, 2019, 2:13 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Agreed. There was a time where websites (OTA or carriers) were using marketing dollars to subsidize bookings and behavior. Today, you best bet is finding high value credit cards 3x-5x on flight purchases that allow you to buy tickets from wherever.
I don't have a problem with an OTA involved in most bookings especially if I can't get the pricing directly on the airline website for whatever reason. The only other area that still seems to have margin are opaque travel ticket (making some comeback) and vacation packages (where one or more individual elements are kept opaque in pricing).
I don't have a problem with an OTA involved in most bookings especially if I can't get the pricing directly on the airline website for whatever reason. The only other area that still seems to have margin are opaque travel ticket (making some comeback) and vacation packages (where one or more individual elements are kept opaque in pricing).
Nov 27, 2019, 4:03 pm
#12
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I have found Orbitz regularly offers 1x miles for every dollar spent via MileagePlus shopping. Have used it many times and earned the miles; great alternative to cash back although it doesn't always properly track.