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I’ve never loved paying cash for flights, and that’s a huge reason I dove headfirst into points and miles. But even with a good stash of rewards, sometimes using them just doesn’t make sense. Maybe there are no saver-level seats. Maybe the flights don’t line up with your school schedule. Or maybe the cash price is already so low, it’s not worth the points. If you feel like it’s confusing whether to tell if the point value is worth it or not, I explain it all here.
If you’re just getting started with points, my Beginner’s Guide is a great place to start.
When that happens, I rely on one of the easiest and most underrated ways to cut costs on family travel: gift cards. I don’t mean go out and ask your family to buy you a bunch of gift cards either. I mean purchase them yourself at a discount to lock in savings before you ever leave the house.
Why Gift Cards Are a Travel Game-Changer
Gift cards might not seem exciting at first, but once you understand how to save money on travel with gift cards, they become another powerful tool for to help get you on vacation.
- You can buy them at a discount (sometimes 10–20% off!)
- You prepay and stay on budget
- You can earn cashback or rewards when buying them
- They work for essentials you’re already planning to spend on
I think buying them at a discount is the biggest key. Who wouldn’t want 10–20% off their vacation?
Discounted Flight Gift Cards
Costco: Southwest Gift Cards
Costco is a huge favorite for discounted gift cards. They often sell Southwest gift cards for less than face value. I’ve scored a $500 card for $429.99, easily saving $70.
If you fly Southwest as a family, this is one of the best ways to save money on travel with gift cards.
Fluz App: 5% Off Delta Gift Cards
One of my go-to tricks for saving on flights is using the Fluz app, where you can grab Delta gift cards for 5% off. It’s fast, easy, and the discount shows up instantly in your email. Make sure that when you pay, you are paying with a card that earns you travel rewards. Might as well earn while you spend!
Disney Gift Cards
Planning a Disney trip? Here’s how to save money just by using Disney gift cards:
- Pay for meals and snacks in the parks
- Prepay for souvenirs through shopDisney or in-park stores
- Cover special experiences like tours or droid building
- Apply gift cards toward your vacation package (especially if booking through a travel agent)
Where to Find Discounts
- Target: Get 5% off Disney gift cards with a Target Circle™ Card
- Sam’s Club or BJ’s: Watch for discounted bundles
- Gift Card Granny: Check for online deals
- Slow and steady: Buy one each month to spread out trip costs
Important: Keep the original card if you’re using it for a vacation package. Refunds go back to the same card.
You can, of course, use Capital One points to offset your Disney vacation, but we have learned that every strategy we can use helps when it comes to Disney vacations. You can read more about our approach to saving on Disney tickets with gift cards here.
Universal Studios Tickets
If you’re looking for Universal tickets, skip the full-price route and check Viator. First-time users often get 15% off, and Viator sells everything from park tickets to behind-the-scenes tours.
But here’s the real win: Rakuten regularly offers cashback on Viator purchases. So if you’re planning an experience and wondering how to save money on travel with gift cards and cashback? This is it. Keep in mind instead of cashback, with Amex cards Rakuten also gives you the option to earn points instead of cashback. So you are earning for your travel while booking a current vacation. You really can’t beat that.
Stack strategy: Pay with a discounted prepaid Visa gift card, buy through Viator, and activate Rakuten for cashback. Triple win.
If you’re not sure how Rakuten compares to other portals, check out my Rakuten vs. Capital One portal breakdown.
Starbucks + Universal = Budget-Friendly Mornings
Staying onsite at Universal Studios? There’s a good chance your hotel has a Starbucks, and so do the parks. This is where Starbucks gift cards come in handy:
- Use them for breakfast (and budget it in advance!)
- Earn Starbucks Rewards points toward freebies
- Skip the guilt when your kids want a cake pop every morning
Other Gift Card Tips That Help You Save
Online Gift Card Marketplaces
1. Raise.com
A trusted resale site where people sell unwanted gift cards at a discount. You can often find 5–15% off major brands with travel brands from Uber to Celebrity cruises.
2. CardCash.com
Buy discounted gift cards and even sell your own. Look for flash sales or seasonal promotions for deeper savings.
3. Gift Card Granny
Aggregates deals from multiple gift card resale sites, letting you compare prices in one spot.
Retail Promotions & Grocery Stores
4. Kroger / Safeway / Giant Eagle / Meijer
These stores frequently run “Buy X, Get Fuel Points” or cash-back promotions on gift cards. This can double-dip if you’re earning fuel rewards and credit card points.
5. Target Circle Offers
Sometimes includes 5% off select gift cards like Apple or travel brands during holiday or back-to-school promotions.
Cashback Portals & Apps
6. Rakuten, TopCashback, or BeFrugal
Earn additional cashback when you buy gift cards through partnered retailers or during limited-time gift card promos.
7. Ibotta
In-app gift card purchases earn cashback, often instantly, and you can use them right away for in-store or online shopping.
Bank or Credit Card Offers
8. Card-linked Offers
Banks and credit cards often have targeted gift card deals. For example, $5 off a $50 purchase at a major retailer when bought with your eligible card.
9. Travel Reward Portals
Some issuers let you redeem points for gift cards at a boosted rate, great if you’re cashing out points and not traveling soon.
Stack Your Savings
Buy a discounted gift card via a cashback portal with a credit card that earns bonus points at that store type. For example, use a grocery bonus category card to buy gift cards during a supermarket promo and earn big rewards on top of the discount.
- Restaurant chains: Buy discounted gift cards for meals and snacks
- Prepaid Visa/Mastercard: Great for general purchases and setting spending limits
- eGift cards: Easy to store digitally with no wallet clutter and no lost cards
- Amazon deals: Watch for sales that let you save 40% off gift cards using just one rewards point
The Real Reason I Love Saving with Gift Cards
As a mom of four, I’m always looking for ways to make our trips more fun without stressing about money. Learning how to save money on travel with gift cards has made a huge difference for us.
It’s not about extreme couponing or gaming the system. It’s about smart planning and using every tool available to make travel doable. Once you start looking, you’ll realize how many parts of your trip can be prepaid using discounted gift cards.
So, whether you’re heading to Disney, flying to see Grandma, or planning a surprise Universal trip, try incorporating gift cards into your travel planning. It’s one of those strategies that’s simple to start and surprisingly addictive once you see how much it saves.
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