If you’ve been following my recent travels on Instagram and Twitter, you’ll know that I’ve been racking up the air miles lately in a bid to complete my 30 countries before 30 challenge. In the last seven weeks I’ve been to Cyprus, Mexico and Jordan, so now have just two countries left to visit before I hit the mega 30 milestone.
Unfortunately this sudden surge in travel has meant that my bank balance has taken a bit of a battering. And with my unemployed status (following my rapid return to Reading) and no wages coming in, I’ve had to use all my savings to fund my final few trips. Because of this, it was touch and go whether I’d actually complete my challenge. However, I’m happy to report that flights to those two remaining countries have now been booked. Hooray.
On Wednesday 21 June I’ll be flying out to the German capital, Berlin, where I’ll stay for a few days. From there I’ll head on to Budapest, making Hungary my 30th country (well before the deadline of Saturday 8 July, when I’ll turn 30). I’ll then fly back to the UK on Thursday 29 June, meaning I have a few days to relax before starting my new job in London the following week. Double hooray.
What’s not “hooray” however, is the cost of all this travel. Which would soon mount up if I wasn’t being super careful…
I’ve mentioned before on the blog that I used to work at MoneySavingExpert, one of the UK’s biggest consumer websites. Therefore money-saving runs in my blood, and over the years I’ve learnt lots of ways to keep travel costs (as well as other household bills and expenses) as low as possible. I constantly look for deals, price glitches and loopholes so I can get cheap flights, cheap package holidays and cheap hotels. I even look for the cheapest airport parking and research where to get the cheapest travel money before I head off.
With all my money-saving prowess in force, so far these last two countries have cost me £102 in flights and £48 in airport parking. I’ve yet to book my accommodation in Berlin (if you have any suggestions, please leave a comment below), but my 4-night stay in a hotel in Budapest has cost me absolutely nothing.
That’s right, I’ve not paid a penny to stay at the Soho Boutique Hotel – saving me a whopping £607 according to Booking.com.
How did I manage to book a stay at this 4 star hotel in the centre of Budapest, with excellent transport links and a complimentary buffet breakfast?
Well, it all goes back to my MoneySavingExpert days, where I worked with this money-saving fanatic, Jenny. Jenny was amazing, an inspiration to me. She would save money on everything, rarely paying full price for anything. You name it, Jenny had a coupon, a discount code, a sale or a deal for it.
One day back in 2011, when she started talking about TopCashback and how great it was for saving money on things, I thought I’d look into it more. If you’re not familiar with cashback websites, essentially they use affiliate links to track sales online, and when a purchase with a retailer is confirmed, you earn back a percentage of the money spent. It doesn’t always work (sometimes there are tracking issues, for example), so the cashback is never 100% guaranteed, but it is a potential way of getting money off products and services that you would buy online anyway.
I was apprehensive at first; I didn’t like the idea of a third-party tracking what I was buying over the internet (not that I was buying anything dodgy, more that I didn’t want them knowing details about car insurance and the like). But I joined anyway, and after chats with Natasha (the PR lady and TopCashback guru), I found quick and easy ways to start building up my cash balance.
In my first year as a member on the site I made over £100 cashback. But rather than withdrawing my cash into my bank account, Jenny had a better idea…
Heeding Jenny’s expert advice, instead of withdrawing my balance I converted my cashback into Tesco Clubcard points (a shopping reward scheme in the UK). By doing it this way I actually got a “bonus”, so got more points than I would have done if I’d just taken the cash. It didn’t stop there though.
I then began to build up my Clubcard points balance. Again, hanging on every word Jenny said, I waited for Tesco Clubcard points exchange events to change my points into Avios air miles with British Airways. This made them worth 4x what they would have been as standard Clubcard points.
Those Avois points could then be used to pay for flights, hotels, package holidays and days out. It sounds complicated, I know. Here’s an illustrative example to show how it worked:
- Spend £100 on ASOS online via TopCashback, earning 10% cashback = £10
- Withdraw £10 cashback as Tesco Clubcard points (back then TopCashback offered a point for every penny converted into Clubcard points), and given a 5% bonus = 1,050 Clubcard points
- With Tesco Clubcard, every point is worth a penny, so 1,050 points is £10.50 of vouchers. Back then £2.50 worth of vouchers would get you 600 Avios points. But…
- Use the vouchers in the Clubcard exchange event (happened twice a year) to get 4x what they were originally worth. So £2.50 of vouchers becomes 2,400 Avois points, and therefore £10 of vouchers becomes 9,600 Avois points.
In this example, with a single purchase of £100 on ASOS, doing it Jenny’s way, I’d collect enough points for a one-way flight from London to Paris with British Airways (minus taxes, as these still have to be paid).
Fast-forward six years to today, and I’ve earned over £600 of cashback, simply from going via TopCashback every time I shop online. I’ve earned cashback from hotel bookings, insurance policies, food shops – I’ve even earned cashback from signing up for a free trial to a dating website.
By converting at least two-thirds of this cashback into Avios points (as well as collecting air miles the traditional way by actually flying with British Airways), by the beginning of 2017 I had a balance of over 42,000 points – enough to get me return flights to LA.
I used some of these to pay for tickets to the Guinness Storehouse when my (now ex) boyfriend and I went to Dublin for the weekend in February. But other than that, I’ve never spent any, hanging onto them for a special occasion. That is until now.
In light of Hungary being my 30th country in my mission to visit 30 countries before I’m 30, I’ve gone all out and used 35,000 points to pay for my stay at the super swanky Soho Boutique Hotel, saving me a mammoth £607 on accommodation costs. And if the pictures in this post (all taken from Booking.com) are anything to go by, I think it’ll be a stay worth every point.
*****
Unfortunately the “TopCashback to Tesco Clubcard” points route is no longer available (perhaps the bods in charge wised up to what Jenny and I were doing?), but there are still plenty of other ways you can save and earn money using TopCashback.
If you’d like to find out more and join the scheme, please use this referral link: www.topcashback.co.uk/ref/beccajtalbot. This will earn you a £5 Debenhams gift card, and me £10 cashback (which I can put towards further travelling).
Have you ever used air miles or reward schemes to pay for your travel? If you’ve got any tips or tricks on how to get great discounts on hotels, flights and other travel related costs, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
I have seen and am signed up to a cashback site and they are really good. I also have a clubcard and it has been great in helping get a bargain in the past. I have never got a free trip though so well done on working the system to the best advantage, although boo that they are no longer allowing this x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, it’s a shame – but my friend who works at TopCashback said that the company are always reviewing their options for withdrawing cash, so fingers crossed it comes back! x
LikeLike
It looks like a great hotel and it’s even better that you didnt have to pay for it either
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, totally – I just hope that it lives up to the pictures and description on the site! x
LikeLike
Oh wow! I use topcashback for my shopping but didn’t know you could convert it into club card vouchers! thats amazing! might do something like this when we go to our next holiday!
and I absolutely love your challenge!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Ayesha – I’m so glad that I’ll be able to say I’ve completed my 30 before 30 challenge! x
LikeLike
Omg! I was reading this on the edge of my seat haha I felt like I was in on a little secret. That’s amazing, well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha thanks Naomi – I hope some of my tips can help with your future travels x
LikeLike
Oh wow what an amazing thing to have spent your cashback on! I am awful for withdrawing mine, I really should look into other ways I can use it. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Sarah! I’m so glad I didn’t use my cashback to buy a holiday for me and my ex – spending it on this, my final country in my 30 before 30 challenge, feels so much more meaningful x
LikeLike
First off, congratulations that you will be completing the 30 countries before 30 challenge. I turned 30 in May so sadly, I won’t be able to do that. Maybe a new challenge of 50 before 50 could be created?
That is awesome that you were able to save all those points so you can have a free hotel stay. I might have to check out topcashback. Enjoy your last few trips!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much Jessica 😊 50 before 50 sounds like a great challenge to me! I’m contemplating what I should do for my next travel-related challenge, any suggestions?
And thank you – I definitely recommend using TopCashback, once you get into the mindset of always going there first before buying anything online, the pounds soon build up! X
LikeLike
I use Top Cashback and it’s amazing how quick your money back mounts up! I’m also on the Avios points scheme.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s brilliant Mellissa – have you used any of your cashback for holiday or travel savings?! x
LikeLike
Wow what a great read, this is amazing…saving £600+ just with bonus schemes, good on you. Great advice 🙂 x
LikeLiked by 2 people
I know, I’m so pleased with my savings – I hope the hotel lives up to the pictures and description x
LikeLiked by 1 person
WOw what a brilliant way to save money on travel expenses and accommodation. Well done you! That hotel looks absolutely stunning 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much! I hope it’s a stunning as it looks! I’m really looking forward to my trip now 😊✈️🇩🇪 x
LikeLike
WOW! Very interesting how you manage to make the most of your money. I’ve never used cashback sites before but will sign up through your link.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Lilinha! If you sign up via the link we’ll both get a bonus, so that’s great, thank you 🙂 x
LikeLike
What a wonderful idea! We have a cash back credit card I’ve never thought about doing something like this. I can’t wait to check out the offer through the link you provided. Thanks so much for sharing this with your readers!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Alison – as stated at the bottom of the post, TopCashback is no longer offering Tesco Clubcard points in exchange for cashback. However a good source of TopCashback knowledge (my friend Natasha, who works for them) said that they are always reviewing the methods of cashback withdrawal, so hopefully it will come back soon x
LikeLike
For free and it looks like an amazing place to stay! This is awesome!
Leah
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it’s fantastic that you were able to pull together all the points and credit savings you’d accumulated to make this stay a free one. I look forward to your trip and report. Kudos!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Elizabeth – it took a bit of wrangling, but I managed it! And my trip was amazing 🙂 x
LikeLike
wow, I so need to up my game on cashback sites. All my shopping these days is done on line and I know I am missing out so need to really pull my finger out! … hope you are all packed and ready to go! Have a super time
LikeLiked by 2 people
Once you’ve been going through cashbacks a wee while, and you get into the habit of it, it becomes second nature I think 🙂 leaving for Stansted at 2.30am tonight, haven’t even packed yet – need to get a wriggle on! x
LikeLike
Wow, this looks like it will be great! I really need to do more with cashback, I almost never do. Even with my avios, I have some ridiculous amount as I wanted to earn enough to get me a free trip to Hawaii – I now have enough for that but now I’m not sure whether to keep saving it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think once you’ve got into the habit of always going via the cashback site before you buy online, it becomes second nature, so the cashback just mounts up! Will it did in my case anyway 😊 I think Avios are great, but when you use them for flights you still have to pay for the airport taxes etc, which in some cases can be the biggest part of the cost. So for example, though I had enough points for return flights to the US with British Airways, I would still have had to pay £150 per flight in taxes. Norwegian Air do some budget flights to the US for £149.90 each way, and that includes the taxes. Admittedly the Norwegian Air flights don’t include free meals or checked in luggage, but other than that the service is the same – and if you always carry on like me, it’s a no brainer. So I kept saving my Avios for something special… then I realised that you can use them for things other than flights, and those didn’t occur the taxes and extra charges 😉 so hello free hotel stay in Budapest! 🇭🇺✨👍🏻 x
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh that looks like an amazing hotel – i love that breakfast!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Let’s hope it lives up to its pictures! I’ll check in on Sunday morning! x
LikeLike
First of all, what an incredible challenge you set yourself – I love it. I’m so pleased you’re about to reach your goal, it’s definitely well deserved. I’ll be honest, I had always been apprehensive of cashback websites because I thought they sounded too goof to be true and like you, I wasn’t sure how comfortable I felt with my shopping feeling like it was being ;tracked’. This has completely changed my mind though and I’ll definitely sign up! Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahhh thanks for such a kind comment 🙂 I am really pleased that I’ll be able to say I have completed my challenge. I’ve heard so many good things about Budapest since telling my friends that I am going there! Yes I know exactly what you mean about cashback sites – it does feel a bit Big Brother-ish in some ways, but when I look at the benefits, these for outweigh my concerns 🙂 let me know if you sign up and start earning cashback! Good luck! X
LikeLike
That’s so cool! Free is always good. That buffet looks amazing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a great breakfast spread! x
LikeLike
Wow! What a way to save. I have never really tried any of this so I think I better start! There’s nothing like getting Holidays for free xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hehe! A holiday is great, it’s even better when it’s free (or discounted!). If you do a lot of shopping online anyway, then cashback sites like TopCashback are a no brainer really x
LikeLike
Wow, I don’t care how complicated it is if I get to stay in a hotel for free that is always a winner! Well done for booking the last two countries, looking forward to seeing more of your travels x x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks hun – it was a bit of a complicated process, but totally worth using my points for the hotel 🙂 x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen to rewarding yourself, Life is too short to not take up any freebies or opportunities that are thrown your way. Where are you thinking of going to next? x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Incredible!! I’m always doing cashback sites and searching for voucher codes etc. so this would be no skin off my nose to try! Just need to get my first ever passport to start off ha! x
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh wow, you don’t have a passport! I can’t imagine not travelling, though I know it’s not for everyone. Glad to hear your a fan of cashback though! x
LikeLike
My gosh – what an insightful post. I use Top Cashback occasionally but will definitely use it religiously now. Right now I’m just dreaming about what all the ASOS orders I’ve placed in the last few months could’ve gotten me had I used this method 😦 thanks for the insight Becca
LikeLiked by 2 people
Glad the post has helped! As soon as you get into the habit of going to TopCashback first, it’ll become second nature and the pounds (and points) will soon mount up x
LikeLike
Lucky you! This post was truly motivational, Becca!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really do need to look a little closer at top cashback, I always use quidco but this seems more lucrative.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahha that’s brilliant, who doesn’t love freebies? I haven’t registered for any such cashback schemes as yet, except the usual schemes on credit cards. Will do it now. Thanks for sharing !
LikeLiked by 2 people
I hope you’re able to make big savings like me Medha! x
LikeLike
Well done, I’m utterly impessed!! 👍🏻🌹
LikeLiked by 1 person
Will definitely check this cash back scheme out. We’re hoping to travel this year so could use all the saving help we can get.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you’re going to be shopping online anyway, then going via a cashback site is a no brainer really! x
LikeLike
Cash back sites are great, and it really does add up in the end. It’s great you got to get something really nice with your accumulated cash back! The hotel looks amazing 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Connor – I’m so glad that I didn’t just waste my cashback and fritter it away on something pointless x
LikeLike
Such a great idea to save money when travelling! I’ve never used cash back websites before, but now definitely going to look into them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Get yourself registered with TopCashback Hun – it’s a great way to make savings on stuff that you’re going to buy online anyway! X
LikeLike
That’s fantastic! I use an air miles credit card but this seems like a great way to build more air miles 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is – it becomes second nature after a while too, so you just build up the cashback and then convert that into Avios! X
LikeLike
I think I signed up to that site but have never used it. You have inspired me to give it another go
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good luck Kara – I hope you’re able to save some money and make some cashback x
LikeLike
That actually sounds quite complicated! I’ve use TopCashBack a few times to save myself money.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah it was a bit of a complicated process, but worth it in the end! x
LikeLike
Well done you! I’ve been hearing great things about cashback sites at the moment and after reading this I definitely need to sign up!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sarah! Did you sign up yet? If not, now is the time – there’s a double referral bonus at the moment, meaning you get cashback for going via a referral from a friend 🙂 Check it out here: https://www.topcashback.co.uk/ref/beccajtalbot x
LikeLike
This is amazing, I’ve used quidco but never top cashback. I’m always looking for travel deals!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You should definitely check it out Elizabeth 🙂 x
LikeLike
How fab!!! I love it. Looks like an awesome place too, will try it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have you signed up to Topcashback already Donna? If not there’s a double referral bonus on at the moment, so you’d get free cashback just for signing up via a friend’s referral link 🙂 Here’s mine: https://www.topcashback.co.uk/ref/beccajtalbot x
LikeLike
Ooh, I’m so glad you’re going to manage to complete your challenge! I might have to start a visit 40 countries before 40 challenge – do you think I’d manage it in just over 7 years?!
Louise x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Potentially! How many countries are you on at the moment!?? Anything is doable! x
LikeLike
I have never heard of Top cashback but I love to save and find cheap ways to budget and this sounds great. I do budget holidays and although we have not travelled in ages, we are going to Paris if i’m well enough and I found the best deals and flights and am so excited.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahhh Angela that’s brilliant – fingers crossed you’re well enough to go x
LikeLike
wow that is amazing how you managed to do this, I definitely need to look into cashback sites as I have never used one yet spend so much money online x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have you signed up to Topcashback before Rhian? If not there’s a double referral bonus on at the moment, so you’d get free cashback just for signing up via a friend’s referral link 🙂 Here’s mine: https://www.topcashback.co.uk/ref/beccajtalbot just in case 😉 x
LikeLike
I have to admit I got a little lost with the maths of it all but what an amazing scheme. I terrible for getting good deals I do try and find discounts but I don’t do enough x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha I know, it is quite confusing isn’t it! But it was a great deal x
LikeLike
I had never heard about TopCashback before! I’ve been wondering how to be able to save money while traveling, especially for hotels (sometimes you just DON’T want to go to a hostel – need some space and privacy once in a while), because they are always so expensive! Will definitely be looking into other money – saving – related websites!
LikeLiked by 1 person
TopCashback is one of my absolute faves for saving money on my travels, but I have loads of other money-saving tips for travelling – maybe I should write a whole post? x
LikeLike
That is great. I want to travel to Europe someday, and I definately like to save money. I’ll have to check it out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure you’d save some money with Topcashback Kathy 🙂 x
LikeLike
I love that you were able to get cash back! Budapest sounds like a great place to visit, and a free hotel room is even better!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My trip to Budapest was unbelievable, I really enjoyed it x
LikeLike
I’ve never heard of TopCashBack before. It looks like it is really worth it to use them to book travels! I will have to check them out!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not just travel – you should do all your online shopping via TopCashback! x
LikeLike
Certainly it was lovely. I want to go to Budapest. It’s been on my list for awhile. I’ve been to Dublin… it was nice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have you made it to Budapest yet Rosey? x
LikeLike
Cashback site are really great especially during holidays when people do most of there shopping online. I always get back between 60-100 dollars per year which is awesome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, that’s great! Good job Dalba! x
LikeLike
Great tips, I need to look into cash back sites, really saves money. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Joan – did you manage to join one yet? x
LikeLike
This is a huge feat. 30 before 30! Your tips are great and worth trying. thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have you managed to try any Jessica? x
LikeLike
I haven’t tried a cashback site yet. Maybe I should try it soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I definitely think you should! x
LikeLike
What an amazing journey “30 countries before 30” you have done great so far. I applaud your enthusiasm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much! x
LikeLike
You’re so savvy with cash back saving! I’m actually rather lucky and can sometimes use my dads hotel points as he travels a lot for business, but they’re mostly holiday inn’s. I do also like recommending people try the couch surfing website for free places to stay as it’s not always as “student back packer” as it seems!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have never tried couch surfing, I have to admit – I’m not sure if I like the idea… 😦 have you got any tips or advice on it? x
LikeLike
lucky you and i should definitely look into it as an avid traveler! this will help me lots!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree 😉 x
LikeLike
Nice and impressive, I’m not really much a traveller but i will give it a try
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can use Topcashback for any purchase online, so it’s definitely worth it x
LikeLike
I really enjoyed reading about your travel and how to save money! I LOVE travelling but am always held back by budget, might be time to start implementing some of your ideas!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hopefully you can start using Topcashback and save some money on trips! x
LikeLike
Wow. I wish I had your money saving prowess and Jenny for a friend:) You certainly deserved that wonderful stay at Soho for all your great money management schemes. I love to travel too I should definitely come up with a challenge to steer myself too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your comment Shaheen! Have you managed to get any travel bargain yet? I definitely recommend joining a cashback site to take advantage of potential savings! x
LikeLike
Great job!! Wish I was able to do something like that. Glad you had a great time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
No reason why you can’t Dena 😉 sign up to TopCashback and start saving! x
LikeLike
Wow I can’t believe you stayed here for free. I need to really get on the prowl and get on my research.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have you joined a cashback website Brandi? I definitely recommend them 😉 x
LikeLike