How to Stack Travel Deals in India: Coupons, Cashback & Reward Points

Let’s be real — traveling around India doesn’t have to drain your bank account faster than your phone battery at 1% on a no-charger day. If you know how to play your cards right (literally), you can unlock major savings using a mix of coupons, cashback, and reward points. It’s like piling power-ups in a computer game, except instead of XP you are accumulating savings on flights, hostels, and chai pit stops. This book is your cheat code for one lone trip at a time balling on a budget. Get you traveling like a boss.

What Is Travel Deal Stacking?

Okay, imagine you’re booking a trip and you’ve got hacks up your sleeve like a desi MacGyver. Travel deal stacking is basically the art of combining all the money-saving tricks out there — think using a promo code from your favorite travel app, swiping a cashback credit card like a pro, and scoring reward points that you can flex on your next trip.

It’s like building the ultimate travel thali — a little bit of discount here, a splash of cashback there, and some sweet loyalty points on top. The more layers you add, the spicier the savings.

Tips How Stack Travel Deals in India

Step 1: Snag Coupons Like a Pro (Because Why Pay Full Price?)

First of all, fellow wanderer, never pay full price if you are not obliged to. That’s like paying for popcorn at the movies when you could have easily slipped in your own house. 

Start your financial saving journey by visiting these coupon plug websites, essentially the Robin Hoods of Indian travel offers:

• CashKaro: This one’s a classic. Book your flights or hostels and bam, you get some cashback magic. It’s like your wallet saying “thank you” in advance.
• GrabOn: Think of this as Tinder for discounts — swipe through promo codes until you find the one that makes your trip cheaper.
• CouponDunia: Flights, hotels, weekend getaways — CouponDunia’s got the scoop on what’s hot and on sale. Kinda like your street-smart friend who always knows where the best deals are.

Bonus: These sites often have exclusive tie-ups with the biggies like MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, and Yatra — which means more deals for you, less guilt when you splurge on that beachside Maggi.

Step 2: Swipe Smart — Your Credit Card = Your Secret Travel BFF

Okay, listen up — your credit card isn’t just for impulse-buying sneakers during a 3 AM scroll sesh. If you pick the right one, it can be your ultimate travel sidekick, giving you cash back and points while you’re out there chasing sunsets and street food.

Let’s break it down:

Cashback Cards = Insta-savings

These are like instant gratification for your wallet. Spend money, and get money back. It’s giving: “treat yourself” but smarter.

• SBI Cashback Card – 5% cashback on online spends? That’s like getting paid to book your trip. Yes please.
• Axis Bank Ace Credit Card – 5% back on bills and 2% on everything else. So you’re basically saving on that hostel WiFi and the pre-trip electricity bill your mom made you pay.
• Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card – Prime members get 5% back on Amazon. Stock up on your travel gear and earn cashback for your next train ticket? Big win.

Travel Reward Cards = Future Trips FTW

These cards play the long game. Rack up points now, flex free travel later.

• HDFC Regalia Credit Card – Every booking = reward points. And trust us, these stack up faster than your laundry on a backpacking trip.
• Axis Bank Vistara Signature Card – You get a free Vistara flight ticket just for having it. Also, free airport lounge access. Hello, fancy traveler life. 
• Amex Platinum Travel Card – You earn Membership Rewards that can turn into travel vouchers. Basically like Pokémon points — collect enough and unlock cool stuff.

Pro tip: Pick the card that vibes with your travel style. Cashback’s great if you want immediate savings, rewards are clutch if you travel often and love free perks.

Step 3: Join Loyalty Programs — Because Freebies Are a Backpacker’s Love Language

Let’s be real — loyalty programs are like friendship bracelets with airlines and travel apps. You show them some love (aka book a few flights or stays), and they reward you with  “points” you can redeem for upgrades, discounts, or even free trips. And who doesn’t love a little free travel magic?

Here’s the lowdown on the best squad to roll with:

InterMiles

This one’s like your ride-or-die homie for all things travel. Book flights, hotels, or even shop online, and you earn miles (aka points). Stack up enough and you’re basically flying for free — like an influencer, minus the sponsored hashtag drama. 

PAYBACK India

One of the OGs. You earn points on travel, fuel, shopping — basically your whole lifestyle. It’s like turning your everyday spends into future trip fuel. Collect, redeem, repeat. 

Club Vistara

Flying Vistara? Join the club — literally. Every flight gets you CV Points you can redeem for upgrades or tickets. Bonus: pair it with a Vistara co-branded credit card and you’ll be swimming in points faster than you can say “window seat please.”​

Pro Tips for Travel Stacking Like a Legend

Alright, you’ve made it this far — time to level up. Here are some smart stacking hacks to turn your broke-backpacker energy into budget-travel royalty:

Combo Moves = Max Savings

Think of it like making a travel smoothie:

• Add a coupon code
• Blend in a cashback credit card 
• Sprinkle in some loyalty points 

Boom — one transaction, three layers of savings. It’s like pulling off a perfect UNO reverse on travel expenses.

Book During Sales (aka the Festive Fiesta Season)

In India, we don’t just celebrate Diwali — we celebrate travel sales.

Festivals = discounts raining down like confetti. Airlines and hotel sites love dropping promo bombs during:

• Diwali
• Holi
• Independence Day
• End-of-year New Year sales

Plan smart, and your wallet won’t feel attacked.

Go Incognito (Like a Sneaky Flight Ninja)

You know how you check a flight once, and suddenly it’s ₹2,000 more the next day? 

Yeah, that’s dynamic pricing being a little shady.

Solution: Use incognito mode when searching for flights — no cookies, no price hikes, just pure wanderlust.

Set Fare Alerts (Because You’re Busy Living Life)

Ain’t nobody got time to refresh flight prices every 10 minutes.

Set fare alerts on Google Flights or apps like Skyscanner and Hopper, and let the apps do the stalking for you.

You’ll get a ping when prices drop — and you can book without FOMO.

Sample Stacking Scenario

Alright, let’s say you’re planning a quick escape from Delhi to Mumbai — maybe you’re chasing sunsets at Marine Drive or just vibing in Bandra cafés pretending you’re in a Bollywood montage. 

Here’s how you stack deals like a travel hacker with main character energy:

Step 1: Grab That Coupon Like It’s Free Pizza

Head over to GrabOn and snatch that sweet ₹500 off coupon for MakeMyTrip. It’s basically like finding ₹500 on the street — but less sketchy. 

Step 2: Pay Like a Genius with Axis Ace

Whip out your Axis Bank Ace Credit Card like it’s your Hogwarts wand — because you’re about to cast a 5% cashback spell.

You book your flight → they send you money back → you treat yourself to extra vada pavs in Mumbai. Win-win.

Step 3: Rack Up InterMiles Like a Frequent Flyer in Training

Since you booked through MakeMyTrip, make sure you earn InterMiles on the side. These bad boys stack up and can be used for future flights, hotel stays, or even a cheeky Amazon voucher for your next packing cube obsession.

• Read also: Eat Like a Local: Best Dining Promotions in Major Indian Cities
• Read also: Thrill on a Budget: Adventure Activity Offers Across India

Conclusion

Let’s be honest — who doesn’t want to travel India like a boss without going broke?

Stacking coupons, cashback, and reward points is basically the budget backpacker’s version of leveling up in a video game.

So here’s the vibe:

• Use those promo codes like your trip depends on it (because it kinda does)
• Swipe smart with cashback or travel cards — don’t let that free money go to waste.
• Join loyalty programs and collect points like they’re Poké Balls. Gotta catch ’em all. 

Stay alert for deals like it’s your side hustle, plan like you’re booking Coachella tickets, and watch your savings stack up like your hostel bunkmates’ laundry.