Hotel bookings often account for one of the biggest travel expenses. However, what if you could turn a part of that expense into savings? By taking advantage of cashback offers, rewards, and smart booking strategies, you can save 15% to 30% on your hotel stays.
In this guide, you’ll discover the best ways to maximise cashback on hotel bookings in India. We’ll cover the top hotel booking apps and websites that offer cashback, the best credit cards for hotel rewards, UPI cashback offers, cashback websites, and how to stack multiple discounts and promotions to maximise your savings. You’ll also learn practical tips to earn cashback on almost every hotel booking, helping you travel more while spending less.
What is cashback on hotels?
When you book a hotel through an eligible app, website, cashback portal, or credit card offer, the provider tracks your booking and returns a percentage of the booking value—typically 5%–15% in India—after the stay is completed and the booking is confirmed as valid. You can discover which app gives the cheapest hotel booking in India, tested in 2026
How hotel cashback works (step-by-step)
- Find an eligible cashback offer
This could be on a hotel booking app, a cashback website, or a credit card promotion.
- Book through the offer link
The platform uses tracking cookies or referral links to identify your booking.
- Pay with an eligible payment method
Many offers require a specific credit card, debit card, UPI offer, or wallet payment.
- Complete the stay
Cashback is usually approved only after the hotel stay is completed and not cancelled.
- Receive the cashback
The amount may be credited to your card statement, bank account, wallet, or cashback account within a few days to several weeks.
Example
Hotel booking amount
₹6,000
Cashback rate
10%
Cashback earned
₹600
Effective cost
₹5,400
So although you initially pay ₹6,000, your net hotel cost becomes ₹5,400 after cashback.
Also read: Best budget hotel chains in India to save more on travel
Common sources of hotel cashback in India
| Source | How you earn |
| Credit cards | Statement cashback or reward points on hotel spends |
| Hotel booking apps | Promotional cashback on selected properties |
| Cashback portals | Extra cashback for booking through their referral links |
| UPI & wallet offers | Limited-time cashback during campaigns |
| Hotel loyalty programs | Points redeemable for future stays |
How To Get Cashback on Hotels in India?
1. Book Through Cashback Websites
Cashback websites and reward platforms can help you save even more on hotel bookings by giving you a percentage of your spending back. In many cases, you can combine cashback with existing hotel discounts, promo codes, and bank offers for greater savings.
CashKaro
CashKaro is one of India’s most popular cashback platforms. It partners with leading travel websites and allows users to earn additional cashback on hotel bookings made through participating travel partners. Travellers can often combine CashKaro rewards with ongoing discounts and promotional offers available on booking platforms.
Zingoy offers cashback on hotel reservations booked through selected travel websites. By accessing hotel deals through its platform, users can earn cashback on eligible bookings and reduce their overall accommodation costs.
MobiKwik frequently runs promotional cashback campaigns on hotel bookings through partner travel brands. Users may receive cashback, wallet rewards, or special discounts during limited-time offers and seasonal sales.
Rakuten and Mr. Rebates
International cashback platforms such as Rakuten and Mr. Rebates allow travellers to earn a percentage of their hotel booking value back when reserving accommodations through participating travel partners. These websites are particularly useful for international hotel bookings.
GoPass Cashback rewards travellers with a portion of their hotel booking amount back after a successful reservation. The cashback earned can help reduce travel expenses and make future trips more affordable.
2. Book Through Online Travel Agencies (OTAs)
Many online travel agencies (OTAs) offer cashback, rewards, discounts, or travel credits on hotel bookings. These promotions may be available through mobile apps, websites, bank partnerships, or special sale events.
Members can earn goCash on eligible hotel bookings. The earned balance can often be used to reduce the cost of future reservations. Cashback rates and eligibility vary by property and promotion.
Yatra frequently runs hotel booking promotions through its website and mobile app. Travelers may receive discounts, cashback, or travel vouchers during seasonal sales and partner-bank campaigns.
EaseMyTrip regularly offers hotel discounts and promotional cashback deals. Users can often save more by applying valid coupon codes or booking during special sales events.
3. Sign Up for Cashback Programs and Booking Portals
One of the easiest ways to earn cashback on hotel bookings is to sign up for cashback platforms and travel booking websites. After creating an account, you can browse eligible hotel offers, apply available coupon codes, and complete your reservation to qualify for cashback rewards.
Many popular travel portals regularly offer cashback, discounts, travel credits, or reward points on selected hotel bookings. Some of the well-known platforms include:
How It Works
- Register or sign up on the travel booking platform.
- Search for hotels at your preferred destination.
- Check whether the hotel is eligible for cashback or rewards.
- Apply any valid coupon code during checkout.
- Complete the booking using an eligible payment method.
- Receive cashback, travel credits, reward points, or wallet balance according to the offer terms.
Pro Tip
Before booking, compare cashback offers across multiple travel websites. The same hotel may offer different discounts, rewards, or cashback rates on different platforms, helping you maximise your savings.
4. Use a Travel Credit Card
Travel credit cards can be one of the most effective ways to earn cashback, reward points, and travel benefits on hotel bookings. Depending on the card, you may receive accelerated rewards on hotel stays, complimentary memberships, travel vouchers, or statement credits that help reduce your accommodation costs. Also, read how to book the hotel without a credit card.
MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Credit Card
This co-branded travel card offers travel rewards and benefits on eligible bookings made through MakeMyTrip. Cardholders can earn reward points and enjoy exclusive travel-related offers on hotels, flights, and holiday packages.
The Axis Atlas Credit Card is popular among frequent travellers because it earns EDGE Miles on spending. These miles can be redeemed for hotel stays, flights, and travel experiences through partner programs, making it a valuable option for regular travellers.
HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card
The HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card offers reward points on purchases, including travel-related expenses. Cardholders can redeem accumulated points for hotel bookings, flight tickets, vouchers, and other travel benefits.
The SBI Cashback Credit Card is widely regarded as one of India’s leading cashback cards. It offers cashback on eligible online transactions, allowing travellers to save on hotel bookings while also benefiting from discounts and promotional offers available on booking websites.
The HSBC TravelOne Credit Card is designed for travellers who want flexible travel rewards. Cardholders can earn points on eligible spending and transfer rewards to various airline and hotel loyalty programs, helping reduce future travel expenses.
Tips for Maximising Hotel Cashback with Credit Cards
- Use the card that offers the highest rewards for travel spending.
- Combine credit card rewards with hotel booking discounts and cashback offers.
- Pay attention to seasonal promotions and partner offers.
- Redeem reward points strategically for hotel stays during peak travel seasons.
- Always pay your credit card bill on time to avoid interest charges that can offset your savings.
Important Note
Credit card benefits, reward rates, cashback percentages, and partner offers change regularly. Always check the latest terms and conditions on the card issuer’s website before applying or making a booking.
Also read: Hotel booking frauds in India: How travellers can stay safe
5. Take Advantage of UPI Offers
Many hotel booking websites offer discounts and cashback on hotel bookings through UPI, like:
Yatra UPI payment offer – Book a hotel on Yatra.com and pay through UPI to save up to 60%. Use the promocode to avail this offer
Goibibo Exclusive for UPI – flat 30% offers on domestic hotels on UPI payment and Google Pay
BHIM UPI – PAY using BHIM UPI and get great discounts on various brands like OYO and IRCTC
MakeMy Trip -get up to 15% instant cashback on booking domestic and international flights + stay valid on RuPay credit card on UPI only
Cleartrip – get up to 30% off on hotel payment via UPI transaction
UPI not only offers discounts and cashback but also safe payment options for hotel booking in India, read security features, and fraud prevention tips
6. Join the Hotel Loyalty program
Joining the hotel loyalty program is an excellent way to get cash back on your stay. The following is the list of hotels that offer a loyalty program to their customers.
Lemon Tree Hotel – The budget chain hotel offers double reward points when booking directly on every stay across 130+ hotels in 80+ destinations.
The Postcard hotels – Join the Postcard Sunshine Club and enjoy a loyalty program made for returning guests. You can enjoy 10% return on every stay, plus free spa and laundry services.
Taj Hotels – Taj Inner Circle – Neupass: award-winning loyalty program, book directly and get exclusive rates and points
Accor Group – Join and earn rewards on every stay with their member rate. Save at 4500 hotels from 45 brands worldwide
VITS – Hotels & Resorts – Embark on a first-of-its-kind membership program and earn 100% cash back in your wallet by prebuying fixed nights.
Joying loyalty program is one of the ways to get a hotel at cheaper rates, but there are other ways to book a good hotel at the lowest price in India.
7. Stack cashback with a coupon code
Combining cashback with other hotel booking discounts and loyalty program points can lead to substantial savings on your hotel expenses.
First use offer – This offer is available on EaseMyTrip. Under this offer, you will enjoy 10% instant discount + 10 cash back on hotel bookings
CouponDunia – 25% on first domestic hotel booking( cash back + coupon)
GrabOn – coupon + promocode on MakeMy Trip, OYO, and Cleartrip.
8. Book Through Mobile App
Yatra Mobile App – Get discounts on hotel bookings with Yata.com
Phonepe App – Up to 50% discount on selected domestic hotel bookings on Goibibo
The Guestbook: Hotel Reward – Up to 15% cash reward on hotel booking
PaisaWapas – is the best deal app to grab the latest deal cashback voucher, and discount coupons
Book during the sale event
Via.com – get dual benefits of 15% on any domestic hotel + 50% Viacash points as cash back
Deal Drop Sale: get 60% off with exclusive cashback, deals, free upgrade, spa discounts and more
9. Referral & Earn Program
You can get a referral cashback on hotel bookings through many hotel booking platforms and hotels
Goibibo – Goibibo offers a recommended earn offer. Referral link shared by the user at the recommended hotels or any other hotels within 30 days from the referral Link
EaseMy Trip – After becoming a member and referring a friend, you can earn INR 2000.
MiStay – Your friend can get Rs. 200 when they sign up on MiStay using your referral code
MGM Hotel & Resort – members can send referral link or codes to friends, both of them will receive 100 0 MGM Credit
MakeMy Trip – MakeMy Trip introduced a new ‘refer & earn” program, the best way for members to earn wallet cash and use the same.
Brevistay – You can copy your referral code from your profile and share it with your friend. When they register with Brevistay using the shared code, you will get rewards.
Mistay and Brevistay are the hourly hotel booking apps that offer hotel booking for a few hours instead of a full night. For more hourly hotel booking apps, discover our previous guide on the top hourly hotel booking apps in India to save up to 60%
10. Hotel Booking Above a Certain Amount
You can get cashback on hotel bookings for amounts above a certain limit.
EaseMy trip – Get flat INR 500 cashback on select hotel bookings above INR 5000
Zingoy- When you book the hotel above INR 1000 or more, get cashback of INR 130
Paytm – the user can get 50% cashback up to Rs. 1000 on hotel booking. This offer is valid for all users; no minimum value is required
Tips: This offer is for a limited time period
11. Use AI for the loyalty program
Conversional AI can benefit guests’ loyalty programs. For more information, visit our guide on How to save big on hotel booking using AI. AI can help you to find hotels offering loyalty programs of the hotels without much searching
Gondola is an AI-powered travel platform that helps users book hotels, earn more points, and earn Gondola cash on every hotel booking.
Conclusion
In this article, I have listed all the possible ways of getting cashback on hotel bookings and finding hotels at lower prices. By using these strategies, you can book the domestic as well as international hotels by applying cashback. By stacking the more discounts and cashback together, you can earn even more. Avoid these 15 common mistakes when booking a hotel online
Try to book the hotel and save money on your travel.
I hope this article will be useful to you.
FAQ
Q: How can I earn cashback when booking a hotel online in India?
You can earn cashback when booking a hotel online in India through travel booking sites that offer cashback, Credit/debit cards, cashback portals, and rebate sites
Q: What are the top strategies for earning cashback on hotel bookings in India?
Book the hotel with the right credit card, like Axis Travel Edge -10% rewards, 5000 cashbacks via SBI credit card, joining loyalty program, HDFC Regalia Gold credit card, and activating the deals through Zingoy.
Q: Which app offers the best cashback deals on hotel bookings in India?
Yatra.com, Goibibo, EaseMy Trip, and Zingoy are the best apps offering cashback deals on hotel bookings in India. Yatra.com claimed 30% cashback, whereas Goibibo claimed 25% cashback on hotel bookings. It is better to check which platform offers the most cashback when booking the hotel.
Q: Which online travel agencies frequently offer cashback on hotel bookings?
Yatra.com, Zingoy, Cashkaro, and EaseMyTrip frequently offer cashback on hotel bookings.
Q: What are the top credit cards for getting cashback for hotel bookings?
HSBC Taj Credit card, Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Credit Card, HDFC Infina, HDFC DCB Card, HDFC Regalia Gold credit card, Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card, and MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank credit card are some of the top credit cards for getting cashback for hotel bookings
Q: How to get cashback in the Zingoy app?
Browse through the gift cards available on Zingoy, buy it, and refer your friends and earn cashback. Once you earn cashback, you can redeem it via the website.
Q: How to get cashback on the CashKaro app?
Log in or sign up on CashKaro for free, and click through the app, and click on the site you want to shop.
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