Preparing for a long-distance bus ride or a multi-leg commute? While booking your ticket is often top of mind, your travel essentials—from snacks to headphones—can quickly add up. Luckily, there’s an easy way to cut costs before you board: using cashback apps when purchasing your travel supplies. Whether you’re grabbing snacks from a convenience store or buying a neck pillow online, you can save money on the necessities that make the ride smoother.

What counts as a travel essential for bus riders?

Traveling by bus doesn’t require much, but a few smart buys can seriously upgrade your experience. Key items include:

• Portable chargers for your phone or tablet

• Noise-canceling headphones to block out distractions

• Reusable water bottles and snacks

• Neck pillows and blankets for longer trips

• Books, e-books, or entertainment subscriptions

Instead of rushing to buy these items at the last minute (often at higher prices), you can plan ahead and shop at cashback-eligible retailers.

Best places to buy bus travel essentials with cashback

Several popular retailers offer cashback when you purchase through apps like Fluz, Rakuten (rakuten.com), or Ibotta (home.ibotta.com). Here’s where to shop and save:

• Best Buy – Grab travel-sized tech like headphones and chargers

• Walmart – Stock up on snacks, toiletries, and water bottles

• Target – Travel accessories, books, and more

• Amazon – A catch-all for nearly everything, from compression socks to digital books

• CVS – Last-minute items, over-the-counter meds, and snacks

With Fluz, you can buy a gift card with cashback to any of these retailers and use it immediately for your purchase—no waiting required. For example, buying a Best Buy gift card with Fluz earns you cashback instantly, even before your product ships.

Cashback strategies for smarter shopping

1. Plan ahead – Make a checklist of what you need so you can buy in one trip and maximize savings.

2. Stack rewards – Use a cashback app, your rewards credit card, and store promotions together.

3. Buy digital gift cards first – On Fluz, purchase the exact amount you need, then check out with the gift card. No leftover balances, no wasted spend.

4. Watch for bonus rates – Cashback percentages fluctuate, so check platforms like Fluz regularly for special offers.

Ready to earn cashback before your next ride?
Get started by checking out the cashback offers available now through Fluz and other apps. When you buy your essentials smartly, you ride better—and for less.