ShopBack New Zealand Guide: How We Saved $100 on Hotels
Is ShopBack New Zealand really the best way to save money on your next family holiday? Living in New Zealand with two growing children is a dream come true, but let’s be honest: travel costs here can be incredibly high. Accommodation often takes up the biggest chunk of our family budget.
However, I have found a solution that works every single time. I never book a trip without first opening the ShopBack New Zealand app. It goes beyond just finding a cheap room. It actually puts cold, hard cash back into my bank account.
In this post, I am sharing my personal records. You will see exactly how we saved over $100 NZD on our recent trips to Queenstown, Fairlie, and Auckland. If you want to travel more for less, keep reading.
Why New Zealand Travel Costs Are Rising
Travel is expensive right now. We all feel it at the grocery store and the gas pump. But it hits hardest when planning a holiday.
According to recent data from Stats NZ, domestic accommodation prices have seen significant fluctuations, with some regions seeing price hikes of over 15% during peak seasons. For a family of four, finding a decent place to stay for under $300 a night is becoming a real challenge.
That is why “travel hacks” are no longer just for budget backpackers. Families need them too. Using ShopBack New Zealand has become my favorite habit. It is simple, free, and effective.
What Is ShopBack?
If you are new to this, you might be wondering how it works. It is quite simple.
When you click a link in the ShopBack app to book a hotel or buy clothes, the store pays ShopBack a commission. ShopBack then shares a piece of that commission with you. It is not points or miles. It is real cash that you can withdraw to your bank account.
I used this app for three specific bookings recently. Here is the breakdown of how “clicking one button” saved us nearly $100.
1. Queenstown: Surviving Peak Season Prices
Our family trip to Queenstown was scheduled for January. This is the absolute peak of summer in New Zealand.
We were lucky to book a relocation campervan for the journey down. This saved us a lot on transport. If you are interested in how this works, read my New Zealand campervan relocation guide to see how we saved thousands on the road.
However, once we arrived in Queenstown, we needed a hotel. The prices were shocking. Even basic cabins were charging over $300 per night. I was worried we would blow our budget.
The 20% Cashback Win
Just as I was searching, I got a notification from ShopBack New Zealand. They were offering a special “upsized cashback” rate of 20% for Expedia.
This was a game-changer.
I immediately booked a 4-star hotel that included breakfast. Without the app, I might have settled for a backpacker hostel. With the app, we stayed in comfort.
The Booking Details:
- Platform: Expedia (via ShopBack)
- Hotel: Sudima Queenstown Five Mile
- Total Cost: $463.09 NZD (Included taxes and breakfast)
- Cashback Earned: +$73.93 NZD
Why This Matters
The cashback was calculated on the room rate (excluding taxes). Getting nearly $74 back meant the real cost of the room dropped to the $300 range. We got a luxury experience for the price of a budget motel.
For families visiting Queenstown, checking for these “upsized” rates is essential. It made our summer holiday affordable.
2. Fairlie: Adding Value to a Budget Stopover
On our way back home to Christchurch, we needed a place to sleep. We usually love Lake Tekapo, but the hotel prices there are very high.
We decided to stay in Fairlie instead. It is only a 30-minute drive from Tekapo and is much quieter. We chose a simple Holiday Park to keep costs low.
The 12% Booking.com Bonus
Even though we were booking a cheap stay, I didn’t skip the step. I opened ShopBack New Zealand and saw that Booking.com was offering 12% cashback.
Usually, the rate is around 5% or 6%. Catching it at 12% was a nice surprise.
The Booking Details:
- Platform: Booking.com (via ShopBack)
- Hotel: Fairlie Holiday Park
- Total Cost: $142.06 NZD
- Cashback Earned: +$17.02 NZD
You might think $17 isn’t much. But on a road trip, $17 covers snacks for the kids or two good coffees for the parents. Since we were going to spend the money anyway, getting $17 back for free was a total win.
3. Auckland: Every Little Bit Helps
Our final booking was for an upcoming trip to Korea in September. We have an early flight out of Auckland, so we need to stay near the airport the night before.
Since we are just sleeping for a few hours, luxury didn’t matter. I looked for the best price I could find.
The Standard 5.5% Rate
This time, there was no massive promotion. The rate on Booking.com was a standard 5.5%. I booked the Kiwi Hotel near the airport.
The Booking Details:
- Platform: Booking.com (via ShopBack)
- Hotel: Auckland Airport Kiwi Hotel
- Total Cost: $156.06 NZD
- Cashback Earned: +$8.62 NZD
It is a small amount, roughly the price of two flat whites. But if I had booked directly, I would have received $0. Over time, these small amounts add up to big savings.
The Total Tally: $100 Back in My Pocket
Let’s look at the final numbers from these three bookings.
- Queenstown (Expedia): $73.93
- Fairlie (Booking.com): $17.02
- Auckland (Booking.com): $8.62
Total Savings: $99.57 NZD
That is almost exactly $100.
For a family of four, $100 buys a week’s worth of school lunches. It pays for a tank of gas. It is real money that requires zero effort to earn.
How to Maximize Your ShopBack New Zealand Experience
I have used this app for years. Here are my top tips for getting the most out of ShopBack New Zealand.
1. Wait for “Upsized” Cashback
The standard rates are good, but the special events are amazing. ShopBack often boosts rates for Expedia, Booking.com, and Agoda to 10%, 15%, or even 20%.
- Turn on notifications so you know when these sales happen.
- Travel Tuesday and Double-Digit sales (like 11.11 or 12.12) usually have the highest rates.
2. Read the Terms Carefully
Sometimes the cashback only applies to the room rate, not taxes or service fees. Also, using other coupon codes might void your cashback. Always check the “Terms and Conditions” tab before you click.
3. Use the Browser Extension
If you book on a laptop, install the ShopBack New Zealand button for Chrome. It flashes when you visit a site that offers cashback. This ensures you never forget to activate it.
4. Stack Your Savings
You can use your credit card to pay for the booking. This means you earn credit card points plus the ShopBack cash. It is a “double dip” strategy that savvy travelers love.
Why This Is Better Than “Points”
Many loyalty programs are confusing. You have to calculate what a point is worth. You have to search for “blackout dates” when you can’t use them.
ShopBack New Zealand is different because it is cash.
Once the money is confirmed in your account, you withdraw it to your NZ bank account. You can spend it on anything you want. You are not locked into a specific airline or hotel chain.
For a busy parent, this simplicity is key. I don’t have time to manage complicated spreadsheets of points. I just want the best price.
Official Travel Resources
If you are planning your trip to New Zealand, it is always good to check official sources for travel advice and safety tips.
I recommend visiting the official Tourism New Zealand website for itinerary ideas. They also have great information on driving times and weather conditions, which is crucial for safe family trips.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some common questions I hear about using cashback apps for travel.
1. Is ShopBack New Zealand free to use?
Yes, it is 100% free. There are no subscription fees. The money comes from the commission the stores pay to ShopBack.
2. How long does it take to get the money?
For travel bookings, it takes a bit longer. The hotel must confirm you actually stayed there. Usually, the cashback becomes “withdrawable” about 60 to 90 days after your stay is completed.
3. Can I use ShopBack for things other than hotels?
Absolutely. You can use ShopBack New Zealand for groceries, clothing, electronics, and even food delivery. It works with hundreds of local and international stores.
4. What if my cashback doesn’t show up?
This happens rarely, but if it does, you can file a “Missing Cashback” claim in the app. Their support team is usually very helpful in tracking down the transaction.
Conclusion: It is Just a Good Habit
Searching for cheap flights or relocation campervans takes time and effort. It is “active” work.
Using ShopBack New Zealand is different. It is a simple habit. It takes three seconds to open the app before booking.
Those three seconds earned my family $100.
If you are planning a trip to the South Island, or even just a weekend away in Auckland, do not leave money on the table. Build the habit now.
If you haven’t joined yet, you can get a $10 bonus by using a referral link. It helps you start your savings fund immediately.
Start your savings journey here: [Sign up for ShopBack and get a $10 Bonus]
(https://app.shopback.com/mtaT2JnqOZb)
Safe travels and happy saving!
