Does anyone on AFF use Big Crumbs?

[wiz]

I was wondering if anyone else on AFF uses Big Crumbs when they make their travel purchases? For those who haven't heard of it, it's basically a cash back system for the purchases you make at certain online retailers, such as Hotel Club, Expedia, Travelocity, etc. The cash back amount varies between five and ten per cent, depending on the provider and the type of travel booked. This is why I'm surprised there has been no other mention of it on AFF, as these are the sorts of things we like to know about. Maybe it's because a lot of you have your travel arrangements booked through a corporate agent.

Anyway, I thought it might be of interest to some. I've been using them for about nine months (I book travel at my own expense), but I wish I knew about them sooner because I also book travel for a lot of other family members. Also, occasionally, the cash back amount is temporarily increased, but this usually happens at specific times of the year, such as Thanksgiving... It might be a good idea to bump up a thread when this happens. That is unless, of course, I'm the only one on here using them. =)

By the way, I've been blogging about Big Crumbs for a little while now, but this is the first time I've mentioned them directly in a post. Hope that's okay.

___________________________________________
My travel blog: vacationkickbacks.com/destinations

 

[samh004]

I use Hotel Club... but hadn't heard of Big Crumbs... I'll look into it.

 

[markis10]

I use Hotel Club... but hadn't heard of Big Crumbs... I'll look into it.

Similar to Ebates, MrRebates, Topcashback etc (not to mention Starthere locally), they all tend to use Commission Junction and all have special promotions, IHG are no longer participating while SPG is low at 2% and Hilton only participate for UK residents.

 

[Mal]

Yep, personally I use TopCashBack (my favourite), Quidco (2nd favourite ... rates aren't as good as TCB normally) and MrRebates (very rarely, and now HI are gone ... doubt I'll use them very often at all). With StartHere I have a "Founders" account - but their rates even at the top level are pretty sad compared to what I get in the UK for global companies.

There are plenty of companies dealing in this space. Haven't heard of BigCrumbs before ... but can't see myself using them.

 

[Cynicor]

The main issues is that booking through wholesalers may alter your status recognition. You will find that many would rather try a BRG claim than use a cash back provider.

 

[markis10]

The main issues is that booking through wholesalers may alter your status recognition. You will find that many would rather try a BRG claim than use a cash back provider.

The cash back providers book through the hotel chain sites.

 

[Cynicor]

Some do, but you can also get rebates on the wholesalers, as the OP mentioned a few of them. Seems likely of the direct booking ones have gone the way if the dodo.

 

[vertisol]

My first thought was panko....

 

[docjames]

I was wondering if anyone else on AFF uses Big Crumbs when they make their travel purchases? For those who haven't heard of it, it's basically a cash back system for the purchases you make at certain online retailers, such as Hotel Club, Expedia, Travelocity, etc. The cash back amount varies between five and ten per cent, depending on the provider and the type of travel booked. This is why I'm surprised there has been no other mention of it on AFF, as these are the sorts of things we like to know about. Maybe it's because a lot of you have your travel arrangements booked through a corporate agent.

Anyway, I thought it might be of interest to some. I've been using them for about nine months (I book travel at my own expense), but I wish I knew about them sooner because I also book travel for a lot of other family members. Also, occasionally, the cash back amount is temporarily increased, but this usually happens at specific times of the year, such as Thanksgiving... It might be a good idea to bump up a thread when this happens. That is unless, of course, I'm the only one on here using them. =)

By the way, I've been blogging about Big Crumbs for a little while now, but this is the first time I've mentioned them directly in a post. Hope that's okay.

___________________________________________
My travel blog: vacationkickbacks.com/destinations

What is your affiliation with Big Crumbs?

 

[wiz]

Some do, but you can also get rebates on the wholesalers, as the OP mentioned a few of them. Seems likely of the direct booking ones have gone the way if the dodo.

You're probably talking about the rebates you get through Hotel Club. Big Crumbs is separate. You get cash back from them as well, regardless of what you receive from the hotel provider. I didn't mention this because I didn't want my OP to sound technical. But, basically, if you used Big Crumbs, you'd get 8.4% cash back on your Hotel Club booking + whatever rebates you are entitled to through Hotel Club (i.e. double dipping).

What is your affiliation with Big Crumbs?

They also have a referral system. If people sign up under you, you earn a small percentage (<1%) of their spend. In my original post I did have a link to Big Crumbs, but it was removed (sorry about that, mods). I'll have to be content with linking to my blog.

___________________________________________
My travel blog: vacationkickbacks.com/destinations

 

[Cynicor]

You're probably talking about the rebates you get through Hotel Club. Big Crumbs is separate. You get cash back from them as well, regardless of what you receive from the hotel provider. I didn't mention this because I didn't want my OP to sound technical. But, basically, if you used Big Crumbs, you'd get 8.4% cash back on your Hotel Club booking + whatever rebates you are entitled to through Hotel Club (i.e. double dipping).

No, I think I know exactly what I am talking about.

I am saying that most of us book through the HOTEL directly to avoid missing out on status benefits.
Then Markis said you can get rebates from Hotel chains, but these are less common and a poor percentage.
You are talking more about rebates from wholesalers, which generally allows yous to double dip with a wholesaler, but gives no entitlement to status benefits (with HH and SPG at least).

 

[markis10]

No, I think I know exactly what I am talking about.

I am saying that most of us book through the HOTEL directly to avoid missing out on status benefits.
Then Markis said you can get rebates from Hotel chains, but these are less common and a poor percentage.
You are talking more about rebates from wholesalers, which generally allows yous to double dip with a wholesaler, but gives no entitlement to status benefits (with HH and SPG at least).

Thats a fair point, but most here would know once you go away from the chains sites the benefits of status erode, when those benefits can be $100s in value, cash back no matter what the percentage seems irrelevant.

 

[Cynicor]

Thats a fair point, but most here would know once you go away from the chains sites the benefits of status erode, when those benefits can be $100s in value, cash back no matter what the percentage seems irrelevant.

Absolutely agree. And with BRGs you get the good price, plus a bit back! As you well know from your multiple SPG nights

 

[wiz]

No, I think I know exactly what I am talking about.

I am saying that most of us book through the HOTEL directly to avoid missing out on status benefits.
Then Markis said you can get rebates from Hotel chains, but these are less common and a poor percentage.
You are talking more about rebates from wholesalers, which generally allows yous to double dip with a wholesaler, but gives no entitlement to status benefits (with HH and SPG at least).

I understand and agree with that, but your point is moot. I created this thread to discuss Big Crumbs. You would only ever use them if you're already booking through online travel providers (i.e. not direct with a hotel). Consequently, if you're already doing this, you know you will be missing out on status.

... Also, Big Crumbs is not just cash back for hotel bookings. It applies to cruises, flights, car hire, and many other types of spend.