My Favorite Travel Hack
for Extra Spending Money While Traveling
Every vacation has those little expenses you don't really plan for.
It's the €4 cappuccino while waiting for your ferry in Greece. The gelato in Italy because, well… you're in Italy. The extra metro ticket because you bought the wrong one the first time, the museum you decide to visit last minute, or the airport snack because your flight was delayed.
None of these purchases are huge on their own. But by the end of a two-week trip, those "little extras" can easily add up to a few hundred dollars.
Over the years, I've learned that one of the easiest ways to travel without feeling guilty about those moments is to create a separate "fun money" fund before I ever leave home.
I'm a big believer that traveling doesn't have to mean choosing between being responsible with your money and enjoying yourself.
I budget for the big expenses first like flights, accommodations, transportation, travel insurance, and then I look for small ways to cover everything else.
Affiliate commissions, cashback apps, credit card points, and rewards apps have become part of that strategy. None of them individually pay for an entire vacation, but together they make traveling feel a lot less stressful when those unexpected expenses pop up.
One of the ways I’ve been recently offsetting those small travel costs is by using Copper Rewards.
While it's not going to replace a full-time income, it is an easy way to earn a little extra cash during the moments that would otherwise be spent scrolling social media.
What is Copper Rewards?
Copper Rewards is a free rewards app that lets you earn real cash rewards by completing simple activities in your spare time. Instead of wasting a few minutes waiting in line or sitting at the airport, you can use that time to earn rewards that can eventually be redeemed for PayPal, Venmo, or gift cards.
Here's How It Works
Getting started is simple:
1. Download the app
After downloading Copper, you'll start by launching your first game.
2. Play your first game
This is important because starting your first game unlocks the rest of the app.
As a new user, you'll also earn $10 for downloading and playing your first qualifying game.
3. Keep earning in multiple ways
Once you've unlocked the app, there are several ways to continue earning rewards:
Play mobile games: If you already enjoy casual mobile games while waiting at airports or riding trains, those minutes can turn into rewards instead of just entertainment.
Complete offers: These are optional offers from partner brands. Depending on the offer, you might earn rewards for signing up for a free trial, downloading an app, or completing another qualifying activity.
Upload shopping receipts: I love this one because it's something I already have. If I'm buying groceries before settling into an Airbnb or grabbing snacks for a road trip, uploading the receipt only takes a few seconds. I'm already making the purchase, so I might as well earn a little something back.
Answer surveys: Brands and companies are constantly looking for consumer feedback to help improve their products and services, and Copper rewards you for taking the time to share your opinions. Most surveys only take a few minutes to complete, making them an easy option when you have a little downtime, whether you're waiting at the airport, riding the train, or relaxing with your morning coffee.
Refer friends: If you have friends or family who are also looking for easy ways to earn a little extra spending money. All you have to do is invite people you know to join the app, and when they sign up and start earning, you can earn rewards too. It's a fun way to build your rewards balance while sharing something you've already found useful.
Although there are many ways to earn, the games and offers are where most people earn the majority of their rewards, while receipts are an easy way to earn a little extra from purchases you're already making.
Cashing Out Your Rewards
One of the things I appreciate about Copper is that actually using your rewards is simple. As you complete activities in the app, whether that's playing games, taking surveys, completing offers, or uploading receipts, you'll earn creds, which are Copper's rewards points.
Once you've reached 500 creds, you can redeem them for PayPal cash, Venmo, or a variety of gift cards, giving you the flexibility to choose the reward that works best for you.
Personally, I like having the option of cashing out to PayPal because it's easy to put those earnings toward the little travel expenses. If you'd rather shop, there are also gift card options available directly within the app.
I also appreciate that Copper gives you the flexibility to decide when you're ready to cash out. Instead of your rewards sitting unused, you can redeem them and put them toward something you'll actually enjoy.
How I Personally Use It
I think of Copper as my "travel extras fund."
For example, I'll use the rewards for things like:
Airport coffee before a flight
Snacks during a long travel day
A pastry from a local bakery
Public transportation
Museum admission
A taxi after a late-night arrival
Gelato (because let's be honest... that's a travel essential!)
Those little purchases can easily add up over the course of a trip, so I like having a separate way to help cover them.
Why I Like It
There are a few reasons I've started using Copper. First, the app is completely free to download, so there's no upfront cost to get started. I also appreciate that I can earn during the little pockets of downtime I already have throughout my day. What I like most is that there isn't just one way to earn. Between games, offers, surveys, receipts, and referrals, I can choose whichever activity fits my schedule at the moment. The more consistently you use the app, the more those small earnings begin to add up. For me, it's less about replacing an income and more about turning spare moments into extra spending money that helps make traveling just a little more enjoyable.
Is Copper Worth It?
If you're looking for a realistic side hustle that you can do from your phone while watching TV, waiting for your flight, or relaxing in the evening, I think it's worth trying.
Especially if you're someone like me who loves finding little ways to stretch your travel budget.
If you're already spending time on your phone each day, you might as well earn something while you're at it.
Ready to Try It?
Download Copper Rewards, start your first qualifying game to unlock the app, earn your $10 welcome reward, and then continue earning through games, offers, receipts, surveys, and more.
Those small rewards may not seem like much at first, but over time they can help pay for some of the most fun parts of traveling.
