Travel with Tinkoff: Pros, Cons, and Expert Opinion

Tinkoff Travel offers a decent service for booking flights, hotels, and tours, with a cashback system. However, some sections are less user-friendly, and the cashback logic can be unclear. Overall, it's worth considering for domestic travel, but international trips might be better served by other resources.

I started using Tinkoff for my travels in 2022, booking an apartment in Vladikavkaz on my way to Georgia. This was my first trip in the new reality, where most familiar travel services were unavailable or limited. As a Tinkoff user, I decided to give them a chance. Now, after exploring many of their features, I'm ready to share what's worth attention and where you might consider alternative resources.

CashbackReliableEasy booking

Lack of reviews on accommodationsUnclear cashback logicUncomfortable search in some sectionsMy Experience with TinkoffI booked an apartment for one night for four people, without comparing prices with other services. There were no issues, but the selection was limited, even with advance booking.

On my return, I decided to use the search feature on Avito. The prices were significantly lower, and there were many options! Although the search and filters were terrible, I managed to find a two-room apartment with good renovation for 2000 rubles for four people. The girl called me directly and agreed on payment over the phone, probably to avoid Avito's commission. Tinkoff would be more reliable, but you decide if you're willing to pay more. I won't be booking apartments through Tinkoff again.

I used Tinkoff Travel for booking hotels in Russia and abroad. In the first case, the conditions were quite attractive, but in the second, they were uncompetitive with Booking.com. Tinkoff lost not only in price but also in the number of options and search convenience. If you have a foreign credit card, I don't recommend using Tinkoff Travel for international trips. However, for domestic travel, it's worth considering as a payment option. The search feature is not particularly user-friendly, and you'll need to read reviews elsewhere, especially for less popular hotels.

This summer, I booked a hotel in the Moscow region in advance. I then decided where to pay for it. In this case, Tinkoff Travel was more beneficial, so I recommend it for domestic trips. If I didn't have small children and booked earlier, I would have preferred it.

I was completely satisfied with this section. I booked a tour to the Maldives in July. The Tours section immediately redirects you to Travelata. I booked a tour to Egypt through Travelata in 2023 and was satisfied, so I had no doubts. The price was the same as on Travelata's website, but there was a nice cashback. I chose the hotel and airline on the website and then paid through Tinkoff Tours. The trip was great, although Tinkoff wasn't involved. I resolved all issues with Travelata.

The cashback was a real 5% without any 'if's. It was a nice bonus to the trip. I unconditionally recommend this service.

I used to book flights on airline websites, never using aggregators. This year, I discovered Tinkoff's flight service. I monitored Moscow-Denpasar flights for a month and found an ideal price. I then decided where to pay for it, and again, cashback made the difference. Paying through Tinkoff Travel was more beneficial than through the Chinese airline's website. The application quickly calculates and displays the cashback before payment. The tickets arrive in your email, and you'll receive a notification if the schedule changes.

I haven't flown yet, but in this section, I also recommend Tinkoff. I even liked the search feature, which was a pleasant surprise, especially in the Flights section.

Similar to the Tours section, Tinkoff redirects you to a partner's website, but instead of Travelata, it's Tripster. If you've booked excursions through Tripster before, congratulations, you can now get up to 5% back. I don't like Tripster, and the prices are inflated. This section is a miss for me. I prefer using websites or social media groups of local excursion organizers. For my upcoming trip to Bali, I've already found a great company, and I'll leave a review and link after the trip. In Thailand, I found an excursion organizer through VK.

Tinkoff Travel allows you to save on trips thanks to cashback. Some sections I've adopted (flights are my favorite so far), while others I'll avoid. Overall, the service is decent, with live support. If they made their conditions more transparent and not just 'up to 5%', I'd give it a four-star rating. Why do they show a solid percentage and conditions in the 'Cashback at Partners' section but a surprise in the Travel section? I got a full 10% cashback only for the Maldives, while in other cases, the logic of calculation remains unclear.

What is Tinkoff Travel?Tinkoff Travel is a service that allows you to book flights, hotels, and tours, with a cashback system.

How does cashback work on Tinkoff Travel?Cashback is calculated based on the specific conditions of each service, and the amount can vary.

Can I trust Tinkoff Travel for international trips?No, for international trips, it's recommended to use other resources, as Tinkoff Travel's conditions are less competitive.

How do I contact Tinkoff Travel support?Tinkoff Travel has live support, making it easy to resolve any issues.

Can I get a refund if I cancel my booking?Refund policies vary depending on the service and conditions, so it's essential to check before booking.

Are there any discounts or promotions on Tinkoff Travel?Yes, Tinkoff Travel occasionally offers discounts and promotions, so it's worth checking their website or social media for updates.