Parking in the city can feel like a hidden tax on convenience. Between metered spots, garage fees, and fluctuating event rates, urban parking adds up fast. But if you’re already navigating the city with apps and mobile payments, there’s a smarter move you might be missing—saving money before you even park.
By using digital gift cards with cashback, you can shave a few dollars off your next city visit without changing your routine.
Why city parking costs more than you think
Cities often have limited space and high demand. Dynamic pricing, event surcharges, and location-based fees are standard. According to BestParking, daily parking in cities like New York, Chicago, or San Francisco can range from $25 to over $70 depending on the time and location.
Even outside of downtown areas, you’ll find that parking near popular shopping districts or transit hubs includes hidden service fees when paying via app or kiosk. That’s where stacking rewards through digital payment methods becomes a financial advantage.
Use digital gift cards for everyday parking expenses
Many city parking locations are tied to well-known retail brands, restaurants, or fuel stops. Instead of swiping your card, consider paying with a digital gift card bought at a discount or with cashback. For example, if you’re grabbing coffee before heading into the office, you can get cashback at Starbucks or earn rewards with a Dunkin’ gift card while also taking advantage of those locations’ parking partnerships or validations.
Some garages also operate near fast food chains, gas stations, and drugstores that are Fluz partners. That means you can buy a gift card with cashback for what you were already going to spend—and get rewarded in the process.
Try combining apps for even more savings
Use services like SpotHero or Parkopedia to reserve your spot ahead of time and check real-time rates. Then use Fluz to purchase a gift card for any nearby business where you’ll spend money—food, fuel, or retail—and you’ve just made your trip more cost-effective.
Digital gift cards are especially handy for places that don’t directly discount parking but are part of your city trip—lunch stops, morning coffee, or convenience stores.
How to get started
- Map your parking route or destination in advance
- Check for nearby Fluz merchant partners
- Buy a digital gift card with cashback right before you spend
- Use other parking tools to pre-book and compare rates
- Stack your gift card savings with loyalty rewards when available
Final thoughts
You may not be able to control how much your city charges for parking, but you can control how you pay for everything around it. Digital gift cards with cashback are a simple way to trim costs on urban errands, office commutes, or weekend shopping sprees. Start using platforms like Fluz and make every city stop just a little more rewarding.
