Travala Review: Is It Legit to Spend Crypto?

Travala is one of the most popular platforms for spending cryptocurrency, offering flights, hotels, and travel packages worldwide. As someone who’s been involved in the crypto space since 2016, I’ve seen firsthand how convenient it is to use crypto for real-world purchases. When you book through Travala using crypto, you can enjoy discounts and earn crypto rewards—a great way to use your crypto while getting rewarded. Here’s my detailed Travala review.

Since launching in 2017, Travala has grown into a top choice for travel bookings, featuring over 2 million properties, including hotels, villas, apartments, and resorts across the globe.

Travala stands out as a crypto-friendly platform, with its own cryptocurrency, AVA, at the core. The AVA token can be used for payments, earning and redeeming rewards, and even as a store of value.

Travala supports various cryptocurrencies for bookings, including Bitcoin (via the Lightning Network), Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin, stablecoins, and many more. Payments made with AVA earn extra perks—you’ll receive a 3% discount and 2% back in AVA rewards. These rewards can be used for future Travala bookings or spent on other crypto-friendly websites.

You can buy AVA on Binance or KuCoin and store it on wallets like a hardware wallet, SafePal, TrustWallet, or MetaMask. Using AVA makes your bookings even more rewarding and seamless.

Compliance

Since Travala operates with cryptocurrency, it’s fair to wonder how compliant the platform is with Canada’s financial regulations. As a UK-based company, Travala follows the UK’s financial rules and standards.

What gives me confidence in Travala is the experience of its founders, who have strong backgrounds in Fintech, blockchain, and business. Plus, Travala is backed by Binance and partnered with Expedia. This connection to both the world’s largest crypto exchange and one of the biggest travel booking platforms adds an extra layer of trust and reliability for users.

Payment Methods

When it comes to paying for your vacation, you can choose a regular credit or debit card, or you can choose cryptocurrency options. 

In my experience, Travala makes paying with crypto straightforward. One option I’ve used is Binance Pay or Crypto.com. When you choose this method, you just log in to your account on their platforms to finalize the payment.

If you have AVA, BNB, or BUSD stored in your Travala wallet, the “My Wallet” option is a quick and seamless way to pay.

For other cryptocurrencies, or if you’re using a wallet like MetaMask, selecting “Crypto” lets you pay with whatever you have. I appreciate how Travala supports so many payment methods, making it easy to choose what works best for you.

When paying on Travala, simply choose your preferred cryptocurrency, and you’ll be given a wallet address to send your funds to. I usually find it easier to scan the QR code directly with my phone for a quick transaction.

Just remember to include the memo and select the correct network—this step is crucial to ensure your funds aren’t lost. It’s a simple process, but paying attention to these details makes all the difference.

After sending your payment, just wait for the booking confirmation. Depending on the cryptocurrency you use, this might be instant or take a few minutes. If you’re paying with Bitcoin, I recommend using the Lightning Network. It’s a layer 2 solution that speeds up transactions, so they go through in seconds.

To use the Lightning Network, you’ll need a compatible wallet, but the added speed makes it worth considering for a smooth booking experience.

Usability

Travala is incredibly user-friendly, and if you’ve ever used Expedia to book a trip, you’ll feel right at home. The homepage showcases a variety of travel destinations to explore, or you can simply use the search bar to find your preferred location quickly. It’s straightforward and makes planning your trip hassle-free.

Towards the button of the homepage, Travala explains that it is a crypto-friendly platform.

Booking a vacation with Travala starts with creating an account, which is just as easy as on any other site. All you need to do is enter your name, email address, and create a password. If you already have a Binance account, you can log in with that for added convenience.

Once logged in, you have the option to connect your MetaMask wallet, but it’s not mandatory.

From there, use the search bar to find your desired travel destination and browse through the wide range of hotels and accommodations Travala offers. I also appreciate how you can choose to view prices in either fiat currencies or cryptocurrencies, making it versatile for any user.

Features

Travala packs several exciting features into its platform, making it more than just a booking site. Along with worldwide accommodations and flights, you can earn rewards and enjoy discounts.

One standout feature is the Smart Program, which offers tiered benefits based on how much AVA you lock for at least 30 days. Starting at the basic tier, you only need to lock 50 AVA tokens to receive a 3% discount on bookings paid with AVA, along with 2% back in AVA loyalty rewards.

For those aiming higher, locking 2,500 AVA places you in the platinum tier, granting a 5% discount and 5% back in rewards. If you happen to own one of Travala’s exclusive “Travel Tigers” NFTs and also lock 2,500 AVA, you’ll unlock the diamond tier. This top tier offers a 3% discount and up to 10% back in loyalty rewards.

I find this reward system a great way to enhance your travel experience while making the most of your crypto holdings.

Travala also offers travel credits, which you can purchase using fiat or crypto. These credits never expire and can be used for future bookings, making them a convenient option for planning ahead.

If you’re a diamond member of the Smart Program, you gain access to an exclusive perk—a pool containing 10% of Travala’s commissions. You can claim rewards from this pool by completing marketing and promotional tasks for Travala, turning your loyalty into additional benefits.

Final Word

Travala is a fantastic choice for booking vacations with cryptocurrency. I’ve found the payment process to be straightforward, and the rewards and discounts make it a great value. While I wish discounts were available for payments with other cryptocurrencies, it’s understandable that Travala bases these perks around its own token, AVA.

If you’re open to buying and holding AVA, the discounts and rewards can really add up, especially if you’re a frequent traveler. Plus, you always have the option to sell AVA on crypto exchanges, giving you a chance to benefit from potential price increases.

With cryptocurrency becoming increasingly popular for online purchases, I’d highly recommend Travala as the top platform for booking your next vacation. Check out the available options today and see for yourself!