Money Moral Dilemma: Should I keep the voucher I got for my holiday booking?

MSE_Kelvin

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

 I booked a family holiday through a major travel firm and got a £30 voucher for an online retailer by using a discount codes website. Should I keep this for myself as I made the booking, or use it to buy something we'll all need for the holiday, such as sun cream?

Unfortunately the MSE team can't answer Money Moral Dilemma questions as contributions are emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be a point of debate and discussed at face value. Remember that behind each dilemma there is a real person so, as the forum rules say, please keep it kind and keep it clean.

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_nate

Since it was your initiative to use the code, and you were doing people the favour of making the booking, you should feel happy to reap the rewards. And if you do need sun cream, I hope it doesn't cost £30!

gloriouslyhappy

Depends how much you like your family!

IvanOpinion

I really do not see the dilemma here???  In 2018 I was in this exact position - I booked a golf trip for 10 people and managed to get £80 cash back, I simply reduced what everyone paid me by £8 (although in the end we agreed to put it in a pot for use on the 19th). 

Like many of these 'dilemmas' it boils down to nothing more than your own honesty and moral fibre.

LAMBS60

As with many of these dilemmas , just ask yourself “ What would I want others to do in this situation? Spend it or share it ? “

Pollycat

'Family' needs defining.
Is this your partner and your kids or your sister/brother/sister-in-law/brother-in-law/cousins/parents?

Flipflop13

How old are your family members? If we’re talking a partner and kids then spend it on whatever you like, chances are kids won’t have a clue what you’re on about talking about cash back and retail voucher. Plus who has actually paid for this holiday in the first place? 

If they’re older kids or it’s all adults and  several contributed to the holiday cost then buy something everyone will get use out of if it alleviates your guilt. It’s £30 and you found the voucher so I really wouldn’t worry about it

Angelica123

LAMBS60 said:

As with many of these dilemmas , just ask yourself “ What would I want others to do in this situation? Spend it or share it ? “

Completely. 

If it were someone close to me, I personally would be happy for the person to keep it as they went through the effort of organising (when the amounts are so small) but would appreciate the honesty and generosity of them trying to share it.

I think you probably would have most satisfaction putting it towards something you all can enjoy but that's just me. 

Ringo90

It depends on a lot of things: how close you are with your family, how much effort did you have to make for them, whether they offered to help you or not, and ultimately, how greedy you are.

A couple years ago I started co-living with my partner and while setting up utilities, I found out about a promo that would get me an Amazon voucher with a referral from another customer. I got the voucher thanks to my "research" and "effort" to find someone who would refer me however I told my partner about the voucher and I offered to use it to get us something we both needed for the flat.

CapeTown

Presumably you paid using your bank card. £30 is such a trifling amount. Your initiative,  your bank card, your reward

ginger_chocolate

I don't think you're obliged to share it, but it would be a nice thing to do.