If you’re not using shopping portals, you’re leaving thousands of points on the table every year. It’s genuinely free money — no extra spending, no hoops to jump through, just an extra click before you checkout.
Key Takeaways
- Free bonus points — Earn 2-15x extra points on purchases you’re already making with one extra click
- Stack for maximum value — Combine shopping portals with credit card rewards and card-linked offers for triple-dipping
- Browser extensions do it automatically — Install Capital One Shopping or Rakuten and never forget to activate bonuses
- Compare before clicking — Different portals offer different rates; check 2-3 before committing to the best deal
- Be patient — Portal points can take 30-90 days to credit, so keep your order confirmations
Here’s everything you need to know to start earning bonus points on purchases you’re already making.
What Are Shopping Portals?
Shopping portals are websites (or browser extensions) that pay you bonus points when you click through them before making an online purchase. For maximum value on your online shopping, pair these portals with the best credit cards for Amazon and e-commerce.
How it works:
- Go to the shopping portal (like RakutenⓇ or Chase’s Shop Through Chase)
- Search for the retailer you want (Amazon, Nike, Apple, etc.)
- Click through to the retailer’s site
- Shop and checkout normally
- Bonus points automatically credit to your account
The retailer pays the portal a commission for sending you there. The portal shares that commission with you as bonus points. Everyone wins.
The Best Shopping Portals in 2026
Credit Card Portals
- Best for: Chase Ultimate Rewards cardholders
- Typical rates: 2-10x UR points
- Top retailers: Apple (3x), Nike (6x), Lowe’s (4x)
- Access: Chase app or shopchasemedia.com
- Best for: Amex cardholders
- Rakuten now pays in Amex MR points (if linked)
- Typical rates: 1-15x MR points
- Bonus: Amex Offers stack on top for extra credits
- Best for: Capital One cardholders
- Browser extension auto-applies best deals
- Typical rates: 1-10x miles
- Bonus: Automatic coupon code finder
Airline Portals
| Airline | Portal Name | Sweet Spots |
|---|---|---|
| United | MileagePlus Shopping | Apple (2x), Best Buy (3x) |
| American | AAdvantage eShopping | Dell (6x), HP (5x) |
| Delta | SkyMiles Shopping | Macy’s (4x), Gap (6x) |
| Alaska | Mileage Plan Shopping | REI (3x), Nordstrom (3x) |
| Southwest | Rapid Rewards Shopping | Target (2x), Home Depot (3x) — see our Southwest Rapid Rewards Guide |
Hotel Portals
| Hotel | Portal Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marriott | Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques | Up to 10 pts/$ (see Marriott Bonvoy Points Value Guide) |
| Hilton | Hilton Honors Shopping | Up to 5 pts/$ |
| IHG | IHG Rewards Shopping | Up to 10 pts/$ (see IHG One Rewards Complete Guide) |
Cash Back Portals
Rakuten (formerly Ebates)
- Can pay in cash OR Amex MR points
- Typical rates: 1-15% back
- Quarterly bonus categories
- $30 welcome bonus for new members
TopCashback
- Often highest rates among cash back portals
- No minimum payout
- Good for comparison shopping
How to Stack Points (Double & Triple Dipping)
The real power comes from stacking multiple earning mechanisms:
Double Dip Example
- Shopping portal: 5x points at Dell
- Credit card: 2x points on all purchases
- Total: 7x points per dollar
Triple Dip Example
- Shopping portal: 10x at Macy’s
- Credit card: 3x on online shopping (see best credit cards for each category)
- Amex Offer: $20 back on $100+ at Macy’s
- Total: 13x points + $20 credit
Browser Extensions That Do It Automatically
Don’t want to remember to check portals? These extensions notify you when you’re on a site with bonus points available:
Capital One Shopping
- Auto-finds coupon codes
- Shows Capital One portal rates
- Works even without a Capital One card (pays cash back)
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari
Rakuten Button
- Alerts you to cash back opportunities
- One-click activation
- Shows current rate for any retailer
- Chrome, Firefox, Edge
AwardWallet
- Compares rates across ALL portals
- Shows which portal pays most for each store
- Premium feature but worth it for heavy shoppers
Pro Tips for Maximum Points
1. Compare Rates Before You Click
Different portals offer different rates for the same store. Check 2-3 portals before committing. AwardWallet’s comparison tool helps here.
2. Clear Your Cookies
Some portals require clearing cookies or using incognito mode to properly track your purchase. When in doubt, start fresh.
3. Don’t Use Other Discount Links
Clicking through affiliate links, coupon sites, or email promos after the portal can break your tracking. Portal first, then checkout directly.
4. Check for Exclusions
Some product categories (gift cards, Apple products at non-Apple retailers) may be excluded from portal earnings. Read the fine print.
5. Be Patient with Crediting
Portal points can take 30-90 days to post. Don’t panic if they’re not instant — keep your order confirmation as proof.
6. Stack with Card-Linked Offers
Amex Offers, Chase Offers, and similar card-linked deals stack with shopping portals. Check your card app before any major purchase.
Real Example: Maximizing a $1,000 Purchase
Let’s say you’re buying $1,000 worth of items from Nordstrom:
Without optimization:
- Credit card (2x): 2,000 points
- Total: 2,000 points
With optimization:
- Rakuten (8x MR): 8,000 points
- Amex Gold (3x general): 3,000 points
- Amex Offer ($50 off $200): $50 credit
- Total: 11,000 points + $50 = ~$160 in value
That’s an extra $140+ in value for 5 minutes of setup. To understand exactly what those points are worth, check our complete points valuation guide.
Getting Started Checklist
- Install Capital One Shopping extension (even without their card)
- Install Rakuten extension + link to Amex if you have one
- Bookmark your airline’s shopping portal
- Bookmark Chase/Amex portal if you have their cards
- Set a reminder to check portals on Tuesdays
- Check for card-linked offers before major purchases
The Bottom Line
Shopping portals are the lowest-effort way to earn more points. One extra click before checkout can add 3-10x more points to every online purchase.
Start with browser extensions so you never forget, then graduate to comparing rates across portals for big purchases. The points add up faster than you’d think.
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