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The Everyday Online Shopping Struggle
If you’re like me, you probably shop online constantly, from groceries and school clothes to that last-minute birthday gift. I used to click “buy” without a second thought until I realized how many points I was leaving behind.
The good news? You can turn almost every online purchase into future family travel simply by clicking through a shopping portal first. By learning about how shopping portals help families, you will end up traveling more and you can STILL do your shopping!
If you’re just starting out, my Beginner’s Guide to Points and Miles will help you understand the basics before you start stacking rewards like this.
What Is a Shopping Portal?
A shopping portal is an online gateway that gives you extra rewards for purchases you already make.
Think of it as a bridge between your favorite store and your credit card rewards program.
When you click through a portal to shop before you push “checkout”, you’ll earn an extra layer of points, miles, or cash back, on top of the rewards from your card itself.
💡 Example: You click through a portal to Target.com and pay with your travel card. You’ll earn from both:
- Portal = extra points or cash back
- Credit card = regular points on the purchase
That’s what we call stacking rewards, and it’s one of the easiest ways families can earn free travel faster.
The Four Main Types of Shopping Portals
1. Cash-Back Portals
If you prefer cash over points, cash-back sites reward you with real money you can send to PayPal or use for family purchases. This is my favorite kind of shopping portal because I LOVE being able to stack rewards for either BILT (more on that here) or AMEX membership rewards (more on that here).
Popular picks:
- Rakuten (lets you earn either cash back or points)
- TopCashback
- RebatesMe
Rakuten is now one of the most flexible options because you can choose cash back, Amex Membership Rewards, or even convert your Rakuten earnings into Bilt Points, so almost every online purchase can move you closer to a family trip.
And you can get $50 just for signing up after you make your first purchase through this link.
2. Credit Card Portals
These are built by your credit card issuer and offer exclusive rates to cardholders.
Examples:
- Capital One Offers (earns miles or cash back depending on your card)
- Citi, Amex, and other bank shopping programs (for general rewards)
Each works similarly. All you have to do is activate offers, shop through the link, and your rewards post automatically.
👉 Read my in-depth guide to Rakuten vs. Capital One Offers to see how these two compare for families.
3. Airline Shopping Portals
Almost every major airline has one, and they all work the same way:
You sign in with your frequent flyer account, click to your favorite store, and earn miles.
Popular examples:
- Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Shopping
- United Airlines MileagePlus Shopping
- Atmos Rewards Shopping
- American Airlines AAdvantage eShopping
💡 TRM Tip: If your family is saving up for flights, pick the portal that matches the airline you fly most. Those miles can add up to free family tickets over time.
4. Hotel Shopping Portals
If you’re loyal to a certain hotel brand, this is an easy way to earn extra points before your next stay.
Examples:
You can even earn bonus points for everyday stores like Walmart, Target, and Sephora; not just hotel bookings. However, keep in mind that these offerings might not be as broad as other portals.
How to Use a Shopping Portal (Step-by-Step)
- Sign up for the portal (free).
- Choose the store you want to shop at through the portal link.
- Click through the portal before you check out.
- Pay with a rewards-earning credit card.
- Get rewards posted automatically to your account.
💡 TRM Tip: Add the Rakuten or Capital One Offers browser extension. The extension will pop up automatically when a store is eligible, so no need to remember to go through the portal every time.
How to Stack Rewards for Maximum Value
Let’s say you’re shopping for back-to-school supplies or Christmas presents at Target:
- Click through Rakuten for 10% cash back or choose to be paid through rewards.
- Pay with your Capital One miles card for 2x rewards.
- Activate a Capital One Offer for an extra 5%*.
You just earned three layers of rewards on one purchase. Can you even believe that you can go on a family vacation one Target trip at a time? Pretty awesome if you ask me.
*Make sure to check offer restrictions.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Here’s how to decide:
Which Shopping Portal Fits Your Family?
| Family Style | Best Portal | Why It Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Want simple, automatic savings | EasyCapital One Offers | Automatically adds miles or cash back on purchases |
| Love flexible rewards | FlexibleRakuten | Lets you earn cash or points |
| Saving for specific flights | MilesAirline portals | Earn toward one airline’s program |
| Loyal to hotel brands | HotelsHotel portals | Stack extra points for your favorite chains |
| Prefer real cash | CashTopCashback / RebatesMe | Send cash back straight to your account |
Common Questions About Shopping Portals
Do portals stack with coupons or promo codes?
Usually yes, but always check the fine print. Some coupons might cancel the bonus rate.
Can I use a portal on mobile apps?
It depends on the portal. Most work best when you click through a desktop browser first.
Can I use multiple portals at once?
No. You can only get credit for one click-through per purchase, so pick the one offering the best rate.
The Key: Consistency Beats Perfection
You don’t need to check every portal every time. Just pick one or two that fit your family’s goals and make it a habit.
Before long, your everyday purchases will start covering real family vacations, without spending anything extra.
Related Reading
- Rakuten vs. Capital One Offers: Which Wins for Families
- How to Earn BILT Points with Rakuten
- How to Put Earning Points on Autopilot with Rakuten
- Why You Never Have Enough Miles (and How Transferable Points Solve That Problem)
Final Thoughts
If you’re already shopping online, why not earn points for it?
Whether you’re saving for a Disney trip or just want your next Target run to earn free miles, shopping portals are one of the easiest family travel strategies to start with.
Want to see how these portals stack with your credit cards?
Read my guide to Rakuten vs. Capital One Offers for real examples of how I use both to earn rewards for my family trips.
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