Quick Points: Use a shopping portal aggregator to maximize online purchases
Editor's Note
It's no secret that shopping portals are an easy way to earn extra rewards on online purchases.
But with so many loyalty programs offering shopping portals, it can be difficult to know which portal has the best earning rate for a particular purchase without checking each portal individually. Luckily, there are several popular shopping portal aggregators that can help.
Searching your retailer on a shopping portal aggregator will show you the earning rates across various shopping portals. Then, you can initiate your purchase through the shopping portal that makes the most sense for you.
Today, we'll look at how to use a shopping portal aggregator to maximize your rewards.
What is a shopping portal aggregator?
A shopping portal aggregator collects and displays online shopping portals and their current earning rates for popular retailers. Most shopping portal aggregators also highlight some online shopping portal promotions on their homepage.
Related: The beginners guide to airline shopping portals
Which shopping portal aggregator is best?
I use Cashback Monitor to compare shopping portal returns, but some TPG staffers prefer Evreward. The sites largely operate the same.
If you use Google Chrome, another option is to download a shopping portal aggregator extension like Cashback Comparison. These extensions use the URL of the site you are browsing to find and compare online shopping portal rates for the site.
Related: How I'm earning rewards 5 different ways on a Hotels.com booking
How do I use a shopping portal aggregator website?
To use a shopping portal aggregator website, go to the site and enter the name of the merchant with which you want to make a purchase. You can then quickly compare your potential earning rates across various online shopping portals.
Once you've decided which online shopping portal to use, click on the portal name, which will take you to the online shopping portal's website. Here, you can log in, confirm earning rates and check the fine print for exclusions. After you initiate a shopping session, you can complete your purchase.
Related: The best credit cards for online shopping
Why should I use a shopping portal aggregator?
Shopping portals can help you build a diversified points and miles portfolio. For example, a Delta Air Lines flyer may use the American Airlines AAdvantage shopping portal for a Viator purchase. After all, American AAdvantage had this merchant's best earning rate for airline miles when we refreshed this story.
You might also have multiple loyalty programs with which you're willing to earn rewards through shopping portals. And as you can see in the above example, some earning rates may be temporarily elevated. Plus, not all shopping portals partner with every merchant.
Starting with a shopping portal aggregator when you're ready to make an online purchase can help you find the best portal to use for your preferred merchant.
Related: How 1 Chrome plug-in can earn you extra points or cash back
How to decide which online shopping portal to use
Once you've used a shopping portal aggregator to compare offers, you must decide which online shopping portal to use.
We recommend using our monthly valuations to see which program provides the highest return. But you also have to consider your personal preferences. For example, you might use Rakuten to earn American Express points since American Express Membership Rewards points are among the most valuable rewards. And, of course, the American Airlines shopping portal is a popular choice since it lets you earn Loyalty Points toward American Airlines elite status.
Regardless, be sure to read the fine print for each merchant. For example, some portals may earn "up to" a particular rate or exclude certain types of purchases.
Related: How I use cash back — not just points and miles — to hit my travel goals
Bottom line
Unless you're committed to just one shopping portal, starting with an online shopping portal aggregator is worthwhile.
Of course, rewards earned through online shopping portals are on top of what you'll earn from your credit card purchase. So, when you combine online shopping portals with one of the best credit cards for online shopping, you can earn more points and miles by double dipping.
Additional reporting by Liz Hund and Kyle Olsen.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees