It's no secret that online shopping portals are an easy way to earn extra rewards.
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, several popular shopping portal aggregators can help.
In this article, I'll discuss how to use an online shopping portal aggregator to maximize rewards when shopping online.
What is a shopping portal aggregator?
A shopping portal aggregator collects and displays the current earning rates for popular online retailers across various shopping portals.
Searching your retailer on a shopping portal aggregator will show you the earning rates across various shopping portals. Then, you can initiate your online purchase through the shopping portal that makes the most sense.
Related: The beginners guide to airline shopping portals: How to earn bonus points and miles
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 to use price trackers to get the best deals on holiday shopping
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.
For example, here's what Cashback Monitor returned for Marriott as I was writing this article:
And here's what Evreward returned for Marriott International as I was writing this article:
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 opt to earn Membership Rewards points through the Rakuten shopping portal if it earns more for a specific purchase than the Delta SkyMiles Shopping portal.
You might also have multiple loyalty programs with which you're willing to earn rewards through shopping portals. For example, I usually use the AAdvantage eShopping portal, Top Cashback or Rakuten when making online purchases. I can quickly compare current earning rates across these portals by using a shopping portal aggregator like Cashback Monitor.
Earning rates change frequently for most merchants, and 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 for your preferred merchant.
Related: How one Chrome plug-in can earn you extra points or cash back
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.
