Quick Points: How one Chrome plug-in can earn you extra points or cash back
Editor's Note
At TPG, we talk a lot about using shopping portals to earn extra rewards when you shop online. But if you constantly forget forgetting to use one, we get it. Sometimes, that one extra step doesn't seem worth it.
The great news is that one of our favorite portals, Rakuten, offers a Google Chrome plug-in that can help you earn thousands of extra American Express Membership Rewards points each month with a simple click of a button.
We especially love Rakuten allows you the option to earn either cash-back or Membership Rewards, and the plug-in means you won't miss a chance to earn your rewards when they're available — just in time for your holiday shopping.
Related: Earn a $30 bonus by joining or referring a friend to Rakuten for online shopping
How to earn Membership Rewards with Rakuten
Setting up the plug-in is easy. Here's a step-by-step tutorial:
Step 1: Sign up for an account
First, head to Rakuten.com and sign up for an account. You can sign up with your email or by using your credentials with Google, Facebook or Apple. Right now, you'll even get a $40 cash bonus if you sign up by Nov. 16 and make a $40+ purchase within 90 days.
Step 2: Go to settings and switch to Membership Rewards
Once you're logged in, go to "Account Settings." It's located in the upper right-hand corner of the screen under the drop-down menu next to your name and current balance.
From there, you can manage your account settings — login credentials, linked accounts and how you'd like to get paid. Options include a PayPal deposit, "Big Fat Check" and American Express Membership Rewards. After you link your Rakuten and Amex accounts, you'll be set to earn Amex points rather than cash back.
However, your initial bonus if you sign up today will still be paid in cash back. Only future earnings will earn Membership Rewards points.
In addition, if you later select a different payment method, you won't be able to select American Express Membership Rewards again.
Step 3: Add the plug-in to your browser
After you get all set up to earn Membership Rewards, add the plug-in to your browser. Head to rakuten.com/button.htm to add it to Chrome.
Step 4: Use it when you're shopping
Using the plug-in is easy. Anytime you're shopping on a site that earns rewards through Rakuten, a small pop-up will appear in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. Click on the pop-up, and it'll do all the work for you. Once your rewards are activated, the pop-up will turn purple in confirmation before disappearing as you resume shopping.
Rakuten tracks your entire "shopping trip" with a certain site, so you won't have to reenter the portal as you scroll through the site and add things to your cart.
Related: Your guide to maximizing shopping portals for your online purchases
Bottom line
Add the Rakuten browser extension to Chrome today to ensure you never miss a chance to earn extra rewards on your online shopping. The plug-in is an easy (and free) way to rack up extra points on your online purchases with just the click of a button.
Not yet a member? Join today for a $30 bonus when you spend $30 in the first 90 days.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.