Quick Points: How one Chrome plug-in can earn you extra points or cash back

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.

Daily Newsletter

Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter

Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

Email address

Sign up

By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

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.