Think about how much online shopping you do throughout the year. Clothes, shoes, household essentials, gifts, and all those random things you order online (because let's be honest, we all do it!).
Now, what if I told you that those purchases could actually help you earn enough travel points and miles to put toward or ever cover the cost of your next vacation? And I'm not just talking about the points you're already earning with your credit cards. I'm talking about EXTRA points, miles, or cash back ON TOP of your regular credit card rewards!
Today, I'm sharing three FREE shopping tools that can help you earn even more rewards on purchases you're already making.
And my favorite part about these tools is that you don't need to open another credit card, change your shopping habits, or spend any extra money to take advantage of them!
PLUS, I'll be sharing some special sign-up bonuses that can help you start earning FREE points and miles right away!
What Are Shopping Portals and How Do They Work?
If you're not familiar with shopping portals, shopping portals are websites or apps that allow you to earn additional points, miles, or cash back when you shop online through their links.
And here's the best part: Those rewards are earned ON TOP of the points you're already earning with your credit card!
This is what we call stacking, and it's one of my favorite ways to rack up extra travel points without spending more money.
For example, you could potentially earn rewards three different ways on a single purchase:
💰 Shopping portal rewards: Earn cash back, points, or miles through the portal.
🛍️ Store loyalty rewards: Earn additional rewards if the retailer has a loyalty program.
💳 Credit card rewards: Earn points or miles from the credit card you use to pay.
That's THREE opportunities to earn rewards from ONE purchase!
And it's exactly why I almost never shop online without checking my shopping portals first.
1. Rakuten: Earn Cash Back or Amex Membership Rewards Points 🛍️
Let's start with the shopping portal I probably use the most: Rakuten!
Rakuten is a FREE shopping portal that allows you to earn cash back at thousands of online retailers simply by starting your shopping through their website or app.
But here's what makes Rakuten especially valuable for points and miles enthusiasts: You can choose to earn American Express Membership Rewards points instead of cash back!
How Does Rakuten Work?
It's super simple! Instead of going directly to a store's website, head to Rakuten FIRST.
Search for the store you want to shop at, click through to its website, and shop like you normally would. You can even log in to your store loyalty account and earn those rewards too, if the retailer has a loyalty program.
The key is to start your shopping through Rakuten so your purchase gets tracked and you earn your rewards!
Get a $50 Rakuten Sign-Up Bonus! 🎉
AND there's a bonus for new Rakuten members!
When you sign up through my referral link, you can earn $50 cash back (or 5,000 points with an eligible linked rewards account) after making $50 in qualifying purchases within your first 90 days, under the current referral offer.
And with holiday shopping currently in full swing, that $50 minimum should be pretty easy to hit on purchases you were already planning to make!
Sign Up for FREE Rakuten + Get Your $50 Bonus
How to Earn Amex Membership Rewards Points or Bilt Points With Rakuten
One of my favorite things about Rakuten is that you can choose how you want to receive your rewards. Instead of traditional cash back, you may be able to earn American Express Membership Rewards points or Bilt points, depending on which eligible rewards accounts you have.
To see your options, simply log in to your Rakuten account, head to "Choose How You Get Paid," and select your preferred payout method. If you choose to earn points, you'll need to link your eligible rewards account.
I personally choose to earn American Express Membership Rewards points through Rakuten because I can often get even more value out of those points by transferring them to Amex's airline and hotel partners.
But before I had an eligible Amex card, I simply earned cash back instead and set that money aside in a dedicated travel fund. So even without earning points, my everyday shopping was still helping pay for future trips!
No matter which rewards option you choose, you're earning something EXTRA on purchases you were already planning to make!
2. Rove Miles: Earn Transferable Travel Miles While Shopping ✈️
Next up is another FREE shopping platform I've been using more and more lately: Rove.
If you're not familiar with Rove, it's a travel rewards platform that lets you earn Rove Miles on everyday online shopping, hotel bookings, flights, dining, and more.
And just like Rakuten, it's incredibly easy to use! Simply head to Rove's shopping portal, search for the store you're planning to shop at, click through to the retailer's website, and shop like you normally would.
You'll earn Rove Miles on eligible purchases ON TOP of whatever rewards you're already earning with the credit card you use to pay!
One thing that sets Rove apart is that they also offer opportunities to earn miles on eligible gift card purchases!
Why I Love Rove Miles
Here's the biggest reason I like Rove: Rove Miles are transferable travel rewards, and you don't even need a travel rewards credit card to earn them!
That means you can use any credit card to make purchases through Rove, earn Rove Miles, and then transfer your Rove Miles to a growing list of airline and hotel loyalty partners, just like with transferable credit card points!
AND here's a little bonus to get you started!
If you're new to Rove, you can earn 1,000 FREE Rove Miles just by signing up through my referral link, subject to the current referral terms.
That's 1,000 miles to get you started toward your next flight or hotel stay before you've even made your first purchase!
And since Rove is completely FREE to join, it's an easy way to start earning additional travel rewards.
Sign Up for Rove + Get 1,000 FREE Rove Miles
Rakuten vs. Rove: Which Shopping Portal Is Better?
My advice? Check BOTH before making an online purchase!
Sometimes Rakuten will offer a better earning rate, and other times Rove might have a significantly better deal.
But remember, the highest number of points doesn't always mean the best value. It also depends on how you plan to redeem them, so compare your options and choose the one that makes the most sense for you.
3. Credit Card Shopping Offers: Don't Overlook These Extra Rewards! 💳
This last one is something I think SO many people overlook, and chances are, you might already have access to it without even realizing it!
Many banks and credit card issuers have their own shopping offers that can help you earn extra points, miles, or cash back on purchases you're already making. And some of these offers can be REALLY good!
Unlike traditional shopping portals like Rakuten and Rove, these deals are often found right inside your credit card account or banking app.
Depending on the offer, you might earn bonus points, receive a statement credit, or get a percentage of your purchase back just for shopping with a participating retailer.
How Do Credit Card Shopping Offers Work?
The process is usually pretty simple!
Log in to your credit card account or banking app.
Look for a section called "Offers," "Deals," or "Merchant Offers."
Browse the available deals and activate any that interest you, if required.
Follow the offer instructions and make your qualifying purchase using the eligible card.
That's it!
For example, you might see an offer for 10% back at a store you were already planning to shop at, or a $20 statement credit when you spend $100 at a participating retailer.
That's essentially FREE money back on something you were going to buy anyway!
One important thing to know: These offers change frequently and are often targeted to individual cardholders, meaning the offers I see in my accounts might be completely different from the ones you see in yours.
Which Banks Offer Shopping Deals?
Here are a few popular banks and credit card issuers worth checking:
American Express Offers: Eligible Amex cardholders can find Amex Offers in their accounts, with deals that may earn additional Membership Rewards points or statement credits after making qualifying purchases.
Chase Offers: Many Chase credit cards have targeted offers that provide cash back in the form of statement credits when you make eligible purchases at participating retailers.
Capital One Offers: Eligible Capital One cardholders can find shopping deals through their online accounts, including offers where you can earn extra Capital One miles, statement credits, or savings when shopping through designated links or adding and activating in-store offers to your card.
Bank of America BankAmeriDeals: Eligible Bank of America customers can activate offers through online banking or the mobile app to earn cash back on qualifying purchases.
Citi Merchant Offers: Eligible Citi cardholders may have access to targeted merchant deals that provide statement credits or cash back when they make qualifying purchases.
U.S. Bank Offers: Some U.S. Bank cards also provide access to merchant offers that can help you save on eligible purchases.
My Biggest Shopping Tip: Always Check Your Shopping Portals First!
If there's ONE thing I want you to take away from this post, it's this:
NEVER go straight to a store's website without checking your shopping portals and credit card offers first!
Seriously, it takes just a minute or two, and you'd be surprised how quickly those extra points, miles, and cash back can add up!
Here's my quick routine before making an online purchase:
Check Rakuten to see what cash-back or points offers are available.
Compare with Rove to see which portal offers the best opportunity to earn travel miles.
Check my credit card offers for any additional rewards or statement credits.
Choose the best eligible offer and pay with a rewards-earning credit card.
And remember, always check the terms of each offer, because not all promotions can be combined.
Small Changes Can Lead to BIG Travel Savings!
Here's the thing: You don't have to completely change the way you shop or spend more money to start earning rewards toward travel.
Sometimes, it's as simple as taking ONE extra step before clicking that checkout button.
A few extra points here, some cash back there, and before you know it, those everyday purchases could be helping pay for your next flight, hotel stay, or even an entire vacation!
Because the goal isn't to spend more money to earn more points. It's to earn MORE rewards on the money you're already spending! ✈️
Ready to Start Traveling for Less?
If you're new to points and miles and wondering how to turn your everyday spending into nearly free travel, I've got you!
Grab my FREE Beginner's Guide to Points & Miles, where I break down the basics of earning and redeeming travel rewards so you can start planning your own trips for less.
Happy shopping! 🧡
Christina
Point Savvy Traveler | Travel Better for Less
Disclosure: This post contains referral links, which means I may earn a bonus or compensation if you sign up or are approved through my links, at no additional cost to you. Offers and eligibility requirements are subject to change. I only share products and services I personally use or believe may be helpful to my readers.
