Shopping Portals

Do you do a lot of online shopping? If so, you should know about online shopping portals. They’re a simple way to collect points, miles and extra cash back, on purchases you were already planning to make.

What are Shopping Portals?

Think of shopping portals as a bridge between you and online retailers. 

Credit card issuers, loyalty programs, and cash-back providers operate these websites, featuring links to various online merchants. When you start your shopping journey at the portal and click through to a retailer, you’ll earn extra rewards on your purchases. 

The cool thing is that you can “double dip”. You earn rewards from the shopping portal and your credit card. For example, you can click through a portal run by an airline, and pay with a credit card that earns travel rewards. That way, you’re racking up both airline miles and credit card points on the same purchase.

Shopping Portal options in North America (our favorites)

Rakuten [USA]
Formerly known as Ebates, Rakuten is a well-known portal that allows you to earn cash back or Amex Membership Rewards points.  Rakuten has a wide variety of participating merchants. Create an account and Rakuten will give you $30. Qualifying purchases must be made within 90 days of joining.
Click Here
Great Canadian Rebates [CAN]
Great Canadian Rebates (GCR) is a Canadian cash back site that allows you to earn cash back when you shop online. GCR partners with over 700 stores They also offer exclusive credit card promotions and referral bonuses
Click Here

How to Maximize your points & miles

  • You must start at the Shopping portal
  • Activate the offer (some portals require you to activate the offer before start shopping)
  • Use the right credit card that will give you more points and aligns with your goals
  • Check for promotions - don't overestimate the email that sometimes ends up on the junk folder