Question 1

What is an online shopping portal?

Accepted Answer

An online shopping portal is a website that rewards you with points, miles, or cash back for starting your shopping journey through their platform. These portals partner with major retailers and share a portion of their commission with you in the form of rewards.

Question 2

How do online shopping portals work?

Accepted Answer

You log into a shopping portal, search for a retailer, and click through the portal’s link to that retailer’s website. Once you make a purchase, the portal tracks it and rewards you with cash back or points. This is in addition to your credit card rewards.

Question 3

Do I have to pay extra when using a shopping portal?

Accepted Answer

No. The price you pay is the same as if you had gone directly to the retailer’s site. You’re simply earning extra rewards for clicking through the portal first.

Question 4

Can I stack shopping portal rewards with credit card rewards?

Accepted Answer

Yes! This is called “double dipping.” You earn rewards from the shopping portal and from your credit card on the same purchase, maximizing your return.

Question 5

Which types of rewards can I earn?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the portal, you can earn cash back, airline miles, hotel points, or credit card points. Examples include Rakuten for cash back, AAdvantage eShopping for American Airlines miles, and Chase Ultimate Rewards Shopping for credit card points.

Question 6

Are there tools to help me use portals more easily?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many portals offer browser extensions that alert you when rewards are available and activate them automatically. Rakuten and Capital One Shopping are two popular examples.

Question 7

What can block my rewards from tracking?

Accepted Answer

Using ad blockers, not enabling cookies, or applying third-party coupon codes can interfere with tracking. Always click through the portal and complete your purchase in the same session.

Question 8

Can I use multiple shopping portals at once?

Accepted Answer

No. Only one portal can earn rewards per transaction. Use tools like Cashback Monitor or EVRewards to compare rates and pick the most rewarding one before you shop.

Question 9

How long does it take to receive my rewards?

Accepted Answer

Rewards typically show as “pending” within a few days, but it can take several weeks depending on the retailer and portal. Once confirmed, you can redeem them for cash, gift cards, or travel rewards.