I've shared about shopping portals before (read here) and typically Rakuten gets a lot of recognition; but did you know most airlines and some banks have their own shopping portals? There are so many different shopping portals, that there are actually websites that will compare portals for you, to know which has the highest offer. This points talks about my favorite shopping portal comparison tool.
No idea what I'm talking about? Here's some information for a refresher...
Shopping Portal 101
What's a Shopping Portal?
Per Google AI, a shopping portal is a website or platform that acts as a gateway to online retailers, offering bonus rewards like cash back, airline miles or points, for purchases made through the shopping portal. Instead of going directly to a retailer's website, you visit the shopping portal first, search and click on a link to your retailer of choice, and then make your purchase from the retailers website.
Per Google AI, a shopping portal is a website or platform that acts as a gateway to online retailers, offering bonus rewards like cash back, airline miles or points, for purchases made through the shopping portal. Instead of going directly to a retailer's website, you visit the shopping portal first, search and click on a link to your retailer of choice, and then make your purchase from the retailers website.
The portal tracks your purchase (but not your personal information like shipping address and/or credit card number), then credits your account with the bonus rewards offered.
Why use a Shopping Portal?
To earn extra points, miles, or cash back for free
How do shopping portals make money?
Through affiliate links and commission paid by the retailers.
Do I need to use a certain credit card to use a Shopping Portal?
Nope! Unlike "offers" which are coupons tied to a specific credit card; it does NOT matter what form of payment you use to pay when you shop via shopping portal!
Nope! Unlike "offers" which are coupons tied to a specific credit card; it does NOT matter what form of payment you use to pay when you shop via shopping portal!
Southwest Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal
Sign up here and have your SW Rapid Rewards number and log in handy
Why am I taking time to highlight Southwest Shopping Portal? Not only can you earn extra SW points Because to redeem for SW points flights; but also because points earned via SW shopping portal count towards SW Companion Pass! SW CP allows you to book a flight (on points or cash) and add a second flyer for just taxes and fees ($5.60 for domestic US travel!)
I have an entire post here with strategies to earn Companion Pass, which is to hit 135,000 companion pass qualifying points in a calendar year.
If I have a SW credit card (which I do), I generally earn 1 point per dollar spent on my SW card (granted, some categories earn more points). I'm definitely not putting over $100,000 of spend in a calendar year on my Southwest card to earn companion pass.
However, I do consciously SW Shopping portal to earn extra points to minimize the spend I need to put on my SW card. Right now SW Shopping Portal has an offer if you enroll in the offer and spend X-amount by 8/10/2026, you can earn up to 2,500 extra points (on top of your shopping portal spend points. If that makes sense?)
With this promotion and purchases I've made in the past month; I've spent $560 using SW Shopping Portal; and with the promotion above, plus the shopping portal points, I will earn a total of 3,866 rapid rewards (1,366 based on my portal spend below + 2,000 bonus points).
That is SO much better than having spend $3,866 on my Southwest credit card! Granted, I still have a long ways to go to earn companion pass ;) but hey, I've booked Southwest points flights for less than 3,866 points!
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| SW Shopping Portal - Recent Transactions |
And that doesn't take into consideration which credit card and/or benefit I'm using and the points/benefits earned via that method and working on a sign up bonus for.
Summary
Shopping portals add another step to online shopping and another way to make your head spin in points and miles. But if you have the capacity (hint: download the free web browser extensions so you automatically get a pop up reminder when shopping online!); shopping portals, offer a convenient way to earn more points (or cashback) without spending more!
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Curious what cards I (and/or my husband) have, and why? Read here!
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