Looking to save money while shopping online? Capital One Shopping might be the tool you've been searching for. This free browser extension and mobile app aims to help you snag the best deals and earn rewards on your purchases.
Capital One Shopping automatically searches for coupon codes, compares prices across retailers, and offers cash back opportunities as you shop. It works in the background, requiring minimal effort on your part to potentially save significant amounts of money.
While the potential savings are appealing, it's important to consider the privacy implications of using such a tool. Capital One Shopping collects data on your browsing and shopping habits, which may be a concern for some users. Weighing the benefits against these considerations will help you decide if it's the right choice for your online shopping needs.
Key Takeaways
- Capital One Shopping is a free tool that finds coupons and compares prices automatically
- You can earn rewards on purchases that can be redeemed for gift cards
- Consider the privacy implications before installing the extension or app
What Is Capital One Shopping?
Capital One Shopping is a free browser extension and mobile app designed to help you save money while shopping online. It works with major browsers like Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge.
The tool automatically searches for coupon codes and applies them at checkout to get you the best available discounts. You don't need a Capital One account to use it.
As you browse retail sites, Capital One Shopping compares prices across thousands of merchants. It alerts you if it finds a better deal elsewhere.
The service also offers a rewards program. You can earn shopping credits on purchases from partner retailers. These credits can be redeemed for gift cards.
Capital One Shopping provides price drop alerts too. If an item you've viewed goes on sale, you'll get a notification.
The mobile app lets you scan barcodes in stores to check online prices. This feature helps you decide if you're getting a good deal locally.
For added savings, Capital One Shopping highlights exclusive offers from its retail partners. These deals often provide bonus rewards or deeper discounts.
Remember, while the tool is free, it does collect data on your shopping habits to provide its services.
Alternatives To Capital One Shopping
Several popular apps and browser extensions offer similar features to Capital One Shopping for saving money and earning rewards while shopping online. Each has its own unique strengths and focus areas.
PayPal Honey
PayPal Honey automatically applies coupon codes at checkout and offers cashback on purchases. It works with thousands of online retailers and provides a price comparison tool for Amazon.
Honey Gold rewards can be redeemed for gift cards. The browser extension is easy to use and integrates seamlessly with PayPal for payments.
You can also set up price drop alerts for specific items you're interested in buying. Honey's interface is user-friendly and intuitive for most online shoppers.
Upside
Upside focuses on earning cashback at gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores. You link your credit card and get automatic cashback when you shop at participating locations.
The app uses your location to show nearby offers. Cashback rates can be quite high, sometimes up to 25% at gas stations or restaurants.
You can cash out your earnings via PayPal, bank transfer, or gift cards. Upside is ideal if you frequently drive or dine out and want to save on those everyday expenses.
Upside (which used to be called GetUpside) lets you save up to 25 cents for every gallon of gas you buy at certain gas stations. You can also get up to 35% back when you shop for groceries or eat out at over 45,000 places that work with Upside. If you use the app a lot, you might earn more than $100 in a year.
Fetch
Fetch rewards you for uploading receipts from any store or restaurant. You earn points for each receipt, with bonus points for specific products or brands.
The app is simple to use – just snap a photo of your receipt after shopping. Points can be redeemed for gift cards to popular retailers.
Fetch partners with many major brands to offer special bonuses. You can also link your email to automatically import e-receipts from online purchases.
Fetch is one of the top apps for scanning receipts that we've tried. It's great because it always gives you the same amount of points for each receipt, at least 25 points, and you only need to earn a little ($3) before you can take your money out. You can scan up to 35 receipts every week, so if you shop a lot and keep using the app, you could get a few free gift cards each year. Get 250 points when you use the code C1JAV during sign-up.
Rakuten
Rakuten (formerly Ebates) offers cashback at over 2,500 stores. You shop through their portal or use their browser extension to activate cashback.
Earnings are paid out quarterly via check or PayPal. Rakuten often has high cashback rates during promotional periods.
The site also offers coupons and promo codes to stack additional savings. Rakuten has a user-friendly interface and a wide selection of partner stores.
Rakuten offers cash back for shopping at over 3,500 stores, free to join, and shares commissions with members as cash back, paid quarterly. Members also get a $30 sign-up bonus. Since 1998, Rakuten has paid out over $1 billion in cash back.
Ibotta
Ibotta provides cashback on grocery, retail, and online purchases. You can earn by uploading receipts or linking store loyalty cards.
The app offers specific product rebates you can activate before shopping. Cashback is awarded quickly, usually within 24-48 hours.
Ibotta frequently runs bonuses for trying new products or completing shopping tasks. You can cash out via PayPal, Venmo, or gift cards once you reach $20 in earnings.
Ibotta pays you cash back for shopping at over 500,000 retailers, which you have to do every month. So why not get paid for it? Get started saving today.
How Capital One Shopping Works
Capital One Shopping is a free tool that aims to save you money while shopping online. It offers various features to help you find better deals, earn rewards, and compare prices across retailers.
Automatic Reward Credits And Coupon Application
When you shop online, Capital One Shopping automatically applies available coupons at checkout. This saves you time and effort searching for discount codes manually. The extension also offers reward credits on eligible purchases from partner retailers.
These credits can be redeemed for gift cards to popular stores. The amount of rewards varies by retailer and purchase.
You don't need to activate offers or remember to use specific links. The tool works in the background as you shop normally.
Amazon Price Comparison
Capital One Shopping compares prices on Amazon products with other online retailers. When viewing an item on Amazon, the extension checks if it's available for less elsewhere.
If a better deal is found, you'll see an alert with the price difference and link to the other store. This feature helps ensure you're getting the best price, even when shopping on Amazon.
The tool considers factors like shipping costs and estimated delivery times in its comparisons.
Amazon Watchlist Price Drops
You can add items from Amazon to your Capital One Shopping watchlist. The tool will track the prices of these products over time.
When a price drop occurs, you'll receive an email notification. This allows you to buy items when they're at their lowest price without constantly checking manually.
The watchlist feature is especially useful for non-urgent purchases or items you're considering buying in the future.
Universal Product Search Engine
Capital One Shopping offers a universal search feature to find products across multiple retailers. You can enter an item name or description to see results from various online stores.
The search results include prices, shipping costs, and available coupons for each retailer. This makes it easy to compare options and find the best overall deal.
You can also filter results by price, store, or other factors to narrow down your options quickly.
Personalized Offers
Based on your shopping habits and preferences, Capital One Shopping provides personalized offer recommendations. These may include special discounts, increased reward rates, or exclusive deals from partner retailers.
The offers are tailored to your interests and past purchases. This helps you discover relevant savings opportunities you might otherwise miss.
You can view and activate these offers through the browser extension or mobile app.
Mobile Price Comparison
The Capital One Shopping mobile app allows you to compare prices while shopping in physical stores. You can scan product barcodes to check online prices instantly.
This feature helps you determine if an in-store purchase is a good deal or if you'd save by buying online. The app shows prices from various retailers, including shipping costs.
You can also access your watchlist, reward credits, and personalized offers through the mobile app for on-the-go savings.
How To Redeem Capital One Shopping Credits
You can redeem Capital One Shopping credits easily through your online account. First, log in to your Capital One Shopping account. Hover over your name to access the drop-down menu, then click on “Redeem Rewards.”
Your available credits will appear in your account within about 7 days after making an eligible purchase. For example, if you spend $100 with a 5% reward offer, you'll receive $5 in credit.
Capital One Shopping offers several redemption options:
- Gift cards
- PayPal transfers
- Direct bank deposits
The exact choices may vary based on your location and current promotions. Gift cards often provide the best value, with options from popular retailers.
To complete your redemption:
- Select your preferred reward option
- Choose the amount you want to redeem
- Confirm your selection
Keep in mind that minimum redemption thresholds may apply. It's wise to check the terms for each reward option before making your selection.
Remember to redeem your credits regularly. Some may expire if not used within a certain timeframe. Check your account periodically to ensure you don't miss out on your earned rewards.
Bottom Line: Is Capital One Shopping Worth It?
Capital One Shopping offers genuine value for online shoppers. You can save money through automated coupon searches and price comparisons across thousands of retailers. The browser extension and mobile app are free to use, making it a low-risk option.
You'll earn rewards in the form of gift cards when shopping at partner stores. The price tracking feature alerts you to price drops on items you're interested in, potentially saving you more over time.
The platform is user-friendly and integrates seamlessly with your online shopping experience. It works with major browsers and doesn't require a Capital One account to use.
Some drawbacks to consider:
- Not all coupons may work
- Rewards are limited to gift cards
- Privacy concerns with data collection
Despite these minor issues, Capital One Shopping can be a worthwhile tool for budget-conscious shoppers. It's especially useful if you frequently shop online and want an easy way to find discounts and earn rewards.
