Online shoppers who want a better deal before they checkout should consider Capital One Shopping, which can help you find the best price on products and makes it possible to earn rewards that you can redeem for gift cards.
What is Capital One Shopping
One of the best parts of shopping online is that you have the chance to slow down and look for the best deal possible before you actually hand over your credit card number. Capital One Shopping makes it easy to find discounts and coupon codes.
You can use the free “Capital One Shopping” Google Chrome extension to help you instantly search the web for better prices, coupons and reward opportunities when shopping online. It searches for deals at over 30,000 retailers, and you don’t need a Capital One credit card to utilize it. It’s available to anyone whether they are a Capital One customer or not.
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Capital One Shopping
Automatically Apply Coupons
Capital One Shopping automatically applies available coupon codes across thousands of sites for free.
Free browser extension
Automatically Apply Coupons
Capital One Shopping automatically applies available coupon codes across thousands of sites for free.
How it works
After you install the Capital One Shopping Chrome extension on your browser, you can use it to accomplish three things. This extension will search for the best price on the product you want to buy, find coupon and promo code opportunities and make it possible for you to earn Capital One Shopping Credits.
When it comes to looking for the lowest possible price on an item, this tool can search through more than 30,000 retail sites. This extension even compares shipping costs with different retailers. If it does uncover a better price, it will present you with the cost difference and give you a link to the cheaper retailer.
Besides just finding a cheaper price, it will also look for a coupon code. Oftentimes, when searching for promo codes yourself, you will come across what appears to be a great deal only to find the promo code isn’t valid. This extension will test the promo codes for you and then automatically apply them to your purchase. This can help you save a lot of time and disappointment.
Lastly, using the browser extension will allow you to earn Capital One Shopping Credits, which you can redeem for gift cards at popular retailers like eBay or Walmart.
Capital One Shopping perks and features
Let’s take a closer look at the features that make Capital One Shopping such a useful tool:
- Watchlist: If you aren’t in a rush, you can keep track of items you want to purchase on your Capital One Shopping list and wait for an alert when the price drops.
- Automated coupon codes: Not having to search for or test coupon codes is a savings game changer.
- Shopping credits: A percentage of eligible purchases made when using Capital One Shopping builds up shopping credits, which you can redeem for gift cards.
- Product search: You can start your shopping search directly through the Capital One Shopping website to quickly find the best prices without having to visit multiple websites.
What it doesn’t do well
As useful as the Capital One Shopping platform is when it comes to finding deals, it’s not perfect. Although it claims to always test coupon codes before giving them to you, some users report the coupon codes aren’t always active. Also, the tool does not work with all stores. When it comes to redeeming rewards, you can only do so for gift cards, whereas other similar shopping tools allow you to redeem for cash back.
You may also get sick of the Capital One Shopping pop-up appearing whenever you visit an eligible retail site, even if you are just casually poking around and aren’t actually planning to make a purchase.
Also, you will not earn shopping rewards if you have another savings extension installed on your browser.
How to add the Capital One Shopping extension
If you decide that the Capital One Shopping tool is something you want to test out, you can easily add the Google Chrome extension for free. Head over to the Google chrome web store and search for the “Capital One Shopping: Add to Chrome for Free” extension. You will hit add to Chrome and can then install the extension.
How Capital One Shopping compares
If you want to save on purchases, you have a few options for platforms you can use to find deals and discounts aside from Capital One Shopping. Here are two such examples:
- Rakuten: This online tool works similarly to Capital One Shopping but delivers your rewards in the form of cash back instead of gift cards. It won’t help you find deals on certain products, but you may find you prefer the simple cash-back structure.
- Fetch: If you want the option to save online and when shopping in person, Fetch Rewards can help. You can scan store receipts (physical or digital) to earn rewards that you can redeem for gift cards.
Can Capital One Shopping actually save me money?
Using Capital One Shopping when shopping online can save you money. This tool automatically searches for and applies relevant coupon codes at checkout when you shop online.
It also compares prices from various retailers to ensure you get the best deal. There is no guarantee you will save when using this tool, but it’s a fast and easy way to potentially save some money and earn rewards while shopping online.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
The great thing about Capital One Shopping is you do not have to be a Capital One banking or credit card customer to utilize the tool. Anyone can register for an account and start using it for free that same day.
You don’t ever have to pay to use Capital One Shopping, which is what makes it such a helpful tool when you’re looking to save one.
The Capital One Shopping extension is a safe Chrome extension to add to your computer, so you can shop stress-free without having to worry about any fraud or security concerns.
Amazon is one of the more than 30,000 eligible retailers where you can use Capital One Shopping features to help you save money and earn rewards.
The rewards you earn with Capital One Shopping won’t ever expire as long as you keep your account open. If you close your account, you will lose any rewards you failed to redeem.
BLUEPRINT
During college, Jacqueline DeMarco interned at a retirement plan advisory firm and was tasked with creating a presentation on the importance of financial wellness. During her research into how money can affect our health, relationships and career, Jacqueline realized just how important financial education is. Today, Jacqueline has worked with more than two dozen financial brands, including LendingTree, Capital One, Credit Karma, Fundera, Chime, Bankrate, Student Loan Hero, SoFi, and Northwestern Mutual, providing thoughtful content to give readers insight into complex topics that they likely didn’t learn in school.
BLUEPRINT
Ashley Barnett has been writing and editing personal finance articles for the internet since 2008. Before editing for USA TODAY Blueprint, she was the Content Director for an international media company leading the content on their suite of personal finance sites. She lives in Phoenix, AZ where you can find her rereading Harry Potter for the 100th time.
BLUEPRINT
Taylor Tepper is the lead banking editor for USA TODAY Blueprint. Prior to that he was a senior writer at Forbes Advisor, Wirecutter, Bankrate and Money Magazine. He has also been published in the New York Times, NPR, Bloomberg and the Tampa Bay Times. His work has been recognized by his peers, winning a Loeb, Deadline Club and SABEW award. He has completed the education requirement from the University of Texas to qualify for a Certified Financial Planner certification, and earned a M.A. from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York where he focused on business reporting and was awarded the Frederic Wiegold Prize for Business Journalism. He earned his undergraduate degree from New York University, and married his college sweetheart with whom he raises three kids in Dripping Springs, TX.
