Editor’s note: This is TPG’s permanent page with all currently available airline shopping portal promotions, so you can bookmark it and check back regularly for updates.
It’s not too late to order Valentine’s Day flowers and gifts. And thanks to online shopping portals, you can score a whole bunch of bonus miles in the process.
Just in time for the holiday, American Airlines, Alaska and United are offering hundreds of bonus miles for making purchases through their online shopping portals. Considering the portals already offer up to 30 miles per dollar on flowers, you can rack up some serious miles with these bonuses.
There’s no registration needed for these promotions, but you’ll want to keep their end dates in mind as they’re only available for a limited time.
Here’s a closer look at the offers.
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American Airlines AAdvantage eShopping
American Airlines AAdvantage eShopping is offering up to 500 bonus miles when you spend $200 through the portal by Feb. 17 at 11:59 p.m. EST. This is based on cumulative purchases made through the platform, so it can be spread across multiple purchases.
This bonus is worth about $8 based on current TPG valuations, giving you an additional return of 4%. And, of course, this bonus is in addition to the miles you’d earn with the specific merchant and the points you’d earn paying with a rewards credit card.
Your qualifying spending excludes shipping, taxes and any other fees associated with your purchase(s), and some items or categories aren’t eligible. As always, carefully review the terms for each merchant, so you don’t miss out on the bonus miles.
Keep in mind that base miles earned through the shopping portal now count toward elite-qualifying Loyalty Points. However, bonuses from limited-time spending offers like this do not count.
For full details on this offer, visit this page.
Related: Your ultimate guide to American Airlines AAdvantage
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
The next offer is available through Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, and it offers up to 500 bonus miles when you spend $150 or more through the portal. However, this one runs through Feb. 16 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Like the American bonus, this is based on cumulative purchases.
This bonus is worth about $9 based on current TPG valuations, giving you an additional return of 6%.
You’ll also face the same restrictions noted above. Your qualifying spending excludes shipping, taxes and any other fees associated with your purchase(s), and some items or categories aren’t eligible. As always, be sure to review the individual merchant’s terms to understand exactly how you’ll be earning miles.
For full details on this offer, visit this page.
Related: Your ultimate guide to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
United Airlines MileagePlus Shopping
United MileagePlus Shopping is also offering up to 500 bonus miles when you spend $150 or more on cumulative purchases through the portal. This bonus is available through Feb. 16 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
The bonus amount is worth just under $6 based on TPG valuations, giving you an additional return of 4%. Of course, these bonuses are in addition to the miles you’d earn with the specific merchant.
Again, the same restrictions stand. Shipping, taxes and any other fees associated with your purchase(s) and some items or categories aren’t eligible. Make sure to review the individual merchant’s terms to understand exactly how you’ll be earning miles.
For full details on this offer, visit this page.
Related: 30 ways to earn miles with the United MileagePlus program
How to maximize these offers
These new bonuses are decent, and with many readers shopping online these days, this represents a great option to earn bonus miles on purchases you were already planning to make. You can also stack these rewards by adding additional discounts and offers to the card you use via programs such as Amex Offers.
For example, let’s say you have an Amex Offer for 1-800-Flowers.com on your The Platinum Card® from American Express that gives $10 back if you spend $50 or more on eligible purchases (up to two times).
In addition, say American is offering 10 miles for every dollar spent at 1-800-Flowers.com in addition to the bonus. If you spent $200 on flowers through the American portal, you’d walk away with 2,500 American miles (2,000 + 500 bonus miles), 200 Amex Membership Rewards points at 1 point per dollar charged to the card and $10 back as a statement credit. That stacks to over $44 in savings and rewards on a $200 purchase.
Eligibility for this offer is limited. Enrollment is required in the Amex Offers section of your account before redeeming.
Note that by going through these portals, you’re also potentially giving up rewards through other portals — like Rakuten or Chase. Be sure to use an online tool like Cashback Monitor to compare earning rates and select the best option.
Related: The best credit cards for online shopping
Use the right credit card
It’s critical to swipe the right credit card when making online purchases, so pay close attention to any bonus categories that might apply to the merchant at which you’re shopping. If there’s no additional bonus or discount potential, make sure you use a credit card that has high earning rates on non-bonus spending. Great options include cards like the following:
- Chase Freedom Unlimited: Earn 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% back on drugstore purchases and on dining, and 1.5% on all other purchases. You can also earn an additional 1.5% cash back on all categories (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). You can convert this cash back to Chase Ultimate Rewards points if you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Ink Business Preferred Credit Card.
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 2 Capital One miles per dollar spent on everyday purchases.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 2 Capital One miles per dollar spent on everyday purchases.
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The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express: Earn 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent, on up to $50,000 per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar).
Be sure to read our guide to the best credit cards for everyday spending to see which cards will maximize your returns for online purchases.
Additional reporting by Andrew Kunesh and Nick Ewen.
Featured photo by Yuganov Konstantin/Shutterstock.com.