April 16, 2026
When I hear the term shopping portal, I think of extreme couponing. It’s definitely not extreme couponing, but it does add an extra step to your online shopping.
Shopping portals are a great way to boost your points earnings, especially if you aren’t a big spender. They often run rotating, limited time offers, so you’ll want to keep an eye on them. We’re going to review the three I personally think are most beneficial in Canada (and that I’ve used myself): Rakuten, WestJet, and Aeroplan (Air Canada).
Tip: Bookmark these shopping portals in your web browser to make things easier as WestJet and Air Canada’s shopping portals aren’t easily accessible through their apps. Rakuten does offer an app, and I recommend downloading it.
Rakuten
I honestly thought Rakuten was a thing of the past, until I heard Points and Miles podcasts in the U.S. talking about it. In the U.S., people can earn American Express Rewards through Rakuten, but in Canada we can earn Scene+ points. And if you’ve read my previous posts, the “Apply Points to Travel” feature on Scene+ is great.
How to switch your Rakuten payout from a Cheque to Scene+ points
- Sign into your account
- Go to My Account
- Select Choose How to Get Paid
- Select Scene+ points
Your Scene+ points will be deposited into your account every three months.
WestJet
WestJet’s eStore is relatively new and, honestly, a bit clunky. But that’s not unusual for a new product. You can find the eStore on the WestJet website. The main page highlights elevated offers, or you can search for the specific store/brand you want. Since WestJet points can take longer to earn (and you typically need more for a flight redemption), the shopping portal is a great way to boost your balance.
Aeroplan
The Aeroplan eStore is very similar to WestJet’s, except it offers more stores thanks to Aeroplan’s larger footprint and brand partnerships. If you’re looking for something more specialized, there’s a better chance you’ll find it through the Aeroplan shopping portal.
How to Pick Which Shopping Portal to Use
It really comes down to which points you need most. If your stockpile is running low, focus on that specific portal for a while. I tend to gravitate towards Rakuten because it’s the easiest to use. It has an app, and I find it a lot smoother than trying to use the WestJet or Aeroplan portals. If you have time on your hands and you’re making a big purchase, you can check all three to find the best deal.
-Alexis