Capital One Shopping Review

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Our take on Capital One Shopping

• Shopping extension free for download and available to everyone, not just Capital One customers
• Biggest benefits: Automatically apply promo and coupon codes at checkout, compare prices among 30,000 retailers, and earn rewards
• Biggest drawbacks: Mixed customer reviews and exclusions for certain retailers and product categories

About Capital One Shopping

Capital One Shopping is a free browser extension that does the bargain-hunting for you across over 30,000 online retailers, including hotel booking sites. 

Once installed, this tool serves users in three main ways: it searches for applicable coupons and promo codes, compares prices among various online retailers, and allows you to earn shopping rewards that can be redeemed for gift cards.

It seems convenient to apply coupons, compare prices, and earn rewards on spending, but customer reviews highlight drawbacks, such as a cumbersome process to earn and redeem rewards, along with frequent, intrusive emails and pop-ups associated with the extension.

Here, we’ll dive into the specifics of Capital One Shopping, including how it works and whether the drawbacks are worth the savings.

How does Capital One Shopping work?

To use Capital One Shopping, start by downloading the free browser extension. It’s compatible with Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari, and you can download it from your browser’s extension store. 

Two formats are available for download:

• The desktop extension automatically searches for lower prices and tests community-sourced coupon codes at thousands of online retailers. 
• The mobile app is available for iOS and Android and lets you automatically apply coupons and earn Shopping Rewards at your favorite stores when making purchases in the app. You’ll also receive alerts for personalized deals. A mobile extension works similarly to the desktop version.

Once you’ve downloaded the extension or app, you register your account and manage it online, including activating and redeeming rewards and seeing your shopping history using the extension or app.

How does Capital One Shopping save you money? 

Capital One Shopping offers various automated ways to save money while you shop online. Here is a breakdown of its key features.

Instant application of coupon and promo codes

Capital One Shopping automatically searches for and applies the best coupons at checkout. After downloading the extension, you’ll see notifications from Capital One Shopping when checking out online at participating retailers.

Click the “try codes” button, and the extension will test available coupons, automatically applying the best one for maximum savings.

Advantages of this feature include:

• No need to manually enter coupon or promo codes
• It takes just a few moments to apply the best coupons available—and you don’t need to search for them yourself

Price comparison tool

This feature automatically compares prices across 30,000 retailers, including shipping costs. If it finds a better price, it shows you the difference and links to the cheaper option. The price comparison works in real time and takes about 10 to 15 seconds to display the lowest price.

Advantages include:

• Integration with Amazon so it works as you browse
• Real-time comparisons show the best price almost instantly
• Allows you to compare 30,000 different stores to find the best price

Shopping rewards

Capital One Shopping allows you to earn credits for purchases, even if no discounts are available. You can redeem these credits for e-gift cards from popular retailers, including Walmart and eBay.

Here’s what to know:

• Once you’ve registered your account, you must activate the Shopping Rewards to earn them 
• Rewards may take 30 to 90 days to be processed and applied to your account
• Redeem the rewards by selecting e-gift cards from a variety of retailers. 
• Get an order confirmation within 24 to 72 hours via email, which you can use to activate the gift card with that retailer.
• Capital One doesn’t disclose how much you must spend to earn rewards.

Price watch feature

Capital One Shopping offers a watchlist feature to alert you about price drops, but reviews suggest this feature could be improved. It’s not clear how often customers are notified of price drop or how customizable these notifications are. 

Information on this feature is limited in the Capital One Shopping help center.

Exclusive deals

Capital One Shopping also offers exclusive deals on its website. These promotions are unique to Capital One Shopping users and can provide extra savings.

Which retailers can you shop using Capital One Shopping?

Capital One Shopping partners with a staggering 30,000 retailers, covering a wide array of products and services. You can also use it for hotel expenses.

Notable retailers you can shop with include:

• Amazon
• Walmart
• Best Buy
• Home Depot
• Target

Who can use Capital One shopping?

Capital One Shopping is free and open to anyone; you don’t need to be a Capital One customer to take advantage of its features. 

The platform primarily serves U.S. customers but recently expanded to include Canada and Australia with more limited functionality. Capital One doesn’t disclose which features are available to customers in those countries.

Shopping rewards are issued in U.S. dollars for U.S. customers and local currency for Canada and Australian users.

Note: If you use Capital One Shopping from a U.S. territory, such as Puerto Rico or the United States Virgin Islands, your available features may be limited. Capital One doesn’t disclose the specifics of those limitations.

Are there any exclusions on Capital One Shopping?

Before diving into the rewards and savings, it’s crucial to be aware of certain exclusions that might affect your ability to earn Shopping Rewards.

Rewards for returned or exchanged purchases

Capital One’s website states that if you choose to return or exchange a purchase, any Shopping Rewards earned but not yet redeemed for that transaction will likely be voided.

General exclusions

Capital One Shopping identifies several types of purchases that generally aren’t eligible for Shopping Rewards. 

These include:

• Canceled orders
• Subscription renewals
• Gift cards
• Promotional deals
• Currency
• Commodities and rare metals (e.g., gold, silver, and platinum)
• Guns and ammunition
• Real estate
• Travel insurance
• Phone orders
• Shipping and tax charges

Specific retailer and product exclusions

In addition to these general limitations, several merchants and products have more specific restrictions. 

For example:

• Business orders do not qualify for Shopping Rewards.
• Apple products and associated contracts are not eligible.
• Orders on Walmart Grocery, DirecTV Now, AT&T Voice, and AT&T Business are excluded.
• The actual Shopping Rewards may be less than advertised for prepaid phones, upgrades, and SIM card purchases.

Payment limitations

If you use a gift card, coupon, or credit balance for your purchase, you may not earn Shopping Rewards from some merchants.

Understanding these exclusions will help you make the most out of Capital One Shopping’s features. We recommend checking the retailer’s specific exclusions before making a purchase.

Pros and cons of Capital One Shopping

Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of Capital One Shopping can help you make an informed decision. Here are highlights to consider:

Pros

• Free to use

  No subscription or one-time fees involved.

• Open to all

  You don’t need to be a Capital One customer to benefit.

• Broad U.S. availability

  All features are available to all U.S. shoppers.

• Multiple savings avenues

  Coupons, price comparison, and Shopping Rewards.

• Online management

  After registration, easily manage your account and view shopping history online

Cons

• Complex rewards redemption

  You need to activate shopping credits, and the process to get and redeem the rewards can be lengthy

• Intrusive notifications

  If you sign up for this extension or app, expect pop-ups, emails, and notifications that some users find bothersome

• Exclusions apply

  Not all purchases qualify for Shopping Rewards, and some categories are excluded

Weigh these factors carefully as you decide whether Capital One Shopping aligns with your shopping habits and savings goals.

Is Capital One a reputable company?

Source	Customer rating	Number of reviews
Trustpilot	1.4 out of 5	122
Better Business Bureau	1.11 out of 5 (for Capital One Financial Corp.)	1,337

Collected on October 30, 2023

Capital One Financial Corp. maintains an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), but the customer reviews tell a different story. The company has a low rating of 1.11 out of 5 based on 1,337 reviews on BBB. Note that these reviews are for the entire Capital One company—including credit cards and banking—not just the shopping extension.

Capital One Shopping is rated separately on Trustpilot, but doesn’t fare much better, with a rating of 1.4 out of 5 from 122 reviews. Common themes in reviews include poor customer service and annoying pop-ups. Users also report being inundated with emails after signing up.

Concerns over redeeming gift cards and the lengthy process to acquire shopping credits are other recurring issues. Several Trustpilot reviewers mention referrals to sketchy sites and frustration with long timelines to earn credits. 

Does Capital One Shopping have a customer service team?

Capital One Shopping offers customer service primarily through email. 

Here are the ways you can contact Capital One Shopping’s customer service:

• Email: [email protected]
• Mailing address: Capital One Shopping, P.O. Box 269030, Plano, TX 75026-9030

Its website includes no mention of phone support or a chat box option for customer service at this time.

How to get Capital One Shopping

Getting started with Capital One Shopping involves a few simple steps. Here’s a guide to walk you through the process:

1. Visit the website: Go to the Capital One Shopping website.
2. Choose your platform: Decide whether you’d like to download the browser extension or the mobile app.
3. Download: For the browser extension, click the “Add to Chrome” or corresponding button for your browser. For the mobile app, go to the App Store or Google Play Store and search for “Capital One Shopping.”

4. Install: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

5. Sign up: Once the app or extension is installed, sign up for an account.

6. Activate account: Check your email for an activation link, and click it to activate your account.
7. Start shopping: Once activated, you’re all set to start using Capital One Shopping.

Capital One Shopping FAQ 

Is Capital One Shopping legit?

Yes, Capital One Shopping is a legitimate service backed by Capital One, a well-known financial institution. The platform partners with around 30,000 retailers and offers multiple ways to save money, including price comparisons, coupons, and Shopping Rewards. However, it’s essential to read the terms and conditions and understand the service’s exclusions.

Is Capital One Shopping safe to use?

Capital One Shopping uses encryption to protect your data and adheres to Capital One’s stringent security protocols. The service does not sell your personal information. 

But some users have raised concerns about receiving numerous emails and pop-ups, which many consider invasive. It’s important to review privacy settings to ensure you’re comfortable with the service’s practices.