How ‘Buy Online, Pick Up in Store’ Supercharges Credit Card Rewards

Introduction

In today’s fast-paced retail environment, convenience and rewards go hand in hand. One of the most popular shopping trends—Buy Online, Pick Up in Store (BOPIS)—has revolutionized the way consumers shop. Beyond the obvious benefits of speed and convenience, BOPIS also presents a unique opportunity to maximize credit card rewards.

By strategically using BOPIS, shoppers can earn cash back, points, and miles at an accelerated rate while avoiding shipping fees and ensuring product availability. This article explores how BOPIS enhances credit card rewards, the best cards to use, and key strategies to optimize your earnings.

1. Understanding Buy Online, Pick Up in Store (BOPIS)

BOPIS allows customers to purchase items online and collect them in-store without waiting for delivery. Major retailers like Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot offer this service, making it a convenient alternative to traditional shopping.

Why BOPIS is Growing in Popularity

Saves time – Skip the checkout lines.
Avoids shipping fees – No minimum spend required for free pickup.
Instant gratification – Get items the same day instead of waiting for delivery.
Better inventory control – Ensures product availability before arriving at the store.

But beyond convenience, BOPIS can be a secret weapon for credit card rewards enthusiasts.

2. How BOPIS Boosts Credit Card Rewards

Credit card rewards are typically earned based on spending categories, bonuses, and promotions. BOPIS can enhance these earnings in several ways:

A. Online Shopping Bonuses

Many credit cards offer higher rewards for online purchases compared to in-store spending. Since BOPIS transactions are processed as online orders, they often qualify for these elevated rewards rates.

Examples:

Chase Freedom Flex – 5% back on up to $1,500 in quarterly bonus categories (often including PayPal, which can be used for online checkout).
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards – 3% back on online shopping (including BOPIS orders).
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa – 5% back at Amazon (including in-store pickup orders).

B. Stacking Retailer Promotions & Card Rewards

Many stores offer discounts or bonus rewards for choosing BOPIS. When combined with credit card rewards, this creates double (or even triple) rewards.

Example:

Target sometimes offers 5% off for using their RedCard (which can be linked to a debit or credit card).
If you use a 2% cash back card (like the Citi Double Cash) for the remaining balance, you effectively get 7% back (5% + 2%).

C. Avoiding Shipping Costs to Maximize Rewards

Some credit cards offer annual shipping credits (e.g., Amex Platinum’s $200 airline fee credit), but BOPIS helps avoid shipping fees altogether, allowing you to redirect those savings toward more reward-earning purchases.

D. Meeting Minimum Spend for Sign-Up Bonuses

If you’re working toward a credit card sign-up bonus (e.g., Chase Sapphire Preferred’s 60,000 points after $4,000 in spending), BOPIS can help you hit that threshold faster without unnecessary purchases.

3. Best Credit Cards for BOPIS Rewards

Not all credit cards are equal when it comes to BOPIS rewards. Here are the top cards to maximize earnings:

A. Best for Flat-Rate Cash Back

Citi Double Cash (2% back) – Earn 1% when you buy, 1% when you pay.
Fidelity Rewards Visa (2% back) – Unlimited cash back on all purchases.

B. Best for Online Shopping Bonuses

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards (3% back on online shopping) – Includes BOPIS orders.
Chase Freedom Flex (5% back in rotating categories) – Often includes PayPal (usable at many retailers).

C. Best for Store-Specific Rewards

Amazon Prime Rewards Visa (5% back at Amazon) – Works for Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh pickups.
Target RedCard (5% off all purchases) – Can be linked to a debit card to avoid credit checks.

D. Best for Travel Rewards

Chase Sapphire Preferred (2x points on travel & dining, 1x on everything else) – Points can be transferred to airlines/hotels.
Amex Gold (4x on dining & groceries, 1x on other purchases) – Great for grocery store BOPIS orders.

4. Advanced Strategies to Maximize BOPIS Rewards

To take full advantage of BOPIS rewards, consider these pro tips:

A. Use Shopping Portals for Extra Points

Before checking out, visit cashback portals like:

Rakuten (earn Amex Membership Rewards or cash back).
TopCashback (higher cashback rates for certain retailers).

Example: If Rakuten offers 5% back at Best Buy, and you use a 3% cash back card, you’re effectively getting 8% back.

B. Split Payments to Maximize Rewards

Some stores allow partial gift card payments. Buy discounted gift cards (from Raise or CardCash) and use them with a rewards card for the remaining balance.

C. Time Purchases with Bonus Categories

If your card has quarterly 5% categories (like Chase Freedom Flex), align BOPIS purchases with those periods.

D. Leverage Amex Offers & Chase Offers

Check your card’s targeted offers (e.g., “Spend $50 a t L o w e ’ s, g e t$ 10 back”). BOPIS orders often qualify.

5. Potential Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

While BOPIS is great for rewards, watch out for:

Returns may be harder – Some stores process online returns differently.
Impulse buys at pickup – Stick to your list to avoid overspending.
Card exclusions – Some cards exclude certain retailers from bonus categories.

6. The Future of BOPIS & Credit Card Rewards

As retailers expand BOPIS options, credit card issuers may introduce new rewards structures to incentivize its use. Expect:

More online shopping bonus categories.
Exclusive BOPIS promotions (e.g., “Earn 10% back when you pick up in-store”).
Integration with mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) for seamless rewards.

Conclusion

BOPIS isn’t just a convenient shopping method—it’s a powerful tool for supercharging credit card rewards. By choosing the right cards, stacking discounts, and using cashback portals, you can earn significantly more on everyday purchases.

Whether you’re a cash back enthusiast, points collector, or travel hacker, incorporating BOPIS into your shopping strategy can help you spend smarter and earn faster.

Key Takeaways:

✅ BOPIS counts as online shopping – Qualifies for higher rewards on many cards.
✅ Stack retailer discounts + card rewards – Double (or triple) your earnings.
✅ Use shopping portals & gift cards – Further boost your cash back.
✅ Avoid shipping fees – Keep more money in your pocket.