Like a lot of people, I juggle several credit cards—some for travel points, others for cash back on groceries or dining. I always tried to remember which card gave the best rewards for each purchase, but honestly? I forgot half the time and probably left hundreds of dollars in rewards on the table every year.
That changed when I started using Kudos, a free AI-powered browser extension and app that acts like a smart wallet for your credit cards. It’s designed specifically for online shopping, and in 2025, it’s helped over 300,000 users earn more than $225 million in extra rewards combined. My personal experience? I’ve easily pulled in a few hundred dollars extra this year without changing my spending habits.
Getting Started: Simple Setup, Big Impact
I signed up through a referral link (many offer a $20 boost bonus after your first qualifying purchase—worth checking for current ones on their site). Adding the Chrome extension took seconds, and I securely stored my cards in their wallet. No more digging for my physical wallet or typing in details manually.
At checkout on sites like Walmart, Sephora, or even travel bookings, Kudos pops up and recommends the best card from my wallet for maximum points or cash back. It even autofills everything securely, including the CVV. For everyday stuff—electronics, clothes, flights—it picks the one with the highest multiplier. Game-changer.
The Real Money-Maker: Kudos Boost
The standout feature is **Kudos Boost**. At over 15,000 partner merchants, it stacks extra cash back on top of your card’s rewards—often doubling them—by passing 100% of the merchant commission to you (unlike some extensions that keep half).
For example:
- If my card earns 3% on a purchase, Boost can match it for 6% total.
- Users report 2-3x more than tools like Rakuten or Honey in many cases.
Redemptions have improved too—now including PayPal for Boost rewards, alongside gift cards. Depending on your spending, it’s realistic to earn $200–$750 extra annually, just from normal online buys.
What I Like (and the Honest Drawbacks)
Pros:
- Completely free (no premium needed for core features).
- High ratings: 4.8/5 on Chrome Web Store and App Store.
- Tracks all rewards in one dashboard, plus perks like credit monitoring.
- Legit and growing fast—no scam worries; it’s praised on Reddit and finance sites.
Cons:
- US-only for now.
- Privacy concerns for some (it needs card info for autofill, but it’s encrypted).
- Occasional delays in Boost crediting (60-90 days, standard for affiliates).
- Not every store qualifies for Boost.
My Results: A Quick Case Study
Over the past year:
- Regular spending: ~$1,500/month online.
- Without Kudos: I’d guess 2-3% average rewards.
- With Kudos: Closer to 5-7% on many purchases, plus Boost stacks.
- Extra earned: Around $400 in redeemable rewards, mostly via PayPal and gift cards.
It’s passive—no extra effort beyond installing the extension. If you’re in the US and shop online at all, it’s worth trying.
Ready to maximize your own cards? Head over to Kudos and grab the extension. Look for a referral for that potential $20 starter boost—it adds up quick.
Have you tried Kudos yet? What’s your biggest rewards win this year?
