Kudos Smart Wallet $20 Referral Code

Kudos, a new cashback extension, is offering new members a $20 bonus when using a referral code. 

Here’s how it works:

1. Sign up using this ink or use the code WEALTH_KUDOS.
2. Download the extension.
3. Add your credit cards.
4. Make your first purchase at any merchant to earn 250 points.
5. Shop at a Boost merchant to earn an additional 1,750 points for a total of 2,000 bonus points (equal to $20 in Amazon gift cards).
6. Receive your $20 bonus after your purchase is confirmed (typically within 60 to 120 days).

Boost merchants are simply retailers in the Kudos rewards ecosystem. Kudos works with over 15,000 online stores, including major names like Walmart, Lowes, BestBuy, Nike and Petco.

How Kudos Smart Wallet Works

I’ve tested a lot of cash-back extensions over the years, and Kudos has earned a spot in my regular rotation. Even if you already use other tools like Rakuten or Capital One Shopping, it’s worth adding.

Kudos works a little differently than typical cash-back sites.

When you shop online, it automatically recommends which of your linked credit cards will earn the most rewards for that purchase. I like that because I have multiple cards with rotating categories, and it’s easy to forget which one is best in the moment.

Kudos also has an optional Boost feature that gives extra rewards when you shop through the extension at participating stores. These Boosts aren’t guaranteed on every purchase, but they can offer best-in-class rates.

They also run monthly Flash Boosts, like 5% at eBay or giftcards.com and up to 8-9% at travel sites such as Expedia and TripAdvisor (at time of publication).

One of the biggest changes lately is that Kudos now pays out 100% of the affiliate commission it earns from merchants.

That means you’re getting the full amount the merchant pays them—no markup or margin taken by Kudos. In practice, it might not always be the highest rate on the internet, since some portals run short-term loss-leader promos, but it’s consistently near the top and usually within a percent or two of the best.

Currently, payouts are made in the form of Amazon gift cards (cash and PayPal options are expected soon), and you can redeem once you reach 1,000 points (=$10).

Between the smart card suggestions, optional Boosts, occasional Flash Boosts, and a $20 sign-up bonus (2,000 points after your first Boost purchase of $30 or more), Kudos has become one of the most useful tools in my cash-back lineup.

Kudos Referral Program

After signing up for Kudos, you can immediately access their referral program. This program allows you and the person you refered to earn the equivalent of $20 in Boost points. 

Here’s how it works:

1. Share your unique referral code with friends or family.
2. When they join and make their first purchase at a Boost merchant, you each earn 2,000 Bonus points ($20).
3. You’ll then receive an additional 250 point bonus for every five referrals you make.

There’s no limit to how many people you can refer. But remember, it typically takes 60 to 120 days for rewards to be issued after purchase confirmation — so you won’t see these points in your account for some time.

Overall Thoughts

The first-time user bonus is a solid deal compared to other cash-back sites. 

Some similar deals include:

One big difference is that you have to add your credit card details to Kudos. While this might raise privacy concerns, Kudos has implemented the following security measures:

1. They use 256-bit encryption, the industry’s gold standard.
2. Your encrypted financial data remains inaccessible, even to Kudos employees.

Kudos is backed by reputable investors, which adds some credibility. However, it’s natural to feel cautious about sharing financial information. 

Overall, I felt comfortable enough to do so.

Of course, if you do join, I would appreciate it if you used our referral link or code “WEALTH_KUDOS.”