ShopRunner Review [2023]: Incredible Savings for Frequent Online Shoppers

Do you love online shopping? If so, one easy way to save on your shopping and make your dollars go farther is by joining ShopRunner.

While it normally costs money to join ShopRunner, it might be worth the cost if you frequently buy at ShopRunner partners. That's because ShopRunner provides free two-day shipping on orders as well as free return shipping. So if you don't want to have to pay to receive items quickly or to send back unwanted items, a ShopRunner membership may perfect for you.

And you can score ShopRunner for free if you just know how.

Read on to find out what ShopRunner is, how membership works, and how you can score a free membership just by having certain credit cards. Scroll down to see what the best credit cards for ShopRunner are.

What is ShopRunner?

ShopRunner is a membership program that was founded in 2010 and is now used by an estimated three million consumers annually. And while the company's B- rating from the Better Business Bureau may be a cause for concern, it has had just two consumer complaints closed in the past year.

It costs $79 annually to join ShopRunner, unless you get a free membership as a cardholder perk with your credit card. When you're a ShopRunner member, you can shop with a long list of 100+ online retailers, including American Eagle Outfitters, Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and other well-known brands.

You'll get free two-day shipping on purchases and free returns at partner retailers simply by checking out using the ShopRunner link on the retailer's website. You can also use ShopRunner's District App, which is a mobile marketplace that allows you to add items from multiple partner retailers and check out only once while taking advantage of free shipping.

How does ShopRunner Work?

To use ShopRunner, you must first become a member. You can sign up for a free trial membership by providing your email as well as optional details about where you shop, what you shop for, and your age.

If you want to continue using ShopRunner beyond the first month, you'll have to become a paying member. Once you’re a member, your membership will renew automatically after the first year unless you decide to cancel it.

When you choose to become a member, ShopRunner also allows you to check if you own a participating credit card that can help you score a free membership. Just choose "check to see if I'm eligible."

You'll be taken to a link where you can activate your benefit if your American Express card is a small business or consumer card. Yahoo and PayPal members can also activate membership benefits.

After becoming a ShopRunner member, you can shop with participating retailers directly through the ShopRunner website or by downloading the District app.

On each retail partner's website, you'll want to look out for the ShopRunner logo. You'll see it on items that are eligible for free shipping or as an option that comes up at checkout.

To access ShopRunner perks, you'll need to select ShopRunner checkout, sign into your ShopRunner account, and confirm your shipping information and payment details.

Specific policies vary by retailer, but many have minimum order requirements to qualify for free two-day shipping. Read each retailer's terms carefully so you'll know what to expect. Also pay attention to return policies, as you'll need to make sure you return items within the retailer's allowable window of time to take advantage of ShopRunner's free returns.

The best credit cards to use with ShopRunner

If you want to take advantage of the savings ShopRunner offers, here are a few great rewards cards you can use. These credit card offers not only come with free ShopRunner membership but they also have other perks as well, such as the chance to earn rewards for spending.

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite Mastercard^®

The Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite Mastercard^® comes with a free ShopRunner membership and a whole lot of other perks for frequent travelers. Key features of this card include:

• The chance to earn 2X miles at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases; and 1X miles on all other purchases
• Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $2,500 in the first first 3 months
• A $125 discount on American Airlines flights after you spend $20,000 or more on purchases during one year as a cardmember and after you renew your card the following year
• Preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
• A free checked bag for you and up to four companions on American Airlines flights
• 25% savings on eligible American Airlines food and beverage purchases
  

Read our full Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard review.

Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express comes with a $0 annual fee. It's ideal for frequent shoppers, not just because it comes with a free ShopRunner membership (enrollment required) but also because you can earn bonus cash back at select department stores. Some key card features include:

• The chance to earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year on purchases in each category, then 1%); and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases
• A $0 annual fee
• A 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months, then 18.99% to 29.99% (variable)
• A 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months, then 18.99% to 29.99% (variable)
  
• $7 back each month on The Disney Bundle (Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+) subscription when you pay at least $12.99 per month (enrollment required)
• Car rental loss and damage insurance when you rent a vehicle

Read our full Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express review.

American Express^® Green Card

The American Express^® Green Card is good for both shoppers and frequent travelers, thanks to ShopRunner access (enrollment required) as well as credits for travel-related purchases. Key features to know about for the Green Card include:

• The chance to earn 3X points on eligible travel and transit purchases, and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.; and 1X points on all other eligible purchases
• A generous welcome offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months (plus, earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases during the first 6 months, up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit)
• Up to a $189 annual credit when you sign up for CLEAR, which helps you to clear security more quickly at select stadiums and airports
• Up to a $100 annual LoungeBuddy credit if you purchase LoungeBuddy access

Read our full American Express Green Card review. 

FAQs about ShopRunner

The final word on ShopRunner

If you're trying to figure out how to save money, then signing up for ShopRunner might be a no-brainer — especially if you can get a free membership through your credit card issuer or via PayPal or Yahoo.

If you need to pay the $79 annual membership fee, make sure you'll shop frequently enough at participating partner retailers to make the fee worth it. Also, check each retailer's shipping policies to find out if you'll meet minimum order requirements and take advantage of the free two-day shipping ShopRunner offers.

If you shop online often, you may decide paying the fee is worth it — or you can sign up for a credit card that provides a free ShopRunner membership as a perk. These cards have other advantages too, so applying for one may be the best way to maximize your savings on your online purchases. 

Saving money, taking advantage of the right financial products, and using budgeting apps could be the first steps toward getting a handle on how to manage your money.