Ebags.com strategy to maximize points earning?
 

I digged some threads on portals and AA has had upto 35 points/$ in the past. Apparently the highest one right now is UR with 15 points/$.

My question is, what strategy do people normally employ when shopping for bags. I need to buy a couple of hand-carries. Should I just skip portals and buy physically from a store like Ross, Kohl's etc. or are portals still worth it? Are there any coupons available and if so, can I combine the portals with those coupons?

Any help would be appreciated.

$10 off $50 JC Penny Amex deal doesn't look bad for this. Combined with a portal.

Ebags is usually a real good deal... I don't think you can combine the 15/$ UR with other coupons. Just ordered three bags yesterday and annadditional coupon wiped out the UR deal (which shows as a code on the site). No tax, and free shipping with a low min purchase. Free returns as well. I'll be returning 2 of the 3 I ordered after I compare them. Additionally, I noticed that when I returned a bag to Ebags in the past, they did not claw back the UR points I got for the purchase...

Actually I did some research and have found that JC Penny might be better.

1) UR site has a 10% off coupon for JC Penny
2) You will get 10 points/$
3) Use Amex offers for you ($10 off $50)
4) Search an e-gift card for JC Penny on giftcardgranny. You can easily get on 20% discount.

You can combine all of the above. Am I missing something here?

don't forget getting a shoprunner account with ebags

There is also a $10 off $50 Am Ex offer for eBags.

Buy multiple Ebags $50 GC each using an Amex card enrolled in the $10 off $50 offer. Then live chat ebags to have them combine the GC to use on a single order (you cannot apply multiple GCs to a single order).

When you decide to use the GC, go through UR for 15x. This should apply to amounts paid with GC.

Make sure you clear the coupon code box.

Honestly I just prefer to save $ on luggage using Gilt. Just bought a $400 Tumi duffle not on sale anywhere else (incl. ebags) with a 20% off promo code for less than $200. Even with a 17x multiplier, I don't think it's worth paying full price on eBags unless there is a stacked discount+amex sync+promo code+portal that pays you using another promo code.

Ebags at 18 miles/$ on United MileagePlus Shopping today only
 

Ebags is currently at 18 miles per $ on the United MileagePlus shopping portal. This is the best miles per $ I have seen for Ebags on United. Plus they have a $20 off $100 offer running. I am going to do a little early Christmas Shopping.

I went ALL IN for 35 points/$. Looked at every "luxury" handbag on ebags, I found only around 10 (bought multiples of each) that were cheaper than on amazon, thus able to get good cpm. They also have their own rewards program, I think 5% , got two more bags from that.

Would you be able to share that 20% GILT coupon code? Thanks.

It's been two weeks since my ebags purchase and still no points via UA shopping mall...should I be worried yet?

Of the 6 times I've used the UA mall in the past year or so, the points posted automatically just once (not for ebags.com). Every other time I've had to wait 8 weeks, then ask, but at that point they were credited successfully.
I have occasionally had trouble getting them to use the bonus rate that was advertised at the time of purchase, though. Consider taking a screen shot before you leave the mall in case you need to show them later (I haven't remembered to do that, so I don't know how hard it is to convince them, though).

I found the selection and prices to be pretty excellent on ebags. The good navigation and filters makes me question the need to go to a physical store and pay sales tax. Definitely hunt around for a few additional promo codes too and stack them on the portal rewards.