PC Optimum Credit Cards: Which Is the Right One For You?
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Over the years, PC Optimum has grown from a smaller store-specific points program to a massive, multi-brand loyalty program that helps Canadians save money on groceries, gas, drugstore items, and more.
The loyalty program has even got it’s own set of co-branded PC Optimum credit cards through PC Financial to further bolster people’s ability to earn points and save.
In this article, we’ll compare all of the PC Financial credit cards to help you decide which one is the right one to add to your loyalty portfolio.
PC Financial Mastercards
PC Financial has 4 credit cards that each let you earn PC Optimum points on all your purchases.
The earning rates available on these cards range from 10 points per $1 spent all the way up to 50 points per $1 spent, with the exact rate depending on which card you use and at what store.
Not only does this make it incredibly easy to build up your stash of points, but it also represents one of the best ways to earn these points.
Additionally, each of the 4 PC Financial Mastercards offer cardholders perks and benefits to help them save even more.
In fact, the savings start as soon as you sign up for a card since only one of the PC Financial credit cards has an annual fee, while the other 3 provide their elevated earning rates and perks for no cost at all.
No annual fee credit cards
PC Financial offers 3 credit cards with no annual fees:
Each of these cards let you earn PC Optimum points above and beyond the base member rate offered at eligible stores and websites.
Not only that, but these cards give you 10 PC Optimum points per $1 spent on all your purchases, significantly broadening where you can earn your points and how quickly you can rack them up.
The cards also offer a range of additional benefits like travel insurance, car rental insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty.
We’ve written a complete review of the PC® World Elite Mastercard®, so you can also dig in to that to learn more about the second-most premium PC option, and get a more detailed sense of how these cards work.
- Annual fee
- $0
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$50Total$50Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $50
- Welcome offerAfter $100 in 60 days
- 50,000 points
Apply Now
on PC Financial's website
- Annual fee
- $0
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$50Total$50Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $50
- Welcome offerAfter $100 in 60 days
- 50,000 points
Apply Now
on PC Financial's website
- Annual fee
- $0
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$50Total$50Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $50
- Welcome offerAfter $100 in 60 days
- 50,000 points
Apply Now
on PC Financial's website
PC Insiders™ World Elite® Mastercard®
In addition to the 3 no-annual-fee credit cards mentioned above, PC Financial also offers a slightly more premium card designed for the PC-focused customer.
The PC Insiders™ World Elite® Mastercard® has an annual fee of $120, but this is offset by the fact that it not only offers the highest earning rates of all the PC Financial credit cards, but it also gives you a free PC Express Pass just for being a cardholder.
With a PC Express Pass, you get unlimited free delivery for your groceries, and you get access to bonus points, promotions, and exclusive savings at Loblaws-affiliated grocery stores.
The PC Insiders™ World Elite® Mastercard® also comes with a handful of additional perks that match those offered by the PC® World Elite® Mastercard®.
Now, to get a sense of how all 4 of the PC Financial Mastercards stack up against each other, let’s compare their earning rates and benefits packages.
- Annual feeNo annual fee the first year
- $0 $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueAnnual fee rebated$120Total$120Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $120
- Welcome offer$120 annual fee rebated
- First Year Annual Fee Rebate
Apply Now
on PC Financial's website
Comparison of PC Financial Credit Cards
Earn rates
Each of the PC Financial credit cards earns PC Optimum points on all purchases, with the earning rates improving with each card tier.
When applying for one of these cards, you’ll need to take note of the minimum income requirements as these will dictate which of the no-annual-fee cards you qualify for or whether or not you’re eligible for the PC Insiders™ World Elite® Mastercard®.
| PC Mastercard | PC World mastercard | PC World Elite Mastercard | PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $120 |
| Minimum income requirement | N/A | $50,000 individual or $80,000 household | $80,000 individual or $150,000 household | $80,000 individual or $150,000 household |
| Earn Rates | ||||
| At grocery store | 10 pts/$1 | 20 pts/$1 | 30 pts/$1 | 40 pts/$1 |
| At Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix | 25 pts/$1 | 35 pts/$1 | 45 pts/$1 | 50 pts/$1 |
| At Joe Fresh | 10 pts/$1 | 20 pts/$1 | 30 pts/$1 | 40 pts/$1 |
| At Esso and Mobil | At least 30 pts/litre | At least 30 pts/litre | At least 30 pts/litre | At least 50 pts/litre |
| Everywhere else | 10 pts/$1 | 10 pts/$1 spent | 10 pts/$1 spent | 10 pts/$1 |
Perks and benefits
In terms of perks and benefits, you can see below how the offerings stack up across the whole family of credit cards.
| PC mastercard | pc world mastercard | pc world elite mastercard | pc insiders world elite mastercard | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free PC Express Pass | X | |||
| Travel Emergency Medical Insurance | X | X | ||
| Car Rental Loss/Damage Insurance | X | X | ||
| Purchase Protection | X | X | X | X |
| Extended Warranty | X | X | X | X |
| Identity Theft Assistant Service | X | X | ||
| Concierge Service | X | X | X |
From the chart, you can see that the available benefits increase as you move from the PC® Mastercard®, with its incredibly accessible approval requirements, up to the PC® World Elite® Mastercard® and the PC Insiders™ World Elite® Mastercard®.
Which PC Financial Mastercard is Right For You?
When it comes to choosing a PC Financial credit card, it essentially comes down to two questions:
- Which minimum income requirement threshold do you meet?
- If you qualify for the World Elite card options, will you use the free PC Express Pass?
To keep things simple, PC Financial actually lets you apply for all 3 of the no-annual-fee credit cards at the same time, matching you with the best card that you’re eligible for.
Now, looking at question 2: if you meet the minimum income requirement for the PC® World Elite® Mastercard® and the PC Insiders™ World Elite® Mastercard® then it’s worth weighing the value of the elevated earning rate and free PC Express Pass that comes with the latter.
If you think that you can offset the $120 annual fee from the PC Insiders™ World Elite® Mastercard® through the elevated earning rates and by using the PC Express Pass and its perks then this card is worth considering.
However, if you don’t think you’ll get $120 worth of extra value from this card, the PC® World Elite Mastercard® is the better choice since it doesn’t have an annual fee.
Bottom Line
PC Financial credit cards are a solid choice for people who want a simple way to save a bit of money on common expenses like groceries, drugstore items, and gas.
Although they’re not the most valuable or flexible points on the market, PC Optimum points can help you keep your budget in check and are great when redeemed for a nice treat that you wouldn’t otherwise have enjoyed.
There are also other loyalty programs and credit cards that can help you save at the grocery stores and beyond, so check out guides below to see if these might be a good fit.
PC Optimum Credit Cards - Frequently Asked Questions
How much are PC Optimum points worth?
PC Optimum points are typically worth $10 off your bill for every 10,000 points you redeem at a participating store.
However, this redemption rate doesn’t tell the full story. PC Optimum points can also be redeemed at different values for savings on gas, car washes, statement credits, and more.
Check out guide to earning and redeeming PC Optimum points to learn about all your redemption options.
How do I contact PC Financial?
You can contact PC Financial customer service by phone at 1-866-246-7262 from 8am to 8pm local time.
How do I contact PC Optimum customer service?
PC Optimum customer service can be reached at 1-866-727-6468. Their hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm and Saturday from 9am to 5pm.
Do PC Optimum points expire?
No, PC Optimum points don’t expire.
However, your PC Optimum account may be closed if there is no account activity for two years, so make sure to earn or redeem at least once every 24 months.
How do I apply for a PC Optimum credit card?
Applying for a PC Optimum credit card through PC Financial is easy! Simply go to the PC Financial website and click « Apply Now. »
Thanks to the way the application process is designed, you will be matched with the most suited no-annual-fee credit card option, or you’ll be invited to sign up for the PC Insiders™ World Elite Mastercard®.
How do I pay my PC Optimum credit card bill?
The two best ways to pay your PC Optimum credit card bill are as follows:
- Pay via the PC Financial website or app by signing into your account
- Add your PC Financial/PC Optimum credit card as a payee in the bill payment section of bank account (online or through their app), and pay the monthly bill from there
Is a PC Optimum credit card worth it?
Getting a PC Optimum credit card is definitely worth it if you’re a fan of the PC Optimum program, and you’d like to save money on groceries, beauty products, and more.
Since PC Financial offers three no-annual-fee PC Optimum credit cards, you can easily sign up for free and immediately start earning points on all your purchases.
