Grocery: Comparing rewards programs for a cheaper shopping cart

Updated May 12, 2025
Fact checked by
Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève Leclerc Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève, Web Director at Milesopedia, is an expert in budget travel and a slow travel enthusiast. Specializing in Aeroplan, Scene+, and Marriott Bonvoy programs, she spends nearly six months a year abroad, making travel her way of life. Constantly seeking the best waves to surf, excellent coffee, and strategies to extend her travels, she is often found in coworking spaces with fellow digital nomads or by the sea, watching the sunset.
All posts by Marie-Ève Leclerc
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To the point Here's how each grocery rewards program compares and works, so you know which one is best for you!

Save at the grocery store - Loyalty programs and best prices

There are several supermarket brands, with differing loyalty programs. But in the end, it’s all down to three food giants. Here’s a summary:

Programme-Supermarche

Save at the Grocery Store - MOI Card at Metro and Super C

The Metro&moi program became MOI on May 25, 2023. Since then, points have been accumulated and redeemed at the following stores:

  • Metro
  • Jean Coutu
  • Super C and Food Basics
  • Brunet
  • and Première Moisson
Save at the grocery store

Would you like to save money at the grocery store? Wondering about your credit card? Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to get all the tips you need and never miss a promotion!

And join our private Facebook group to discover tips from other members of the Milesopedia community!

See also our list of 55 discount and liquidation grocery stores at Quebec.

Base Accumulation at Metro for MOI Card Members

Accumulation and redeeming are similar at Metro, Première Moisson, Jean Coutu and Brunet.

Earning rate
base 1 point per dollar
(all banners excluding Super C)
offers By specific product via application and flyer
(all banners including Super C)
Redeem at 125 points = $1 cash back (minimum redemption of 500 points)
Value 1 point = 0.8 cent
Credit Cards RBC Visa Credit Card

If you buy $100 worth of groceries at Metro, you’ll earn 100 base Moi points. It’s easy!

As for Super C, there is no earning based on spending, so the only way to earn points is through personalized offers from mobile applications. So that same $100 in groceries won’t automatically get you 100 Moi points at Super C.

In Ontario, it’s different. Read our article on the Moi program in Ontario.

Here’s an example of how to save and earn points on a Metro bill:

point moi metro

With the MOI program, points can be redeemed at any time, as long as you have at least 500 points in the bank, at all MOI stores.

Coupons with bonus points are also available on the app, the in-store kiosk and the Metro website.

Earning With a Credit Card

The RBC Visa Credit Card gives you double MOI points.

Another option is to link any RBC debit or credit card to earn MOI points. To earn these additional Moi points, you must make a minimum purchase at Moi program stores, swipe your Moi card at checkout and pay with your linked RBC card.

These are options, but my analysis reveals better alternatives. Check out the best credit cards for groceries.

Save at the Grocery Store - PC Optimum at Maxi

PC Optimum loyalty card points can be earned at the following grocery stores:

  • Maxi
  • Provigo
  • Loblaws
  • No Frills
  • Real Canadian Superstore
  • Cliquez & Ramassez / Click & Go
Earning rate
Base

None

Offers By specific product via application and flyer
Redeem at 1,000 PC Optimum points = $1 off on bill
Value 1 point = 0.1 cent
Example of an associated credit card PC Insiders™ World Elite Mastercard®

 

Base Accumulation

There is no base grocery accumulation at Maxi, but there is at Shoppers Drug Mart at the rate of 15 points per dollar spent. Note that even if you buy $100 worth of groceries at Maxi, you won’t necessarily get 100 PC Optimum points like at Metro above.

So, points are accumulated at Maxi through:

  • Customized offers
  • Special offers and an in-store prize event
  • Product Promotions

They change weekly and can be found on the PC Optimum application and in the member profile on the PC Optimum website.

Special offers may be based on the amount spent at Maxi.

maxi promo pc optimum

Or you’ll get an instant rebate when you swipe your PC Optimum loyalty card at checkout.

prix membre pc optimum FR

PC points can also be earned through the purchase of specific products. Please read our full review of the PC Optimum program here.

offres perso pc optimum FR

Here’s an example of a purchase at Maxi worth over $150. I earned points only on the offers in my profile.

maxi offres pc optimum

Earning With a Credit Card

The PC Insiders™ World Elite Mastercard® gives you 40 PC Optimum points for every dollar you spend at Maxi. With this PC Optimum credit card, a $100 grocery purchase paid with this credit card would earn 4,000 PC Optimum points (40 x $100, a $4 value), plus in-store points offers, if any. This card is good, but there are better ones out there.

For your information, I’ve gone through an example of point accumulation in an article on the best combinations of rewards programs and credit cards. The promotions and bonus points for a grocery store at Maxi had brought me 26% in return !

Among others, I prefer the National Bank World Elite Mastercard which gives me the most at the grocery store, with 5 points for every dollar charged to the card. Check out the best credit cards for grocery shopping.

Save at the Grocery Store - Scene+ at IGA

The Scene+ program‘s loyalty card isn’t just for movies and popcorn! It’s also featured at the Sobeys Group supermarkets across Canada, including the following grocery stores:

  • IGA and IGA Extra
  • Voilà by IGA / by Sobeys / by Safeway
  • Rachelle-Bery
  • Les Marchés Tradition
  • Sobeys and Safeway
  • Foodland, FreshCo and Chalo! Freshco
  • Co-op
  • and Thrifty Foods
Earning rate
Base No
Offers By specific product via application and flyer
Redeem 1,000 Scene+ points = $10 discount on bill
Value 1 point = 1 cent
Example of associated credit card Scotiabank American Express® Card Gold
scene points

Base Accumulation

There is no base accumulation. So even if you buy $100 worth of groceries, you won’t necessarily get 100 Scene+ points.

Scene+ points will be earned thanks to :

  • Personalized offers on the IGA application
  • Special offers or events in store
  • Product Promotions
  • Purchases made on the Scene+ credit card
points scene offres perso

Offers change weekly and are available on the member’s profile on the IGA app. This is the same way Maxi and PC Optimum points work.

At IGA, there are many types of promotions, like this special coupon below.

$100 in purchases will give you 1,000 bonus points ($10 value or 10% cash back). Or, 400 Scene+ points are given with a minimum purchase of $50 ($4 or 8% value).

promo

Then there are offers to purchase specific products.

Here, 100 Scene+ points ($1 value) with the purchase of 2 boxes of candy bars costing a total of $5.98. It’s as if the 2 boxes cost $4.98 .

Points scene

Holding the Scene+ loyalty card at IGA also entitles you to discounts on products.

prix membre
Save at the grocery store

Would you like to save money at the grocery store? Wondering about your credit card? Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to get all the tips you need and never miss a promotion!

And join our private Facebook group to discover tips from other members of the Milesopedia community!

Accumulation with a Scene+ Credit Card and IGA Offers

The best Scene+ credit card for the Scene+ loyalty card is the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card. It earns 6 points for every dollar charged! It’s the best grocery accumulation in Canada.

So, a charge of just $167 at IGA (1,000 points divided by 6 points) on this credit card earns a $10 rebate at the checkout.

Let’s take the example of the Scene+ promotion at IGA, where a $100 grocery expenditure earns 1,000 points.

This promotion would give me :

The grand total would be 1,600 points accumulated, for a value of $16! And that’s not counting the points offered on the purchase of targeted products or my personal offers.

Save at the Grocery Store - Loyalty Program Summary

Base accumulation Program-affiliated credit card Best credit cards with accelerated grocery rate
Moi 0.8% (except Super C) 0.8% with the RBC Visa Credit Card

American Express Cobalt® Card (5 points per dollar)

National Bank World Elite Mastercard (5 points per dollar)

Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card (5 points per dollar)

CIBC Dividend Platinum® Visa* Card (3% cash back)

PC Optimum None 4% with PC Insiders™ World Elite Mastercard®

National Bank World Elite Mastercard (5 points per dollar)

CIBC DividendMD Visa Infinite* Card (4% cash back)

CIBC Dividend Platinum® Visa* Card (3% cash back)

Scene+ None

6 %

Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card

3 %

Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card

American Express Cobalt® Card (5 points per dollar)

National Bank World Elite Mastercard (5 points per dollar)

Combine weekly flyer specials, points and best grocery prices

It’s easier to predict the point accumulation of the Moi program, with its fixed base accumulation. But it is one of the least profitable for its members.

PC Optimum and Scene+ programs are variable. They have the opportunity to give many more points. This will depend on the weekly promotions and the type of products purchased by the member.

But depending on the more or less interesting weekly offers, the member could accumulate an extremely advantageous discount and points during a given week, but be at zero the following week.

Even so, depending on your region, your habits and your nearest favourite grocery store, there are ways to get the most out of each reward program.

Save at the grocery store

Would you like to save money at the grocery store? Wondering about your credit card? Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to get all the tips you need and never miss a promotion!

And join our private Facebook group to discover tips from other members of the Milesopedia community!

What was the cheapest supermarket in 2025?

Our top 3 were :

  • Walmart
  • Maxi
  • Super C

See our detailed article on Which grocery store is the cheapest in 2024.

Who's cheaper, Maxi, Super C, Giant Tiger or Walmart?

According to our grocery price comparison, it’s Walmart.

How and where to obtain a Scene+ card?

Go to the Courtesy Counter at IGA to obtain a physical card and a registration form.

Another way is to apply online or on the IGA mobile application and get a virtual card automatically.

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Caroline Tremblay
Caroline Tremblay
Caroline, a loyalty program specialist, helps families maximize their points to travel more frequently and affordably. With expertise in Disney, AIR MILES, and Costco, she travels the world with her partner and two children through rewards. Passionate about the latest in loyalty programs, Caroline shares tips to help you earn more points and turn your travel dreams into reality.
All posts by Caroline Tremblay

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