PC Optimum

The PC Optimum program is one of the most popular in Canada for collecting points on everyday purchases. In this article, find out how this reward program works, the participating stores and how to maximize your benefits with the associated credit cards.

PC Optimum is a Canadian loyalty program offered by President’s Choice Services Inc. that allows members to earn points on purchases at participating stores, including Loblaws, Shoppers Drug Mart, Joe Fresh and PC Express. Then, loyalty points can be redeemed for free products, discounts or gift cards.

In early 2018, Loblaw Companies Limited merged two of its most popular loyalty programs, PC Plus and Shoppers Drug Mart Optimum, to create the PC Optimum program. This new program combines the advantages of the two previous programs in a single offering.

Shoppers Drug Mart Optimum members were able to transfer their points to the new PC Optimum platform, and the points retained their value during the transfer. Now, with the PC Optimum program, members can earn and redeem points at a wide range of stores, including Shoppers Drug Mart, Real Canadian Superstore, Loblaws and other Loblaw-affiliated retailers.

Today, it boasts over 10 million members in Canada.

PC Optimum members can earn points by making purchases at participating stores. Points are awarded according to the amount spent and the type of product purchased.

For example, a member can earn 1 point for every dollar spent on groceries and beauty products at Loblaws and Shoppers Drug Mart. They can also earn 2 points for every dollar spent on Joe Fresh products.

Points can be redeemed for free products, discounts or gift cards. PC Optimum shoppers can also use their points to pay for purchases online or in-store.

Yes, you can earn PC Optimum points while using Apple Pay or Google Pay with their PC Optimum cards. Customers must scan their loyalty card or phone before paying to collect PC points.

You can check your points balance on the PC Optimum website or mobile application. You can also check your points balance on your receipt when you shop at a participating store.

When you choose to redeem your PC Optimum points, they will be deducted from your account immediately. You’ll see your new balance at the bottom of your receipt.

The PC Optimum card is a loyalty card that allows members of the PC Optimum program to earn points on their purchases. The PC Optimum card is available in two versions: the physical card and the digital card.

The physical card is a plastic card that members can present in stores to collect points. The digital card is a virtual card that members can download onto their smartphone and present at the checkout.

To activate your PC Optimum points card, you must create an account on the PC Optimum website or mobile application. You can also activate your card online by scanning the QR code on the back of your card.

You can earn PC Optimum points by making regular purchases and taking advantage of frequent promotions at participating stores:

• via the personalized offers, you’ll find in your PC Optimum account: this is essentially the case for groceries and drugstore purchases.
• via a fixed ratio at Shoppers Drug Mart and Esso/Mobil

These offers are perfect for quickly earning PC Optimum points!

The PC Optimum card offers cash rebates in PC Optimum points on various products and services, especially for PC Optimum Adept program members. More on this below.

Every purchase in Canada is an opportunity:

• Earn 15 points for every dollar you spend at Shoppers Drug Mart and Shoppers Drug Mart.
• Earn points by filling up at over 2,000 Esso and Mobil stations.

For purchases at Shoppers Drug Mart drugstores and Esso or Mobil gas stations, a fixed ratio is applied:

You can obtain your PC Optimum card at the checkout of over 4,500 stores across Canada participating in the PC Optimum Rewards Program. Access to program benefits is available immediately after registration.

Adeptes PC Optimum is an annual subscription program that amplifies your shopping experience and rewards. Available at $119.00/year (plus taxes), it adds a layer of benefits to the daily rewards you already earn with the PC Optimum program. To be a member, you had to be the age of majority. Unfortunately, as of September 13, 2022, the program no longer accepts new members.

If you are already a member, you will continue to be registered, and your subscription will be automatically renewed for 12 months. You can manage your subscription by calling 1-833-724-6743.

To subscribe, you must first have a PC Optimum account. Once you have entered your personal information and created your account, you can click on the subscription link.

As an Adapte PC Optimum member, you’ll enjoy additional benefits:

• Each PC product purchase earns you 10% in points, considerably increasing your PC Optimum points earnings.
• You benefit from PC Express grocery pickup at no extra cost, and enjoy priority time slots. This service is available in over 700 stores across Canada.
• Earn even more with a 10% points discount on all JOE FRESH purchases.
• Order from joefresh.com and Shoppers Drug Mart and enjoy free delivery with no minimum purchase.

As of July 15, 2023, earning PC Optimum points on purchases of PC Travel services is no longer possible.

This service is no longer available. New members received a welcome kit containing PC products. This offer was valid for registrations made before September 30, 2021.

You can use your PC Optimum points at most participating stores.

The redemption value of the points is 10,000 PC Optimum points = $10.

Up to 500,000 PC Optimum points can be redeemed per transaction or a $500 value.

In stores or pharmacies

You can redeem your PC Optimum points for free products, discounts or gift cards at participating stores. All you have to do is ask for it at the checkout using your loyalty card.

At the gas station

You can also redeem your points for fuel at the Esso pump.

For 4,000 points, you’ll receive 10 cents off per litre of fuel (up to a maximum of 40 litres). If you reach 10,000 points, you can redeem them for a free car wash package at Esso. To redeem your points at the pump, insert your PC Optimum Mastercard or a card associated with a PC Argent account into the card reader, or go to the store; review with the cashier and insert your PC Optimum loyalty card first, then your PC Optimum Mastercard payment card into the reader.

Online

Log in with your PC login and click the redeem your points option.

You can redeem your points for up to $500 cash back on a purchase.

If the redemption value of the points is 10,000 points = $10, waiting for the promotional days offered by Shoppers Drug Mart will be interesting.

These days are called “Bonus Days, Points Days, Bonus Events, etc”.

PC Optimum Points Days are promotional events that allow members to earn extra points on their purchases. These events occur several times a year and are announced on the PC Optimum website and mobile app. Your points can be worth a lot more!

In the example below:

• 50,000 points = $65 instead of $50
• 100,000 points = $140 instead of $100
• 200,000 points = $300 instead of $200

The best is at the end of November or the beginning of December each year when 250,000 points earn $400 in rebates.

By using your President’s Choice Financial Mastercard at participating stores across Canada and presenting your PC Optimum card, you can increase your earnings by up to 10% in points.

To earn more PC Optimum points, there are 3 credit cards affiliated with the program:

• PC Financial Mastercard
• PC Financial World Mastercard
• PC Financial World Elite Mastercard

*At Shoppers Drug Mart drugstores and Esso/Mobil gas stations, the base points you would have earned are also included in the calculation.

These PC credit cards offer a 1 to 3% return in PC Optimum points.

You can choose to earn other types of rewards by shopping at PC Optimum stores. With the right credit cards, you could earn:

• cashback
• AIR MILES Reward miles
• Travel points
• Aeroplan Points

Let’s take cash back or AIR MILES miles as an example.

One of the best cash back credit cards in Canada is the CIBC^MD Visa Infinite* Dividend Card.

With this card, you can earn:

• 4% cash back on groceries
• 4% cash back on gas station purchases
• 2% cash back for recurring payments
• 2% cash back on transportation and restaurant purchases
• 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases

If you do not have the $60,000 minimum income requirement of the CIBC Dividend Infinite* Visa Card, you may wish to choose the CIBC Dividend Platinum* Visa Card. Or one of these three no-annual-fee cards thatearn up to 3% cash back for groceries:

• 3% cash back with the BMO^® CashBack^® Mastercard^®*.
• 2% cash back with the MBNA Smart Cash Platinum Plus^® Mastercard^MD Platinum Plus^MD MBNA Smart Cash Platinum Plus^® Mastercard^®.
• 2% cash back with the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card

One of Canada’s best credit cards for collecting AIR MILES miles is the BMO^® AIR MILES^® World Elite^®* Mastercard.

With it, you can earn 2 miles for every $12 in purchases everywhere, including groceries. Then, she gives 1 mile for every $12 in purchases at the pharmacy or gas station. These businesses do not need to be AIR MILES sponsors.

If you don’t have the minimum income of $80,000 required by the BMO^® AIR MILES^® World Elite Mastercard, you could choose the no-annual-fee version, which earns 1 mile for every $20 in purchases everywhere.