Grocery Store Savings: Reward Program Comparison

Updated Nov 26, 2024
Fact checked by
Caroline Tremblay
Caroline Tremblay

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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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 - Programs and Store Brands

There are several supermarket brands, with differing loyalty programs. But at the end of the day, it’s all about the food giants. Here’s a summary:

Programme-Supermarche

Save at the Grocery Store - With AIR MILES... Differently

With no more grocery store partners to collect miles, AIR MILES gives you the chance to earn miles at the supermarket in a different way.

Members take a photo of their grocery receipt with the targeted products in the AIR MILES mobile application. By scanning their grocery receipt with the eligible product, members will earn bonus miles.

This only works from the AIR MILES mobile application and AIR MILES Receipts offers vary weekly.

If AIR MILES Receipts offers 5 miles on couscous this week, purchase couscous at an eligible grocery chain and scan your receipt. The application will then give you 5 miles. It’s easy!

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 can be 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? Are you wondering about your credit card? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get tips 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 in Quebec.

Basic Accumulation at Metro for MOI Card Members

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

Earning rate  
base 1 point per dollar
(all brands excluding Super C)
offers By specific product via app and flyer
(all brands including Super C)
Exchange 125 points = $1 (minimum 500 points = $4)
Value 1 point = $0.008 or 0.8% return
Credit Cards RBC Visa Credit Card

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.

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

Metro et moi points

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 Metro app and website.

Earning With a Credit Card

To coincide with the launch of the new MOI program, a co-branded RBC and MOI card was introduced: the RBC Visa moi Card. This gives you a double shot of MOI points!

Another option is to link your debit or credit card from RBC to accumulate 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.

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

1,000 PC Optimum points earn $10 off at checkout. It’s simply a 1% return ($10 divided by 1,000).

Basic Accumulation

There is no basic grocery accumulation at Maxi, but there is at Shoppers Drug Mart at a rate of 15 points per dollar spent.

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.

Promotion PC Optimum Maxi

Or there will be an instant discount when you swipe your PC Optimum loyalty card at checkout.

PC Optimum Maxi rabais produit

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

PC Optimum produits points boni

Earning With a Credit Card

The PC Financial World Elite Mastercard earns 30 PC Optimum points for every dollar spent at Maxi. With this PC Optimum credit card, even if there were no bonus points at Maxi, a $100 grocery purchase would earn 3,000 PC Optimum points ($3 value). The return is, therefore, 3%.

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 !

If I had used the President’s Choice World Elite Mastercard Financial Services, it wouldn’t really have given me a better discount on my purchase (only 3% more).

It was the National Bank World Elite Mastercard® and the BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®* that gave me the most, with an additional 5%.

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
  • 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

1,000 Scene+ points deduct $10 from your bill at checkout (1% return).

Basic Accumulation

There is no basic accumulation. It is therefore difficult to assess the exact value of this program.

Scene+ points are earned through:

  • Personalized offers on the IGA application
  • Special offers or events in store
  • Product Promotions
  • Purchases made on the Scene+ credit card
Offre personnalisee Scene

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 all types of promotions, like this special coupon below.

$ 100 in purchases earns 1,000 bonus points ($10 value or a 10% return). Then, 400 Scene+ points are given with a minimum purchase of $50 ($4 value or 8%).

promo

Then there are offers to purchase specific products.

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

Points scene

Having 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? Are you wondering about your credit card? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get tips 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 per dollar charged on the card! It is the best accumulation in Canada in the grocery store category.

So, if you spend just $167 (1,000 points divided by 6 points) on this credit card, you will have earned a $10 discount at checkout.

Take this week’s Scene+ promotion at IGA, where a $100 grocery expense earns 1,000 points.

promo

The Scotiabank American Express® Card Gold would give an additional 600 points Scene+ (6 points X $100).
The grand total would be 1,600 accumulated points, for a value of $16, or a 16% discount!

Plus, every week, Scene+ offers targeted deals that let you earn even more Scene+ points when you buy specific products at IGA grocery stores. These extra point offers must be checked and activated in the IGA mobile application.

Save at the Grocery Store - Loyalty Program Summary

Basic accumulation Minimum required spending for redemption Rebate with program-affiliated credit card Rebate with credit card offering accelerated grocery rebates
MOI 0.8% (except Super C) 500 $ 1.6% with Moi RBC Visa Credit Card

5 %

American Express Cobalt® Card

National Bank World Elite Mastercard

BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®*

Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card

PC Optimum No

Basic: X

With the PC World Elite Mastercard: $334

3,33 %

World Elite Mastercard PC

5 %

National Bank World Elite Mastercard

BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®*

Scene+ No

Basic: X

With Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card: $167

6 %

Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card

3 %

Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card

5 %

American Express Cobalt® Card

National Bank World Elite Mastercard

BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®*

Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card

Bottom Line

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 customers.

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 weekly offers, the member could earn an extremely advantageous return during a given week but have none 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? Are you wondering about your credit card? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get tips and never miss a promotion!

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

When's the next Moi.ca award?

Now you don’t have to wait until the next quarter to get your Metro rewards cheque! All you need is at least 500 MOI points in your MOI member account.

How do I become an IGA member with a Scene+ account?

IGA’s loyalty program is Scene+.

Future Scene+ members can go to the Courtesy Counter at IGA to pick up a physical card and a registration form.

Another way is to apply online and obtain a virtual card automatically.

How can I see my Moi points?

Check the bottom of your invoice or your member profile on the MOI program page.

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 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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