Points Guru Chronicles: How the PC Plus/PC Points Rewards Program Works
[Update: The Shoppers Optimum and PC Plus Programs will merge on Feb. 1, 2018. And the Simplii Financial brand has replaced the President’s Choice Financial brand banking products and services issued by CIBC as of Nov. 1, 2017.]
Do you want free groceries? If you join the PC Plus or PC points program, you can start earning enough points to help lower your grocery bill.
About PC Plus/PC points
The PC points program began when President’s Choice Financial was launched in 1998. And the PC Plus program was launched in 2013, which allows consumers to earn points at stores owned by Loblaw Companies.
How to earn PC Plus/PC points
There are a number of ways to earn PC Plus points. First, you can earn points by using your PC Plus app card at a number of retailers that sell President’s Choice products, including: Loblaws, Extra Foods, Real Canadian Superstore, Your Independent Grocer, No Frills, Fortinos, Bloor Street Market, Valu-Mart, Zehrs, Provigo, Maxi/Maxi, SaveEasy, Atlantic Superstore, and Dominion (Atlantic Canada).
Second, if you have the PC Plus app/card, you’ll receive bonus offers if you buy certain products at participating stores. Just load the offers each week, buy the appropriate item, and scan your card to earn additional points.
Third, you can earn PC points with certain PC Financial mortgages. (Speaking of mortgages, be sure to check out the best mortgage rates.)
And finally, you can also earn PC points with one of three PC Financial credit cards: The PC Financial MasterCard, the PC Financial World MasterCard, or the PC Financial World Elite MasterCard. With the last two cards, you’ll earn more points when you use your card at Esso, participating grocery stores where President’s Choice products are sold, and Shoppers Drug Mart. You’ll also earn bonus points if you use your card to book travel through pctravel.ca or for paying your monthly PC Mobile bill (excluding prepaid services).
Redeeming PC Plus/PC points
You can redeem your PC Plus/PC points at participating stores. But you can only make a redemption with at least 20,000 points (worth $20) and redeem them in 10,000 (a value of $10) increments thereafter.
But there are certain things you can’t redeem your points for. According to the PC website, “points are not redeemable against the purchase of tobacco, lottery tickets, alcohol, prescription medication, milk in Quebec, or any products or services prohibited by law or as we determine from time to time.”
The bottom line
The PC Plus/PC points program is a great way to earn points for free groceries. Getting a PC Financial credit card will help you earn points faster.
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