What is the PC Optimum Insiders subscription and how does it work?

^{This post was sponsored by Loblaws Inc. The views and opinions expressed in this blog, however, are my own. Loblaws Inc. is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website.}

While you’re out on the weekly grocery run to shop for everyday household essentials – from cooking ingredients to cleaning supplies, and, if you’re late to the party, sourdough starter – you might be taking the opportunity to earn PC Optimum™ points.

One of the most intuitive and popular rewards programs in Canada, PC Optimum offers members the ability to earn points and save when shopping from the country’s largest chain of grocery and pharmacy stores including Loblaws, Shoppers Drug Mart, and a slew of other brands from No Frills to Real Canadian Superstore, and more.

Chances are you’re already one of Canada’s millions of PC Optimum members, but what you may not know is you can take your membership to a whole new level with the PC Optimum Insiders™ subscription to make regular grocery shopping more convenient and up your points earning ability to the double digits.

What is the PC Optimum Insiders subscription?

PC Optimum Insiders subscription is a paid annual program that offers a serious upgrade to your PC Optimum membership, letting you collect even more points (I’m talking double-digit savings) and access premium perks while shopping at stores where you already earn PC Optimum points.

PC Optimum Insiders members get freebies on useful services like free grocery pick up with PC Express grocery pick up, along with priority time slots and free shipping from Shoppers Drug Mart and Joe Fresh online stores.

In addition to the points PC Optimum members can regularly earn, PC Optimum Insiders members get a whopping 10% back in points on all PC-branded grocery and household products (PC Meat Lasagna and PC White Cheddar Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinner are just some of my personal favourites among the over 12,000 PC® products that includes everything from meat and eggs to ready-made food, high-quality ingredients, pet food, paper towels, and more).

PC Optimum Insiders members also get 10% back in points when buying clothes for the family at Joe Fresh online and in-store. And wanderlusts get 5% back in points when booking with PC Travel services – Loblaw’s full-service travel agency.

The PC Optimum Insiders program costs $119 + tax per year, which is comparable to annual fees charged by most premium credit cards or an executive membership at a wholesale club. With a very generous 10% reward on PC products, your membership will pay for itself if you spend roughly $25 a week on PC products or at Joe Fresh – an easy accomplishment for most households.

Where can you earn and redeem PC Optimum points?

As a PC Optimum Insiders member, you can earn and redeem PC Optimum points whenever you shop at over a dozen of the country’s largest and most well-known pharmacy, grocery, and retail brands including:

• Loblaw banner grocery stores (Loblaws, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Zehrs, Your Independent Grocer, Valu-Mart, Fortino’s, Maxi, Provigo, Bloor Street Market, Extra Foods, and Atlantic Superstore)
• Shoppers Drug Mart / Pharmaprix 
• Joe Fresh

Together, these brands span over 2,500 locations and can be found at nearly every major street corner and shopping complex in Canada, so you can always find a place to earn and redeem your points.

What benefits do PC Optimum Insiders members get?

PC Optimum Insiders members have access to a wide range of exclusive benefits, including:

Free grocery pickup with PC Express 

PC Express grocery pick up services make your grocery run super quick makes your grocery run super quick, easy, and hassle-free. It works in three steps: 1. You order your groceries online and in advance, 2. Personal shoppers will fill your shopping bags for you, and 3. Drive to a pickup station (which can include anywhere from TTC and Ontario Go stations to eligible Shoppers Drug Mart locations) and have your items loaded in your car’s trunk for you. Typically, this service costs $3 to $5 per pickup.

As a PC Optimum Insiders member, you’ll get free PC Express pickup with priority time slots at participating locations including the extra-convenient ones near major transit stations. Not having to pay the $3 to $5 fee means grabbing milk on the way home has never been easier or cheaper.

10% back in points on PC products

Earn 10% back in PC Optimum points on all 12,000+ PC products including PC Organics, PC Black Label Collection, and PC Blue Menu.

PC products are stocked on shelves at all Loblaw banner stores including Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix locations, and include a range of kitchen and household essentials from meat and produce to ready-made food, cooking ingredients, baby food, pet food, paper towels (among other cleaning supplies), and more. Just be sure to keep an eye out for the PC label on items you put in your shopping cart.

10% back in points at Joe Fresh

Earn 10% back in PC Optimum points at all Joe Fresh locations. That includes products you buy from their apparel stores and online (with free shipping).

The fashion brand offers clothing for all occasions, seasons, and ages (including toddlers and babies). You’ll find everything from jeans and jackets to t-shirts, sweaters, dresses, and activewear so you can break a sweat in style.

5% back in points on PC Travel 

You’ll earn an impressive 5% back in points when using Loblaw’s full-service travel agency – PC Travel – when booking your next trip. Even if you’re not going anywhere soon, this offer extends to car rentals and hotel stays to help save on your next staycation or road trip.

PC Travel provides access to a huge range of major airline and hotel providers, so you can compare your options. Plus, PC Travel comes with a Best Price Guarantee and regularly offers PC Optimum Insiders members limited time promotions – so you can hunt for deals, pocket more savings, and have the peace of mind you’re getting the best price possible.

Free shipping

As I touched on earlier, as a PC Optimum Insiders member, you’ll get unlimited free shipping on orders of any size from Shoppers Drug Mart and Joe Fresh. That adds up to at least $8 in fees waived per delivery you’d otherwise owe on purchases under $25 (at Joe Fresh) or $50 (at Shoppers Drug Mart).

More PC Optimum Insiders member benefits

• Get exclusive access to recipes, cooking tips, insightful videos and more from experts. If you’ve ever dreamed of having Chef Tom Filippou teach you to make risotto, this could be your chance.
• Discover a new favourite in a welcome box filled with the latest, carefully curated PC products at no extra cost.
• Be the first to know about innovative new PC products and services.
• A dedicated member care line means you can get help with your PC Optimum Insiders membership anytime you need it.

Signing up for PC Optimum Insiders subscription

The first step, of course, is to sign up for PC Optimum (if you’re not already a member). You can do this by registering online at www.pcoptimum.ca or by downloading the PC Optimum app.

To upgrade to become a PC Optimum Insiders member, head to www.pcoptimum.ca/insiders to subscribe. Once your membership is activated, you’ll receive added convenience and value when grocery shopping – and you’ll get a welcome box of PC products as a thank-you for joining.

The bottom line

The PC Optimum Insiders subscription is a great way to earn extra rewards and get special perks that make it easier to get groceries and can deliver far more value than it costs to subscribe. The annual fee of $119 may seem steep at first glance, but while the cost is comparable to other rewards programs, the rewards are far greater. With up to 10% back in points on PC and Joe Fresh products, free PC Express grocery pickup and other perks like free shipping from Shoppers Drug Mart, the PC Optimum Insiders program is well worth the premium.

^{PC, PC Optimum, PC Optimum Insiders, Loblaws, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, PC Express, Joe Fresh, Zehrs, Your Independent Grocer, Valu-Mart, Fortinos, Maxi, Provigo, Bloor Street Market, Extra Foods, Blue Menu and Atlantic Superstore are trademarks of Loblaws Inc., used with permission. Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix are trademarks of 911979 Alberta Ltd., used with permission.}