PC Optimum is Canada’s largest grocery loyalty program, covering Loblaws, Shoppers Drug Mart, Esso, and more. Here’s how to maximize your points.
PC Optimum Overview Feature Details Point value 1 cent per point Base earning 15 points per $1 at most stores Minimum redemption 10,000 points = $10 Maximum redemption 250,000 points = $400 Expiry 12 months inactivity Membership cost Free
PC Optimum Earning Structure Points Dollar Value 10,000 $10 20,000 $20 50,000 $50 100,000 $100 150,000 $170 200,000 $250 250,000 $400
Note: Higher redemption tiers offer better value per point. Redeeming 250,000 gets you $400 (1.6 cents/point) vs 10,000 for $10 (1 cent/point).
Where to Earn PC Optimum Points Grocery Stores Store Base Earning Notes Loblaws 15 points/$1 Full grocery Real Canadian Superstore 15 points/$1 Full grocery + Joe Fresh No Frills 15 points/$1 Discount grocery Zehrs 15 points/$1 Ontario Valu-mart 15 points/$1 Ontario Your Independent Grocer 15 points/$1 Various provinces Fortinos 15 points/$1 Ontario Atlantic Superstore 15 points/$1 Atlantic Canada Maxi 15 points/$1 Quebec Provigo 15 points/$1 Quebec T&T Supermarket 15 points/$1 Asian specialty Extra Foods 15 points/$1 Western Canada
Shoppers Drug Mart Purchase Base Earning Beauty 15 points/$1 Health & wellness 15 points/$1 Prescriptions Varies by province Groceries/household 15 points/$1 Electronics 15 points/$1
Gas & Convenience Partner Earning Esso (with PC card) 10 points/L Esso convenience store 15 points/$1 Mobil (with PC card) 10 points/L
Other Partners Partner Earning Joe Fresh 15 points/$1 PC Express (grocery pickup) 15 points/$1 PC Travel Points on bookings LCBO (Ontario) Points on select purchases
PC Financial Credit Cards Card Annual Fee Earning Rate Best For PC Financial Mastercard (no fee) $0 10 points/$1 everywhere, 25 points/$1 at PC stores Entry-level PC Financial World Mastercard $0 10 points/$1 everywhere, 30 points/$1 at PC stores Mid spenders PC Financial World Elite Mastercard $0 10 points/$1 everywhere, 45 points/$1 at PC stores, 30 points/$1 gas Heavy PC shoppers
Earning Comparison Card $500/month PC groceries $500/month other spending No card (points only) 7,500 points — PC Financial Mastercard 12,500 points 5,000 points PC World Mastercard 15,000 points 5,000 points PC World Elite Mastercard 22,500 points 5,000 points
Annual value with PC World Elite at PC stores:
$500/month × 45 points = 270,000 points/year = $270+ in free groceries How to Maximize PC Optimum Points 1. Personalized Offers (Essential) Offer Type Example Product bonus “Get 2,000 points on Oreo cookies” Spend threshold “Spend $30 on produce, get 5,000 points” Category bonus “Get 2x points on dairy this week” PC Express bonus “Pickup order, get 10,000 points”
Strategy:
Open PC Optimum app before shopping Load all relevant offers (they auto-activate) Plan shopping around highest-value offers Scan card at checkout 2. 20x Points Events (Best Days to Shop) Regular purchase Points earned normally Points earned on 20x day $100 at Shoppers 1,500 points 30,000 points $200 at Shoppers 3,000 points 60,000 points $300 at Shoppers 4,500 points 90,000 points
When 20x events happen:
Typically Saturday mornings at Shoppers Drug Mart Sometimes weekday evenings Often requires minimum purchase ($50-$75) Check app and flyers for announcements Best 20x strategy:
Stock up on cosmetics, skincare, vitamins Buy gift cards for future needs Purchase electronics (tablets, headphones) Get toiletries you’ll use throughout the year 3. PC Express Pickup/Delivery Bonuses Promotion Points First PC Express order 20,000+ points Weekly PC Express bonus Varies (2,000-10,000) Spend threshold PC Express Often 10,000+ on $100 spend
4. Bonus Events Event Frequency Value 20x points Monthly Best event Points Days (Loblaws) Quarterly Extra points on purchases Shoppers Beauty Bonus Regular Beauty-specific bonuses PC Insiders Report Quarterly New personalized offers
Redemption Strategy Redemption Tiers Points Value Value/Point 10,000 $10 1.0 cents 20,000 $20 1.0 cents 50,000 $50 1.0 cents 100,000 $100 1.0 cents 150,000 $170 1.13 cents 200,000 $250 1.25 cents 250,000 $400 1.6 cents
When to Redeem Tier Recommendation 10,000-100,000 Redeem anytime if needed 150,000+ Better value—wait if you can 250,000 Best value (60% bonus vs 10,000 tier)
Optimal strategy: Save to 200,000 or 250,000 for maximum value, but don’t stress if you need to redeem earlier.
Where to Redeem Location Notes Loblaws banner stores Any grocery purchase Shoppers Drug Mart Any non-prescription purchase Esso/Mobil Gas redemption PC Travel Travel bookings
PC Optimum + PC Mastercard Combo Maximum Earning Example Transaction Without PC Card With PC World Elite $100 groceries (Loblaws) 1,500 points 4,500 points + Personalized offers (avg) 3,000 points 3,000 points Total 4,500 points 7,500 points
Annual earning (heavy PC shopper):
$800/month groceries × 45 points = 432,000 base points Offers average 15,000/month = 180,000 points Total: 612,000 points = $600+ value/year Stacking Strategy Load personalized offers in app Shop during 20x events when possible Pay with PC Financial Mastercard Scan PC Optimum card Save points to 200,000+ for bonus redemption value PC Optimum vs Scene+ Feature PC Optimum Scene+ Point value 1-1.6 cents 1 cent Grocery partner Loblaws Sobeys Drug store Shoppers Drug Mart Lawtons Gas Esso/Mobil — Entertainment — Cineplex Credit card PC Financial Scotiabank Transfer to airline No Yes (Aeroplan ) Best bonus event 20x points —
Which Program Wins? If you shop at… Winner Loblaws/No Frills/Superstore PC Optimum Sobeys/Safeway/Foodland Scene+ Shoppers Drug Mart for beauty PC Optimum Cineplex often Scene+ Want airline miles Scene+ (Aeroplan transfer) Esso gas PC Optimum
Weekly Grocery Shopper Action Why Check offers every week New offers drop regularly Plan shopping around offers 3,000-10,000 bonus points/visit Use PC World Elite 45 points/$1 vs 15 base Try PC Express occasionally Promo bonus offers
Shoppers Drug Mart Regular Action Why Wait for 20x events 20x the points Stock up on big 20x days Toiletries, beauty, vitamins Check Beauty offer section Frequent cosmetics bonuses Use PC card Extra points layer
Esso Gas Station User Action Why Link card to Speedpass+ Auto-earn 10 points/L Get PC World Elite 30 points/$1 on gas Buy car wash with fill-up Points on both Use convenience store for snacks 15 points/$1
Common Mistakes Mistake Fix Not loading offers Check app every shopping trip Missing 20x events Set calendar reminder for Shoppers Redeeming at 10,000 Save to 200,000+ for bonus value Using non-PC credit card Missing 25-45 points/$1 Forgetting card at Esso Link to Speedpass+ app
PC Optimum App Tips Features to Use Feature Value Personalized offers Load before every shop Digital card Never forget your card Flyer integration See weekly deals Purchase history Track spending and points PC Express Order pickup/delivery
Weekly Routine Day Action Thursday Check new weekly offers Before shopping Load all relevant offers At checkout Scan card, pay with PC Mastercard After shopping Verify points posted correctly
Frequently Asked Questions Can I combine household points? Yes. You can link up to 6 PC Optimum accounts to share points. All members earn to the same pool and can redeem.
Do prescriptions earn points? Prescription earning varies by province due to healthcare regulations. In most provinces, you earn points but at reduced rates. Check with your local Shoppers pharmacy.
What’s the best 20x strategy? Stock up on items you’ll use throughout the year: toiletries, beauty products, vitamins, gift cards. Spending $200 on a 20x day earns 60,000 points ($60 value).
Should I get the PC World Elite Mastercard? If you spend $500+/month at PC stores, yes. No annual fee and you’ll earn significantly more points (45 vs 15 per dollar).
Can I earn points on gift card purchases? At Shoppers during regular promotions, yes. During some 20x events, gift cards may be excluded. Check event terms.
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