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PC Optimum Points Explained: Value, Earning and Redeeming in Canada

What PC Optimum points are worth, why you redeem in 10,000-point steps, how many points a PC Financial Mastercard earns at Loblaw stores, Shoppers and Esso, the account-closure rule and which card earns the most.

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Fresh vegetables on grocery store shelves

How much are PC Optimum points worth?

Quick answer

10,000 points = $10 off at participating stores, so each point is worth 0.1 cents. Point totals look large because 10 points per $1 is 1% back.

PC Optimum pointsValue in store
Top10,000$10
50,000$50
100,000$100

You can only redeem in steps of 10,000 points. With 37,000 points, for example, you can take $30 off and keep 7,000 points.

Put it into practicePC Financial credit cards

Can I use PC Optimum points to pay my credit card?

Quick answer

Yes, but it’s worth less. PC Financial lets cardholders redeem 10,000 points for a $7 statement credit, versus $10 off in store.

Unless you need the credit, redeeming at checkout gets about 43% more value from the same points.

How many PC Optimum points does a PC Financial Mastercard earn?

Quick answer

The no-fee PC World Elite Mastercard earns 30 points per $1 (3%) at Loblaw grocery stores, 45 points per $1 (4.5%) at Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix, at least 30 points per litre at Esso and Mobil, 30 points per $1 at Joe Fresh and 10 points per $1 everywhere else.

Where you spendPC World Elite pointsBack in value
TopLoblaw grocery stores30 per $13%
Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix45 per $14.5%
Esso and Mobilat least 30 per litreat least 3¢ a litre
Joe Fresh30 per $13%
Everywhere else10 per $11%

It needs $80,000 personal or $150,000 household income. PC Financial assesses every no-fee application for the PC Mastercard, PC World Mastercard or PC World Elite Mastercard and offers the one that fits.

Example: $500 a month on groceries at Loblaw stores earns 15,000 points a month on the World Elite, about $15, or $180 a year.

How do you earn PC Optimum points faster?

Quick answer

Load your personalized offers in the PC Optimum app before you shop, scan your card on every purchase, and pay with a PC Financial Mastercard so you earn on the card as well as on the offers.

Points from offers and points from the card go into the same account.

Where can you redeem PC Optimum points?

Quick answer

At participating stores, including Loblaw grocery banners and Shoppers Drug Mart. Tell the cashier you want to spend your points when you scan your card; the PC Optimum app lists participating locations.

Do PC Optimum points expire?

Quick answer

No. PC Financial says points don’t expire, but your account can be closed if you don’t earn or spend points at least once every 2 years, or if you don’t have an open PC Financial payment product registered to it.

Using your card or redeeming once in a while keeps the account active.

Which credit card earns the most PC Optimum points?

Quick answer

At typical spending, the PC Financial World Elite Mastercard earns the most each year ($308).

CardAnnual feeFirst-year valueNet annual rewards
TopPC Financial World Elite Mastercard$0$358$308
PC World Mastercard$0$270$270
PC Financial Mastercard$0$260$240
PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard$120$218$218

Card values use WalletReturn’s example spending of $2,000 a month. First-year value is the welcome bonus plus a year of rewards, minus the annual fee; net annual rewards are what a typical year earns after the fee. Rankings are the same whether or not we earn a commission.

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Terms vary by product. Confirm the provider’s current terms before acting. This guide does not predict approval, realized value or credit-score changes. How WalletReturn calculates value