Is The PC Financial Mastercard Worth It?
July 25, 2023Table of Contents Contents
If you do your grocery shopping at President’s Choice retailers, then you’ve probably heard about the PC Optimum point reward program. The loyalty program lets you earn points on purchases made at some of the largest grocery and pharmacy brands in Canada including:
- Real Canadian Superstore
- Shoppers Drug Mart
- No Frills
- Loblaws
- Zehrs
- Independent Grocer
- Valu-mart
- Fortinos
- Wholesale Club
- JoeFresh
- maxi
Every 10,000 points you earn can be redeemed for $10 off your purchases at PC-affiliated stores. The PC Optimum program is free to join and easy to follow, however the only downside is it can take a while to collect points if you don’t exclusively shop at PC stores. This is where PC Financial credit cards come in.
Considered some of the top credit cards for groceries and gas in the country, these three products allow you to earn PC Optimum points the fastest way possible. You can collect 10 PC Optimum points for every dollar spent on everyday purchases and get tons of bonus points when you buy from PC stores or fill up at Esso and Mobil gas stations. Best of all, these cards have no annual fee and offer $20 worth of PC Optimum points as a welcome bonus. The right PC Financial Mastercard can unlock a world of free rewards, so let’s review each one and see how they stack up against each other.
PC Financial Mastercard
Best for first-time cardholders|
Credit Score Needed → |
680 to 750 (fair to good) |
|
Income Required → |
Not applicable |
|
Interest Rate → |
20.97% |
|
Annual Fee → |
$0 |
|
Welcome Bonus → |
$20 worth of PC Optimum points |
Highlights
- 25 points per $1 at Shoppers Drug Mart
- 10 points per $1 at PC grocery stores
- At least 30 points per litre at Esso or Mobil stations
- Add up to four free additional cards to your account
- Free purchase assurance and extended warranty
The PC Financial Mastercard is for PC Optimum loyalists looking for a no-fee, entry-level card. Cardholders can rake in plenty of reward points at Shoppers Drug Mart and enjoy the same gas rewards as PC Financial’s higher tier cards. Grocery rewards aren’t as impressive as other no-fee credit cards, however, this is easy to forgive considering the card has no income requirement and provides complimentary benefits like purchase assurance and extended warranty. If you regularly shop at PC-affiliated stores, this card is guaranteed to reduce your grocery bill and increase your savings.
Pros of the PC Financial Mastercard
1. Easy to qualify for: The card is great for students or first-time cardholders because you don’t need to meet any income requirements to get it.
2. Excellent gas rewards: You can earn at least 30 PC Optimum points per litre at Esso and Mobil gas stations, which is the same gas rewards as PC Financial’s most elite card.
3. Mastercard Global Service: Get a card replacement or cash advance during emergencies.
4. Add authorized users for free. Earn points faster by adding up to four additional cards for family members.
Cons of the PC Financial Mastercard
1. Grocery rewards aren’t that impressive: Earning 10 PC Optimum points per dollar means you only get 1% back on your grocery purchases.
2. No travel insurance: Card benefits include purchase assurance and extended warranty but don’t include any travel insurance benefits.
3. Points must be redeemed at PC stores: You can earn PC Optimum points on every purchase you make, however points can only be redeemed at PC-affiliated locations.
PC Financial World Mastercard
Best for avid PC Optimum point collectors|
Credit Score Needed → |
700-850 (good to excellent) |
|
Income Required → |
$60,000 personal annual income or $100,000 household annual income |
|
Interest Rate → |
20.97% |
|
Annual Fee → |
$0 |
|
Welcome Bonus → |
$20 worth of PC Optimum points |
Highlights
- 35 points per $1 at Shoppers Drug Mart
- 20 points per $1 at PC grocery stores
- At least 30 points per litre at Esso or Mobil stations
- Free concierge service
- Free purchase assurance and extended warranty
You can expect great point earning potential and solid perks from the PC Financial World Mastercard. Every dollar you spend at Shoppers Drug Mart gets you 35 PC Optimum points. You can also collect 20 PC Optimum points per $1 at PC-affiliated assist with event tickets, dinner reservations, and more.
You need to make at least $60,000 per year to qualify for this card, however it’s still possible to obtain if you don’t meet the income requirements. Many PC Financial Mastercard cardholders often get upgraded if they spend at least $15,000 on the entry-level card during the year.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
1. Great earning potential at Shoppers Drug Mart Every dollar you spend at Shoppers Drug Mart gets you 35 PC Optimum points – that’s a 3.5% return and double the number of points you would get if you were a regular PC Optimum member. 2. Collect 20 PC Optimum points per dollar at PC grocery stores A 2% return on grocery spending at PC-affiliated stores makes this no-fee card a fantastic option for loyal PC shoppers. Unlike other credit cards, there is no cap on earning potential so you’ll get 2% back on every PC purchase throughout the year. 3. Excellent gas rewards You can earn at least 30 PC Optimum points per litre at Esso and Mobil gas stations, which is the same gas rewards as PC Financial’s most elite card. 4. Free Concierge Service Use the 24/7 concierge service to make dinner reservations, deliver gifts, and more. 5. Mastercard Global Service Get a card replacement or cash advance during emergencies. |
1. Must meet the income requirement to qualify You need to earn at least $60,000 per year or $100,000 as a household to get approved. 2. No travel insurance Card benefits include purchase assurance and extended warranty but don’t include any travel insurance benefits. 3. Points must be redeemed at PC stores You can earn PC Optimum points on every purchase you make, however, points can only be redeemed at PC-affiliated locations. |
PC Financial World Elite Mastercard
Best for high-income earners and travellers|
Credit Score Needed → |
700-850 (good to excellent) |
|
Income Required → |
$80,000 personal annual income or $150,000 household annual income |
|
Interest Rate → |
20.97% |
|
Annual Fee → |
$0 |
|
Welcome Bonus → |
$20 worth of PC Optimum points |
Highlights
- 45 points per $1 at Shoppers Drug Mart
- 30 points per $1 at PC grocery stores
- At least 30 points per litre at Esso or Mobil stations
- Travel emergency medical insurance
- Car rental collision and loss damage waiver insurance
Are you a high-income earner searching for a no-fee credit card with incredible point earning potential? If the answer is yes, then the PC Financial World Elite Mastercard is just what you’re looking for. This top tier card will have you reaping in points in no time – it offers 45 PC Optimum points for every dollar spent at Shoppers Drug Mart and 30 PC Optimum points per $1 at PC grocery stores. You can earn even more points by taking advantage of personalized offers and special promotions like Shoppers Drug Mart’s “20x the points” events.
On top of all this, the card includes valuable travel benefits such as car rental insurance and $1 million in emergency medical insurance for trips up to ten days. These two benefits alone can save you a fortune on your next holiday.
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Pros |
Cons |
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1. Massive earning potential at Shoppers Drug Mart One of the biggest perks is the opportunity to earn 45 PC Optimum points for every dollar spent at Shoppers Drug Mart. That’s a 4.5% return considering 10,000 points gets you $10. 2. Collect 30 PC Optimum points per dollar at PC grocery stores A 3% return makes this one of the best credit cards for grocery purchases in Canada. You will get a lot of value out of it if you regularly shop at places like Loblaws, No Frills, Superstore, and Independent Grocers. 3. Travel emergency medical insurance Cardholders under the age of 65 can get travel emergency medical insurance for trips up to ten days from the date of departure. 4. Car rental collision and loss damage waiver insurance Enjoy complimentary collision damage and theft protection whenever you rent a car. 5. Excellent gas rewards Earn at least 30 PC Optimum points per litre at Esso and Mobil gas stations. 6. Identity theft assistant service Free service helps you avoid identity theft and restores your identity. 7. Free Concierge Service Use the 24/7 concierge service to make dinner reservations, deliver gifts, and more. |
1. Must meet the income requirement to qualify You need to earn at least $80,000 per year or $150,000 as a household to get approved. 2. Low earn rate at non-PC affiliated stores This card won’t be much use to you if you often shop outside the PC network. Purchases at retailers such as Metro, Sobeys, and Walmart will only get you the standard 10 PC Optimum points per dollar. 3. Points must be redeemed at PC stores You can earn PC Optimum points on every purchase you make, however points can only be redeemed at PC-affiliated locations. |
Cancelling PC Mastercard
If you decide you want to cancel your Mastercard, it’s actually pretty simple. All you need to do is call the number on the back of your card and they will cancel it for you. If you have opened the card in the last 30 days, you won’t be billed. If you have a balance owing, you will need to pay that with either a balance transfer or using your bank account.
Balance Transfers
In order to balance transfer you must be a PC Financial customer. There’s also a 1% transfer fee that will be applied. That said, if the interest rate is low or there is a good promotional offer, it could be worth it.
Filing a Complaint
Filing a complaint with PC Financial is actually pretty easy. You can either call or send an email. Either way, the issue will be escalated and you will be contacted with the results.
