The PC Optimum rewards program lets you earn points redeemable for products and discounts at Loblaw-affiliated grocery stores, Shoppers Drug Mart (Pharmaprix in Quebec), and Esso and Mobil gas stations. Earning and redeeming points is straightforward: there are many ways to collect points while you shop, and 10,000 PC Optimum points can be redeemed for $10 off eligible purchases at participating retailers. You can also accelerate your earnings by using a PC Money Account or one of the PC Mastercards. Below is a practical guide to point values, where to earn points, how to maximize earnings with cards and other PC services, and answers to common questions.
The value of PC Optimum points
At Loblaw grocery stores and Shoppers Drug Mart, points are redeemed in 10,000-point increments, where 10,000 points equals $10. That works out to 1 PC Optimum point being worth 0.1 cents (10 points = 1 cent).
The value can change for gas purchases. At Esso, for example, you can redeem 4,000 points for a 10-cent-per-litre discount up to 40 litres. Redeeming the full 40 litres yields $4 in savings (a point value of 0.1 cents). If you redeem against a smaller fill-up, the effective per-point value falls—for instance, using 4,000 points on 30 litres of gas reduces the point value to about 0.075 cents per point.
Redeeming points for car washes at Esso can deliver higher value. Redeeming 10,000 points for a free car wash worth more than $10 increases the effective value of each point. For example, a $15 car wash converts your PC Optimum points to a 1.5 cent-per-point value.
Note: While you can earn points at Mobil stations, Mobil locations do not currently accept points for redemption.
Where to earn PC Optimum points
PC Optimum has a wide partner network across Canada. Major participating partners include:
- Loblaw-owned grocery banners such as Loblaws, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, The Independent Grocer, Zehrs, Fortinos, Extra Foods, Wholesale Club and Dominion
- Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix drugstores
- Esso and Mobil gas stations
- Joe Fresh
- The Mobile Shop
- Theodore & Pringle Optical
You can also earn points on everyday purchases by using one of the PC Mastercards described below.
How to earn PC Optimum points
A basic PC Optimum membership is your entry to the program. Use the PC Optimum card or app to collect points in-store or online and to load personalized offers. Points are earnable at more than 4,500 locations across Loblaw banners, Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix, and Esso and Mobil stations.
Point-earning rates vary by retailer, promotions, and any linked cards or PC services. Typical base earn rates include:
- 15 points per $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix on many purchases
- 10 points per litre of gas and 10 points per $1 on convenience items and car washes at Esso stations
- Variable rates at Mobil stations (rates differ by location)
In-store offers
Watch for the PC Optimum logo in participating stores. In-store offers can significantly boost points on everyday items—examples include temporary promotions, such as 20x points at Shoppers Drug Mart. Load coupons through your weekly email or the PC Optimum app and check store flyers before shopping to stack savings with planned purchases.
Personalized offers
Registered members receive personalized offers (often on Thursdays) based on past purchases. These offers can include bonus points for specific items, extra points with a minimum spend, and bonus points days. Personalized offers are low-effort, high-return ways to multiply your points.
Other PC services
Linking a PC Mastercard or opening a PC Money Account increases your point-earning potential. The PC Money Account and PC Mastercards reward points on purchases made with those products, helping you grow your balance faster across everyday spending categories.
Boost rewards with a PC Mastercard
PC Mastercards increase your PC Optimum points earn rate and reward everyday spending. There are several PC Mastercard options—some with no annual fee and different earnings tiers—so you can choose a card that matches your income, spending patterns and desired benefits.
PC Mastercard
Annual fee: $0
Welcome offer: Earn 20,000 points when you spend $50 or more at participating stores within 60 days of account approval.
Rewards: Typically 10 points per $1 on most purchases, 25 points per $1 at Shoppers Drug Mart, and at least 30 points per litre at Esso and Mobil stations.
Card details: Interest rates typically around 21.99% on purchases, and it is designed to be accessible with no minimum income requirement. The point value remains 1 PC Optimum point = $0.0001 (10,000 points = $10).
Pros
- Earn points on all purchases with higher earn rates at Shoppers and Esso/Mobil compared with basic membership.
- No annual fee and no minimum income requirement.
- Up to four free supplementary cards for family members.
Cons
- Limited travel coverage and fewer premium perks compared with other cards.
- Grocery earn rate is modest compared with some cash-back cards.
PC World Mastercard
Annual fee: $0
Welcome offer: Earn 20,000 points when you spend $50 or more at participating stores within 60 days of account approval.
Rewards: Typically 20 points per $1 at Loblaw banner grocery stores, 35 points per $1 at Shoppers Drug Mart, 30 points per litre at Esso and Mobil, and 10 points per $1 on other purchases.
Card details: Normally requires a higher income threshold than the basic PC Mastercard and targets shoppers who spend more at Loblaw banners.
Pros
- Higher earn rate on groceries at Loblaw banner stores compared with the basic PC Mastercard.
- Enhanced Shoppers Drug Mart earn rate.
- Concierge services included.
Cons
- Boosted grocery return equates to about a 2% effective return, which may be lower than some competing cash-back cards.
- Limited travel and premium perks beyond concierge services.
PC World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee: $0
Welcome offer: Earn 20,000 points when you spend $50 or more at participating stores within 60 days of account approval.
Rewards: Typically the strongest earn rates among no-fee PC cards: around 30 PC points per $1 at Loblaw banner stores, 45 points per $1 at Shoppers Drug Mart, 30 points per litre at Esso and Mobil, and 10 points per $1 on other purchases.
Card details: Requires a higher income level for eligibility and includes additional benefits such as travel emergency medical insurance for eligible cardholders and other purchase protections.
Pros
- Competitive earn rate at Loblaw banner stores (about 3% effective return).
- Includes purchase protection, extended warranty and travel emergency medical coverage for qualified cardholders.
Cons
- Higher income requirement to qualify.
- Must meet an annual spending threshold or risk downgrade to a lower-tier PC card.
PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee: $120
Rewards: Premium earn rates for members willing to pay an annual fee—up to 70 points per $1 on gas at Esso & Mobil, 50 points per $1 at Shoppers Drug Mart, 40 points per $1 at Loblaw banner stores, 40 points per $1 on Joe Fresh apparel, and 10 points per $1 on other purchases.
Card details and perks: Includes perks such as a complimentary PC Express Pass for grocery pick-up and delivery, emergency travel medical coverage (for eligible cardholders), car rental insurance, concierge services, and the ability to add additional cardholders at no extra charge.
Pros
- High earn rates and premium perks, including PC Express Pass and travel protection for eligible cardholders.
- Family-friendly with multiple additional cardholders included.
Cons
- Annual fee applies and the travel medical coverage has age restrictions for insured cardholders.
- Best suited to frequent shoppers at Loblaw-affiliated stores to fully justify the fee.
Boost rewards with a PC Money Account
What is PC Money?
Launched in 2020, the PC Money Account is a no-fee banking product from President’s Choice that combines everyday banking services with the ability to earn PC Optimum points. It provides unlimited everyday transactions including bill payments, Interac e-Transfers, account transfers and cash withdrawals at participating ATMs or points of purchase. The PC Money card operates on the Mastercard network and is accepted wherever Mastercard is accepted.
How to earn points with PC Money
Using the PC Money card earns bonus points at participating retailers: for example, 25 PC Optimum points per $1 at Shoppers Drug Mart and 10 points per $1 elsewhere (banking transactions such as bill payments or e-Transfers generally do not earn points). New account holders can often earn bonus point promotions during account setup and initial transactions—these promotional bonuses can be worth several hundred dollars in points depending on the offer.
For shoppers who regularly visit Loblaw banners and Shoppers Drug Mart, the PC Money Account provides a convenient, no-fee way to collect additional PC Optimum points while handling everyday banking needs.
What is a PC Express Pass?
PC Express Pass is a paid grocery pickup and delivery subscription offering unlimited free pickup and delivery on orders over a minimum threshold from participating Loblaw banner stores. Pricing is typically a monthly or annual fee with a free trial available at sign-up. Benefits generally include unlimited same-day or next-day pickup and delivery on qualifying orders, multiple delivery addresses, online shopping at affiliated stores and the ability to earn and redeem PC Optimum offers on orders.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use PC points to pay off my credit card?
No. PC Optimum points cannot be used to pay down a PC Mastercard balance or to fund financial services like withdrawals from a PC Money Account. Points are redeemed for goods, discounts and eligible services at participating retailers.
Do PC Mastercards have travel insurance?
Only some PC Mastercards include travel insurance. The PC World Elite Mastercard, for example, includes travel emergency medical insurance (subject to eligibility criteria and age limits) for short trips and other specific coverages such as rental car damage protection in many cases. Check card terms for exact coverage limits and eligibility.
Further reading
For more information about grocery-focused credit cards, changing grocery shopping habits and other related topics, review retailer guides and card comparison resources to determine which combination of PC Optimum membership, PC Money Account and PC Mastercard best fits your shopping patterns and financial goals.