PC Optimum is one of Canada’s largest retail loyalty programmes, operated by Loblaw Companies. It covers all major Loblaws grocery banners and Shoppers Drug Mart, giving Canadians a way to earn rewards on two of their highest recurring expenses: groceries and pharmacy.
The programme has over 18 million active members and is deeply integrated with the PC Financial Mastercard lineup — the only credit cards that earn PC Optimum points as a credit card reward.
How PC Optimum Points Work
Value: 10,000 PC Optimum points = $10 in savings at PC partner stores. That works out to 0.1 cents per point (or $0.001/point), or equivalently:
- 10,000 points = $10
- 50,000 points = $50
- 100,000 points = $100
Earning with a credit card: The PC Financial World Elite Mastercard earns 45 PC Optimum points per $1 at eligible PC stores — equivalent to 4.5% back in grocery value. Most other earn comes from the PC Optimum app’s bonus offers (offered weekly for specific products at specific stores).
Earning without a credit card: Scan your PC Optimum app or card at checkout at any PC partner store, even when paying with a non-PC credit card. You’ll earn at the base rate (typically 10 points per $1 on regular products, more on featured items).
PC Optimum Partner Stores
PC Optimum points are earned and redeemed at Loblaw Companies-owned banners:
Grocery Banners
- Loblaws
- No Frills
- Real Canadian Superstore
- Fortinos
- Maxi (Quebec)
- Provigo (Quebec)
- Zehrs Markets
- Independent (Your Independent Grocer)
- Atlantic Superstore
Drug Stores
- Shoppers Drug Mart
- Pharmaprix (Quebec)
Fuel
- Esso (points earned on fuel at Esso stations with PC Optimum)
Best PC Optimum Credit Cards
| Card | Annual Fee | At PC Stores | At Shoppers | Elsewhere | Income Req. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC Financial World Elite Mastercard | $0 | 45 pts/$1 | 45 pts/$1 | 30 pts/$1 | $80K / $150K HH |
| PC Financial World Mastercard | $0 | 30 pts/$1 | 30 pts/$1 | 25 pts/$1 | $60K / $100K HH |
| PC Financial Mastercard | $0 | 25 pts/$1 | 25 pts/$1 | 20 pts/$1 | None |
| PC Financial No-Fee Mastercard | $0 | Base earn | Base earn | Base earn | None |
PC Optimum Earn Rate in Action
Example: $600/month grocery + $200/month Shoppers Drug Mart using the World Elite Mastercard:
| Store | Monthly Spend | Points per $1 | Monthly Points | Annualised |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loblaws / Real Canadian Superstore | $600 | 45 | 27,000 | 324,000 |
| Shoppers Drug Mart | $200 | 45 | 9,000 | 108,000 |
| Total earned | $800/month | — | 36,000 | 432,000 |
432,000 points = $432 in grocery savings per year — at zero annual fee. That’s a 4.5% return on your two highest recurring spend categories.
How to Redeem PC Optimum Points
PC Optimum points redeem at checkout in any whole-dollar increment ($10, $20, $50, etc.):
- Load your PC Optimum app on your phone (or use a physical PC Optimum card)
- Tell the cashier you want to use PC Optimum points before paying
- Scan your app or card — the system shows your balance and allows you to choose how much to redeem
- Points are deducted from your balance; the discount is applied to your subtotal
Minimum redemption: 10,000 points ($10). You cannot redeem partial amounts below $10.
What you can buy: Almost anything in the store — groceries, household products, pharmacy items, beauty, baby products. Some exclusions apply (lottery, alcohol in some provinces, tobacco).
PC Optimum vs. Competing Grocery Rewards Programmes
| Programme | Best Earn Rate (Grocery) | Programme Type | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC Optimum (World Elite) | 4.5% at PC stores | Retail loyalty + credit card | PC stores only |
| Scene+ (Scotiabank Gold Amex) | 6x Scene+ at Sobeys banners | Bank loyalty + credit card | Travel + gift cards + more |
| BMO CashBack World Elite | 5% cash back at any grocery | Cash back | Any grocery store; statement credit |
| Tangerine Money-Back | 2% (if grocery chosen) | Cash back | Any grocery store |
| Simplii Cash Back Visa | 1.5% at grocery | Cash back | Any grocery store |
PC Optimum is best if: You primarily shop at Loblaws-family banners and Shoppers Drug Mart — the combination of 4.5% with no annual fee is hard to beat specifically at those stores.
PC Optimum is not ideal if: You shop at multiple grocery chains (Sobeys, Metro, Walmart, independent stores) — cash back cards earn everywhere.
Weekly Bonus Offers: The PC Optimum Multiplier
Beyond the base earn rate, PC Optimum runs weekly personalised offers in the app:
- “Earn 5,000 bonus points on $15 in produce”
- “Earn 3,000 bonus points on any two Heinz products”
- Bonus point events at Shoppers Drug Mart (“18x the points on all beauty”)
These offers can multiply the effective earn rate significantly — regular shoppers who clip weekly offers often exceed the stated 4.5% base rate over a year. Loading and using offers is free and requires only the PC Optimum app (available for iOS and Android).
Related Articles
- PC Financial World Elite Mastercard Review 2026
- PC Financial Issuer Hub
- Best Grocery Credit Cards in Canada
- Best Rewards Credit Cards in Canada
- Does Loblaws Accept American Express?
- Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards in Canada
PC Optimum programme terms, earn rates, and partner stores are subject to change. Verify at pcoptimum.ca and pcfinancial.ca before applying.