PC Optimum points are earned at their highest rate through PC Financial credit cards — the co-branded bank cards issued by President’s Choice Financial, a division of Loblaw Companies Limited. There are three tiers of PC Financial card, differentiated by earn rate, income eligibility, and annual fee (all three are free).
PC Financial Cards at a Glance
| Card | Annual Fee | Earn at Loblaws | Earn at Shoppers | Earn Elsewhere | Income Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC Financial World Elite Mastercard | $0 | 45 pts/$1 (4.5%) | 30 pts/$1 | 10 pts/$1 | $80K personal / $150K household |
| PC Financial World Mastercard | $0 | 30 pts/$1 (3%) | 25 pts/$1 | 10 pts/$1 | None stated |
| PC Financial Mastercard | $0 | 25 pts/$1 (2.5%) | 20 pts/$1 | 10 pts/$1 | None stated |
10,000 PC Optimum points = $10 at checkout. Earn rates subject to change — verify at pcfinancial.ca.
1. PC Financial World Elite Mastercard — Best Overall for Loblaws Shoppers
Annual fee: $0 | Income requirement: $80,000 personal or $150,000 household
At 45 points per dollar at Loblaws-banner grocery stores — equivalent to 4.5% back in PC Optimum grocery value — this is the highest-earning no-fee grocery card for Loblaws shoppers in Canada.
Where the 45 pts/$1 Applies
The 45 pts/$1 rate applies at Loblaws-owned grocery banners including:
- Loblaws
- Real Canadian Superstore
- No Frills
- Zehrs Markets
- Maxi
- Provigo
- Fortinos
- Atlantic Superstore
- Valu-mart
- T&T Supermarket
Annual Grocery Earn Example
| Monthly Grocery Spend (Loblaws) | Annual PC Optimum Points | Redemption Value |
|---|---|---|
| $400/month | 216,000 pts/year | $216 |
| $700/month | 378,000 pts/year | $378 |
| $1,000/month | 540,000 pts/year | $540 |
No annual fee means no break-even — all value is net gain.
Earn at Other Partners
- 30 pts/$1 at Shoppers Drug Mart
- 30 pts/$1 at Esso and Mobil gas stations
- 10 pts/$1 everywhere else (1% equivalent)
The 10 pts/$1 base rate (1%) is uncompetitive for general spending. Cardholders typically use the PC Financial World Elite at Loblaws and a separate card with stronger general earn elsewhere.
Read the full PC Financial World Elite Mastercard review.
2. PC Financial World Mastercard — Best for Those Who Don’t Qualify for World Elite
Annual fee: $0 | No stated income requirement
Earns 30 points per dollar at Loblaws-banner stores (3% in PC Optimum value) — still the best no-fee grocery card for Loblaws shoppers who don’t meet the World Elite income threshold.
- 25 pts/$1 at Shoppers Drug Mart
- 10 pts/$1 everywhere else
The 3% Loblaws earn rate beats every other no-fee grocery card for Loblaws shopping (the Tangerine Money-Back earns 2% if chosen as a category; CIBC Dividend Visa earns 2% on groceries generally).
3. PC Financial Mastercard — Entry-Level Option
Annual fee: $0 | No stated income requirement | Good for building credit or newcomers
Earns 25 points per dollar at Loblaws (2.5%) and 20 pts/$1 at Shoppers (2%). The weakest of the three but still delivers value at Loblaws-owned stores. Accessible for applicants with limited credit history.
Stacking Strategy: PC Financial + In-Store PC Optimum
When you use a PC Financial card at a Loblaws store, you earn:
- Base in-store PC Optimum (from scanning your app/card) — approximately 10 pts/$1
- PC Financial credit card earn (on top) — 35 additional pts/$1 with the World Elite, for a total of 45 pts/$1
Both layers are included in the stated card rate — the 45 pts/$1 on the World Elite already represents the combined earn.
Stacking a Non-PC Card at Loblaws
Many Canadians earn more total value by scanning their PC Optimum app (earning base in-store points) while paying with a higher-earning non-PC credit card:
| Strategy | PC Optimum Earn | Credit Card Earn | Total Effective Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC World Elite only | 45 pts/$1 = 4.5% | — | 4.5% |
| Scotiabank Gold Amex + PC Optimum scan | 10 pts/$1 = 1% | 1 Scene+ pt/$1 = 1% (at non-Sobeys stores) | ~2% total |
| BMO CashBack World Elite + PC Optimum scan | 10 pts/$1 = 1% | 5% cash back grocery (first $500) | ~6% |
| Scotiabank Momentum + PC Optimum scan | 10 pts/$1 = 1% | 4% cash back grocery | ~5% |
Note: The BMO CashBack World Elite and Scotiabank Momentum earn their grocery cash back rates at most grocery chains including Loblaws.
Conclusion: For pure PC Optimum point accumulation, the PC Financial World Elite wins at 4.5%. For total combined value at Loblaws, paying with a 4–5% cash back card while scanning the PC Optimum app can deliver 5–6% total — but the rewards come in two separate forms (cash back + PC Optimum).
When to Use the PC Financial Card vs. a Different Card at Loblaws
Use the PC Financial World Elite if:
- You want to maximise PC Optimum points specifically
- You shop at Loblaws regularly and will redeem points for groceries
- You prefer points that reduce your grocery bill directly (no airline programme needed)
Use a different credit card at Loblaws if:
- You want a higher total return in cash back (BMO CashBack 5%, Scotiabank Momentum 4%)
- You want Scene+ or Aeroplan points from your grocery spend
- Your primary grocery spend is at non-Loblaws stores (the PC Financial card earns only 1% elsewhere)
Best PC Optimum Cards FAQ
What is the best card for PC Optimum points? PC Financial World Elite Mastercard (45 pts/$1 at Loblaws, $0 annual fee, $80K income required).
Can I earn PC Optimum with a different credit card? Yes — scan your PC Optimum app at checkout to earn base in-store points, regardless of which credit card you pay with.
Is the PC Financial World Elite worth it? Yes, for regular Loblaws shoppers — 4.5% back in grocery points with no annual fee.
What if I don’t qualify for the World Elite? The PC Financial World Mastercard earns 30 pts/$1 at Loblaws (3%) with no income requirement.
Related Articles
- How PC Optimum Works 2026
- PC Optimum Points Value 2026
- Best Grocery Credit Cards in Canada 2026
- Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards in Canada 2026
- How Scene+ Works 2026
PC Financial earn rates, income thresholds, and programme terms are subject to change. Verify at pcfinancial.ca before applying.