PC Plus: Save Money on Groceries Effortlessly
Who can say “No” to free food? With no fees attached, PC Plus is definitely the easiest way to save money on groceries.
I have been using the PC Plus points system for about three years now, and I absolutely love the system. I will explain how it works, share my experiences, and discuss the changes coming into effect on February 1, 2018.
What is PC Plus?
PC Plus is a rewards program offered by Loblaw Companies, that was launched in 2013. When you use your PC Plus card at participating supermarkets and gas stations, you receive points that you can later exchange for free groceries. You must be at least 14 years old to get a card .
There are also President’s Choice Financial Mastercards that you can use to accumulate points faster. For the sake of this post, I will only be discussing the regular PC Points card, since it has no fees associated to it.
Participating Stores
Participating stores include: Atlantic Superstore, Dominion (Newfoundland and Labrador), Bloor Street Market, Extra Foods, Fortinos, Loblaws, Loblaws City Market, Loblaws Great Food, Maxi, Maxi & Cie, No Frills, Provigo, Provigo Le Marché, Real Canadian Superstore, Save Easy, Valu-mart, Your Independent Grocer, and Zehrs stores.
How to Accumulate Points
To accumulate points, simply load the offers tailored for you each week (either online or on their App), purchase those recommended grocery items, show your card and that’s it! It is that simple. The amount of points you receive differ depending on the product. For example, sometimes they have coupons or bonus point offers if you buy a certain item, or some items offer 10%-20% worth in points if you spend a certain amount on the item. Each offer is clearly explained when you load your offers.
Once you accumulate enough points, you are able to exchange them for money taken off of your grocery bill. The minimum amount of points you need in order to exchange them for money, is 20,000 ($20). If you have more than 20,000 points, you can then use the rest in increments of 10,000 points but any balance remaining will need to be paid with a second form of payment.
Why I Love PC Plus
Over the past three years, I have saved over $200 worth of groceries thanks to PC Plus. That may not seem like a lot for a three year period, but that is including years spent as a student. I used to only have to shop for myself and not a family of four. Whether you are a student, or budgeting for a larger family- any bit helps.
I also love that the items that are offered to you each week are tailored for you. This means, that each time you use your card, they save your purchases. Your next week’s offers will have items that you recently purchased. This has been extremely helpful.
Everyone has staple ingredients that they always want to have, (for me it’s pasta, for my Son it’s bananas). To get points from purchasing items you would be buying anyway is amazing. They also offer points on items you may not normally buy. It is not necessary to purchase these items, but sometimes it helps you try something new.
The Cons
“There must be some catch or something wrong with it”. Just like any other loyalty program, it can’t please everyone. I can happily say that I have only experienced one downside to PC Plus.
If you forget your card, and don’t have the app on your phone, you will lose out on any possible points. You are unable to go back to get your points, and you cannot do it online.
This is troublesome, especially if it happened at no fault of your own. I once planned my shopping around the PC Points and gave my card to the cashier. Once I got home, I realized that she hadn’t swiped it properly. I understand what it is like to be new at a job, so I was not upset with her, but it was unfortunate.
Changes Coming Soon
Starting February 1, 2018, the PC Plus Program and Pharmaprix’s Optimum Program will be joining forces to form PC Optimum.
For PC Plus Members
The information I found to be the most useful when it comes to the changes, is:
“Make sure you hold on to your PC Plus card until you have successfully linked your account to a new PC Optimum account.
When the PC Optimum program launches, your points will automatically become PC Optimum points. Then, the next time you shop, the cashier will ask you to swap your existing PC Plus card for a PC Optimum card so you can continue to earn and spend your points.
You can also start by downloading the app or create an online account and follow the prompts on screen to link the points from your current card(s). You can link your Shoppers Optimum, PC Plus and PC Financial accounts.You will be guided through the linking process for your existing loyalty programs to have all your points in one PC Optimum account.
If after you complete the linking online and still wish to get a plastic version of the PC Optimum card, you can do so by swapping your PC Plus or Shoppers Optimum card at the checkout at any participating store.
If you have an email address associated with your PC Plus or Shoppers Optimum account, we will send you an email once the program launches to get you started.” – via PC Plus
For Optimum Members
I will be honest. I stopped shopping at Pharmaprix quite a few years ago. Maybe, these changes will get me back into their stores. We shall see!
One of my friends shops at Pharmaprix and states that she isn’t pleased about this change. If you are a member of the Optimum program, read how these changes will affect you here. I believe that for now, the most important thing for Optimum members to know, is that:
“You will have until Wednesday May 2, 2018 to spend them, after which time your Pharmaprix Optimum points will not be honoured. Pharmaprix Optimum points will no longer be issued after January 31, 2018. If you would like to start to earn PC Optimum points, you must join the program in store or online as outlined above.”
For more information, please visit the PC Optimum site to learn more about the changes coming by clicking here.
Do you use PC Plus? Optimum? What do you think about the new program? Let me know by commenting!
