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President’s Choice Financial Mastercard Review

Aug. 3, 2020
7 mins
A customer types their PIN into a point of sale terminal while the cashier waits

One of the leading grocery rewards credit cards is the President’s Choice Financial® World Elite Mastercard®, earning the title “Best Credit Card for Families” at the RATESDOTCA Best of Finance Awards 2020.

Loyal President’s Choice shoppers can earn PC Optimum points on everyday purchases using any of the three Mastercards offered by the brand. Plus, cardholders can double-dip on rewards when they scan their PC Optimum card at Loblaw banner stores, including popular brands like Real Canadian Superstore and Shoppers Drug Mart.

Not only that, but families can earn and redeem rewards even faster when combining their points into a household pool. The loyalty program and PC Financial credit cards work cohesively as a team and can save families money. The credit cards have no annual fees, free supplementary cards, and excellent rewards.

Easily shop in-store or online with several consumer-friendly pickup options, or get your groceries delivered through PC Express powered by Instacart. There are so many choices to shop the way that works for you, your family and your lifestyle.

Below is a quick comparison of the three PC Financial credit cards.

Card details
Credit card Great features Annual fee First-year value
1. President’s Choice Financial® World Elite Mastercard®
  • PC Optimum accelerated grocery rewards
  • Basic travel insurance
  • Concierge service
  • Free supplementary cards

$0

$476

2. President’s Choice Financial® World Mastercard®
  • PC Optimum accelerated grocery rewards
  • Concierge service
  • Free supplementary cards

$0

$398

3. President’s Choice Financial® Mastercard®
  • PC Optimum accelerated grocery rewards
  • Free supplementary cards

$0

$320

1. President’s Choice Financial® World Elite Mastercard®

The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Welcome bonus
$20
+ Annual rewards
$456
- Annual fee
$0
Total first year value
$476
PC® World Elite Mastercard®

card image
Welcome bonus
$20
PC Optimum™ points
Annual rewards
$456
PC Optimum™ points
Annual fees:
$0
Interest rates:
21.99% on purchases • 22.97% on cash advances
2024 Winner – Best Family Credit Card for Gas and Groceries
Great card for fans of the PC Optimum™ rewards program looking to save even more on groceries
Details at a glance Collapse details
Welcome bonus
$20
Annual rewards
$456
The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Welcome bonus
$20
+ Annual rewards
$456
- Annual fee
$0
Total first year value
$476
Annual fees:
$0
Interest rates:
21.99% on purchases
22.97 on cash advances
2024 Winner – Best Family Credit Card for Gas and Groceries
Great card for fans of the PC Optimum™ rewards program looking to save even more on groceries
Details at a glance Collapse details

The President’s Choice Financial® World Elite Mastercard® is the top card in the PC Financial Mastercard line, offering the most rewards for purchases at President’s Choice grocery stores, Shoppers Drug Mart, and PC Travel.

In addition to the features offered by both the President’s Choice Financial® Mastercard® and the President’s Choice Financial® World Mastercard®, the President’s Choice Financial® World Elite Mastercard® also offers cardholders basic travel insurance and identity theft assistance.

Though this card does have the highest eligibility requirements of the three cards. Cardholders must have a minimum personal income of $80,000 or a household income of $150,000, or spend at least $25,000 on the card annually to be eligible. If applicants don’t meet this card’s requirements, they will be considered for another credit card in the President’s Choice Financial Mastercard line.

According to our Best of Finance methodology, the average Canadian will see $476 in PC Optimum points within the first year.

Credit score requirement for approval:

Fair: You have had a credit card or loan for one or more years. For the last two years or more, you’ve paid back debts to creditors with no defaults. You haven’t missed more than two payments on your credit in the last three months.

Annual fee:

$0

Limited time offer/bonus:

  • Earn 20,000 bonus PC Optimum points when you make your first purchase.
  • Take advantage of the promotional interest rate of 0.97% on balance transfers for six months. Balance transfers must be made within 90 days of opening the account.

Offer expiry date: December 31, 2020

Rewards:

  • Earn 45 points* per dollar you spend at Shoppers Drug Mart.
  • Earn at least 30 points per litre at Esso and Mobil gas stations.
  • Earn 30 points per dollar you spend on PC Travel and at President’s Choice grocery stores.
  • Get 10 points per dollar everywhere else you shop.

*Earn 30 PC Optimum points for every $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart, in addition to the 15 points per dollar of eligible purchases that all PC Optimum members earn.

Earning potential:

How does this card stack up to other rewards credit cards? We crunched the numbers using our Best of Finance methodology to see how much an average Canadian could earn over a 12-month period.

Rewards earned over a 12-month period = 476,000 PC Optimum points
Monetary value = $476
Annual fee = $0
Total earned over the first year (rewards minus annual fee) = $476

You can redeem your points for:

Start to redeem your rewards as soon as you collect 10,000 PC Optimum points, which is a $10 value.

Redeem points at Loblaw banner stores, including Loblaws, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Valu-Mart, Zehrs, Independent, Fortinos, and Wholesale Club, as well as Shoppers Drug Mart locations.

  • Groceries
  • Merchandise

Redeem points online through:

  • Beautyboutique.ca
  • JoeFresh.ca
  • PC Express

Insurance:

  • Travel emergency medical
  • Car rental collision and loss damage waiver
  • Identity theft assistance service
  • Purchase assurance
  • Extended warranty

Other perks:

  • Save time with the 24/7 concierge service and reserve tickets or book reservations with ease.
  • Add additional authorized users for free and start earning rewards faster as a family.
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2. President’s Choice Financial® World Mastercard®

The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Welcome bonus
$20
+ Annual rewards
$378
- Annual fee
$0
Total first year value
$398
President's Choice Financial®World Mastercard®

card image
Welcome bonus
$20
PC Optimum™ points
Annual rewards
$378
PC Optimum™ points
Annual fees:
$0
Interest rates:
21.99% on purchases • 22.97% on cash advances
A no fee card for those looking to maximize their grocery savings
Some insurance included
Details at a glance Collapse details
Welcome bonus
$20
Annual rewards
$378
The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Welcome bonus
$20
+ Annual rewards
$378
- Annual fee
$0
Total first year value
$398
Annual fees:
$0
Interest rates:
21.99% on purchases
22.97 on cash advances
A no fee card for those looking to maximize their grocery savings
Some insurance included
Details at a glance Collapse details

The President’s Choice Financial® World Mastercard® is one tier above the President’s Choice Financial® Mastercard®, offering cardholders double the rewards at President’s Choice grocery stores and an accelerated earn rate at Shoppers Drug Mart.

This card features a 24/7 concierge service, making booking reservations a breeze and Mastercard Global ServiceTM for emergency card replacement or cash advances anywhere in the world.

However, unlike the President’s Choice Financial® Mastercard®, the President’s Choice Financial® World Mastercard® does require a minimum annual personal income of $60,000 or a household income of $100,000, or a minimum spend of at least $15,000 per year on the card to be eligible.

According to our Best of Finance methodology, the average Canadian will see $398 in PC Optimum points in the first year.

Credit score requirement for approval:

Fair: You have had a credit card or loan for one or more years. For the last two years or more, you’ve paid back debts to creditors with no defaults. You haven’t missed more than two payments on your credit in the last three months.

Annual fee:

$0

Limited time offer/bonus:

  • Earn 20,000 bonus PC Optimum points when you make your first purchase.
  • Take advantage of the promotional interest rate of 0.97% on balance transfers for six months. Balance transfers must be made within 90 days of opening the account.

Offer expiry date: December 31, 2020

Rewards:

  • Earn 35 points* per dollar you spend at Shoppers Drug Mart.
  • Earn at least 30 points per litre at Esso and Mobil gas stations.
  • Earn 20 points per dollar you spend on PC Travel and at President’s Choice grocery stores.
  • Get 10 points per dollar everywhere else you shop.

*Earn 20 PC Optimum points for every $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart, in addition to the 15 points per dollar of eligible purchases that all PC Optimum members earn.

Earning potential:

How does this card stack up to other rewards credit cards? We crunched the numbers using our Best of Finance methodology to see how much an average Canadian could earn over a 12-month period.

Rewards earned over a 12-month period = 398,000 PC Optimum points
Monetary value = $398
Annual fee = $0
Total earned over the first year (rewards minus annual fee) = $398

You can redeem your points for:

Start to redeem your rewards as soon as you collect 10,000 PC Optimum points, which is a $10 value.

Redeem points at Loblaw banner stores, including Loblaws, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Valu-Mart, Zehrs, Independent, Fortinos, and Wholesale Club, as well as Shoppers Drug Mart locations.

  • Groceries
  • Merchandise

Redeem points online through:

  • Beautyboutique.ca
  • JoeFresh.ca
  • PC Express

Insurance:

  • Purchase assurance
  • Extended warranty

Other perks:

  • Enjoy the 24/7 concierge service for booking reservations, tickets, and more.
  • Access the Mastercard Global ServiceTM for emergency card replacement anywhere in the world.
  • Get free supplementary cards for authorized users.

3. President’s Choice Financial® Mastercard®

The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Welcome bonus
$20
+ Annual rewards
$300
- Annual fee
$0
Total first year value
$320
PC® Mastercard®

card image
Welcome bonus
$20
PC Optimum™ points
Annual rewards
$300
PC Optimum™ points
Annual fees:
$0
Interest rates:
21.99% on purchases • 22.97% on cash advances
Free and easy card for fans of PC Optimum™ Program
Some insurance included
Details at a glance Collapse details
Welcome bonus
$20
Annual rewards
$300
The estimated dollar amount of benefits you’ll accumulate based on your monthly spending and rewards preference
+ Welcome bonus
$20
+ Annual rewards
$300
- Annual fee
$0
Total first year value
$320
Annual fees:
$0
Interest rates:
21.99% on purchases
22.97 on cash advances
Free and easy card for fans of PC Optimum™ Program
Some insurance included
Details at a glance Collapse details

Cardholders of the President’s Choice Financial® Mastercard® can earn PC Optimum points everywhere they shop. Earn more rewards at President’s Choice grocery stores, Shoppers Drug Mart, Esso and Mobil gas stations and through PC Travel.

Cardmembers can redeem rewards when they have a balance of 10,000 points (a $10 value) and score free merchandise, groceries and products.

According to our Best of Finance methodology, the average Canadian will see $320 in PC Optimum points in the first year.

Credit score requirement for approval:

Fair: You have had a credit card or loan for one or more years. For the last two years or more, you’ve paid back debts to creditors with no defaults. You haven’t missed more than two payments on your credit in the last three months.

Annual fee:

$0

Limited time offer/bonus:

  • Earn 20,000 bonus PC Optimum points when you make your first purchase.
  • Take advantage of the promotional interest rate of 0.97% on balance transfers for six months. Balance transfers must be made within 90 days of opening the account.

Offer expiry date: December 31, 2020

Rewards:

  • Earn at least 30 points per litre at Esso and Mobil gas stations.
  • Earn 25 points* per dollar you spend at Shoppers Drug Mart.
  • Earn 20 points per dollar you spend on PC Travel.
  • Get 10 points per dollar everywhere else you shop.

*Earn 10 PC Optimum points for every $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart, in addition to the 15 points per dollar of eligible purchases that all PC Optimum members earn.

Earning potential:

How does this card stack up to other rewards credit cards? We crunched the numbers using our Best of Finance methodology to see how much an average Canadian could earn over a 12-month period.

Rewards earned over a 12-month period = 320,000 PC Optimum points
Monetary value = $320
Annual fee = $0
Total earned over the first year (rewards minus annual fee) = $320

You can redeem your points for:

Start to redeem your rewards as soon as you collect 10,000 PC Optimum points, which is a $10 value.

Redeem points at Loblaw banner stores, including Loblaws, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Valu-Mart, Zehrs, Independent, Fortinos, and Wholesale Club, as well as Shoppers Drug Mart locations.

  • Groceries
  • Merchandise

Redeem points online through:

  • Beautyboutique.ca
  • JoeFresh.ca
  • PC Express

Insurance:

  • Purchase assurance
  • Extended warranty

Other perks:

  • Get up to four free supplementary cards and start to earn rewards as a family.

Rates, product information, and rewards estimates are subject to change at any time and do not constitute financial advice. Information in this article is accurate as of the date of this posting, August 3, 2020.

Hayley Osmond

Hayley Osmond is an editor and writer in the personal finance space, where she uses her eight years of media and marketing experience to bring content to life. She specializes in money products, including mortgages, home and auto insurance, and credit cards. Hayley holds a Broadcast Journalism diploma from Sheridan College and was awarded the Shaw Media Journalism and Media Award for graduating at the top of her class. Her work has appeared in Global News and diverse digital corporate training materials behind the scenes.

Hayley is passionate about making complex subjects, such as home buying and financial literacy, concise and intriguing. Her work has garnered media coverage from The Globe and Mail, blogTO, Yahoo! News, and CityNews 680 and has been syndicated across other publications.

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