PC Insiders: Is It Worth it?

PC Insiders is a subscription program managed by Loblaws that allows you to earn extra PC Optimum points and provides benefits like free shipping on select purchases.

If you’ve shopped at a Loblaws store like Real Canadian Superstore, Freshmart, No Frills, or Shoppers Drug Mart over the last few years, you’ve probably seen the PC Insiders program. This subscription service was up and running for about 5 years before the company stopped accepting new memberships. There is a replacement for it with the PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard.

We’ll cover the ins and outs of the program so that if you currently have a subscription, you can decide if it’s worth keeping.

What is PC Insiders?

The PC Insiders program is a subscription service managed by Loblaws as part of the PC Optimum program. Although it’s no longer accepting new members, existing members pay an annual subscription fee in exchange for benefits like extra points and free shipping on some purchases.

How much does PC Insiders cost?

As of the writing of this article, a PC Insiders subscription costs $119 per year plus tax, paid upfront.

If you primarily do your shopping at Loblaw stores and will get more value from the benefits than the annual fee costs, the program might be worthwhile for you.

PC Insiders benefits

The main benefit of a PC Insiders subscription is points: you’ll get up to 10% back in points on all President’s Choice products and Joe Fresh clothing purchases. You can use those points to get cash back on future grocery purchases, free car washes, and discounts on gas at Esso and some Mobil stations.

You’ll also enjoy:

• Free PC Express grocery pickup with priority time slots. The savings totals $3–5 each time. If you grocery shop once per week, you’ll save up to $260 per year, which more than makes up for the subscription cost.
• Free shipping on select purchases. You’ll enjoy free shipping with no minimum purchase requirement when you shop at joefresh.com and shoppersdrugmart.ca.

If you pair the program with a credit card from PC Financial, a PC Money Account, and you pay close attention to PC bonus events, you’ll maximize your earning potential and accumulate points very quickly.

Want to maximize your rewards in general? We highly recommend pairing your PC Optimum membership with a high-end credit card that will earn you top-tier rewards. Check out our list of the best grocery credit cards to find the right one for you.

Is PC Insiders worth it?

Whether or not a PC Insiders subscription is worth it depends heavily on your shopping habits. If your rewards offset the $119 + tax fee, it’s a worthwhile investment.

To figure out whether it’s right for you, check out the company’s reward calculator. For example, if you spend $20 a week across the PC Insiders categories, you’ll only earn $104 a year – it won’t cover the cost of the membership. But if you spend $100 per week or regularly use PC Express, you could earn upwards of $520 a year, more than making up for the subscription cost.

PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard

If you want a PC Insiders membership, you can get some of the benefits with the PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard.

This is the premium card inside the PC Financial Mastercard portfolio. It comes with an annual fee of $119, a little cheaper considering you won't pay any sales tax on it. However, you will need to meet World Elite Mastercard minimum income requirements of either $80,000 personal or $150,000 household (or be spending a high amount on an existing PC Mastercard).

What does it come with? It gives you high earn rates at Loblaws banner stores:

• 40 points per $1 spent at PC stores
• 10 points per $1 + 30 points per litre at Esso
• 10 points per $1 spent on all other purchases

It also comes with a PC Express pass, meaning you can get unlimited grocery pickup and deliveries for free.

It doesn't come with the discount on select PC products, but you probably more than make up for it with the high earn rates when shopping at Loblaws.

Can you sign up for PC Insiders?

PC Insiders is worth it for lots of people – however, the program isn’t currently accepting new applicants..

If you want access to this program, you’ll need to look into the PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard (we mention it above!).

FAQ

Is PC Insiders discontinued?

The PC Insiders program is active but is not accepting new subscriptions at the time of writing. There is a partial replacement for it with the PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard.

How much does PC Insiders cost?

The program is only available to existing members and costs $119 + tax per year.

How can you collect PC Optimum points?

With PC Insiders, you earn 10% back on PC Optimum points on all PC products and Joe Fresh clothing that you purchase. Watch for store flyers and offers in the PC Optimum app, which often advertise bonus points on specific PC products or store points accelerator events. You can also get points for purchasing fuel at Esso and Mobil stations.

How many PC points is $100?

There is no standard earn rate on grocery purchases with a PC Optimum account. To redeem points for $100 off your grocery bill, though, you’ll need 100,000 points. Every 10,000 points gives you $10 off your bill.

Can I use PC points for gas?

Yes, you can redeem your PC Optimum points at Esso stations. Choose to redeem 4,000 points for 10 cents off per litre (max. 40L per fill) or redeem 10,000 points for any car wash package. Note that you can earn PC points at Esso stations at a rate of 10 points for every 1L of fuel. You can also earn points at Mobil stations, although the earn rate varies.