Plum Plus is the subscription service available to Indigo, Chapters, and Coles – a tier above the chain's basic rewards program, Plum. For an annual fee, this subscription provides the member with an instant 10% discount on almost all purchases, plus other benefits.
Before you take home your next book haul, read through this article's detailed information on how Plum Plus works, what it costs, and how it compares with similar subscription-based programs.
Key Takeaways
- Plum Plus is a subscription-based membership associated with Plum Rewards and Indigo, Chapters, and Coles stores.
- Members earn Plum points at the same rate as those with a basic membership.
- Plum Plus members enjoy free shipping, a 10% discount, and a birthday point bonus.
- An annual membership costs $39, which means members must spend at least $390 per year to break even.
- Plum Points can only be redeemed for discounts on products and services from participating stores.
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What is Plum Plus?
Book lovers might already be members of Plum Rewards, the rewards program exclusive to Indigo, Chapters, and Coles bookstores, but regulars may want to invest in a Plum Plus subscription service.
For $39 a year, you'll get all the usual Plum Rewards benefits, plus things like free shipping on every order, a birthday point bonus, and a 10% discount on almost all products.
How to sign up for Plum Plus
There are 2 ways you can sign up for Plum Plus: online, on the Plum Plus website, or at the store checkout with a cashier. If you choose to subscribe online, these are the steps to take:
- From the Plum Rewards webpage, scroll down to the Plum Plus description and check the box to accept the Plus terms.
- Click on "Join Plum Plus for $39/year."
- You'll be taken to the Indigo-Chapters online checkout page, where you can add an optional donation to Indigo's Love of Reading Foundation. There should also be an opportunity to enter a promo code, if you have one.
- Proceed to the checkout and sign in to your Plum Rewards account (or create one).
- Enter your payment details.
How to earn with Plum Plus
Plum Plus members don't actually earn extra points or rewards through this subscription, so there aren't any complicated formulas and values to figure out. Instead, standard Plum and Plum Plus memberships both give you 5 points per $1 spent on almost every purchase.
Instead, the Plum Plus membership offers additional benefits not included with a standard membership, including 10% off all purchases.
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Is Plum Plus worth it?
A Plum Plus subscription can certainly be worth it if you regularly shop at Indigo stores. Membership costs $39/year (plus tax), so as long as the associated benefits provide you with at least $39 in value, it's worth signing up.
It's quite easy to meet this $39 threshold if you order books or merchandise online or via the Indigo app. Shoppers must spend $49 to qualify for free shipping, but Plum Plus members pay $0 – this feature alone can make the subscription worthwhile if you shop with any regularity.
You'll need to spend at least $390 a year to break even, but the 10% discount on all products can be a big benefit for the right type of Indigo customers.
Pros and cons of Plum Plus
The main pros of a Plum Plus subscription are free shipping and a 10% discount, while the biggest cons are the annual fee and the lack of extra points.
Here is an overview of the benefits and downsides of paying for Plum Plus:
Pros:
- Free shipping on any amount
- 10% off on almost anything
- 2,500 bonus points on your birthday
- All the benefits of a standard Plum membership
Cons:
- $39 annual fee plus taxes
- Don't earn points faster
- Plum Points can't be used to pay for membership
- Few (possibly no) membership renewal promotions
How does Plum Plus compare?
If you're considering a Plum Plus membership but are wondering how beneficial it will be, it can help to it with similar subscription-based programs:
| Plum Plus | Triangle Select | PC Optimum Insiders | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $39 | $89 | $119 |
| Key participating retailers | * Indigo * Chapters * Coles | * Canadian Tire * Sport Chek * Mark's | * Loblaws banner stores * No Frills * Shoppers Drug Mart * Joe Fresh |
| Reward earn rate | * 5 points per $1 spent (same as the basic membership) | * 10x earn rate on in-store purchases * 20x earn rate on select brands | * 10% back on PC and Joe Fresh products |
| What you get | * Personalized offers and discounts * Free shipping with no minimum spend * Instant 10% discount | * Free shipping on select sports purchases * Shipping fees reimbursed for 5 CT purchases * Annual 20x bonus | * Weekly personalized offers * Free shipping on select purchases |
| Bonus features | * VIP access to promotions and exclusive events * Birthday bonus | * $50 custom welcome bonus | * Free PC Express grocery pickup with priority time slots |
| Currently accepting new members? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Credit card available? | No | Yes | Yes |
Infrequent shoppers to any of these retailers probably won't get their money's worth after paying the subscription fee. So, you'll only want to subscribe if you're a loyal shopper with that retailer.
Plum Rewards recap
Plum Rewards is the loyalty program offered by the Indigo, Chapters, and Coles family of stores. It's free to join, and members earn 5 points per $1 spent on most purchases.
However, it's important to note that these items are excluded from earning reward points:
- eBooks and eReaders
- Electronics and related accessories
- American Girl, LEGO, and Jellycat brands
- Gift cards
- Love of Reading products/donations
- Shipping costs
- Plum Plus memberships
Once you've earned Plum Points, you can redeem them for store discounts. Unlike some programs, your points are worth more if you wait to cash in a larger amount.
Take a look at the value of your points as you redeem them for your next purchase:
| Plum Points required | Store discount | Plum Point value (cents per point) |
|---|---|---|
| 2,500 | $5 | 0.2 CPP |
| 4,500 | $10 | 0.222 CPP |
| 8,500 | $20 | 0.235 CPP |
| 20,000 | $50 | 0.25 CPP |
| 35,000 | $100 | 0.286 CPP |
FAQ
What are the benefits of Plum Plus?
A Plum Plus subscription entitles the member to the same basic membership benefits as a typical Plum Rewards membership, plus free shipping on all purchases, a 10% discount on almost all purchases, and 2,500 bonus points on your birthday (valued at $5). Compared to some programs, Plum Plus benefits are quite basic.
What is the difference between Plum Plus and Plum Rewards?
There aren't too many differences between the basic Plum Rewards program and its subscription option, Plum Plus. A subscription costs $39 per year, while a basic membership is free. Plum Plus gives free shipping on all purchases, a 10% discount, and 2,500 bonus points on your birthday.
How much is Plum Plus?
A Plum Plus subscription costs $39 each year. There have been renewal promotions in the past, offering a reduced price or other benefits, but none have been offered recently. Since this membership doesn't earn accelerated rewards, you'll want to do your homework to decide whether it's worth the cost.
Does Plum Plus work on LEGO?
Unfortunately, LEGO products aren't eligible for the Plum Plus discount. Other ineligible products and services include eBooks, electronics, Jellycat, gift cards, Love of Reading products, and shipping costs. Plum Rewards members also can't redeem points for any of these products or services.
Do Plum Rewards expire?
Yes, Plum Rewards do expire. If you haven't made a purchase or redeemed points in a 12-month period, Indigo-Chapters will allow your points to expire. Fortunately, any purchase, no matter how small, helps keep your account active.
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