Trying to get the hang of the new PC Optimum points program since the change in February.
Here's what I've learned:
- if you spend points at Shoppers, you don't get points on what you've bought, except on the delta between the pre-tax dollars you spend. In other words: Spend $41.20 total on taxable items ($36.46 before tax), and you can "spend" $30 max in points to only pay $11.20. Which then means you only get 90 points (10 points for the $9.00+ of pre-tax $ spent, I guess).
- if you spend points at Loblaws grocery stores, AND you are buying items that earn points, you still get those points. Even if you buy for $31 and spend $30 worth of points.
- if you save some offers for the next week, such that you have double points offers for the same item, you get double the points on that item!!
- however, if you have a "bonus points" offer at Loblaws stores - e.g., get 3,000 points for every $30 you spend - then you WON'T get those bonus points if you spend your points in that same transaction.
- PC points offers are good at Shoppers as well as at Loblaws grocery stores. I can buy Oikos yogurt at Shoppers when it's 2/$7.00 and still get 600 points per tub, plus points on the $ value.
Conclusions I've drawn:
- earn points at Shoppers but don't spend them there.
- spend all points at Loblaws grocery stores, EXCEPT when there's a bonus points event for spending a specific amount.
- some points offers actually extend to things you usually buy, even if they don't appear to do so. For example, we buy PC Organics extra virgin olive oil and the offer was for PC Organics canola oil, and we buy X-large organic free range eggs and the points offer was for free run eggs. Got the bonus points in both cases.
- save multiple offers for subsequent weeks and earn double or triple the points for buying one item.
The above things are not something you can learn by reading the rules, AFAIK. And, I really hope that this continues ... so ... I guess I'm taking a chance by posting.
Any other tips out there??