Overall rating
First year value
$346
Get this card if you:
- want to quickly rack up PC Optimum points
- want free delivery from PC stores
- value a generous welcome offer
Scores by category
Rewards 2.0
Groceries 1.8
At a glance
A $120 grocery credit card, free grocery delivery, but does the math make sense? financially?
Highlights
$346
First year value
300,000 points
Welcome bonus
$120
Annual fee
Additional card fee: $0
Interest Rates
21.99%
Purchase APR
5%
Balance transfer APR
22.97%
Cash advance APR
In Quebec, 21.97%.
Eligibility
Very Good
Recommended credit score
$80,000
Required annual personal income
$150,000
Required annual household income
Quick overview of the PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard
During the pandemic, my wife and I got the PC World Elite Mastercard and fell in love with the points. We started ordering our groceries online and stood by Loblaws and No Frills in the early, rushed days of them adapting to the instant and significant influx of online shoppers. We were spending around $700 and getting around $40 to $50 a month in cash back.
One point of frustration was that, when I went on the odd grocery run or visit to the Shoppers drug mart for my prescriptions or deodorant without my wife, we’d miss out on the points because we only had the one card and it was in her wallet.
With the new PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard, we get $0 grocery delivery from No Frills on same-day or future orders so long as we spend at least $35. We also got additional cards for free, helping us to rack up the points and earn cash back rewards even faster, without ever having to pass the card between us or struggle with those grocery lockers.
Who’s the PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard for?
This is the perfect card for families who pull in $150,000 of household income and are brand loyalists to Loblaw grocery store brands (No Frills, Independent, Zehrs, etc.), Shoppers Drug Mart and at least occasionally fill up at Esso & Mobil gas stations.
Pros and cons
Pros
-
Generous welcome bonus
-
Excellent earn rate on everyday expenses
-
Access to free online delivery
-
Super rare identity theft protection
-
Rental car insurance
-
Emergency medical insurance
Cons
-
$120 annual fee
-
Poor travel insurance for a World Elite credit card
-
Limited to PC brands
PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard Welcome bonus
- Earn 300,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 or more with your new card within the first 4 months of opening your account
How to earn PC Optimum points
If you buy groceries at Loblaws banner grocery stores, you earn 40 points for every $1 you spend. These stores include Loblaws, Independent, Zehrs, Real Canadian Superstore, Club Wholesale and No Frills. You earn 50 points for every $1 at Shoppers Drug Mart stores, including Shoppers Drug Mart, Beauty Boutique, Shoppers Simply Pharmacy and Wellwise by Shoppers.
There are also services like mediSystem, The Health Clinic, medical cannabis, Speciality Health Network and PC health where you can earn points for completing daily activities.
Everywhere else you use your card, you’ll earn 10 points per $1 spent. Finally, you earn 70 points per litre at Esso and Mobil gas stations.
How to redeem PC Optimum points
You can redeem your points at the register with the cashier or at self-checkout in 10,000 point increments, which is the equivalent of $10. You can use your points at any participating store including Loblaws, No Frills, Shoppers and Esso, to name a few. At Esso, you can redeem 4,000 points to get 10 cents off per litre (up to 40 litres).
You can also redeem at Beautyboutique.ca and JoeFresh.ca.
If you like hoarding points, you can save them and redeem a maximum of $500 of any one purchase (so you can buy the PS5 at Shoppers Drug Mart).
PC Insiders key benefits
- Enjoy a welcome offer* of 300,000 PC Optimum™ points.
- Incredible earn rate on everyday purchases
- Unlimited $0 online grocery delivery and pickup (a value of $99.99)
PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard Insurance coverage
- Travel Emergency Medical insurance: $1 million in coverage for trips up to 10 days for those under 65
- Purchase assurance: In the event of theft, loss or damage in the first 90 days post-purchase
- Extended warranty: Doubles the manufacturer’s warranty for up to 1 additional year
- Car rental collision/loss damage: Up to 31 days for cars under $65,000. You must charge the full amount of the rental vehicle to your card.
- Identity theft assistance service: To help you avoid or restore your identity
You can find the full details in the PC Financial certificate of insurance for purchase assurance and extended warranty. Click here
Find the full details of the rental car insurance certificate, here.
Extra benefits
- Mastercard Global Service: Get emergency assistance with reporting a lost or stolen card, getting an emergency card replacement or cash advance or answering questions about your account.
- Concierge services: 24/7 access for assistance in booking travel, entertainment, business and shopping. You can also get medical assistance such as finding a medical provider, transportation arrangements, prescriptions, and more. (charges apply). Call 1-866-892-8683
What the Reddit community has to say
Reddit users have weighed in on the value of the PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard. One user, who currently uses a PC World Elite, was “pretty disappointed” at only receiving an extra 1% with the PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard for the $120 annual fee. Their calculations suggested they'd have to spend $12,000 to break even. That said, they did say that, if you’re otherwise paying to get your groceries delivered, the PC Insiders card is worth it.
Read the r/PersonalFinanceCanada thread.
How PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard compares
PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard vs. PC World Elite Mastercard
$0
First Year Value
$0
Annual Value
Get this card if you...
-
want to quickly rack up PC Optimum points
-
want to avoid paying an annual fee
-
want basic insurance benefits
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$0
Annual Fee
21.99%
Purchase
22.97%
Cash Advance
5%
Balance Transfer
-
Our Take
PC® World Elite Mastercard® ReviewThe PC Financial® World Elite Mastercard® is a no-annual-fee credit card designed for frequent shoppers at Loblaw-affiliated stores, offering elevated PC Optimum points on purchases at these retailers, including Shoppers Drug Mart and Joe Fresh. Cardholders benefit from perks such as 24/7 concierge service and travel emergency medical insurance; however, the card has a high income requirement, and its rewards are primarily limited to Loblaw banner stores.
Eligibility
Fair (300 - 619)
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
-
Pros
-
No annual fee
-
High earn rates in certain stores
-
Easy, straightforward redemptions
-
Points don’t expire provided your account stays active and in good standing
-
Special events allow you to earn extra points
Cons
-
High income requirement to qualify
-
Accelerated earn rates are limited to certain partner stores, and points can be redeemed only for purchases within Loblaw banner stores
-
Points can’t be transferred to other loyalty programs
-
The included travel insurance is very limited
-
-
Annual Interest Rates
21.99%
Purchase
22.97%
Cash Advance
5%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
-
Rewards PC points
45 points
* 45 points per $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix
30 points
Earn 30 points per litre for gas purchased at Esso™ or Mobil™ stations
30 points
Earn 30 points per $1 spent on PC Travel services
30 points
Earn 30 points per $1 spent at Loblaw Banner Grocery Stores (includes Loblaws, No Frills, Valu-Mart, Independent Grocers, Zehrs, Real Canadian Superstore, Fortinos, etc.)
10 points
Earn 10 points per $1 spent everywhere else
Insurance Benefits
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Our Take
The PC Financial® World Elite Mastercard® is a no-annual-fee credit card designed for frequent shoppers at Loblaw-affiliated stores, offering elevated PC Optimum points on purchases at these retailers, including Shoppers Drug Mart and Joe Fresh. Cardholders benefit from perks such as 24/7 concierge service and travel emergency medical insurance; however, the card has a high income requirement, and its rewards are primarily limited to Loblaw banner stores.
Eligibility
Fair (300 - 619)
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Pros
-
No annual fee
-
High earn rates in certain stores
-
Easy, straightforward redemptions
-
Points don’t expire provided your account stays active and in good standing
-
Special events allow you to earn extra points
Cons
-
High income requirement to qualify
-
Accelerated earn rates are limited to certain partner stores, and points can be redeemed only for purchases within Loblaw banner stores
-
Points can’t be transferred to other loyalty programs
-
The included travel insurance is very limited
Annual Interest Rates
21.99%
Purchase
22.97%
Cash Advance
5%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
Rewards PC points
45 points
* 45 points per $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix
30 points
Earn 30 points per litre for gas purchased at Esso™ or Mobil™ stations
30 points
Earn 30 points per $1 spent on PC Travel services
30 points
Earn 30 points per $1 spent at Loblaw Banner Grocery Stores (includes Loblaws, No Frills, Valu-Mart, Independent Grocers, Zehrs, Real Canadian Superstore, Fortinos, etc.)
10 points
Earn 10 points per $1 spent everywhere else
Insurance Benefits
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
The PC World Elite Mastercard charges no annual fee and, as a result, you lose the perk of getting free delivery. The earn rate on groceries drops to 30 points per $1 (from 40pts/$1), at Shoppers it drops from 50 points to 45 points and at Esso and Mobil it drops from 70 points a litre to 30x per litre.
What will push the PC Insiders card over the top, though, is the welcome bonus. Plus, as soon as you have 10,000 PC Optimum points, you can redeem for up to $10 worth of free stuff at participating stores. So that welcome bonus is essentially paying for you to try the PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard.
PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard vs. CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card
10% back†
Welcome Bonus
$758
First Year Value
$558
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Earn 10% cash back for the first 4 statements on net purchases of up to $2,000†.
Get this card if you...
-
want high cash back rates on groceries, gas and recurring bills
-
value comprehensive insurance benefits
-
value a great welcome offer
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$120
Annual Fee
20.99%†
Purchase
22.99%†
Cash Advance
22.99%†
Balance Transfer
-
Our Take
CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card ReviewThe CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card is a cash back credit card offering elevated earn rates on categories such as groceries, gas, transportation, dining, and recurring payments. Cardholders benefit from features like purchase security, extended protection, and optional insurance coverages. It's a good option for those seeking to maximize cash back on everyday spending.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
-
Pros
-
First-year annual fee rebate†
-
10% cash back welcome bonus up to $2,000† spend
-
4% cash back on gas, electric vehicle charging and grocery stores
-
2% cash back on transportation, dining and recurring payments
-
High annual spending cap on benefits ($20,000 in bonus categories or $80,000 total)
Cons
-
High income requirement
-
Sparse travel insurance offering
-
-
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%†
Purchase
22.99%†
Cash Advance
22.99%†
Balance Transfer
25.99%†
Penalty
Fees
$120
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
$42.5
Return Penalty
-
Rewards cash back
4%
cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and grocery purchases.†
2%
cash back on eligible transportation, dining purchases and recurring payments†
1%
cash back on all other purchases†
10 cents
save up to 10 cents per litre† at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.†
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
$5,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
-
Get a first-year annual fee rebate for you and up to three Authorized Users† and earn 10% cash back for the first 4 statements on net purchases of up to $2,000†.
Our Take
The CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card is a cash back credit card offering elevated earn rates on categories such as groceries, gas, transportation, dining, and recurring payments. Cardholders benefit from features like purchase security, extended protection, and optional insurance coverages. It's a good option for those seeking to maximize cash back on everyday spending.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Pros
-
First-year annual fee rebate†
-
10% cash back welcome bonus up to $2,000† spend
-
4% cash back on gas, electric vehicle charging and grocery stores
-
2% cash back on transportation, dining and recurring payments
-
High annual spending cap on benefits ($20,000 in bonus categories or $80,000 total)
Cons
-
High income requirement
-
Sparse travel insurance offering
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%†
Purchase
22.99%†
Cash Advance
22.99%†
Balance Transfer
25.99%†
Penalty
Fees
$120
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
$42.5
Return Penalty
Rewards cash back
4%
cash back on eligible gas, EV charging, and grocery purchases.†
2%
cash back on eligible transportation, dining purchases and recurring payments†
1%
cash back on all other purchases†
10 cents
save up to 10 cents per litre† at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.†
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
$5,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Get a first-year annual fee rebate for you and up to three Authorized Users† and earn 10% cash back for the first 4 statements on net purchases of up to $2,000†.
Both cards charge a $120 annual fee. However, both welcome bonuses essentially negate the fee. Though the CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card also comes with a lucrative welcome bonus: Get a first-year annual fee rebate for you and up to three Authorized Users† and earn 10% cash back for the first 4 statements on net purchases of up to $2,000†.
The CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card gives you 4% cash back on groceries and gas. While it does limit how much you can spend, the limit is high—$$80,000 in net annual purchases or $$20,000 on groceries and gas or about $800 cash back. The biggest plus with the CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card is that it rewards you for any groceries and gas.
For a similar example, let’s say you spend $12,000 on groceries, $5,000 on gas, and $3,000 at Shoppers. You can redeem 10,000 points for $10 at Loblaws, Shoppers and Esso or Mobil. That means you get $980 cash back, but only for those stores.
So, the question is—how loyal are you to Loblaws, Shoppers and Esso or Mobil? Is the $180 difference worth it?
- †Terms and Conditions Apply. This offer is not available for the residents of Quebec.
- The information for the CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card has been collected independently by Money.ca. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
PC Insiders Vs. Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite
up to $1,300* value
Welcome Bonus
$926
First Year Value
$0
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to $1,300* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points* Expires Jul 01, 2025
Get this card if you...
-
travel often and want premium travel perks like lounge access
-
want to avoid paying foreign exchange fees
-
appreciate a good welcome offer
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$150
Annual Fee
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
-
Our Take
Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card ReviewThe Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card is a travel rewards credit card offering elevated Scene+ points on eligible grocery store purchases, dining, entertainment, and daily transit, with a standard earn rate on all other purchases. Cardholders benefit from no foreign transaction fees, six complimentary airport lounge visits per year through the Visa Airport Companion Program, and comprehensive travel insurance.
Eligibility
Excellent (740+)
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
-
Pros
-
No FX fees means the card saves you significant expenses on foreign transaction fees
-
Earn up to 3x Scene+ points per $1 spent on eligible purchases
-
Flexible and straightforward redemption program
-
Visa acceptance globally compared to American Express, especially outside major cities.
-
Enjoy six annual visits to airport lounges
-
Robust insurance offerings, including extended travel emergency medical coverage
-
Access to Visa Infinite Program benefits, with added advantages like a free supplementary card
Cons
-
High annual fee
-
Limited rewards categories for earning reward max rate on purchases
-
Primarily best for travel within Canada
-
-
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$150
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction
5.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
-
Rewards Scene+
3x
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more
2x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options (including ride shares, buses, subways, taxis and more)
4x
Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia
1x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
Insurance Benefits
$2,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$3
Emergency medical insurance over 65 days
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$1,000
Hotel burglary insurance
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
-
Earn up to $1,300 in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points*.
$300 in travel rewards (30,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card clients who spend $2,000 within the first 3 months;
$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) when you spend $40,000 annually on your Account each year (12-months);
$50 supplementary card annual fee waiver on the first supplementary card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card clients;
$137 in foreign transaction fee savings based on average first year annual foreign spend per account (save the 2.5% foreign transaction fee markup typically charged by othercard issuers);
$399 in first year point earn potential (30,000 Scene+ points) on everyday purchases based on average annual spend per account with an average spend of 20% in 2X accelerator categories;
$359 value with a complimentary Visa Airport Companion Program Membership that includes 6 lounge passes (based on ‘Preferential’ membership valued at approx. CAD$359/USD$259). Currency conversion as at October 25, 2024.
Potential First Year Value = up to $1,345
Our Take
The Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card is a travel rewards credit card offering elevated Scene+ points on eligible grocery store purchases, dining, entertainment, and daily transit, with a standard earn rate on all other purchases. Cardholders benefit from no foreign transaction fees, six complimentary airport lounge visits per year through the Visa Airport Companion Program, and comprehensive travel insurance.
Eligibility
Excellent (740+)
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$100,000
Required Annual Household Income
Pros
-
No FX fees means the card saves you significant expenses on foreign transaction fees
-
Earn up to 3x Scene+ points per $1 spent on eligible purchases
-
Flexible and straightforward redemption program
-
Visa acceptance globally compared to American Express, especially outside major cities.
-
Enjoy six annual visits to airport lounges
-
Robust insurance offerings, including extended travel emergency medical coverage
-
Access to Visa Infinite Program benefits, with added advantages like a free supplementary card
Cons
-
High annual fee
-
Limited rewards categories for earning reward max rate on purchases
-
Primarily best for travel within Canada
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$150
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction
5.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
Rewards Scene+
3x
Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more
2x
Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options (including ride shares, buses, subways, taxis and more)
4x
Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia
1x
Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
Insurance Benefits
$2,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$3
Emergency medical insurance over 65 days
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$1,000
Hotel burglary insurance
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Earn up to $1,300 in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points*.
Potential First Year Value = up to $1,345 |
If you're not super brand loyal when it comes to grocery shopping, but want to go where you'll score the best points, let's look at how the PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard compares with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite.
| - | PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard | Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $120 | $150 |
| Welcome offer | Enjoy a welcome offer* of 300,000 PC Optimum™ points. | up to $1,300* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points* |
| Earn rate per $1 |
Earn 40 points per $1 spent at Loblaw banner stores; Earn 50 points per $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart; Earn 40 per $1 spent at Joe Fresh stores; Earn 10 per $1 spent everywhere else; Earn up to 70 points per litre at Esso and Mobil gas stations
|
Earn 3x Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more.; 2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend at other eligible grocery stores, on dining, entertainment and daily transit options; Earn 1x Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases |
| insurance | Emergency medical, rental car, purchase assurance and extended warranty | Emergency medical, Trip cancellation, trip interruption, flight delay, delayed and lost baggage, rental car, hotel burglary, travel accident, purchase security and extended warranty |
| Benefits | $0 grocery delivery |
0% foreign transaction fees
6 Complimentary airport lounge access passes Save on Avis car rentals |
| Review | - | Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite review |
| Get started | Apply now | Apply now |
Rates, fees and other information are effective as of January 3, 2025. Subject to change.
Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card to learn more.
*See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.
Is the PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard worth it?
For the welcome bonus and $0 grocery delivery, if you shop at Loblaws and Shoppers, it’s worth it, at least for one year. Before you renew the card, decide if you want to spend $120 for groceries to be delivered. If not, go with the PC World Elite Mastercard.
PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard FAQs
Tyler Wade has worked in personal finance for over 5 years writing for brands like Ratehub, Forbes, KOHO, and now Money.ca.
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The content provided on Money.ca is information to help users become financially literate. It is neither tax nor legal advice, is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, with respect to the data provided, the timeliness thereof, the results to be obtained by the use thereof or any other matter. Advertisers are not responsible for the content of this site, including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any advertiser product, please visit their website.
†Terms and Conditions apply.