PC Mastercard review

Who it’s for

The PC Mastercard is the entry tier of PC Financial’s no-fee Mastercards. It earns PC Optimum points, so card earnings land in the same account as the points members already collect in store.

It suits people who use PC Optimum and want a card with no annual fee that adds points on every purchase. Applicants don’t pick the tier: PC Financial evaluates each application for a no annual fee PC Mastercard and decides whether to issue the PC Mastercard, the PC World Mastercard or the PC World Elite Mastercard.

How the PC Mastercard earns

The card earns 10 points per dollar, which PC Financial describes as 1% back in points, at participating Loblaw banner grocery stores, at Joe Fresh, on dining and transit, and on everything else. Unlike the higher tiers, it has no extra grocery rate.

At Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix, the total is 25 points per dollar: 10 from the card plus the 15 points per dollar every PC Optimum member earns there. At Esso and Mobil in Canada, it’s at least 30 points per litre, made up of the card’s 10 points per dollar, a card fuel bonus of at least 10 points per litre and at least 10 points per litre available to all members. PC Financial tops this up to 30 points per litre if fuel falls below $1 a litre.

That makes the card’s own advantage narrow. Outside the fuel bonus, it adds the same 10 points per dollar everywhere, and the extra at Shoppers Drug Mart comes from the PC Optimum program itself.

Redeeming points and the current offer

PC Optimum points redeem in store at 10,000 points for $10 in rewards, or as a statement credit at 10,000 points for $7. Redeeming in store returns more for the same points.

PC Financial’s current offer is 50,000 bonus PC Optimum points for applying for a no annual fee PC Mastercard by December 31, 2026 and spending $100 or more within 60 days of account approval at participating Loblaw banner grocery stores, The Mobile Shop, Joe Fresh, Shoppers Drug Mart, Pharmaprix, Esso or Mobil in Canada. It’s for new accounts only, and points can take 4 to 6 weeks to arrive. At the published redemption rates, 50,000 points come to $50 in store or $35 as a statement credit.

PC Mastercard vs PC World and PC World Elite

All three PC Financial Mastercards have no annual fee. The PC World Mastercard earns 20 points per dollar at Loblaw banner grocery stores and Joe Fresh and 35 at Shoppers Drug Mart, adds concierge service, and requires $50,000 in personal or $80,000 in household income. The PC World Elite Mastercard earns 30 points per dollar at Loblaw banner grocery stores and Joe Fresh and 45 at Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix, and adds travel emergency medical and rental car coverage.

Since one application decides the tier, there’s no reason to aim for the PC Mastercard over a higher tier. It’s the card issued to applicants who aren’t matched to the PC World or PC World Elite, and it earns the same minimum of 30 points per litre at Esso and Mobil as the higher tiers.

Rates, fees and coverage

Purchases are charged 21.99% and cash advances 22.97%. Balance transfers are treated as cash advances, charged 22.97% (21.97% in Quebec), with a fee of up to 5%. Applicants approved at the Basic Rate, which isn’t available in Quebec, pay 26.99% on purchases and 27.97% on cash advances. A cash advance at a bank machine or teller in Canada costs $5, and purchases in a foreign currency carry a 2.5% fee. These rates come from PC Financial’s disclosure summary current as of July 1, 2026.

Coverage includes purchase assurance for 90 days and extended warranty that doubles the manufacturer’s warranty, up to 1 additional year. Additional cardholders are free, and an optional Payment Support Plan offers creditor insurance for job loss, disability or loss of life. PC Financial doesn’t publish a minimum income or a recommended credit score for this card.