PC World Mastercard review

Who it’s for

The PC World Mastercard is the middle tier of PC Financial’s no-fee Mastercards. It doubles the entry card’s earn rate at participating Loblaw banner grocery stores and Joe Fresh, which makes it a good fit for households that buy most of their groceries at Loblaw banners and shop at Shoppers Drug Mart.

It requires $50,000 in personal or $80,000 in household annual income. Applicants don’t choose it directly: PC Financial evaluates each application for a no annual fee PC Mastercard and issues the PC Mastercard, PC World Mastercard or PC World Elite Mastercard based on eligibility.

How the PC World Mastercard earns

Participating Loblaw banner grocery stores, where PC products are sold, earn 20 PC Optimum points per dollar, which PC Financial describes as 2% back in points. Joe Fresh also earns 20 points per dollar. Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix earn 35 points per dollar: 20 from the card plus the 15 points per dollar every PC Optimum member earns there.

At Esso and Mobil in Canada, the card earns at least 30 points per litre, made up of 10 points per dollar from the card, a card fuel bonus of at least 10 points per litre and at least 10 points per litre available to all members, topped up to 30 points per litre if fuel falls below $1 a litre. Everything else, including dining and transit, earns 10 points per dollar.

Grocery stores outside participating Loblaw banners earn only the base 10 points per dollar, so the card’s value depends on where the household shops. Grocers outside the Loblaw family, such as Sobeys, Metro, Walmart or Costco, earn 10 points per dollar like any other purchase.

Redeeming points and the current offer

Points redeem in store at 10,000 points for $10 in rewards, or as a statement credit at 10,000 points for $7, so in-store redemption returns more.

PC Financial lists the same welcome offer on this card’s page as on the entry card: 50,000 bonus points for applying for a no annual fee PC Mastercard by December 31, 2026. It requires $100 or more in qualifying purchases 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, and is for new accounts only. At the published in-store rate, 50,000 points come to $50. Points can take 4 to 6 weeks to arrive, so check the terms before applying.

How it compares with the other PC tiers

The PC Mastercard, the entry tier, earns 10 points per dollar at Loblaw banner grocery stores and Joe Fresh and 25 at Shoppers Drug Mart, with no minimum income stated. 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 coverage for trips of up to 10 days and a rental car collision and loss damage waiver.

All three have no annual fee and earn at least 30 points per litre at Esso and Mobil. The PC World’s step up over the entry card is at the grocery store, at Joe Fresh and at Shoppers Drug Mart, along with 24/7 concierge service for dinner reservations, event tickets and gift delivery. For a household already shopping at Loblaw banners, the grocery step up is the main reason to want this tier over the entry card.

Rates, fees and coverage

Purchases are charged 21.99% and cash advances 22.97%. Balance transfers count as cash advances, at 22.97% (21.97% in Quebec), with a transfer fee of up to 5%. Applicants approved at the Basic Rate, which isn’t offered 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 foreign currency purchases carry a 2.5% fee.

Coverage is limited to 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 recommended credit score.