What the Card Offers
PC Financial markets the PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard as its most rewarding card: 4% back in points at its grocery stores, 5% at Shoppers Drug Mart, up to 7¢ a litre on gas, a free PC Express Pass and up to $1,100 in annual value.
- $120
Annual fee, first year credited1
The $120 fee is credited back in the first year through the current offer. Requires $80,000 personal or $150,000 household income.
- 4%
At PC Optimum grocery stores2
40 points per $1 at participating Loblaw banner grocery stores and Joe Fresh.
- 5%
At Shoppers Drug Mart3
50 points per $1 at Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix, including the 15 points every PC Optimum member earns.
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- 50,000
Welcome points4
50,000 PC Optimum points ($50) after $3,000 in purchases within 3 months.
- Up to 7¢/L
At Esso and Mobil5
50 points per litre, or 70 in any calendar month you buy 150 litres or more at Esso and Mobil.
- $99.99
PC Express Pass included6
Free pickup or delivery on PC Express grocery orders of $30 or more, plus 2% back in points on pickup orders.
- $1M
Travel emergency medical7
Up to $1,000,000 per person for the first 10 days of a trip, for travellers under 65.
- $10
Per 10,000 points8
Redeem 10,000 points for $10 off purchases at participating stores.
Benefits as advertised by the issuer. The conditions attached to them are in the Fine Print Report below.
Sources (8)
- PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard product page (retrieved 2026-10-19); PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard product page, footnote * (retrieved 2026-10-19)
- PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard product page, footnote 2 (retrieved 2026-10-19)
- PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard product page, footnote 3 (retrieved 2026-10-19)
- PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard product page, footnote * (retrieved 2026-10-19)
- PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard product page, footnote 4 (retrieved 2026-10-19)
- PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard product page, footnote *** (retrieved 2026-10-19); PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard product page, footnote 12 (retrieved 2026-10-19)
- PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard product page (retrieved 2026-10-19); PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard Certificate of Insurance WFP-312051 v8 (effective December 1, 2023)
- PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard product page, footnote 1 (retrieved 2026-10-19)
Points & Redemption
Rates: PC Optimum Program Terms & Conditions, s. 4 (current as of August 1, 2026); PC World Elite Mastercard product page, footnote ‡ and "Pay down your balance with points" (retrieved 2026-10-19). The CardTruth estimate is our own valuation, not a rate stated in the terms. It assumes the redemption described above; most other options return less.
The Fine Print Report
Moderate fine print. The fee only pays off for heavy PC Optimum shoppers.
$120 fee vs the no-fee World EliteImpact level: Medium
After the first year, the $120 fee needs about $1,000 a month at Loblaw grocers to beat the no-fee World Elite
Compared with the no-fee PC World Elite Mastercard, this card adds 1 percentage point at Loblaw grocers and Joe Fresh (4% vs 3%), 0.5 points at Shoppers (5% vs 4.5%), 2¢ a litre on gas, and a PC Express Pass. At 1% extra, it takes $12,000 a year of Loblaw grocery spending to earn back the $120 fee from groceries alone. The fee is charged in the first statement period, whether or not the card is activated.
Why it matters: Worth it if you'd pay for a PC Express Pass anyway or spend heavily at Loblaw stores. Otherwise the no-fee World Elite earns nearly as much.
Welcome needs $3,000 in 3 monthsImpact level: Medium
The welcome points need $3,000 in 3 months, versus $100 on the no-fee cards for the same 50,000 points
The 50,000-point bonus ($50) requires $3,000 of purchases within 3 months of approval. The no-fee PC Mastercards offer the same 50,000 points for $100 spent at PC Optimum stores. The first-year fee credit only applies when you apply through the offer's link by December 31, 2026.
Why it matters: Apply through the offer link, or you'll pay the $120 fee in year one.
7¢/L needs 150 litres a monthImpact level: Medium
"Up to 7¢ a litre" needs 150 litres of gas in a calendar month; the regular rate is 5¢
The card earns 50 points per litre at Esso and Mobil, including the 10 points per litre every PC Optimum member earns. The extra 20 points per litre only applies in a calendar month in which you buy at least 150 litres there, and only on full litres.
Why it matters: Most households buying under 150 litres a month earn 5¢ a litre, of which 1¢ any member gets.
Express Pass ends if account slipsImpact level: Medium
The PC Express Pass ends as soon as the card isn't in good standing, and your old PC Optimum Insiders subscription is cancelled for good
The included PC Express Pass may be cancelled immediately if the account isn't in good standing, is restricted or closed, or is changed to another PC Financial card. If you already pay for PC Optimum Insiders, approval cancels that subscription (with a pro-rated refund) and you can't re-enrol in it later.
Why it matters: If you switch back to a no-fee card, you lose the delivery benefit and can't return to the paid Insiders subscription.
Advertised rates include points anyone getsImpact level: Medium
Part of the advertised Shoppers and gas rates is earned by every PC Optimum member, whatever card they use
The page advertises 5% back in points at Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix. Of that, 15 points per $1 (1.5%) is the base rate every PC Optimum member earns, so the card itself adds 3.5% (35 points per $1). Likewise, the gas rate counts 10 points per litre that every member earns at Esso and Mobil.
Why it matters: When comparing this card with others, count only what the card adds. Paying at Shoppers with any card and scanning your PC Optimum card still earns the 1.5%.
Show 13 more findingsShow fewer
4% only at Loblaw-family storesImpact level: Medium
The 4% grocery rate applies only at Loblaw-owned stores; other grocers earn 1%
The card earns 40 PC Optimum points per $1 (4%) at participating Loblaw banner grocery stores and Joe Fresh. Every other grocery store, and everything else outside PC Optimum stores, earns the base 10 points per $1 (1%).
Why it matters: The card only beats a general cash back card if most of your grocery shopping is at stores that take PC Optimum.
Travel medical: 10 days, under 65 onlyImpact level: Medium
Travel medical covers only the first 10 days of a trip, and nobody 65 or older
Emergency medical insurance pays up to $1,000,000 per person, but only for the first 10 consecutive days of a trip and only for people under 65 (coverage ends if you turn 65 during the trip). Conditions with symptoms, treatment or medication changes in the 180 days before departure are excluded.
Why it matters: On a 2-week trip, days 11 to 14 aren't covered. Buy separate coverage for longer trips or if you're 65 or older.
You may be approved at 26.99%, not 21.99%Impact level: Medium
The advertised 21.99% isn't guaranteed: you can be approved at 26.99% on purchases instead
PC Financial approves each account at either the Standard rates (21.99% on purchases, 22.97% on cash advances) or the Basic rates (26.99% and 27.97%), based on its assessment of your creditworthiness. You find out which after approval. The Basic rate isn't offered in Quebec.
Why it matters: If you carry a balance, the rate on your approval letter matters more than the one on the product page. Check it before you rely on the card for borrowing.
2 missed payments in a row: 26.99%Impact level: Medium
Two missed payments in a row raise the rate on your whole balance to 26.99%
If you don't make the minimum payment by the due date for two consecutive months, the Default rates of 26.99% on purchases and 27.97% on cash advances apply to your entire unpaid balance. Separately, after a review of your account use (for example going over your limit or a dishonoured payment) or your credit report, PC Financial can raise your rates to 26.99% and 27.95% with notice. The documents don't say when either rate returns to normal.
Why it matters: Set up automatic minimum payments. A rate increase applies to everything you owe, not just new purchases.
2.5% FX fee, kept even when refundedImpact level: Medium
Foreign currency purchases cost 2.5% extra, and the fee isn't returned on refunds
Purchases and cash advances in a foreign currency are converted at Mastercard's rate plus a 2.5% markup. When a foreign purchase is refunded, 2.5% is deducted from the refund as well, and the markup on the original purchase isn't returned. The agreement says you are responsible for any difference.
Why it matters: Every $1,000 spent in a foreign currency costs about $25 in fees, and a returned foreign purchase can cost about the same again.
Default: can take money from other accountsImpact level: Medium
In default, PC Financial can take money from your other accounts with it or its affiliates without notice
If you default (for example by missing two minimum payments in a row), PC Financial can require the full balance, and can offset it against any other balance or account you have with it or its affiliated companies without telling you first. It can also close or suspend the account at any time without notice.
Why it matters: If you also bank with PC Financial (the PC Money Account) or its affiliates, an unpaid card balance can be taken from that money directly.
Points on your bill: $7 per 10,000, not $10Impact level: Medium
Points used against your card balance are worth $7 per 10,000, not the $10 they're worth in store
10,000 PC Optimum points are worth $10 on purchases at participating stores, but PC Financial's statement credit pays $7 for the same 10,000 points. A statement credit also isn't a payment: you still have to make the minimum payment by the due date, even if the credit brings your balance to $0. Once made, a redemption can't be reversed.
Why it matters: Redeeming 100,000 points against your balance gets you $70 instead of $100 at the till. Spend points in store unless you need the credit.
$1,100 value claim: Pass includedImpact level: Low
The "up to $1,100 in annual value" figure includes the PC Express Pass and is based on other cardholders' spending
PC Financial's annual value estimate is based on points earned by active PC Insiders cardholders up to April 2025, plus the $99.99 value of the PC Express Pass subscription.
Why it matters: Your value depends on how much you spend at PC Optimum stores; work it out from your own spending.
10,000-point steps; leftover value is lostImpact level: Low
Points can only be redeemed in 10,000-point steps, and the leftover value of a step is lost
PC Optimum points are redeemed 10,000 at a time ($10), up to $500 per transaction. If you redeem a step worth more than what's left of the bill, the difference is forfeited, for example redeeming $40 of points on a $37 purchase loses $3.
Why it matters: You need 10,000 points before you can use any of them, which on the base rate means $1,000 of card spending outside PC Optimum stores.
45 days to use points after closingImpact level: Low
Close your last PC Financial card and you have 45 days to use or move your points
If a PC Financial card is your only link to the PC Optimum program, closing your last PC Financial account gives you 45 days to redeem your points or add another card to your PC Optimum account; after that, the points may be forfeited. Points don't expire, but PC Optimum can close an account with no earning or redemption activity for 2 years.
Why it matters: Redeem or link a PC Optimum card before closing the credit card.
Earn is rounded down; some items excludedImpact level: Low
Purchases are rounded down to the dollar, and some purchases earn no points
Points are calculated on the purchase amount rounded down to the nearest dollar, so a $9.99 purchase earns points on $9. The PC Optimum terms exclude tobacco, lottery tickets, alcohol, gift cards, prepaid cards and transit passes from earning or redeeming points, and returns deduct points at the card's earn rate on the day of the return.
Why it matters: Small and excluded purchases earn less than the advertised percentage suggests.
Cash-like purchases: 1% fee ($5–$10)Impact level: Low
Wire transfers, money orders, lottery tickets and casino chips carry a 1% fee
Transactions the merchant identifies as cash-like, including wire transfers, money orders, traveller's cheques, permitted betting, lottery tickets and casino chips, are charged a cash equivalent fee of 1% (minimum $5, maximum $10). They are treated as purchases otherwise.
Why it matters: A $20 purchase that the merchant flags as cash-like costs $5 in fees.
Rental cover: 31 days, cars up to $65,000Impact level: Low
Rental car cover stops at 31 days and excludes vehicles worth over $65,000
Collision and loss damage cover applies when you charge the full rental to the card and decline the agency's waiver. A rental longer than 31 consecutive days isn't covered at all, not even for the first 31 days. Vehicles with an actual cash value over $65,000, most vans, and exotic vehicles are excluded.
Why it matters: Check the vehicle class and rental length before declining the agency's coverage.
Who This Card Is For
Great fit if you...
- Spend $1,000+ a month at Loblaw grocers
- Use PC Express grocery pickup or delivery
- Buy 150+ litres of gas a month at Esso
- Take short trips under age 65
Consider alternatives if you...
- Grocery shop elsewhere
- Spend modestly at Loblaw stores
- Carry a balance
- Travel for more than 10 days
Welcome Bonus History
PC Insiders World Elite Mastercard Welcome Bonus History
The Verdict
The PC Insiders World Elite earns the most PC Optimum points of any PC Financial card: 4% at Loblaw grocers, 5% at Shoppers including the member base rate, 5¢ to 7¢ a litre on gas, and a free PC Express Pass.
From year two the $120 fee needs heavy Loblaw spending or regular PC Express use to beat the no-fee World Elite, and the welcome bonus needs $3,000 in 3 months.
The Recommendation: Worth it for households that do most of their shopping at Loblaw stores or use PC Express; otherwise take the World Elite.
Before you apply: This teardown is general information, not financial, legal or insurance advice, and reflects the issuer's documents as of October 2026. Terms, rates, fees and offers change, and the issuer's own agreement, disclosure statement, insurance certificates and program terms are what govern your card. Read them in full and confirm details with the issuer before you apply. Full disclaimer