Canadian Loyalty Programs imply the reward points a customer receives at the time they purchase something eligible. Newcomers in Canada already have a lot of financial stress as they begin settling there. However, thorough research of the loyalty programs in Canada can ensure that you save more money and remain within your budget limit. Also, these programs will help you rejoice in the benefits you could receive from your shopping places.
Besides this, if the Canadian loyalty programs merge well with your shopping patterns and behavior, you could end up saving more financially in terms of monthly bills, groceries, travel, fuel, and other household products.
Defining a Canadian Loyalty Program
Companies, including shopping stores, brands, and banks, provide points to their loyal customers whenever they are found to purchase something eligible for these loyalty points. Moreover, if buyers want these points to add up to their accounts, they must display their loyalty cards. They could end up presenting a bar code reflecting the transaction. After collecting these loyalty points, you could easily get higher discounts when you make a purchase. Apart from this, you could even access free products.
This is a positive approach that several companies choose to encourage the buying behavior of their customers. Furthermore, these points act as a catalyst for customers to continue using that company’s products and services in the future also.
Also, the customers could either obtain a physical card or a digital barcode on their phone app. However, this will solely rely upon their loyalty program’s registration.
In a few instances, financial institutions might offer these programs, and the credit card might also function as a loyalty card.
Interestingly, individuals can also check their points, become aware of promotion levels, and claim their points using a digital application.
Advantages of Canadian loyalty programs for newcomers
A loyalty program’s advantages largely depend upon whether the program coincides with your shopping behavior, shopping frequency, and saving’s objectives. For instance, if an individual tends to buy most of the essential items from a specific grocery store, they will effortlessly access and redeem their reward points through the specific loyalty program associated with it.
Now, considering you’re a newcomer in Canada, you might have to handle your routine expenses or one-time purchases. These could be anything like buying clothes for the first time for your Canadian winter, rental payments, and even savings to buy a new car. Now, if you accept the reward programs for a specific store where you could be a regular customer, you might end up saving on bigger purchases too.
Participating in these reward points will enable you to enjoy the perks of larger expenditures. For instance, you could even enjoy the return ticket to your home country.
Different characteristics attach to different loyalty programs. However, the following ways can help you avail of the benefits associated with loyalty programs:
- Try to save a considerable amount in your routine purchases, like groceries.
- Get access to free products from your preferred brands or stores.
- Do save in terms of fuel while you drive your car.
- Keep a tab on promotions akin to your spending habits.
- There are special events for regular members, and you must ensure participation in such events. Also, get involved in promotions for more points.
- Access free flight bookings or book them at a declined cost.
- Collect and merge different loyalty programs, if possible.
Banks also offer loyalty programs, and collecting points from banks is a convenient method. Additionally, the shopping location might not earn you many points because you can earn them through your payment methods.
Canadian Loyalty Programs based on grocery and pharmacy shopping
There could be several loyalty programs based on grocery and pharmacy shopping in Canada. These could range from PC Optimum, Rexall Be Well, Air Miles, and More Rewards.
PC Optimum and its work process
The PC Optimum enrollment provides a chance to access more points when they shop at a grocery store owned by Loblaws or Shoppers Drug Mart. They could shop virtually or physically; it is a matter of choice. This loyalty program revolves around specific grocery stores like Fortinos, Independent, Loblaws, No Frills, and the Real Canadian Superstore. Another one is a Canadian clothing brand named Joe Fresh, available at grocery stores as well as online. Besides this, there is a PC Optimum app available that will notify you about current discounts and promotions.
PC Optimum points collection– Your account accumulates all the points you collect from these stores. Hence, depending on your will, you can access and claim these points at any eligible store. Supposedly if you spend a few dollars at Shoppers Drug Mart, you will earn 15 points for each dollar. Grocery store shopping implies points earned based on extra products and events.
Claiming points for the PC Optimum– If your PC Optimum account consists of 10,000 points, you can expect to earn around $10 CAD. There are events when you are invited to spend points and during such events the value of your points increases.
Rexall Be Well
The Rexall Be Well Program enables you to earn points when you make a purchase with a retailer virtually (from Well.ca) or buy products from Rexall Pharmacy.
Rexall Be Well points collection– Each dollar you spend will eventually lead you to earn 15 points. This program’s app provides customized promotions so that you can end up saving more on your regular shopping expenses. Apart from this, you can also enhance the value of your redeemable points and earn increased points.
Claiming back all Rexall Be Well points– During the checkout of the products, you can earn up to $10 CAD, if you are successful in collecting 25,000 points (under Rexall Be Well).
Air Miles
Participating in the air miles reward programs enables you to collect ‘miles’ or points at a variety of stores, specifically established grocery stores, through your card. These could be a number of grocery stores, including Jean Coutu, Pharmacy, Sobeys, Metro, IGA, or Foodland.
Interestingly, redeemable points are available online also for numerous brands in entertainment, travel, beauty, electronics, and clothing.
Air Miles Points Collection– For instance, once you spend around $20 CAD at an Air Miles digital shop, you could earn up to one point each. Similarly, you could earn one mile or point with every $15 CAD you spend at Jean Coutu. Similar to the rest of the loyalty programs, there are several opportunities to enhance the earning capacity specifically during promotions. The account consists of all your earned points and hence, you can access and redeem them accordingly.
Air Miles redeemable points– Air Miles offers two methods to redeem the earned points, including Cash Miles or Dream Miles. The choice depends upon the person on how they would like to bifurcate the two miles. Moreover, they have the opportunity to change the combination according to their preference. For instance, Cash Miles are redeemable at a grocery store during checkout. This is an estimate of 95 miles for savings of up to $10 CAD. Conversely, Dream Miles are redeemable for travel expenditures, including flights and accommodations.
In terms of online bookings, you could choose up to 25 airlines through the loyalty program. Additionally, ordering merchandise through the digital account of Air Miles can help you redeem your Dream Miles. Every flight demands a different number of Dream Miles, so, it is better to keep a tab on websites regularly while planning for future trips.
More Rewards
British Columbia comprises a grocery store called Save-On-Foods, and this store functions through a ‘More Rewards’ Customer Loyalty Program. This Program enables individuals to gain points across numerous companies, like Vancouver Attractions, Speedy Glass, Panago Pizza, PriceSmart Foods, Coast Hotels, Urban Fare, Jim Pattison Auto Group, Pure Pharmacy, and Accent Inns.
More Reward Points Collection– Every time an individual spends at Save-On-Food, they receive one point for each dollar they spend. This applies to PriceSmart Foods and Urban Fare.
After getting the More Rewards App, you might also receive notifications for promoting products that will enable you to enhance the points.
Claiming the points under More Reward Points– Grocery checkout can provide more redeemable points. These apply to a diverse range of digital products like hotel accommodations, automotive services, dining experiences, sporting events, gift cards, and local attractions. Moreover, these points will further become redeemable based on what purpose you might use them for. It will also depend upon when you choose to claim them, whether it is during a More Rewards promotion or not.
Travel Canadian Loyalty Programs
The travel loyalty programs in Canada consist of a variety of reward points, ranging from RBC Avion and Aeroplan to the West Jet Rewards.
RBC Avion- The RBC Avion loyalty program applies to its members with credit cards. Additionally, being an active member of this program will also enable you to acquire RBC rewards. After making a credit card purchase, they can avail of the RBC reward points. Moreover, this is applicable irrespective of the shop’s location.
Claiming the RBC reward points– RBC reward points have the capacity to manage flight bookings beyond 130 airlines. Additionally, this will also apply to hotel or car rental bookings. A Canadian round trip or one in the U.S. will start at 35,000 points.
Individuals also have the chance to transform their RBC rewards into other loyalty programs concerning travel. They can do so to enhance their potentials to redeem more points, such as Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, British Airways Avios Points, American Airlines AAdvantage miles, and WestJet dollars.
Additionally, those possessing the RBC Avion cards will also get the chance to avail of the extra travel benefits. These could be trip cancellation and interruption insurance. It is possible to claim these reward points for gift cards, credit card bills, and purchasing merchandise.
Canadian loyalty programs- Aeroplan
Aeroplan is a Canadian customer loyalty program of Air Canada. Flight bookings on Air Canada Rouge, Air Canada, Air Canada Express, or flights like the Star Alliance will fetch you an increased number of points.
Aeroplan Points Collection– Earning points largely depends upon the distance at which you fly. An Aeroplan enrollment enables its members to access points based on car rentals, accommodations, travel insurance, and products ordered in advance (duty-free products) from AirCanada.com. Moreover, you can also acquire points through your purchases in any Aeroplan eStore with the Aeroplan credit card.
Claiming the Aeroplan points– Redeeming points is easier for Air Canada flights and even the airlines in collaboration with Air Canada. The total points-based amount is directly related to the cash price of the airline tickets. In the case of pre-ordered merchandise from an Aeroplan eStore, it is essential to redeem points.
West Jet Rewards
Earning West Jet Rewards is possible if you hold a membership under the West Jet Rewards Program. Your flight bookings on West Jet will enable you to earn dollars. This implies that each booking will offer you dollars. Not just West Jet, but its partnering airlines like Qantas Airlines and Delta will also enable them to earn dollars. Apart from this, if you are a holder of the West Jet RBC Mastercard, you will have access to more dollars with each purchase.
West Jet Rewards collection– The West Jet Reward consists of four membership levels based on your potential to spend more money. However, once you get enrolled, you fall under the tea level category. Furthermore, this level offers you 0.5 percent of the flight cost back in West Jet dollars. Also, the higher amount you will spend, the higher will be the membership level. Supposedly if you attain a top-tier or Platinum level, you will achieve an eight percent value of your West Jet Dollars. Furthermore, you will be able to avail yourself of a variety of travel perks, including free verified bags.
Claiming the West Jet Rewards– A West Jet dollar has a value equal to a Canadian dollar. However, this applies to an individual who claims it for an eligible flight (with base fare) or vacation package. It means this will differ from the actual final ticket price.
Canadian Loyalty Programs- for retail shopping
If an individual possesses an RBC credit card, they will undoubtedly find it easier to access earning points. Irrespective of their shopping patterns and choices, they will have the chance to access points whenever they purchase something.
RBC Rewards accumulation– Earning points on every dollar is possible. However, it will significantly rely on the type of RBC credit card. Besides this, it is highly probable to receive an increased number of points using a debit card. But you will require to be enrolled under an eligible RBC bank account in the RBC Value program.
Claiming RBC rewards– RBC Rewards provides a wide variety of alternatives to claim points. To claim points for gift cards or merchandise, the digital catalog is available for selection. There’s also a chance for you to utilize your accumulated points, for instance, you have collected the points to make the credit card bill payments.
You might even try claiming your points while purchasing from either Apple or Best Buy. Interestingly, you can also use the opportunity to switch from RBC Rewards to Hudson’s Bay Rewards.
Hudson’s Bay Rewards
Hudson’s Bay is one solution for you if you’re seeking to buy clothes, household products, and furniture, specifically if wish to settle in a new region. This is the perfect shopping department store to shop for such stuff. Moreover, the Hudson Bay Rewards will enable individuals purchasing physically or virtually to gain points on each purchase.
Hudson’s Bay Rewards collection– The individual’s membership level will determine the rate at which they can receive points. Supposedly if you can have a spending pattern of around $400 CAD within one year, you can receive 1.5 points for each dollar you spend. However, you must be an active member of Rewards Plus. Similarly, if you happen to spend nearly $12,00 CAD in a calendar year, you will get access to two points for each dollar you spend.
Claiming the Hudson’s Bay Rewards– Whether you purchase physically or digitally with Hudson’s Bay, spending at least $5 CAD for every 1000 points, you can claim your rewards.
Triangle Rewards (Canadian Tire)
Canadian Tire is a reputed and famous store offering a wide range of products, including outdoor living, automotive, household goods, sports goods, and other tools. Triangle Rewards can be categorized as a customer loyalty program. When you visit and purchase stuff from the Canadian Tire stores, along with Hockey Life, Party City, Atmosphere, Sports Chek, and Mark’s, you get to receive more points. Newcomers in their first year might visit these stores frequently to buy seasonal products, such as winter and household items.
Triangle Rewards Collection– You can earn points equivalent to four percent of the total purchasing amounts. Additionally, CT money is also available for eligible products.
Claiming the Triangle Rewards– CT money’s single dollar stands equal to your purchase of 1 dollar when claiming points at Sport Chek, Canadian Tire, and Mark’s.
Canadian loyalty rewards- food and entertainment
Loyalty rewards in Canada for food and entertainment comprise Tim Rewards, Starbucks Rewards, and Scene +. Let us get some more details about each of these rewards.
Tim Rewards
Many a time, people wish to begin their day with Tim Horton’s coffee, and if it’s a similar case with you, then do access Tim’s Rewards.
Tim Reward Collection– Purchasing at an eligible store like Tim Horton’s and also displaying a Tims Rewards Card, you receive a total of ten points. Also, to receive any more discounts and offers, downloading its app is vital.
Claim your Tims Reward points– You might use your card or app at any moment to claim the points on your menu items. For instance, possessing at least 70 points can fetch you brewed coffee or tea.
Starbucks Rewards
Starbucks Rewards is a loyalty program for Starbucks. The collection of Starbucks Rewards points can fetch you food items or coffee for free. Also, these accumulated points here are referred to as ‘Stars’. On spending one dollar, you get to earn one star. For instance. If you happen to load money in advance in your app, you get to earn two dollars on each dollar you spend. Regular promotions also offer you the opportunity to earn bonus stars.
Claiming the Starbucks Rewards– If you’d like to have beverages free of cost, you can use the points or stars to avail yourself of this offer. In case you’re in the store and you want to refill your share of brewed coffee or tea, you can do that as well.
Scene +
For movie lovers, there’s good news because Scene + offers savings on such types of outdoor activities. It is easy to earn these points in case you purchase from a Scotiabank credit card or debit card of Scene +.
Scene + points collection– The Scene + points are proven to offer instant claims in movie theatres, such as The Rec Room, Cineplex Cinemas, and Playdium. Apart from theatres, you can claim your points available for gift cards across nearly 60 retailers and 700 restaurants.
Canadian Fuel Loyalty Programs
Canada’s fuel loyalty programs include a number of reward points you can claim whenever required. These include Petro Points, Shell, and Esso.
Petro Points
When individuals purchase at least one liter of gas after participating in the Petro Points, they get to earn around 10 points. For instance, if they collected around 1000 points, they will further get a dollar off at the time of purchase.
To enhance one’s potential to earn points, every time there’s a gas fill-up, one can link their Petro-points card with the RBC card. Doing so will enable you to save three cents on one one-liter fuel. Furthermore, while buying eligible items, you might earn more points (up to 20 cents).
Claiming the Petro-Points– If you want gas for free, you might use these points, or you can exchange them with merchandise or gift cards.
Shell- Canadian Loyalty Programs for fuel
Access and use your Air Miles Rewards Loyalty card if you are getting your car fueled at any Shell gas station. You can collect at least one mile or point for 20 liters each of Shell Bronze, diesel, or Silver fuel. For instance, if you spend a minimum of five dollars on a car wash or purchase any in-store product, you will still get one mile or point.
Claiming Shell Points– You can claim the miles or points you earned at Shell gas stations, including Air Miles Reward points/miles. Gas savings are also a part of this.
Esso
PC Optimum points accumulation at Esso– Supposedly, if you happen to fill your car at an Esso gas station, you could end up earning more points with the PC Optimum card. For every liter you purchase, get around 10 points. Additionally, you can get up to 4,000 points to reduce 10 cents on every liter. This applies to up to 40 liters.
Claiming your Esso points– Your Esso points are clubbed together with your PC Optimum points. Moreover, these are redeemable, just like the PC Optimum points.
Participating in a Canadian Loyalty Program- a few essential tips
With the availability of a variety of Canadian Loyalty Programs, it is essential to choose the one that suits you best. Moreover, the one that will prove to be more advantageous among others.
Consider the following tips:
- Ponder whether the loyalty card will have regular usage or not.
- Think in detail about whether the loyalty program will fulfill your present essential requirements. Ask yourself whether you will spend more money than you can save.
- Check intensely the number of points you might earn on every dollar you spend. Make a detailed comparison with other programs as well.
- Check if you have the opportunity to club all the points of different programs to increase your earning potential.
- Verify if replacing the card with an app is possible and whether it is user-friendly.
- Do research if you will need to pay to participate in the program.
- Also, note down in case there’s an expiry date related to your redeemable points.
FAQ
Is there any similarity between loyalty programs and cash-back programs?
Cashback programs can enable you to gain more money through cash-back facilities in case you buy from a list of qualifying merchants. Similar to the customer loyalty programs, your cashback program’s earnings will adhere to specific stores and products.
Newcomers arriving in Canada will not require to decide between loyalty points and cash back. For instance, Ampli is a cash-back app that enables you to get cash back while purchasing through credit or debit cards. This way, it becomes convenient for newcomers to also gather loyalty points from retailers or banks. In another instance, you might win a cash incentive while buying something; credit cards might provide you with an inherent cash-back facility in place of loyalty points.
Conclusion
Canadian loyalty programs can help newcomers gain a plenty of benefits. This is especially true if those who use stores and banks frequently and regularly. Participating in such loyalty programs in Canada will fetch them higher rewards and points even when they don’t purchase anything for a brief period. Furthermore, they don’t have to waste money on insignificant items.
