May 17, 2026
I get it, not everyone wants to use credit cards, but that shouldn’t stop you from taking advantage of the points programs available. I still want you to maximize your points earnings and stretch your dollar a little further.
While I personally focus on earning points for travel, I think it’s important to talk about points programs for everyday spending too. And let’s be real, groceries aren’t getting any cheaper.
Scene+ Points:
Scene+ points can be earned at a variety of stores, including Safeway, Sobeys, Home Hardware, Cineplex, and Rakuten. If you want to see all the earning locations, you can find the full list on the Scene website or in the app.
Tip: On the first Tuesday of the month, you have the option to get 10% off your purchase or take the equivalent value in Scene+ points.
While there are plenty of ways to earn Scene+ points, there are also lots of ways to redeem them. The most obvious option is redeeming them while grocery shopping at Sobeys or Safeway, where 1,000 points equals $10. Through the Scene app, you can also redeem points for gift cards, including grocery stores, restaurants, clothing stores, movie theatres, and more. These points are very versatile, which makes them easy to use in all areas of life.
PC Optimum:
PC Optimum is another very popular points program and very easy points to earn. You can collect PC Optimum points by shopping at Loblaws stores like Superstore and No Frills, as well as Esso or Mobil, Shoppers Drug Mart, Cineplex, and the Wholesale Club. You can find the full list of partner locations on their website.
PC Optimum points can be redeemed in store at a rate of 10,000 points for $10 off. At Esso, you can redeem 4,000 points for 10 cents off per litre, up to 40 litres. Another option is using 10,000 points for a free car wash at Esso or Mobil stations.
I’ve seen people save their PC Optimum points for Christmas, especially if they have kids. Superstore has a great toy, clothing, and home section, which makes it a great option for shopping.
Stacking Points
Whether you shop at Superstore or Sobeys, it’s important to watch for deals like “buy two and earn bonus Scene+ points” or “spend $100 in this department and get bonus PC Optimum points.” This is one of the easiest ways to boost your points earnings.
Always check the Sobeys or PC Optimum app for weekly deals, in addition to the regular flyer.
Here’s an example of how stacking points can work. I shopped at Sobeys on the first Tuesday of the month and chose the Scene+ points instead of the 10% discount. There was also an offer in the app to earn 1,000 points if I spent $100, which I did. On top of that, I took advantage of in-store deals where buying one or two items earned an extra 200 or 300 Scene+ points. By the end of the trip, I had earned 4,000 points, which is equal to $40 in value.
My Favourite Points:
I’ll admit I’m a little biased, Scene+ is still my favourite program, especially since I also have the credit card and use my points for travel. But I collect both PC Optimum and Scene+ because I don’t want to miss out on easy discounts. If you’re not already signed up for these free programs, I highly recommend it because otherwise, you’re leaving free money on the table.
-Alexis