Loyalty programs in Canada

If you’re a creature of habit and want to be rewarded for making frequent purchases with a specific brand or store, you might like to check out a customer loyalty credit card.

We’ll help you find out more about which stores offer loyalty programs and what you can do to earn bonus points for repeat visits.

Compare credit cards with loyalty programs

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Name	Product	Rewards Program	Purchase Interest Rate	Cash Advance Rate	Annual Fee		Reward
Scotiabank SCENE Visa Card		SCENE	19.99%	22.99%	$0	Apply now More Info	Earn 2 Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Foodland & Participating Co-ops, FreshCo and more. Plus, earn 2 Scene+ points per $1 spent at participating Cineplex theatres or cineplex.com, and earn 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent on eligible purchases elsewhere.	Earn 5,000 Scene+ points when you spend $750 in the first 3 months. Apply by October 31, 2023.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card		Marriott Bonvoy™	20.99%	21.99%	$120	Apply now More Info	Earn 5 points per $1 spent at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, and 2 points per $1 spent elsewhere.	Earn up to 75,000 Welcome Bonus points. Offer ends July 24, 2023.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card		Marriott Bonvoy™	20.99%	21.99%	$150	Apply now More Info	Earn 5 points for every $1 spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3 points for every $1 spent on eligible gas, dining and travel, and 2 points for every $1 spent on everything else.	Earn up to 85,000 welcome bonus Marriott Bonvoy points. Offer ends July 24, 2023.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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How do loyalty programs work?

Customer loyalty programs provide incentives to keep shoppers coming back to a specific store.

Many programs offer extra points, special offers and VIP benefits for repeat customers, which can be used to get discounts in-store or to purchase travel or merchandise from an online catalogue. These rewards are usually specific to the company offering the credit card, which means they can’t be redeemed at other stores or used as cash back.

Types of loyalty programs

• Points program. Whenever you shop at a particular store, you get a certain number of points depending on how much you spend. These can be redeemed for some combination of rewards or discounts.
• Tiered rewards. The more you shop at a store, the higher the level of customer loyalty you reach and the more points you earn. For example, frequent flyer programs offer extra points and benefits for those who fly frequently.
• VIP membership. You can get special access to a company’s discounted goods or services when you pay a small annual fee; for example, having a membership at a wholesale box store like Costco.
• Special perks. This loyalty program gives you fee-free perks for being a member. This could include freebies on your birthday or special coupons for discounts sent to your email.

Credit cards with loyalty programs

The following cards offer loyalty programs with points or rewards for spending at specific stores or locations:

• Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card. You can redeem points for overnight stays at luxury properties, plus a “free night” on the house every year.
• Scotiabank SCENE Visa. Collect points to spend on free movies at Cineplex locations around Canada.
• CAA Rewards Mastercard. You can earn points and cash back in CAA Dollars when you spend money on everyday purchases.
• Walmart Rewards Mastercard. You can earn Walmart Reward Dollars that you can use like cash in-store and online.

What else do I need to know about loyalty programs?

There are a couple of things you should watch out for to make sure you get the most out of your customer loyalty program or credit card.

• Membership fees. Some loyalty programs require you to pay a fee to participate. Make sure that you’ll use your membership enough to cash in on benefits before you spend money on a fee.
• Special perks. Find out when is the best time to cash in on perks for members. Look for email offers, download the company’s app and put promo dates into your calendar so you don’t lose out on any discounts.
• Expiration dates. Keep an eye on expiry dates for rewards. Depending on the program, your points may expire if you don’t use them within a certain time period.
• Blackout dates. To avoid finding out you can’t travel or use your rewards on the dates you want, check whether your points limit when you can take advantage of discounts or benefits.
• Caps on rewards. Some companies cap your earnings once you spend a certain amount of money, or only give you points for some purchases and not others.

Bottom line

If you want to earn points and save money for shopping at certain stores, a store-brand or customer loyalty credit card could be just the ticket. These cards are designed for those who already shop at a store regularly and want to be rewarded for repeat visits.

Frequently asked questions

• Do I get a free membership if I take out a credit card with a company like Costco or CAA?

  Unfortunately not. Most companies give you the option of putting your rewards towards your membership fee, but you’ll typically still have to pay for it.

• Can I use my points whenever I want?

  It depends on the card. Some stores require you to earn a certain number of points before you can cash them in, while others let you cash them in at any time. A few retailers hold your rewards and give you a lump sum at the end of the year.

• Should I switch credit cards to get more points at a certain store?

  It depends on your circumstances. It can pay to switch cards if you stand to earn more points at stores you shop at more frequently. However, you can often find more generic cards that will give you the same return (with more flexible rewards). Make sure to compare cards to choose one that works best for your particular situation.

• Is there a limit to how much I can earn?

  Some companies cap points once you pass a certain threshold, while others don’t. Make sure to ask about maximum limits before you settle on a card.