SDM Mastercard?

[jscoupons]

The 25 points is only when you shop at Shoppers (15 from the credit card and 10 from the Optimum card). You don't get that level when you shop anywhere else, it's only 1 point for each dollar. You also don't get any 20x multiples just for using the credit card. If you use it just at SMD it's worth it....if you use the credit card anywhere else, IMHO, it's not the best solution.

[joseff]

so, from having an SDM MC for a while now....you get your 10 points/$ in the store when you show your optimum card (just like anyone else)
when you pay with your MC as well, on your statement at the end of the month, for all SDM purchases, you get another 15 points/$....for any other purchases at other stores you get 5 points/$
The cool thing about this though, is that you get the points on your total charged (with taxes!)
I've used the MC for big purchases like laptop, computer, might be putting my daughters tuition on it...all those points add up!

I've been tempted to get the PC card, but I'm rarely in a PC store, so this is a better option for me

[stuffedpandapuppet]

I have a SDM MC, and it is the best things since the Optimum Visa before it. Even if you spend only outside of SDM, you will still be better off (only slightly though) with the SDM MC because you get a 1.05% return with a 95000 pts bonus redemption. The difference isn't much, so sharing your purchases spent outside of SDM between the PC and SDM MC would be about the same.

Here's the rate of return for all the redemption values when you use your Optimum card in the following cases, from left to right:
Spending without SDM MC just at SDM (10 pts/$1)
Spending with SDM MC outside of SDM no OP card here (5 pts/$1)
Spending with SDM MC just at SDM (25 pts/$1)
Spending with SDM MC just at SDM buying a GC first (10+25/$1)

8000 pts for $10 - 1.25% - 0.63% - 3.13% - 4.38%
22000 pts for $30 - 1.36% - 0.68% - 3.41% - 4.77%
38000 pts for $60 - 1.58% - 0.79% - 3.94% - 5.53%
50000 pts for $85 - 1.70% - 0.85% - 4.25% - 5.95%
95000 pts for $170 - 1.79% - 0.89% - 4.47% - 6.26%
or on bonus redemption
50000 pts for $100 - 2.00% - 1.00% - 5.00% - 7.00%
95000 pts for $200 - 2.11% - 1.05% - 5.26% - 7.37%

So I will explain verbally for one of the situations, accumulating 95000 pts for bonus redemption day, having spent only at SDM with your SDM MC and using that to buy SDM GC first before all purchases that would get you pts, that is 25 pts/$1 just for the GC and 10 pts/$1 when you actually spend that GC. So to accumulate 95000 pts you need to have spent $2714ish, which you can get back $200, so $200/$2714 = 7.37%. This last category is a bit loose because it really depends on whether items purchased are taxed, but the rate of return is still very good.

[kidsteph]

kidsteph, i actually have the infinite adventura card and a plain aeroplan card. you can transfer between the two accounts. adventura allows you to book the trip from anywhere and use your points. ie expedia itravel etc. i use it at shoppers/gas/groceries to get the 1.5 points. i also use a petro canada points card at petro with my visa and then transfer my petro points to my aeroplan and then to adventura. i use points.com for this. i could actually transfer my shoppers points to aeroplan and then adventura but haven't yet. i like to redeem for goods at shoppers and while i haven't done the math the redemption at shoppers is probably worth more a point then at aeroplan dollar wise.

Thanks, I will look into it!

[ssbean]

I have a SDM MC, and it is the best things since the Optimum Visa before it. Even if you spend only outside of SDM, you will still be better off (only slightly though) with the SDM MC because you get a 1.05% return with a 95000 pts bonus redemption. The difference isn't much, so sharing your purchases spent outside of SDM between the PC and SDM MC would be about the same.

Here's the rate of return for all the redemption values when you use your Optimum card in the following cases, from left to right:
Spending without SDM MC just at SDM (10 pts/$1)
Spending with SDM MC outside of SDM no OP card here (5 pts/$1)
Spending with SDM MC just at SDM (25 pts/$1)
Spending with SDM MC just at SDM buying a GC first (10+25/$1)

8000 pts for $10 - 1.25% - 0.63% - 3.13% - 4.38%
22000 pts for $30 - 1.36% - 0.68% - 3.41% - 4.77%
38000 pts for $60 - 1.58% - 0.79% - 3.94% - 5.53%
50000 pts for $85 - 1.70% - 0.85% - 4.25% - 5.95%
95000 pts for $170 - 1.79% - 0.89% - 4.47% - 6.26%
or on bonus redemption
50000 pts for $100 - 2.00% - 1.00% - 5.00% - 7.00%
95000 pts for $200 - 2.11% - 1.05% - 5.26% - 7.37%

So I will explain verbally for one of the situations, accumulating 95000 pts for bonus redemption day, having spent only at SDM with your SDM MC and using that to buy SDM GC first before all purchases that would get you pts, that is 25 pts/$1 just for the GC and 10 pts/$1 when you actually spend that GC. So to accumulate 95000 pts you need to have spent $2714ish, which you can get back $200, so $200/$2714 = 7.37%. This last category is a bit loose because it really depends on whether items purchased are taxed, but the rate of return is still very good.

Wow! Thanks for sharing your calculations. I already have the card and love the extra points.

[superhamster]

I have a SDM MC, and it is the best things since the Optimum Visa before it. Even if you spend only outside of SDM, you will still be better off (only slightly though) with the SDM MC because you get a 1.05% return with a 95000 pts bonus redemption. The difference isn't much, so sharing your purchases spent outside of SDM between the PC and SDM MC would be about the same.

Here's the rate of return for all the redemption values when you use your Optimum card in the following cases, from left to right:
Spending without SDM MC just at SDM (10 pts/$1)
Spending with SDM MC outside of SDM no OP card here (5 pts/$1)
Spending with SDM MC just at SDM (25 pts/$1)
Spending with SDM MC just at SDM buying a GC first (10+25/$1)

8000 pts for $10 - 1.25% - 0.63% - 3.13% - 4.38%
22000 pts for $30 - 1.36% - 0.68% - 3.41% - 4.77%
38000 pts for $60 - 1.58% - 0.79% - 3.94% - 5.53%
50000 pts for $85 - 1.70% - 0.85% - 4.25% - 5.95%
95000 pts for $170 - 1.79% - 0.89% - 4.47% - 6.26%
or on bonus redemption
50000 pts for $100 - 2.00% - 1.00% - 5.00% - 7.00%
95000 pts for $200 - 2.11% - 1.05% - 5.26% - 7.37%

So I will explain verbally for one of the situations, accumulating 95000 pts for bonus redemption day, having spent only at SDM with your SDM MC and using that to buy SDM GC first before all purchases that would get you pts, that is 25 pts/$1 just for the GC and 10 pts/$1 when you actually spend that GC. So to accumulate 95000 pts you need to have spent $2714ish, which you can get back $200, so $200/$2714 = 7.37%. This last category is a bit loose because it really depends on whether items purchased are taxed, but the rate of return is still very good.

Does your SDM let you pay for GCs with your SDM mastercard? The one I go to absolutely refuses to and has signs posted at the till and the GC displays saying "cash and debit only for gift cards". It sucks because I want the extra points by buying a GC with mastercard. They said it was the policy for all SDMs?

[Vov76]

Does your SDM let you pay for GCs with your SDM mastercard? The one I go to absolutely refuses to and has signs posted at the till and the GC displays saying "cash and debit only for gift cards". It sucks because I want the extra points by buying a GC with mastercard. They said it was the policy for all SDMs?

Just try a different SDM. All stores in my area accept credit cards as a form of payment for SDM gift cards. It is definitely not the policy for all SDMs.

[ahhc]

I have a SDM MC, and it is the best things since the Optimum Visa before it. Even if you spend only outside of SDM, you will still be better off (only slightly though) with the SDM MC because you get a 1.05% return with a 95000 pts bonus redemption. The difference isn't much, so sharing your purchases spent outside of SDM between the PC and SDM MC would be about the same.

Here's the rate of return for all the redemption values when you use your Optimum card in the following cases, from left to right:
Spending without SDM MC just at SDM (10 pts/$1)
Spending with SDM MC outside of SDM no OP card here (5 pts/$1)
Spending with SDM MC just at SDM (25 pts/$1)
Spending with SDM MC just at SDM buying a GC first (10+25/$1)

8000 pts for $10 - 1.25% - 0.63% - 3.13% - 4.38%
22000 pts for $30 - 1.36% - 0.68% - 3.41% - 4.77%
38000 pts for $60 - 1.58% - 0.79% - 3.94% - 5.53%
50000 pts for $85 - 1.70% - 0.85% - 4.25% - 5.95%
95000 pts for $170 - 1.79% - 0.89% - 4.47% - 6.26%
or on bonus redemption
50000 pts for $100 - 2.00% - 1.00% - 5.00% - 7.00%
95000 pts for $200 - 2.11% - 1.05% - 5.26% - 7.37%

So I will explain verbally for one of the situations, accumulating 95000 pts for bonus redemption day, having spent only at SDM with your SDM MC and using that to buy SDM GC first before all purchases that would get you pts, that is 25 pts/$1 just for the GC and 10 pts/$1 when you actually spend that GC. So to accumulate 95000 pts you need to have spent $2714ish, which you can get back $200, so $200/$2714 = 7.37%. This last category is a bit loose because it really depends on whether items purchased are taxed, but the rate of return is still very good.

This is the calculation based on "regular day", if you purchase in 20x points bonus days. The math will be different...

[bryceton]

nevermind understand now

[Cuckoobird]

Does your SDM let you pay for GCs with your SDM mastercard? The one I go to absolutely refuses to and has signs posted at the till and the GC displays saying "cash and debit only for gift cards". It sucks because I want the extra points by buying a GC with mastercard. They said it was the policy for all SDMs?

Are you talking about SDM GCs or other stores' GCs? There should not be a problem with both. I just bought $50 Esso card yesterday and paid with my SDM MC.

[OctoberSun]

Does your SDM let you pay for GCs with your SDM mastercard? The one I go to absolutely refuses to and has signs posted at the till and the GC displays saying "cash and debit only for gift cards". It sucks because I want the extra points by buying a GC with mastercard. They said it was the policy for all SDMs?

I have 2 stores within a 5 minute drive of each other and one has a sign with cash & debit only for GC the other doesn't ... guess which one I shop at

[ahazaras]

I have always used the costo american express because that seemed to give me the best return(cash back). That is until I started to put my purchases on the optimum master card. In the six months I have had the card ( paying of the balance in full each month), I was able to redeem 800 last year. I think it is the better deal because with all the 20x the points event and the fact you can use coupons to bring your total down you don't have to spend that much to rake in the points.

[frugalmom]

I also have the PC and the Optimum cards. I use my PC everywhere and my Optimum only at Shoppers. If someone better in math than me could show that the Optimum is a better deal I would definitely start using it more often.

Just signed up for a PC card last night over the phone. They offer 20.00 in free groceries to sign up usually but last night she offered 40.00. I have been thinking of signing up anyway. I NEVER ABUSE CREDIT CARDS. I don't even like them.

[home4now]

Just signed up for a PC card last night over the phone. They offer 20.00 in free groceries to sign up usually but last night she offered 40.00. I have been thinking of signing up anyway. I NEVER ABUSE CREDIT CARDS. I don't even like them.

Wow ...that's great! Think I only got free cookies when I got mine years ago

[PinkLincoln]

Ive looked into it and considered getting one. My grandmother has nothing but good things to say about the PC credit card too and how fast her points rack up, im hating capital one and desjardins so much right now and want to cancel both cards. When I used to have a visa through my bank I had an amazing rate and no extra fees with the companies I'm with now they try to squeeze in any charges they legally can. Like every month I put my balance to $0, but get a $29 finance fee? Or, I max one out, pay it of the next day and they charged me a $50 annual fee, which took me over my limit so add another $30, $9 finance charge and so on, ugh! These companies are ed lol *end rant*