Shoppers Drug Mart FAQ and Q&A 2017
A huge thank you to Insane who posted the original thread but with all of the changes to Optimum since it started, time for a new thread.
What is Shoppers Drug Mart Optimum?
It's a loyalty program by Shopper Drug Mart. Currently you earn 10pts for ever dollar, rounded DOWN to the nearest dollar (so if you spend $9.99, you get points on $9). There are many ways to optimize and earn more but the base point amount is 10pts/$.
Is Shoppers Optimum ending?
No, they extended the program indefinitely starting on December 31st 2016. If they do choose to end or edit the program, they will give 45 days notice of the change. If the program does end, you will have 90 days after the end of the program to redeem your points.
How can I optimize my points?
Shoppers Drug Mart has regular bonus points days (usually on the weekend) plus offers members several personalized coupons each week. You will usually receive a week long offer, new "when you spend" offers for Monday, Wednesday and Friday plus item bonus points each week.
Do I earn points on everything?
No, while Optimum covers most items it doesn't include everything. Major exclusions are gift cards (except SDM ones), transit passes, phone cards, taxes, prescriptions, items with codeine and items prohibited by law. You can always see your points on the screen after subtotals to see if you get the promo points for an offer.
What are bonus point coupons? Where do I find them?
With personalized coupons (loadable from your app, online account or email) and the end of VIB, there are less bonus point coupons than previously. You can still find occasional ones offered by text, in the Glow Magazine or emails and other literature from Shoppers Drug Mart. They also randomly send them by mail and these ones are often high value so check before throwing out junk mail!
You can load or see your personalized coupons here or through the app.
Can I combine my personalized coupons with other offers?
Yes and no. "When you spend" on a single transaction coupons/store offers will not combine and the system will automatically give you the one that earns you the most points. If you will use your personalized coupon later in the week, you can always unload it to get the store offer and reload it for a later transaction. You can combine all of your item bonus points coupons into one transaction with a when you spend offer to maximize your points though.
If you have say, a personalized offer for 300 points on granola bars and there is an in-store offer for 200 points, they will combine.
Which offers are best? 20x or 18,500 WUS $75?
Shoppers Drug Mart changed up some of the promos in 2016 and we have seen ones with $100 spending requirements and more gift card with purchase offers. In general, people prefer 20x offers as they have a lower spending requirement at $50 or earn you more when you spend $100+ where 18,500 is a set bonus. Which one works for you is very much based on how much you need to spend.
Can I use coupons during a 20x points event?
YES! Currently (and as with anything it's subject to change) you earn points on coupons. Therefore, you can maximize your points during a 20x points event by spending $50 BEFORE coupons. For example, you spend $50 but have $20 worth of coupons. Your out of pocket would be $30 (and the tax of course) but you'd still earn your 20x points. Cashiers will tell you that you won't earn them, but you will. They have no control over the computer. Plus it also states in the coupon policy that you will!
Shoppers changed the way coupons are entered this year, so FPCs will vary depending on how they enter them. All coupons are entered as cash AFTER redemptions and other offers.
Read their full coupon guidelines here but remember that stores are independently owned so they can vary a bit regarding the number of coupons accepted.
Will I get 20x if I buy a Gift Card?
No. Like everything in life, there are exclusions. You don't get bonus points on GC unless it's a SPECIFIC GC event. You can earn base points on Shoppers Drug Mart only and not other gift cards. While some stores will allow you to buy a SDM gift card to buy other gift cards, many will not due to fraud.
Will I get 20x on bonus points too?
No. You get 20x the points on your BASE points only. So if a product has 500 bonus points on it, you do not get 20x the 500 bonus points. Remember that base points on items are rounded down, so if you spend $9.99, you will get bonus points on $9 not $10.
REDEMPTIONS
What is a bonus redemption day?
Several times a year Shoppers optimum runs a promotion where you get more money off for your redemption. If you redeem 50,000pts you get $100 off (instead of $85) and if you redeem 95,000pts you get $200 off (instead of $170). Some times these events are for the entire store (with exceptions) and sometimes they are for cosmetics and fragrances only.
You can do two redemptions per card per day but only one per transaction so you can't redeem twice on the same item to get expensive electronics for free.
Can you redeem for gift cards?
No. You cannot redeem for any gift cards, phone cards or transit tickets. Redemptions also exclude taxes, prescriptions and products including codeine as well as items prohibited by law in your province.
Can I use coupons with a redemption?
You bet! Go ahead and maximize your redemption with coupons!!
I want to redeem for $170 but only have $125 worth of stuff in my cart. What happens to the rest?
You forfeit any difference and do not receive change or a gift card. So if you want to redeem for $170 anything under $170 is forfeited. Alternatively, you can redeem for a lower level (ie $85 off instead of $175) even if you have enough points for the higher level. So if you only want to spend $85 but have enough for the $175 redemption, you can simply redeem for the $85 level, but you have to inform the cashier.
Do I earn points when I redeem?
No, your base points show as 0 on the amount you redeem, but if you spend $250 and redeem $170, you would earn points on the $80 you pay for. You can earn points on items that show in your app or in-store item bonuses only if they are set points. 10x points on an item will usually not work as the base is 0 on that item.
My points were not added when Shoppers said they would. Who do I call?
1-800-SHOPPER or email them here
What is Plus, VIB and Refer a Friend mentioned in the terms?
These are Optimum programs that previously ran but while not officially terminated in the terms, are no longer used.
