Canadian Tire Gas Advantage - So Far The Worst Credit Card I Have...

I probably am guilty of not looking before I leapt. When I visited a Canadian Tire store late last year, I was offered by an agent at near the store entrance to apply for a rewards card that could save me 5 cents at all Canadian Tire gas stations. I thought Being a person who likes discounts and savings, I filled out the form and handed it out to the agent. When I was asked questions that were usually asked when you apply for a credit card, I realized that it was not the same as a loyalty or rewards card, but a credit card. I pretended that I did not make a mistake and just went on with the application. After I got the card, I used and true enough, I got less 5 cents per liter of gasoline. However, I found out later that I have to spend at least $500 a month to get the 5 cents and it drops to 2 cents once your gasoline purchase exceeds $700. I will call to cancel this card the moment I have paid the cards remaining balance. I will stick to the Canadian Tire Options Mastercard. I like earning Canadian Tire money that I can use when I purchase something in the store.

Combining Shoppers Optimum Coupon and In-store Bonus Points

I have been saving a coupon for 8,000 bonus points if I spend at least $75 at shoppers. One day I read in the newspaper that it is 20x the points that day if you spend $50 or more. I figured, if I can claim both the coupon and the in-store bonus points, I could reach 95,000 points easily. I headed to a store near our place after I got off form work. I made sure I had $75 worth of eligible items before taxes. I asked the cashier if after qualifying for the in-store bonus points I can still use the coupon. The cashier said if the register accepts it, then it should be good. So the cashier tried and sait the coupon was accepted but I had to wait for a week before the points will be credited. So I went home feeling happy because of the transaction. A week has passed and I did not see the bonus point added to my rewards points total. So I called customer service to find out what happend. The customer service agent told me that both coupons can't be used at the same time and if I do, I will only get the in-store bonus points. Too bad!

Shoppers Optimum Rewards Points

I seemed to be addicted to amassing Shoppers Optimum Rewards points. After I was able to redeem 95,000 points which is worth $170 of stuff last year, I always watch out for their weekly promotions. Whenever Shoppers have the "20x the points", almost all of the time, I would march to a store near us and spend $50-$75 dollars just to be able to get the most points I can. By my estimate, if I make my purchases during these events, I probably need to spend only a minimum of $500 to reach that 95,000 point goal and then I will have $170 to use. I believe it is the best reward system by far.