I’ve said before that Scotiabank offers the best overall suite of credit cards on the market. This week Scotia teamed up with the Overwaitea Food Group to launch its first grocery rewards card with the introduction of the new Scotiabank More Rewards Visa card.
More Rewards is Overwaitea’s loyalty program which boasts over 3 million active members in B.C. and Alberta. The Scotiabank More Rewards Visa card will give customers the ability to earn up to 6x the More Rewards points on their everyday shopping purchases.
Scotiabank More Rewards Visa
Benefits of using the Scotiabank More Reward Visa card include; the ability to double-dip by showing your More Rewards loyalty card at partners to earn an additional 1 point per dollar spent – giving you a total of 7 points per dollar; quickly boosting your points through frequent in-store bonus points offered from the Overwaitea Food Group; no annual fee, no earning or redemptions caps, plus the ability to redeem points for travel, groceries, and merchandise.
How to earn points
Get 6 points per $1 on purchases at any participating More Rewards partner locations including:
- Save-On-Foods
- More Rewards Travel
- Speedy Glass
- Panago
- Visit morerewards.ca for a full list of partners
Get 4 points per $1 on all other everyday purchases.
Here’s how your More Rewards points can add up with this card:
| Based on an average spend of $2,500 per month: | |
| 6x at More Rewards partner locations | 4x on everyday purchases |
| $950 on groceries | $400 on recurring bills |
| $200 on gas | $790 on other expenses |
| $115 on travel | |
| $45 on pizza | |
| $1,310 = 7,860 points | $1,190 = 4,760 points |
Your monthly points total would come to 12,620 and your annual points total would reach 151,440, and that doesn’t even include frequent in-store bonus offers that can make your points grow exponentially.
How to redeem points
Points can be redeemed for groceries, flights, hotels, vacation packages, passes for tourist attractions, gift cards, plus hundreds of other products in housewares, electronics, fitness, camping equipment, kids toys, tools, and gift cards.
Using the above example of earning 151,440 points in one year you can redeem those points for over $600 in More Rewards travel gift cards (a 2% return on spending), a KitchenAid 5 qt stand mixer, or free groceries. Redeem for groceries using the “Free is always Free” offers (examples listed below):
Bread (750g): 1100 pointsPotatoes (10lb bag): 1800 pointsEggs (Large Dozen): 1800 pointsButter (454g): 2800 pointsMilk (4 Litres): 3100 pointsGround beef (500g): 3300 points
Customers can apply at:
All grocery stores accepting More Rewards; including:
- Save-On-Foods
- PriceSmart Foods
- Overwaitea Foods
- Cooper’s Foods
- Urban Fare stores
- Scotia branch locations, and online
Final thoughts
Grocery rewards remain popular among credit cards holders and so members of the More Rewards loyalty program should rejoice with the launch of the Scotiabank More Rewards Visa card, which will allow cardholders to boost their earnings with 6 points for every $1 spent at More Rewards locations. It’s unclear what the best value is for redeeming your points – but travel gift cards at a 2 percent return on spending looks very attractive. Plus, members who shop frequently at More Rewards locations will invariably find in-store bonus offers to add even more value to the program.
All-in-all, the no-fee Scotiabank More Rewards Visa card is worth a look for More Rewards members in western Canada who regularly shop at Overwaitea stores like Save-On-Foods and who like the ability to redeem their reward points for a variety of items, including free groceries. You can read more about this card and apply for it here.
I’ve taken my share of swings at the Aeroplan loyalty program, sharing stories of outrageous fees on flight redemptions, trouble transferring points when a spouse dies, and how Aeroplan flight rewards can be more expensive than cash fares. The bottom line is that readers write to me all the time to complain about Aeroplan, and while many have legitimate beefs with the program, other complaints should be viewed with a healthy dose of scepticism.
Related: So you’re ready to dump Aeroplan – Now what?
Given the right circumstances Aeroplan does offer good value to its members. Recently, the much maligned coalition loyalty program owned by Aimia, addressed a major concern from its members by finally allowing them to use their Aeroplan Miles to cover the taxes, fees and surcharges associated with a flight reward (although it should be noted that when redeeming for taxes fees, and surcharges you’re getting about 1/3 less value than if you redeem for airfare alone).
Now the company is aiming to address other concerns about its program by busting some common Aeroplan myths:
Myth #1: Fixed Mileage Flight Rewards are never available
Myth #2: Aeroplan has blackout dates
Myth #3: Contact Centre Agents have access to more seats
Myth #4: You need to book a year in advance to find a seat
Myth #5: It’s virtually impossible to change or cancel a flight reward
Myth #6: You can only earn miles by flying
Myth #7: Only the Contact Centre can credit my miles if I forget to provide my Aeroplan Number when flying
Myth #8: I’ll have to be on hold for 2 hours if I call in to book a flight
Myth #9: Aeroplan is the only program where the miles expire
Myth #10: There are no real perks to achieving status with Aeroplan
Myth #11: I can’t use my miles to book flights for my friends and family
Myth #12: My credit card is my Aeroplan Card
Final thoughts on Aeroplan myths
When I first came across this infographic I have to admit I was impressed that Aeroplan would take these criticisms head-on and attempt to dispel the myths with facts and truth. However, after reading all 12 complaints and the company’s attempt to respond, I came away convinced that Aeroplan’s response is a mix of equal parts truth and corporate marketing spin.
Some of the legacy complaints, like the ones about blackout dates or the call centre, have persisted for years despite the Aeroplan program evolving and eliminating most of those issues. Others, like points expiring if you’re not active in the program for a year, or that it’s difficult to find flights to redeem, remain a constant thorn in the side of Aeroplan members.
Readers: Discuss.