Canadians love earning points, cashback, and travel perks—but are we actually making the most of them? New research from PC Financial suggests there’s a surprising disconnect between our intentions and our habits, with more than half of rewards program members admitting they’re not maximizing the benefits available to them. We sat down with finance expert Eduek Brooks to uncover the most common mistakes Canadians make, the hidden value many of us are overlooking, and the simple strategies that can help turn everyday spending into meaningful rewards. —Noa Nichol

More than half of rewards users believe they have points or cashback going unclaimed. What are the biggest mistakes Canadians make that prevent them from getting the full benefit of these programs?

The biggest mistake Canadians make when it comes to rewards programs is signing up for programs that do not reflect their actual spending habits.

Some rewards programs make it easy to accumulate points, but the redemption process may be limited to specific products, services, or retail partners that you do not regularly use or shop with. As a result, points can sit unused or be redeemed for things that provide little value to you.

When choosing a rewards program, it is important to look beyond how quickly you can earn points and pay attention to how you can redeem them. The best rewards programs are the ones that allow you to redeem points where you already spend your money or on products and experiences that are already on your wishlist. The easier it is to use your rewards in ways that align with your lifestyle, the more value you are likely to get from the program.

For example, PC Optimum points can be redeemed on everyday essentials such as groceries, household items, and gas. And with the PC Mastercard, you also have the option to redeem your points for a statement credit. Having multiple redemption options gives people more flexibility and makes it easier to redeem points on things they already need and ultimately get the most value from every point earned.

With the cost of living remaining top of mind, can a well-used rewards strategy genuinely make a noticeable difference to a household budget? What does that look like over the course of a year?

A well-used rewards strategy can absolutely make a noticeable difference to a household budget, especially during times when the cost of living can make it feel tight.

The key is to use a rewards program consistently on purchases you were already planning to make. A program like PC Optimum, when paired with the PC Mastercard, allows you to earn points on everyday spending such as groceries, gas, and household items. Over time, those points can add up to meaningful savings.

For example, a household that spends $4,800 per year on groceries and $2,400 per year on gas could earn approximately $1,152 in PC Optimum points over the course of a year. Those rewards can then be redeemed on future purchases, helping offset everyday expenses and creating a little more breathing room in the budget without requiring any additional spending.

The biggest benefit of a rewards strategy is that it turns purchases you were already going to make into future savings, allowing you to get more value from every dollar you spend.

Cashback continues to be the most popular type of rewards program, but travel rewards users often report earning significantly more value. How should consumers decide which type of program best fits their lifestyle?

When choosing a rewards program, it is best to go with one that gives you the most value where you need it most.

If you are a frequent traveller, a travel rewards program may make more sense because you can earn and redeem points on flights, hotels, and other travel expenses. If having access to cash for an unexpected expense is more important to you, then a cashback program can be a great option. If you prefer flexibility and the ability to redeem rewards on everyday essentials, then a program like PC Optimum may be a better fit.

The best rewards program is not necessarily the one that offers the highest earning potential on paper, but the one that aligns with your lifestyle and spending habits. A rewards program only creates value when you actually use the rewards you earn. Whether that’s travel, cashback, groceries, gas, household essentials, or even a statement credit, the goal is to choose a program that makes it easy to redeem your rewards on the things that matter most to you and helps you get the most value from every point you earn.

Grocery shopping appears to be where Canadians are most engaged with rewards. Beyond scanning a loyalty card, what are some practical habits that can help families maximize their points every week?

Beyond just scanning a loyalty card, Canadians can maximize their points when grocery shopping by planning ahead.

Before heading to the store, take a few minutes to review store flyers for special discounts, bonus points offers, and redemption promotions. This allows you to be more intentional with your purchases, stack more points, and get the most value from the money you’re already spending.

When you open the PC Optimum app before you shop, you get personalized offers based on your shopping habits, allowing you to earn additional points on grocery items you regularly purchase. You can also browse store flyers, view special deals at your home store, and create a shopping list directly within the app. These features help make your shopping experience more intentional, organized, and efficient.

If you use a PC Mastercard, you can also earn points on every dollar spent on groceries. Pairing the PC Mastercard with PC Optimum allows you to maximize your earning potential by collecting points through both your purchases and personalized offers, helping you get even more value from your everyday grocery spending.

The survey found that while 71% of Canadians say rewards would influence their choice of a mobile plan or device, only 23% actively optimize rewards on those purchases. Why do you think people overlook some of the biggest earning opportunities?

I think many Canadians overlook some of the biggest earning opportunities because they tend to focus on rewards for everyday purchases like groceries, gas, and dining, while forgetting about larger one-time expenses such as mobile devices, phone plans, insurance, travel, or household appliances.

The reality is that rewards can add up quickly when attached to bigger purchases, but many people don’t think to check whether there are points offers, partner promotions, or credit card rewards available before making these types of purchases.

This is why it pays to take a few minutes to understand your rewards ecosystem and look for opportunities to earn points on both your everyday spending and your larger planned purchases, and get the most value from the money you were already going to spend.

Many Canadians belong to multiple rewards programs at once. Is there a point where having too many loyalty cards actually works against you, and is it better to focus on one ecosystem?

Without a strategy, having too many loyalty cards could work against you because you have to spread your spending across multiple cards. This can slow down how quickly you accumulate points and make it more difficult to keep track of all the different rewards, offers, and redemption opportunities.

Instead of using multiple loyalty cards that may take longer to build enough points, it is often better to focus on one or two loyalty cards that provide the most value based on your spending habits. By concentrating your purchases within a smaller number of programs, you can accumulate points faster, reach redemption thresholds sooner, and maximize special offers and promotions.

The goal is not to have the most loyalty cards, but to have the right ones. Focusing on one or two programs that align with where you regularly shop helps you earn rewards more efficiently, get more value from your points, and avoid the overwhelm that can come with trying to manage too many programs at once.

For someone who wants to get smarter about rewards but doesn’t have time to track complicated promotions, what are your top three “set it and forget it” strategies?

Tracking multiple promotions can get complicated and time-consuming, which is why it’s important to choose rewards programs that align with your everyday spending habits, so that earning points becomes automatic and doesn’t require much upkeep.

My top three “set it and forget it” strategies are:

First, use a credit card that lets you earn points on every dollar you spend. Doing this ensures you’re getting rewards for everyday purchases instead of being limited to specific spending categories. This way, you don’t have to constantly think about where to spend because you know every swipe is earning rewards. With the PC Mastercard, for example, you earn points everywhere you shop, helping take the guesswork out of earning rewards.

Second, take advantage of personalized offers. Look for rewards programs that adapt to your shopping habits, making it easy to earn additional points even when life gets busy, and you don’t ha...

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