Choosing between the PC Mastercard (including World and World Elite versions) and the Tangerine Money Back Credit Card depends on where you shop and what kind of rewards you value points for groceries and Loblaw partners, or simple cash back across a choice of categories.
Here’s a side-by-side breakdown based on the latest 2025 data
PC Mastercard vs Tangerine Money-Back Card
1. Rewards: Earn Rate & Structure
| Feature | PC Mastercard (Base / World / Elite) | Tangerine Money-Back Card |
|---|---|---|
| Grocery (Loblaw banners) | 10-30 pts/$1 (1-3% back), up to 40 pts/$1 (4%) with Insiders – best card for groceries | 2% in selected categories |
| Shoppers Drug Mart | 25-45 pts/$1 (2.5-4.5%) | 2% only if selected Pharmacy |
| Gas (Esso/Mobil, per litre) | 30 pts/litre (~3¢/L) | 2% only if category selected |
| Everywhere else | 10 pts/$1 (1% back) | 0.5%-2% back (2% if selected) |
| Bonus Offers | Stacks with PC Optimum app, store & flyer promos | None (straight cash back) |
Choose up to 2 categories for 2%, or 3 with a Tangerine Savings Account. All other spend earns 0.5%.
2. Redemption and Flexibility
- PC Mastercard:
- Points redeemable for groceries, pharmacy, apparel, gas (Loblaw banners, Shoppers, Joe Fresh, Esso, PC Travel, etc.).
- Value is always $10 per 10,000 points, but you can learn how to calculate the real value of your PC Mastercard points for a more detailed perspective.
- Extra value during Shoppers Drug Mart bonus events.
- Tangerine Money-Back:
- Cash back awarded monthly; no minimum for redemption.
- Cash can be deposited to Tangerine Savings or as a statement credit.
- No store restrictions; universal spending power.
3. Fees, Qualification & Extras
| Feature | PC Mastercard | Tangerine Money-Back Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 (all tiers) | $0 |
| Min Income (Base) | None | $12,000 |
| Min Income (Elite) | $80,000/$150,000 | World $60,000/$100,000 |
| Purchase Protection | Yes | Yes (World: mobile/device) |
| Travel/Car Insurance | Elite only | World only |
| Foreign Exchange Fee | 2.5% | 2.5% |
If you’re a student or new credit user, see our detailed PC Mastercard vs Simplii best student credit card comparison for tailored recommendations.
For a detailed breakdown of fees, see our comprehensive guide on PC Mastercard fees and interest rate.
4. Best Card for Each Shopper
- PC Mastercards excel for those loyal to Loblaw, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Shoppers Drug Mart, Joe Fresh and for stacking with PC Optimum flyer and app offers returns can hit 3-4.5% or even higher with bonus events.
- Tangerine shines if you want straightforward, no-hassle cash back across broader spending, especially if your grocery or gas purchases aren’t primarily at Loblaw partners, and you want cash rewards, not store points.
5. Quick Verdict
- Choose PC Mastercard: If your spending is concentrated in Loblaw/affiliate stores and you want to maximize PC Optimum rewards for groceries, pharmacy, and fuel.
- Choose Tangerine Money-Back: If you prefer simple, flexible cash back in your favorite categories outside the Loblaw ecosystem, or want a no-hassle rewards card for varied spending.
6. At-a-Glance Comparison Table
| Card | Grocery Rate | Gas Rate | Pharmacy Rate | Base Rate | Bonus Offers | Redemption | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC Mastercard (Elite) | Up to 4% pts | 3¢/litre | Up to 4.5% pts | 1% pts | Yes | Points | $0 |
| Tangerine Money-Back | Up to 2% cb | Up to 2% cb | Up to 2% cb | 0.5% cb | No | Cash | $0 |
Conculsion: When asking the comparision between PC Mastercard compare to Tangerine Money-Back card, the PC Mastercard excels for grocery and Loblaw-centric shopping, with high points multipliers, while Tangerine wins for simple, flexible cash back across categories. For most, the best choice depends on their core shopping habits.