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Metro and Food Basics customers in Ontario now have access to the program. How does Moi work, and is it your best option for grocery rewards?
If you shop at Metro supermarkets, you’ve likely noticed that they’re no longer partnered with Air Miles. While this will likely disappoint some rewards enthusiasts, the grocery chain isn’t leaving you hanging. Starting on Oct. 24, the Moi rewards program, previously known as the metro&moi loyalty program, will be available at Metro and Food Basics stores in Ontario.
According to a recent survey by Léger, Moi is currently the “most widely used loyalty program in Quebec.” In Ontario, however, it will face heavier competition from the PC Optimum and Scene+ rewards programs, which dominate the market. So, how does Moi stack up? Let’s dive into the program and find out.
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Canadians can earn and redeem Moi points at Metro, Food Basics, Super C, Jean Coutu, Brunet and Première Moisson stores in Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick.
Unlike with PC Optimum and Scene+, Moi rewards you on all purchases made at participating stores. However, the earn rate varies by province and even store. In Quebec and New Brunswick, you’ll earn 1 point per dollar spent at participating stores. In Ontario, you’ll earn 1 point per $3 spent at Metro only—you won’t earn points when shopping at Food Basics.
You can earn bonus points through in-store and targeted offers. For example, you could earn three times the points when you spend $50, or earn 10 bonus points when buying a particular brand of barbecue sauce.
With Moi, 125 points is equal to $1 in cash rewards. However, you can only redeem your points at a participating retailer once you’ve reached a minimum of 500 points (for a value of $4). That means you’re getting a return of 0.8% in Quebec and New Brunswick, which is a decent value considering you earn points on all your purchases. However, the overall return is much lower in Ontario since you need to spend more. That said, since the points are given as long as you scan your membership, it’s better than stores with only in-store and targeted offers.
Moi Rewards has partnered with RBC in two ways. First, RBC debit or credit card holders who link their card to Moi Rewards will earn 1 extra Moi point per $2 spent. This applies to all store banners and provinces.
Additionally, there’s the Moi RBC Visa that allows you to earn Moi Rewards on all your everyday purchases. The Moi RBC Visa typically has a welcome bonus of up to 10,000 Moi points, which is equivalent to $80. When using the Moi RBC Visa in combination with the Moi program card, the earn rate is 2 Moi points per dollar spent at participating Metro, Jean Coutu, Brunet and Première Moisson stores. Restaurant, gas and EV charging purchases also earn you 2 points per dollar. All other purchases earn you 1 point per dollar.
As for the benefits, the card includes mobile device insurance, and purchase security and extended warranty insurance. You’re getting a respectable earn rate and perks for a no-annual-fee card, but there are still some drawbacks.
Annual fee: $0
Welcome offer: Earn up to 10,000 Moi points ($80 value)
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | None |
| Credit score | None specified |
Even though the Moi RBC Visa is the official co-branded card of Metro-affiliated stores, there are other credit cards to consider using instead.
The Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite card comes with 4% cash back per dollar spent on groceries, recurring bills and subscription purchases. You also get 2% cash back on gas and daily transit. All other purchases earn 1% cash back. While the earn rate is higher than the Moi RBC Visa’s at Metro stores, the Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite has an annual fee of $120 (waived for the first year), and the cash back is only paid out as a statement credit once a year, in November.
Many people prefer to pay with the American Express Cobalt at Metro stores because you get 5 American Express Membership Rewards (MR) points per dollar spent on groceries. Since 1 MR point is worth $0.01 (1 cent), you’re getting a 5% return. Additionally, you can transfer your points to the Marriott Bonvoy and Aeroplan loyalty programs, where you can get an even higher point value. The card has an annual fee of $156 (charged in monthly installments of $12.99).
Another option is the Scotiabank Gold American Express card. At Metro stores, you earn 5 Scene+ points per dollar spent—a 5% return on spending. However, choosing to shop at stores besides those owned by Metro could mean more money in your pocket: the card gives you 6 Scene+ points per dollar spent at Empire-owned stores like Sobeys, Safeway and FreshCo. Keep in mind the card has an annual fee of $120, waived for the first year, which will eventually eat into your rewards.
Earn 4% cash back on groceries, plus 4% on recurring bills and 2% on transit (including ride shares).
Earn up to 6 Scene+ points per $1 spent on groceries.
Earn 5 times the points on groceries and restaurants. Redeem points for flights on any airline.
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Moi and the Moi RBC Visa present a compelling value proposition for those who shop at Metro grocery stores and its affiliates, since each allows you to earn points on every purchase.
Some will say it’s a better program than Air Miles—which used to be affiliated with Metro—but it’s worth noting that you now earn twice the miles at all grocery stores when paying with an Air Miles credit card. You could double dip on points by scanning your Moi rewards card at checkout, then paying with an Air Miles credit card. This is ideal for people who collect Air Miles.
Another option is PC Optimum. The PC Optimum program only gives points on in-store and targeted offers at its participating stores. However, with a PC Financial Mastercard, you can earn up to 30 PC Optimum points per dollar spent at Loblaw-owned stores (a 3% return). You can also earn PC Optimum points at Shoppers Drug Mart, Joe Fresh and Esso gas stations. And you have many more options for redemptions compared to Moi, since PC Optimum has more program partners.
Scene+ is another loyalty program worth considering. When shopping at Empire-owned grocery stores and paying with the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card, you get arguably the highest earn rate on groceries in the country, at 6%. Scene+ also has partners such as Cineplex, Swiss Chalet, Kelsey’s and more, where you can earn and redeem points.
Overall, Moi and the Moi RBC Visa are fine if you do most of your grocery shopping at Metro and Jean Coutu, but the value isn’t as good as that of other grocery store loyalty programs and credit cards. Keep in mind that sometimes shopping at the grocery store with the lowest prices can save you more money than using a more appealing loyalty program at a different supermarket.
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Barry, it’s time to take another look at the new Moi program.
You earn 1 Moi point for every $3 spent. Your assumption was that $1 spent equals 1 point, but it doesn’t work that way. Your calculation was “That means one Moi point is worth $0.008 (or 0.8 cents),” but actually, one point if worth $0.008/3=$0026.6. So, you spend $3 and get back 2 cents. Put another way, you need to spend $1500 (since 500 points = $4, but you need to spend $1500 to get the 500 points (since it’s 1 point for $3), i That’s pretty bad, in my books. (not including any promotions or targeted offers).
Hi, Thanks for your feedback. This article was published before Ontario-specific Moi program rules were announced. We have since updated the article.
Overcomplicated article. HOW MUCH MONEY NEED TO SPEND TO GET $1 BACK? Keep it simple and make a table like that . MOI IS $375 spent to get $1 back. Terrible ( silver lining is if you buy couponed items or have an avoin at times willl be $100 get $1 )
It is the most worst point reward ever and they collect your name address and phone and birthdate which easy you will be target for identities theft.
Basically you lose more than gain. Am I stupid to risk hundreds of thousands to gain penny.
You have to spend $400 to earn $1 .
I am smart to have it.