President's Choice Mastercard

[Debbie]

Gotta tell you! I LOVE my President's Choice Mastercard. We use it for everything that we can, rack up the points, and then get the groceries. I'll be cashing some in next week in order to get ready for Easter.

BUT, last month, when I went to upgrade/pay for my parking pass(es) at Victoria Hospital in London, the machines wouldn't accept my cc. THEN, this morning, when I wanted to pledge myself for the Canadian Cancer Relay for Life...no go. Luckily, I found a Westjet MC that I could use, but I've always only carried the one. Now I'll have to have a back-up...just in case.

Have YOU found anywhere else that PCMC hasn't been accepted?

 

[dsneygirl]

I don't think I've ever not had my PC card accepted anywhere. That's so strange. DH has used his all over as well when travelling on business (UK, Spain etc). Maybe your magnetic strip is just a little worn?

Have you ever checked your PC points online? I have cashed in over $750 worth over the last few years.

 

[sammi]

We've had the PC card since it first started and we've done a lot of travelling too and we've never had a problem. I would call them and ask them. We've been members of PC Financial for 10 years now (banking, CC, etc.) and have saved a fortune!! You can't beat it that's for sure!

 

[cslittle999]

A MasterCard regardless of the issuer should work everywhere that MasterCard is accepted (and remember that it's part of CIBC doing all of the work behind PC banking). I would request a replacement card. It is likely that the magnetic strip is going.

 

[TimNDansMom]

Dan had his Western MBNA MC declined last night when he went to purchase a train ticket online to come home. He tried 3 times and no go. He looked at his account online and everything seemed in order. He ended up getting his ticket at the train station using his debit card.

This morning he called MC and found out that something was wrong with things at their end.

 

[ChisJo]

I have to admit - I too LOVE my PC mastercard. Nothing beats free groceries. It is the one credit card that I have owned that I am able to actually see the rewards (unlike other cards). I have never had a problem with my card, and I have used it all over Canada and the USA.
I have cashed in for some great rewards too. I have paid for my university with it and have gotten some great cash back rewards. Currently, I have over $200 waiting for me in free groceries, and I have already cashed in $150. Not bad for a credit card....

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

So can any of you tell me how the PC mortgage works??

My mortgage broker mentioned that the best deals out there right now for what we need are through the PC mortgage.

Free groceries I could handle!

 

[sammi]

Here's all the information that will explain the various types of mortgages that PCF carries.You have to choose which one fills your needs.

http://www.banking.pcfinancial.ca/e...ducts/mortgages.jsp?referid=leftnav_mortgages

 

[daver]

I looked at PC as well, but since Westjet Gold Airmiles Card came out, we use it exclusively. I have done the math and worked it to death .... bottom line is using Westjet Gold lets you fly to orlando for 1400 airmiles off peak. We typically get 2500 airmiles/yr, so our family of 5 fly free to orlando every 3 years. ( less 675.00 taxes) That is a savings off of a westjet flight or 2800.00 dollars, or 3800.00 if you fly Air Canada. Groceries are nice, but I'm all about goin' to Disney!

 

[Debbie]

In our house-five kids-flying is a pipe dream and the groceries mean a lot to me. I love cashing in my points at Easter or Christmas.

I could see the problem being the stripe at the parking garage (although the attendant said they have problems with PC all the time), but online, there is no stripe....just the number. sigh. I guess that I should check with PC themselves. Maybe it was just a one time fluke.

 

[MECH8T7]

I could see the problem being the stripe at the parking garage (although the attendant said they have problems with PC all the time), but online, there is no stripe....just the number. sigh. I guess that I should check with PC themselves. Maybe it was just a one time fluke.

With online, often the verification at their end involves matching up the name and address information that you give the website with the information that is on file with the credit card issuer. I don't know how "exact" the match has to be but I think there can sometimes be an issue if you don't put down the exact same name and address information that appears on the credit card statement mailed to your home.

 

[Disney Duck]

I've used the PC Mastercard for years now and have never once had it rejected anywhere. I agree with others; a mastercard is a mastercard. Just give them a call and they'll clear it up for you.

 

[WDWBOB1]

I called MC immediately after a purchase was declined last Saturday morning and was told that the entire system was down due to some authorization problems worldwide. It was back and running by 3:30pm that day.

 

[tmli]

On Saturday April 8th in the morning all mastercard transactions were down...I was at work and we were contacted by our IT dept to tell us it was a problem at MC's end. It wasn't a long time so is it possible the network came back up by the time you found and used your westjet card?

The parking garage could also be having a problem with their swipe machine...albeit this would be a couple of coincidences that would have to have happened but I guess it is possible.

 

[Betty X]

When using Airmiles on flights you end up paying almost as much in tax as the cost to purchase the flight. For that reason, I collect Aeroplan. If you purchase your Aeroplan ticket online the fees are very low.

 

[calgarygary]

When using Airmiles on flights you end up paying almost as much in tax as the cost to purchase the flight. For that reason, I collect Aeroplan. If you purchase your Aeroplan ticket online the fees are very low.

Betty X, last year I flew 5 of our family on airmiles from Calgary to Orlando for less than the cost of the sixth ticket that I paid for (we only had 8000 points). When booking flights on airmiles all you pay is the taxes which last I checked is not close to the cost of the ticket. By shopping at Safeway and paying close attention to the combination of special prices and miles, I have already accumulated 4000 miles since cashing in last year. With the Gold West Jet Mastercard, that means we will have 3 flights by the end of May.

 

[TreesyB]

Oh yes, I love love love my PC MC! every bill i can possibly pay by MC goes on there. I get about $20 a month in free groceries! I cash it in all the time. and it is one of the few cards i can see the rewards.