The SPC Card or The Student Price Card is an exclusive student membership card that offers discounts and offers at hundreds of participating retailers across Canada. These are both in-store discounts and online-only deals. You’ll get discounts at over 1,000 Canadian stores every time you shop.
In a country blessed with abundant resources, life can sometimes be tough for young people trying to survive on insufficient income. One of the experiences that most of us can relate to are the days we lived as a starving student.
As college and university students, our limited income has sometimes left us with the dilemma of choosing between tuition, books, and daily expenses.
This is why reward programs like SPC are so important.
What is an SPC card?
SPC or The Student Price Card is a loyalty program designed primarily for post-secondary students. It gives students the opportunity to save money by offering discounts at various restaurants and retail stores across the country.
The advantage of SPC is its ability to offer these discounts not only in conventional stores but also in online stores.
How to get an SPC card?
Basically, there are three ways to get an SPC card.
The first method is to purchase an SPC card directly from the SPC website at a cost of $10 per year. As long as you use the card frequently, the cost of the purchase won’t be a problem as it should pay for itself in no time. (It’s just $10 anyway)
The second method; become a BMO customer. As a BMO customer, you get a free SPC card. Before you get the SPC card, you still need to open a BMO student checking account, which luckily is also free.
The third and final method to get an SPC card is to sign up for BMO SPC credit cards. This card functions as both a Mastercard and an SPC card with no annual fee. The BMO SPC Credit Card helps students receive discounts in the simplest way possible.
How does the SPC card work?
The SPC Card rewards program is quite simple to understand.
You can download the SPC map on your iPhones and Android devices (via iOS and Android OS),
Once downloaded, you start enjoying instant discounts on purchases made. Discounts vary but are generally between 10% and 15%.
Like any other loyalty program, it is essential that you do your own research to confirm places you like to shop or restaurants that participate/offer good discounts. For example, some stores are excluded from the program, so be sure to check the SPC website before going shopping.
List of SPC card stores
SPC Card discounts are offered by hundreds of restaurants and retail stores across Canada. In fact, the company has over 450 locations, both in-store and online.
Although various industries offer discounts through SPC, students have more options to receive discounts. These range from restaurants, shopping, cell phone plans, auto repair and even healthcare.
Here are some of the companies that SPC partners with. Be sure to search for more companies on their website.
List of stores accepting the SPC Card:
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Calvin Klein
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Foot locker
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Gap
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Fresh Joe
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Jack Astor
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KFC
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Manchurian Wok
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that of Montana
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New York fries
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Taco Bell
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Yogen Fruz
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Aldo
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American Eagle
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Arden
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Blue notes
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La Senza
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Old Navy
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Banana Republic
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Jules Orange
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Pizza Hut
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Pizza Pizza
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Metro
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RW & Co.
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Roots
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Pink
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West 49
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Juice Booster
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Boston Pizza
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Burger King
BMO SPC Mastercards
There are two types of BMO Mastercards designed specifically for students and affiliated with SPC.
These student credit cards offer great rewards programs with no fees.
The two credit cards are:
Let’s first look at the BMO SPC Cash Back Student Credit Card.
BMO SPC Cash Back Mastercard
THE BMO SPC Cash Back Mastercard offers an impressive welcome bonus of 5% cashback on all purchases made in the first 3 months.
After the welcome bonus offer expires, you’ll earn standard 1% cash back on recurring bill payments and unlimited 0.5% cash back on all other purchases made with the card.
Please note, the additional cashback is an interesting bonus for a Mastercard with no annual fee. Keep in mind that the BMO SPC Cashback Student Credit Card also acts as an SPC card, allowing students to benefit from all the discounts available with SPC.
Features and benefits of the BMO SPC Cashback Mastercard:
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No annual fees
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Welcome offer of 5% Cashback, in the first 3 months
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1% cash back on recurring bill payments and 0.5% unlimited cash back on all regular purchases
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FREE purchase protection
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Free extended warranty on purchases made with the credit card
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No credit history or part-time income required to apply
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SPC discounts ranging from 10% to 15% on hundreds of locations
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The standard purchase interest rate of 19.99%
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Cash advance interest rate of 22.99%
- SPC and BMO recently developed a series of offers exclusively for BMO SPC Mastercard members.
BMO SPC Air Miles Mastercard
If you’re a student studying abroad, the BMO SPC Air Miles Mastercard helps you get home more often.
Do you want to know how? Of course, with the FREE Air Miles welcome bonus 🙂
After signing up for the card, you will earn a welcome bonus of 800 Air Miles.
That’s not all, students also earn double Miles on every purchase made through an Air Miles partner store.
In addition to these benefits offered, all bonuses relating to the SPC CashBack Mastercard are also applicable on this card.
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No annual fees
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Initial welcome bonus of 800 Air Miles
- 1.25x reward miles at Shell gas stations
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Double Air Miles on every purchase made through any of the Air Miles partner retail stores
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SPC discounts ranging from 10-15% at hundreds of partner stores
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The standard purchase interest rate of 19.99%
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Cash advance 22.99% interest rate
SPC Card Applications
Students who are more technologically inclined tend to choose the SPC Card app rather than having another card in their wallet. Additionally, the SPC Card App provides a more convenient way to use your SPC Rewards Card digitally.
To get the app, simply download it to your device (available on IOS and Android operating systems) and save the card number. Then you’re ready to shop!
Like any other digital card, the SPC Card app is scanned on your phone to apply discounts on purchases made.
Plus, with the SPC Card app, you’ll receive notifications with limited-time offers and special discounts straight to your phone, allowing you to enjoy additional savings.
Advantages of THE SPC card
SPC will not be popular with students if they have nothing to offer.
Many remarkable discounts are available at over 400 retail stores including Forever21, Urban Outfitters, Burger King, Taco Bell and other local stores across Canada. These discounts help students find ways to save money on textbooks, gym memberships, makeup, diet and even healthcare.
What makes the SPC card unique is that it offers rewards to students for just $10. Most students may not take note of it, but the SPC card offers yet another benefit: It enlightens students about how money works and the value of a single dollar.
Constantly aggregating savings across all purchases made teaches students how small savings can be summed up and used for other future purchases. This awareness helps students adopt healthy financial habits and techniques that can be used in the future when dealing with financial intricacies such as tax returns.
SPC Card: Frequently Asked Questions
Below is the list of frequently asked questions or FAQs about the SPC card:
What can I do if I lose my physical card or it is stolen?
In a case like this, you will need to purchase a new card.
Lost or stolen cards are not replaced by SPC. No need to worry, as none of your personal information is linked in any way to the card.
However, if you do not want to replace the card, you can still use the SPC Card app provided you have already registered your membership.
Is the SPC card only available to students?
YES! The SPC Reward Program is for students only.
All registered students can benefit from discounts and bonuses.
However, when redeeming an offer, students may be required to present a valid student ID. An exception to this rule is students under the age of 13 who are not eligible for a digital subscription.
What is VIP membership?
A special membership is formed called the SPC VIP membership reserved for non-students.
A limited number of these members are offered each year to SPC partner companies and senior executives so that they can also benefit from SPC discounts.
VIP membership is not for sale and cannot be renewed.
Where can I buy a physical card?
If you don’t want to subscribe to the digital application then no problem!!
The SPC card is very available for purchase in campus bookstores or High schools. It can also be purchased from the following retailers
Can SPC Card memberships be shared with friends and family?
The answer is NO!
SPC Card memberships cannot be shared.
Each individual must be a member of the SPC to benefit from these discounts.
In the event a parent makes a purchase, the student must present the SPC card before discounts can be applied. Additionally, discounts only apply to discount-eligible student items.
In situations where membership misuse occurs, all offers and discounts may be declined at the sole discretion of the SPC Partner.
Conclusion
Is the SPC card right for you?
My opinion on the SPC card is positive. After all, the card only costs $10 a year and you’re definitely getting a lot more for the price offered. If you are a Canadian student, you need to go get one or order it online. The pros and much more, and there are virtually no cons here.
The number of stores offering SPC discounts is also huge (like 400+ premium stores).
Plus, the deals, bonuses, and discounts that students can enjoy for just $10 a year are huge.
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