Triangle™ Mastercard® Review: The Best Canadian Tire Credit Card
The Triangle™ Mastercard® is often considered to be one of the more accessible of the Canadian Tire Mastercards thanks to the fact that it’s fairly easy to qualify for. Is it the right card for you? In this Triangle™ Mastercard® review, we’re sharing everything you need to know to help you decide.
In This Article:
Pros and Cons
As with every credit card out there, the Triangle™ Mastercard® has its pros and cons. Here’s what we love (and don’t love) about this credit card.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Easy to qualify for
- You can use your rewards at any time
- Personalized bonus rewards through your online account or the app
- Easy to earn CT Money®†
Cons
- 4% pre-tax earn rate
- Costco and Walmart do not qualify as grocery stores
- Maximum spend of $12,000/year for 1.5% CT Money®† at grocery stores
- Limited and inflexible rewards program that may not suit everyone
Main Features
The Triangle™ Mastercard® allows cardmembers to earn Canadian Tire Money on eligible purchases. When your pair your Triangle™ Mastercard® with the Canadian Tire Rewards Program, you’ll really be able to make the most of your Canadian Tire Triangle Rewards on every purchase. Earn rates are as follows:
Earn at Grocery Stores
With the Triangle™ Mastercard® , you’ll earn 1.5% on grocery purchases**. There is an annual cap of $12,000, though $1,000 per month for groceries is pretty generous, and brings you to a total of $180 a year in Canadian Tire Money. Please note that Walmart and Costco do not qualify as grocery stores.
Earn at Participating Retailers
When you shop at Canadian Tire Stores and participating retailers¹ (find the current list here) you will enjoy 4% back in Canadian Tire Money. This 4% is calculated from your pre-tax total. If you spend $100 pre-tax, you will get $4 in Canadian Tire Money even though your total purchase price is $113 with tax. If you frequently shop at the Canadian Tire stores, these savings might be worth it.
Earn on all Other Purchases
Purchases that don’t qualify as grocery or Canadian Tire partner purchases will earn Canadian Tire money at a rate of 0.5%. So you’re earning on every purchase you make, no matter where.
Get CT Money on Fuel
Every time you fill up at participating Gas+ stations you will earn $0.05/litre of fuel1. So, if you drive to work or take road trips often, the CT Money you get with this card will definitely add up to some serious savings.
Additional Perks
In addition to the main features described above, the Triangle™ Mastercard® also has a few other perks and benefits for cardmembers including the following:
No Fee, No Interest Financing††
If you spend $150+ on qualifying purchases, in store, or online at a participating retailer¹ you can request to use the Equal Payments†† option. The total purchase is then subtracted from your credit card and divided into equal monthly payments for a period of 24 months. For example, if your pre-tax purchase cost is $250, your monthly payments will be $10.42 over the next 24 months.
Personalized Offers
Every Friday, new offers are released from participating retailers¹ offering promotions and even Bonus Day events. You can activate these offers via the Triangle website, your email, or the Triangle App.
Cardholders will also have access to member-only events and extra savings.
No Receipt Returns
You can make returns without a receipt as long as you scan your Triangle™ Mastercard®. Participating retailers¹ will be able to find your information and receipt in the system.
Rates & Fees
Part of the allure of the Triangle™ Mastercard® is that it has no annual fee. The standard purchase APR is 19.99% (excluding cash transactions and related fees); however, this may vary depending on your credit score.* The Cash Advance APR is 22.99% (21.99% for residents of Quebec) and the Balance Transfer APR is 22.99% (21.99% for residents of Quebec).
*While there is no required credit score to apply for this card, those with lower credit scores may find themselves with a higher purchase interest rate.
How to Get the Card
Applying for the Triangle™ Mastercard® is easy and can be done online in just a few minutes.
Once you click ‘apply’ you will be asked to fill out the usual personal information like contact information and address. Please make sure to have your social insurance number on hand as you will need it.
If you are approved for the Triangle™ Mastercard®, the physical card should arrive within 7-10 days.
How to Use Canadian Tire Money
Canadian Tire Money can be used at any participating Canadian Tire retail partner¹ with no minimum threshold. Canadian Tire Money has 1:1 value with real money so $1 in Canadian Tire money is equal to $1. When you are ready to redeem, you can present your card to the cashier with your purchase and let them know you would like to pay with your Canadian Tire Money.
It’s important to note that while you can earn Canadian Tire Money on gas purchases, you cannot redeem your Canadian Tire Money for fuel.
How Does It Compare?
| Card Name | TriangleTM Mastercard® | PC Financial World Elite Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Rewards | 4% at partner retailers¹ 1.5% at grocery stores** 0.5% elsewhere $0.05/Litre on fuel at Gas+ stations° | 3% at participating Loblaw & Shoppers Drug Mart Stores 3% on PC mobile and PC travel 1% on all other purchases 2 to 3 cents per litre in bonus PC points for fuel at Esso |
| Added Perks | No fee no interest financing Personalized offers | Travel medical insurance Premium benefits |
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 |
At a glance, you can see that both cards carry no annual fee. This, however, doesn’t mean that these credit cards are on even footing. The Triangle™ Mastercard® has no minimum income requirements, while the PC Financial World Elite Mastercard requires a minimum personal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000 – not as easily accessible as the Triangle™ Mastercard® .
The PC Financial World Elite Mastercard does get ahead with a higher earn rate for groceries (30 points per $1 spent) but it’s limited to the PC brand and Shoppers Drug Mart, where not all of us often shop.
So while both cards offer rewards for your shopping, especially on your groceries, the Triangle™ Mastercard® stands out for its lack of a minimum income requirement and accessible rewards.
Final Word
The Triangle™ Mastercard® can be great for many Canadians, but families might be especially interested in this card. The ability to earn CT Money on groceries and things like home improvement, clothing, sports equipment, and gas makes it a good choice for those looking to earn on everyday spending.
We give it bonus points for being a lucrative card with no annual fee that’s easy to qualify for. While Canadian Tire Money® might not be as flexible as other cash back reward cards, it could be worth your while if you are a regular at Canadian Tire or its partner stores¹.