Canadian Tire, a prominent name in Canada, has recently unveiled a subscription-based extension of its Triangle Rewards loyalty program named Triangle Select. While subscription loyalty programs are not uncommon, the advantages offered by Triangle Select are remarkable. Check out my review on Triangle Select below.
Understanding Triangle Select
Triangle Select functions as a subscription upgrade to the Triangle Rewards program. Priced at $89 annually, it offers enhanced earning rates along with various perks. To clarify, Triangle Rewards is the loyalty initiative for stores under Canadian Tire’s umbrella, which encompasses brands such as:
- Canadian Tire
- SportChek
- Mark’s/L’Équipeur
- Party City
- Sports Experts
- Hockey Experts
- Pro Hockey Life
Joining the baseline Triangle Rewards program is free, allowing you to accumulate CT Money at eligible locations.
Benefits of Triangle Select
- A $50 welcome gift
- A limited time 6-month subscription offer for Crave
- 10X rewards on nearly all in-store transactions at Canadian Tire, SportChek, Mark’s, and Party City
- 20X rewards on qualifying in-store brands like Denver Hayes, MotoMaster, Sherwood, and Mastercraft.
- A 20X annual in-store top-up on your highest qualifying purchase
- Free shipping on all online orders exceeding $50 from SportChek, Mark’s, and L’Équipeur (up to $20 shipping fees per order)
- Reimbursement for shipping fees in CT Money for the first five Canadian Tire ship-to-home transactions (up to $12 shipping fees per order)
From the start, Triangle Select presents noteworthy value, offering a $50 welcome gift applicable to select brands (including Canadian Tire and SportChek). Moreover, new subscribers can take advantage of a complimentary 6-month Crave subscription, valued at $120. This sums up to an immediate worth of $170, significantly exceeding the $89 annual subscription cost. Essentially, Canadian Tire incentivizes potential members to try out Triangle Select.
A standout feature of Triangle Select is its improved earning rate. You’ll accrue 10X the rewards for nearly all in-store purchases at Canadian Tire, SportChek, Mark’s, and Party City, equating to 4% back in CT Money. However, non-qualifying purchases include items like gift cards, lottery tickets, and tire disposal fees.
Additionally, subscribers benefit from 20X the rewards (or 8% back in CT Money) on in-store brands like Denver Hayes and MotoMaster. Notably, this 20X rate stacks with your regular 10X rewards, leading to a total of 30X the rewards.
It’s important to note that this enhanced earning rate exclusively applies to in-store purchases; online purchases fulfilled through home delivery or in-store pickup are excluded.
An intriguing aspect of the 20X annual top-up program is that at the end of your membership year, Triangle Select credits you with a bonus of 20X rewards based on your largest eligible purchase of the year. With 20X the rewards essentially representing 8% back in CT Money, this could significantly offset your annual fee.
While additional rewards do not apply to online shopping, there are still some perks for those transactions. You can receive up to $12 in CT Money for shipping reimbursements for five Canadian Tire purchases made online, while all online orders over $50 from SportChek or Mark’s enjoy waived shipping charges (up to $20 per order).
Maximizing Rewards with Triangle Select
Similar to other loyalty programs, Triangle Select features weekly targeted offers and in-store promotions that can substantially enhance your rewards. For instance, a scenario presented on the Triangle Select website illustrates the potential CT Money earnings from purchasing a PADERNO pan priced at $149.99 before tax.
In this case, regular Triangle Rewards members would benefit from a $10 offer, alongside a base earn rate of 0.4%, yielding $10.60 back in CT Money, which is decent. Conversely, Triangle Select subscribers would garner an additional 10X and 20X bonuses since PADERNO qualifies as an in-house brand, totaling $28.60 in CT Money—$18 more than non-subscribers.
Additionally, if you purchase the pan with either the Triangle Mastercard or the Triangle World Elite Mastercard, your earning rate could further increase.
With the right payment methods in place, it’s possible to earn $34 in CT Money from just that single purchase, underscoring significant value. Additionally, the Triangle World Elite Mastercard is among my top choices for credit cards due to its complimentary roadside assistance benefits.
Tangerine World Elite Mastercard
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- No annual fee
- Earn 4% in CT Money at participating retailers, including Canadian Tire and Sport Chek
- Receive 3% in CT Money on grocery purchases (up to $12,000), and 1% on all other expenditures
- 5¢ to 7¢ per liter in CT Money on fuel purchases at Gas+/Essence+ locations
- Gold Plan for free Roadside Assistance
- Financing options without fees or interest
Comparison with Other Programs
While a direct comparison may not be entirely fair, it’s worth examining PC Insiders as another enhanced subscription loyalty service.
PC Insiders is priced at $119 annually, which is $30 more than Triangle Select. The key attractions include priority grocery pickup via PC Express and 10% back in PC Optimum points for PC and Joe Fresh products, along with 5% back in points for PC Travel bookings.
In the past, I found significant value in PC Insiders due to how often I utilized PC Express. Nowadays, however, I prefer to shop in-person and realized I wasn’t purchasing as many PC products as initially thought.
With Triangle Select, earning 10X rewards on nearly every in-store purchase eases the decision-making process, eliminating the uncertainty regarding qualifying products. While selecting specific items yields extra 20X rewards, the program’s overall flexibility is noteworthy, particularly with the added value of associated credit cards allowing for bonus points.
Conclusion
In my view, Triangle Select is a worthwhile investment. As consumers grow increasingly inclined towards making informed purchasing choices, Triangle Select offers a pathway to save more. While some may disapprove of the $89 annual fee for enhanced rewards, the initial year provides exceptional value. However, this program is undoubtedly tailored for those who frequently shop at Canadian Tire-affiliated stores. Its appeal may be limited for those who do not engage with these retailers regularly.