Update on the Shopper Optimum Program

I recently tweeted Shoppers Drug Mart to see if they could provide me with an update on the Shoppers Optimum program. Below is our interaction:

This gives me some hope, though they did side-track my question. Currently, the program is scheduled to terminate on December 31, 2016. The Shoppers Optimum website is providing a notice to its members saying:

The Program’s terms and conditions that will come into effect on December 31, 2016 11:59 p.m. will remain unchanged except the following:

• Section 42: There will be no specific end date to the Program and 45 days advance notice will be given in the event that the Program ends.
• Section 43: Members will have the ability to redeem points for 90 days following any future end date.
• Section 44: The first sentence that states that the Program will be extended or terminated with 30 days notice will be removed, as it will no longer be applicable.

If you continue to use your Shoppers Optimum Card after December 31, 2016, you will be considered to have accepted this new term.

Based on these terms and conditions, it sounds like the program will continue indefinitely? Does that mean that they will no longer be under a contract? That would make them fall in line with many other reward programs.

The reason I am so cautiously optimistic about this is that even if this were true, it would mean that they could end the program any time, with only a 45 day notice. Though we do get 90 extra days to redeem our points. This program seems so volatile, so I will continue to recommend the earn and burn approach.

That being said, I am glad that the program doesn’t appear to be ending on December 31, 2016. Granted, I will feel more comfortable after November 15, 2016, which is approximately the 45 day mark where they are required to give notice. That date is circled on my calendar. Let’s hope for the best!