Student discount programs, such as the Student Price Card (SPC), can help minimize the burden that comes with student expenses.
Using the SPC Card, students in Canada can save on almost anything, whether it is food, clothing, or other needs.
Read on to learn about the SPC student card, its benefits, discounts you can get, and how to avail of the perks.
Key Takeaways
- An SPC Card helps eligible students save on expenses, whether on food and drink, clothing, travel, or accommodation.
- With an SPC Card, students pay $11.99 yearly and gain an average yearly savings of $250. With CIBC’s free SPC+ membership, you get an average of $340 in savings.
- Students can maximize student discounts by fully using their SPC Cards at both online and in-store retailers.
What is an SPC Card?
A Student Price Card (SPC Card Canada) is the country’s most widely used student discount program and is exclusively available to eligible students above 13.
While it is referred to as a card, there is no physical card available, but an app that provides members access to SPC card discounts, offers, and membership benefits.
SPC is also accessible via a browser extension you can download from the Chrome Web Store. Go to the SPC card login page to access your account or join SPC to use the tool.
SPC Membership
An SPC membership requires a fee of $11.99 per year. It offers up to 25% discount and an average yearly savings of $250. If you are an SPC member, you can access contests, giveaways, and discounts on over 450 brands.
You can sign up and fill out an SPC Card application or get an SPC membership via this link. To obtain an SPC membership and earn student discounts, you must meet the following requirements:
- Have a valid Canadian address
- At least 13 years old
- A valid email address
- User ID and password
- Agree to receive emails from SPC
After you get your student SPC Card, activate your membership through any of these steps:
- For digital memberships purchased in-store or in school, activate your membership by clicking this link. Provide your 16-digit membership number and CSV and complete the process to activate your membership.
- To activate using your membership package, scan the QR code inside the SPC package to get a link for activation. You only need to enter your CSV number since your 16-digit membership number will populate by itself.
SPC memberships are valid for one (1) year from the date you activate your membership. If you purchase your membership online through the SPC website or app, SPC will automatically renew your membership.
Members can cancel their membership at any time. If you do not cancel, your membership will automatically renew.
How an SPC Card Works
Once you are a member, use your SPC Card to enjoy savings and perks from various brands. Download the SPC app to your phone and register your card number to begin shopping and earning discounts.
One way to use the program is to go to the SPC website and search for the product you wish to purchase, using various filters to find deals. Choose from the categories provided and save your favourite deals.
To redeem offers, you must present a valid student ID. Store your student ID in the app for easy access when showing your membership.
SPC Card Benefits
When it comes to SPC Card benefits, the list is long. The primary advantage of owning an SPC Card is the savings you get when making purchases at hundreds of stores, both online and in-store.
Other benefits include:
- Affordable at only $11.99 per year
- No usage limits, so you get discounts all year long
- Discounts to over 450 retailers
- Discount percentage of up to 25%
- Average yearly savings of $250
- Access to exclusive contests that offer prizes and cash
- Option to combine SPC discounts with promotions offered by your favourite brands
- Special offers on everyday purchases from different categories, including tech, food, fashion, travel, essentials, etc.
- The money you save can go toward college or university costs.
Where To Buy an SPC Card
There are different ways you can get an SPC Card:
- Get an SPC Card online. Go to the SPC website and fill out the online form. Pay the annual membership fee of $11.99.
- Buy in-store. Buy an SPC Card in-store for $11.99 at a partner retailer and use it to get a discount on your purchases.
- Sign up at your school. SPC Cards are available across Canada, at elementary schools, high schools, retailers, and college/university campus bookstores.
SPC Card Stores
There are numerous SPC Card stores where you can use your membership to obtain savings. Below are just a few of the stores, the various categories and the deals they offer:
Fashion
- Calvin Klein – 15% Off Your Purchase (in-store)
- H&M – Additional 20% off
- Oakley – 20% off* (for SPC+ members)
Tech
- Apple – Save on a new Mac or iPad with Apple education pricing.
- Samsung – Save up to 10% on select Samsung products.
- NordVPN – 15% off with the purchase of a 2-year plan
Food
- HelloFresh – Up To 40% off*
- T&T Supermarket – $5 off on orders of $50+
- Marble Slab Creamery – Save 10%*
Fitness
- Focus Mental Wellness – 15% off* (for SPC+ members)
- Gymshark – 10% off
- Greenhouse – 20% Off* (for SPC+ members)
Lifestyle
- John Abbott College Bookstore – 10% off regular-priced sportswear*
- York University Bookstore – 10% off regular-priced clothing*
- University of Manitoba Bookstore – 20% off the regular price of backpacks, art supplies, etc.
SPC Card Discounts
There are different ways you can earn SPC Card discounts. Whenever you shop in-store, get a discount immediately by opening the SPC app and presenting it to the sales associate with your valid student ID.
When shopping online, open the SPC app, and use it to get discounts. Before checking out, click or tap on “Copy code & Start shopping” to copy the promo code. Paste it on the promo code box at checkout.
SPC Card CIBC
Do you have a student or youth banking account at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)? If so, you can get an SPC Card from CIBC. for free and get deals and discounts through the SPC+ membership. You can register at CIBC using this link.
To qualify for SPC+, you must be registered for CIBC Online Banking or Mobile Banking. If you are a high school student, you must be 14 to 19 years old with an eligible youth product.
If you are a college, university, or CEGEP student, you must be a full-time post-secondary student with an eligible student product.
You can also get a free SPC+ membership with a CIBC student credit card, such as the Aventura, Dividend, or Aeroplan Visa Card. These come with no annual fees and minimum annual income, with a $1,000 minimum credit limit.
With an SPC+, you enjoy free SPC+ membership, discounts of up to 30%, yearly savings of $340 on average, all other benefits of being an SPC member, and exclusive cash prizes, gift packs, and experiences.
To register for SPC+ membership via CIBC:
- Check your eligibility by clicking “Register for free SPC+” and sign in to your account.
- Review and agree (if you are amenable) to the terms and conditions and proceed with the SPC+ registration.
- Sign up for free SPC+ membership and submit.
- Check your inbox for an SPC confirmation email.
- Download the SPC app to access your digital membership. Use it online or show it (and your student ID if required) when purchasing products in-store.
Your free SPC+membership continues annually, provided you hold a CIBC student or youth product when you renew your membership.
How to Maximize Student Discounts With SPC
It is essential for students to take full advantage of student discounts, especially with the high cost of education and living these days.
Here are a few tips to help you take advantage of student discount programs like SPC:
- Bring your SPC Card with you wherever you go. With countless stores offering significant savings on most items you buy, it pays to have your card with you and earn the savings offered for your purchases.
- Use student discounts on top of deals. Many stores offer to let you use student discounts with other promotions. Otherwise, choose the deal that saves you the most money.
- Ask shops if they accept SPC Cards. Not all brands advertise that they offer student discounts. It will be added savings for you if they do take SPC Cards.
- Personalize the SPC app. Select your favourite categories for customized results. Add your location on the app to easily find deals and SPC partner retailers near you.
Pros and Cons of an SPC Card
The value that an SPC Card offers is such that it comes with far more benefits than disadvantages.
Pros:
- Helps you save up to $350 a year for $11.99 only
- SPC Card members do not pay full price
- Instant access to discounts and promo codes on products in many categories
- Discounts to more than 450 brands and retailers
- Savings on textbooks, food, healthcare, gym memberships, makeup, etc.
- Access to contests and giveaways
Cons:
- Exclusive to students only
- SPC Card memberships cannot be shared with friends or family
SPC Card Alternatives
Aside from SPC, other student program alternatives offer student discounts and money-saving deals. Below are some of the most popular SPC Card alternatives.
SPC Card vs Student Beans
Student Beans is a digital student loyalty program that provides student discounts on numerous brands purchased in-store or online.
SPC and Student Beans cards work the same way. You flash your SPC Card or Student Beans iD card to an in-store sales clerk or add your promo code to your online cart at checkout to earn discounts from numerous brands of different categories.
While both offer a one-year membership, Student Beans provides its service at zero cost to eligible students. You only need to register via this link and download the Student Beans app to get discounts.
SPC Card vs UNiDays
UNiDays is an app that students can download and use to avail of student discounts on various items, from food and drink to fashion, beauty, lifestyle, technology, health and fitness, etc.
Unlike SPC, UNiDays is completely free and only available to students over 16 years old and currently studying at a college or university. Eligible students can use this link to register.
UNiDays membership is renewed one year at a time. As your account nears expiration, UNiDays will send you a re-verification email that you need to complete to continue your membership.
SPC Card vs ISIC
ISIC (International Student Identity Card) is an internationally-accepted student identity card that gives holders thousands of discounts worldwide. Eligible students can get the ISIC card via this link.
Provided in 114 countries, ISIC is available as a virtual card for $20 plus tax. To access your digital student card anytime, download the ISIC mobile app. If you prefer a physical card, you can get it for an additional $5 plus tax.
ISIC works like the SPC Card, offering discounts on brands and services like Adidas, Samsung, Booking.com, and IELTS. It is also available to full-time high school, college or university students. As with SPC, the card is valid for 12 months from the purchase date.
Is an SPC Card Worth It?
SPC Cards are popular in Canada for a reason. It gives awesome student discounts at over 400 stores you are already likely using.
For a yearly cost of $11.99, you get access to discounts and money-saving deals from hundreds of well-known brands and services.
The consistent accumulated savings on all purchases you make is well worth the annual investment. This is an easy way to save money, especially if you are like most students living on a budget.
If you have an eligible account at CIBC, register for the free SPC+ membership to take advantage of the perks exclusive to SPC+ members.
However you choose to join SPC, the important thing is to have your SPC Card always ready. This ensures you always avail of great deals and discounts on your online and in-store purchases.
FAQs
The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) offers free SPC membership to students with eligible student and youth accounts and student credit cards. Called SPC+, this is an exclusive SPC membership available only from CIBC. This digital membership is accessible through the SPC mobile app.
No, you cannot share an SPC Card since it is only available for use by an eligible student with a valid student ID. SPC also prohibits account sharing on its platform and does not allow anyone else (including family or friends) to use the account or the SPC Card, except for the account holder.
You can get a free SPC membership if you hold an eligible CIBC student or youth bank account, a student credit card, or if you are a student already banking at CIBC. This exclusive SPC+ membership from CIBC offers all the perks of a regular SPC membership, plus access to more discounts (up to $340 per year) and exclusive contests and experiences.
If you are a student at least 13 years old, you are eligible to purchase an SPC membership. You can use your SPC Card to get discounts for your eligible purchases and to redeem offers by presenting a valid student ID.
Related:
