Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between base points and bonus points?

You accumulate base points for each dollar of the net value spent on all your eligible purchases.

You can accumulate bonus points along with base points by taking advantage of promotional offers. The number of bonus points awarded varies according to the promotions and the purchases made.

The “net value” means the total value of eligible purchases after rebates, minus shipping and deposit fees and before specific taxes and any other applicable taxes and charges (GST, QST, etc.).

How many base points can I earn for my purchases?

You earn five points for each dollar of the net value for all eligible purchases made in any SAQ Classique, Sélection or Express store, as well as at SAQ.COM and SAQ mobile application. In the SAQ Dépôt stores, the base points are issued according to the number of eligible products purchased at the rate of 500 points for the first 23 eligible products purchased and 500 additional points for every purchase of 12 additional eligible products.

The “net value” means the total value of eligible purchases after rebates, minus shipping and deposit fees on beer bottles and cans and before specific taxes and any other applicable taxes and charges (GST, QST, etc.).

How are base points calculated?

You receive five points for each dollar of the net value spent, except in SAQ Dépôt stores.

The points are awarded according to the net value of eligible purchases and rounded to a whole number:
- If the value is 0.5 or higher, the decimal is rounded up.
- If the value is 0.49 or lower, the decimal is rounded down.

For example, if you buy a product with a value of $12:

The “net value” means the total value of eligible purchases after rebates, minus shipping and deposit fees on beer bottles and cans and before specific taxes and any other applicable taxes and charges (GST, QST, etc.).

What is the specific tax?

When you buy alcoholic products in Quebec, you have to pay a specific tax in addition to GST and QST. This tax is determined by government authorities based on the nature or category of the products.

At the SAQ, taxes are included in all displayed prices. The SAQ Inspire experience doesn’t allow you to earn points on the tax—the standard GST and QST and the specific tax on alcoholic products—for your purchases. The amount eligible for earning points is shown on your receipt.

To calculate base points, a fixed rate equal to the specific tax is deducted from the price of all products and services purchased in store, on SAQ.COM and SAQ mobile application. The rate may vary.

The “net value” means the total value of eligible purchases after rebates, minus shipping and deposit fees on beer bottles and cans and before specific taxes and any other applicable taxes and charges (GST, QST, etc.).

What is the specific tax rate?

The current rate is $1.05 per product or service purchased in store, on SAQ.COM and in SAQ mobile application. This rate may vary.

How are base points calculated in the SAQ Dépôt stores?

In the SAQ Dépôt stores, the base points are issued according to the number of eligible products purchased at the rate of 500 points for the first 23 eligible products purchased and 500 additional points for every purchase of 12 additional eligible products.

This a summary of the offer:

• Between 1 and 23 products: 500 points
• Between 24 and 35 products: 1,000 points
• Between 36 and 47 products: 1,500 points
• Between 48 and 59 products: 2,000 points
• And so on…

So, if you purchased 14 products, you will earn 500 points for your transaction.

What do I have to do to earn points?

You must purchase products or services in stores or online for personal use. Use of the Inspire card for business purposes is prohibited.

For example, if you make a purchase in store, simply present your valid Inspire card before the end of each transaction to earn points immediately. Points for purchases made at SAQ.COM and in SAQ mobile application are awarded after a short interval.

Just be sure to follow the procedures, since points cannot be awarded retroactively.

At all times, it is strictly forbidden to present your Inspire card during a transaction that is not yours. Even if the person offers it to you nicely.

Can I earn points online?

Yes, you can. To earn points at SAQ.COM and in the SAQ mobile app, you have to log in using the same authentication email address as your SAQ Inspire account.

Can I earn points on every single thing I purchase at the SAQ?

Almost! You can’t earn points on:

• Gift cards

• Cards for sponsored events

• Ateliers SAQ by ITHQ

• Cellar rentals

• Any product or service for which a personalized receipt is issued (except for SAQ Inspire Signature events)

• Any product or service designated as excluded by the SAQ (for example, during a promotion)

• Any product that is or may be excluded due to current legislation

• Any product from the Vin en vrac banner

• Any product for business purposes.

Also, no points will be awarded on shipping costs, donations for fundraising campaigns, deposits on beer bottles and cans or cash withdrawals with a purchase.

In the case of SAQ Inspire Signature wine travels, you only accumulate points on all or portion paid with the following payment methods: cash, debit and credit. You can’t earn points on all or portion paid by another payment method, as points from other reward programs.

Can I earn points in any SAQ store?

You can earn points in any SAQ or SAQ Classique, Sélection, Express and Dépôt store. You can also earn them at SAQ.COM and in SAQ mobile application.

You cannot earn points in SAQ agency stores, SAQ Restauration or Vin en vrac stores.

Can I share my account to earn more points more quickly?

When you pick up your card at the store, you can add a second person to your account. You can therefore allow one other person (who’s 18 or older, acts as an individual and meets the other conditions for registration and participation) to use the second card to earn points through your account. You cannot add a second card after picking up your card in store.

Can I transfer my unused points to a friend?

No. Points are not transferable, even as a gift or in the event of death, separation or divorce.

If we offer it to me, can I present my Inspire card in the transaction of another person?

At all times, it is strictly forbidden to present your Inspire card during a transaction that is not yours. Even if the person offers it to you nicely.

Furthermore, that wouldn’t be beneficial for you. You would negatively influence your personalized experience with purchases that don’t necessarily correspond to your profile.

As an Aboriginal, how can I earn points?

To earn points you must pass your purchases at the cash register, present your valid Inspire card before the end of the transaction and pay taxes. You will earn your base and bonus points immediately. Later, you can claim your taxes by yourself.

If you prefer a bill that excludes taxes, you will not be allowed to earn bonus points on your purchase. Only base points will be earned and added to your account in the days following the transaction.

It is up to you to choose your method of payment.

Where can I see my points balance?

Online:

You’ll find your points balance when you login to your SAQ.COM account and in your SAQ mobile app. You’ll also find your balance in the top bar menu or My account page in SAQ.COM website, as well as in the emails we send you.

In store:

You can ask an employee to access your summarised profile so you can find out your balance from the in-store terminal.

Your balance is also clearly indicated on your receipt every time you use your Inspire card for a transaction.

Can I see all my Inspire transactions?

Yes! In the Points statement page of your SAQ.COM account you will find all your Inspire transactions for which you used your Inspire card.

I bought a product on SAQ.COM. Why hasn't my points balance changed?

If you make an order on SAQ.COM or in the mobile application, your points will be awarded the evening after the receipt of payment by credit card—that is, when your order has been prepared and is ready to be shipped, usually in 24 to 48 hours.

If I attend a SAQ Inspire Signature event, when will I receive my points?

For SAQ Inspire Signature events, such as gourmet evenings and wine travels, your points will be awarded within 7 business days after the event is held.

Oops—I forgot my card. Can I still earn my points?

If you don’t show your card before the end of the transaction in the store, you can’t earn points—even if you remember right after. However, the cashier will ask for your card before finishing the transaction.

The same principle applies online on SAQ.COM and  in the SAQ mobile app: to earn points, you have to log in to your account linked to the SAQ Inspire account before the end of the transaction.

Where can I redeem my points?

You can redeem your points in any SAQ store (including SAQ Dépôt stores), as well as on SAQ.COM and the mobile application.

SAQ agency stores, SAQ Restauration and Vin en vrac stores, as well as services and products related to private orders, are excluded from the SAQ Inspire experience. You can’t earn or redeem points through them.

How can I redeem my points?

You can use your points to reduce your bill, or pay it outright, or pay for eligible products and services, in any SAQ store (including SAQ Dépôt stores), as well as on SAQ.COM and the mobile application, except for SAQ agency stores, SAQ Restauration and Vin en vrac stores.

To pay with your points in-store:
Show your card (or the card saved to your SAQ mobile app) before the end of the transaction, as per SAQ instructions.

To pay with your points on SAQ.COM or the mobile application:
If you signed up for SAQ Inspire and have completed your registration online, the option to pay your order in part or in full with your points will be available at the payment stage. You’ll then be able to choose to redeem all your SAQ Inspire points to pay for your order.

Important:

If you signed up to SAQ Inspire in-store, you must have completed your registration by filling out the registration form on SAQ.COM or on in the SAQ mobile app to redeem your points. Also, you must have a minimum of 1,000 points in your account.

You have to redeem the entire balance of your points up to the total amount owing.

Note concerning payment with points in-store: In order to insure that the use of points for the payment of goods and services is made by the member himself, the SAQ reserves the right to require photo ID from the person asking to redeem points, in addition to require the person to have their SAQ Inspire card on hand (and not the virtual card in the SAQ app, or any other printed or electronic reproduction of the card).

When two (2) cards are associated with an account, points are earned into the account by the two (2) cardholders and can be redeemed entirely or partially both cardholders. The SAQ reserves the right to require photo ID from the person asking to redeem points. The SAQ also reserves the right to refuse the request to redeem points.

The points have no cash value; they can only be exchanged for SAQ products or services. So you can’t exchange a number of points greater than the amount of your transaction. For example, you can use a maximum of 10,000 points for a purchase of $10.00. But you can’t exchange 15,000 points to receive $5.00 in cash.

How can I redeem my points on SAQ.COM and the mobile application?

The option of paying with points is available at the payment stage. The option will be displayed if you have a minimum of 1,000 points in your account and you have completed your SAQ Inspire registration on SAQ.com or the SAQ mobile application. You will be able to pay for your order in part with your points, but it’s impossible to use only part of your points.

To redeem your points on SAQ.COM or the mobile application, you must:

• be logged in to your account;
• add eligible products to your shopping cart;
• click on Proceed to checkout;
• choose your type of delivery;
• The option of paying with points will be displayed if you’re eligible for paying with points.
  
  

When will my points be deducted?

• In-store, your points will be deducted immediately since the products are in your possession.
• Online, the points will be deducted once the order is prepared and ready for shipping, generally within 24 to 48 hours.

If the order has been paid entirely with SAQ Inspire points, the SAQ reserves the right to cancel the order if there are no more points available in the client’s account when the bill is generated, when the order is ready to be shipped.

• If the order has been paid in part with SAQ Inspire points and with a credit card, if the points balance is not sufficient, the remaining balance will be charged on the credit card.
• Therefore, for any online transaction paid for both with points and a credit card, the total amount of the order will still be sent to the financial institution for preauthorization before points are deducted.

What is the redemption value of points?

As soon as you reach 1,000 points, you can redeem them. Thus:

• 1,000 points = $1
• 2,000 points = $2
• 5,000 points = $5
• 10,000 points = $10

Be advised that you must redeem all your balance, unless its value is superior to the amount of the purchase. For example, if you have 1,900 points, you must redeem them entirely to reduce your bill by $1.90

How can I calculate the value of my points?

Divide your points balance by 1,000, then keep the first two decimals to evaluate its redemption value. The remaining number, the third decimal, won’t be taken into account for use and will remain in the account balance for further use.

For example, if your balance is 4,527 points, the exchange value is $4.52, applicable for a purchase, and the account balance after use will be 7 points.

When can I start using my points?

To be able to use your points as a method of payment during a transaction, you must have a minimum balance of 1,000 points and have completed your registration by filling out the registration form at SAQ.com on in the SAQ mobile app.

What can I buy with my points?

You can buy any product available in-store or online (SAQ.COM and mobile application), except for gift cards and products of the Bordeaux Primeurs sales events. However, if you pay for a purchase with a gift card, you earn points.

Can I use the points earned during a purchase for this same purchase?

No. Points earned are added to your account once the transaction is finalized. You can then therefore use them only for a future purchase.

Can I use points from two Inspire cards linked to two different accounts to pay my bill?

That’s not allowed. You can use your points only once per transaction, from only one SAQ Inspire account.

What happens if my points balance is superior to the total amount of my purchase?

Only the value of the points corresponding to the amount of the purchase will be deducted from your points balance.

For example, if your balance is 15,350 points and your bill is $10, 10,000 points (a value of $10) will be deducted from your balance. You will then have a remaining balance of 5, 350 points in your account.

Can I redeem only a part of my points balance?

When you use your points, you cannot split your balance. The only case in which you don’t have to redeem all your balance is when the amount of the purchase if inferior to your points balance.

For example, your bill is $10 and your balance is 4,000 points. If you decide to use your points to pay, you cannot redeem only 2,000 points to lower your bill by $2 and keep the remaining 2,000 points for later. You must absolutely use all your points and reduce your bill by $4.

I received bonus points, but I haven’t seen any promotions. Is that possible?

Absolutely! You don’t have to present a coupon or activate promotional offers to receive bonus points. It happens automatically. The SAQ awards points to your account as soon as you buy a product on promotion for which you’re eligible.

Consult the page My Inspire offers of your SAQ.com account, or the My offers section in the mobile app to learn about ongoing promotions. It will help you maximize your points while buying products that interest you.

Do points have an expiry date?

No. As long as your account is active, you won’t lose the points you’ve earned, even if they’ve been in your account for a very long time.

However, you need to make sure your account remains active, or it may be deactivated. If your account is inactive for two years, your account will be closed and your points will be cancelled.

Where can I see my offers?

You can see all your offers at any time in the page My Inspire offers in your SAQ.COM account or in the My Inspire offers in the mobile application. You’ll also receive some in your personalized SAQ Inspire newsletter.

Note: If you register without an email address, you will not have access to your personal offers and will not receive emails which may contain promotional offers from the SAQ.

Can in-store employees access my account balance and other information in my account?

Yes, if you allow them to. Only you can grant access to your account overview by showing your card. The employee can then give you information regarding your points balance as well as your transactions history to help you find a product.

Can my SAQ Inspire account be deactivated or closed?

Yes, in certain cases. If your account is inactive for two years (i.e., no points have been earned or used), it will be closed, with no way of recovering the points. To make sure this doesn’t happen, keep your account active. Don’t worry, though: we’ll send you email reminders before we shut down your account for good.

If we have good reason to believe that fraudulent activity is happening with your account, we may deactivate the account and the cards associated with it. We’ll contact you to inform you if this happens.

If your account or your cards are deactivated, contact our Customer relations centre at 1 866 873 2020. One of our agents will explain the reasons why your account has been deactivated or closed.

How can I change the email address to which I receive SAQ Inspire newsletters?

Your communication email is the one you indicated when registering for SAQ Inspire in store or online; you can change the email address of your account at any time from the My personal information page in SAQ.COM or in the SAQ mobile application. It is at this email address that we send you promotions and personalized offers.

I don’t want to receive promotions or the newsletter anymore. How can I unsubscribe?

Log in to your SAQ.COM account, go to My SAQ Inspire communications page and change your email address in the SAQ Inspire electronic communications section, or click on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. You can also unsubscribe by contacting our Customer relations centre at 1 866 873 2020.

Can I link my account with my spouse’s account?

It isn’t possible to link accounts. However, if you added a second card when you opened your account, you can give it to your spouse so you can earn and redeem points under a single account.

I’ve decided I want a second card after all. Is it possible?

You can only add a second card to your account when you pick up your card in an store. You can’t add one later.

Can I opt out of SAQ Inspire?

SAQ Inspire is free and voluntary; you can opt out at any time by contacting our Customer relations centre here or by calling 1 866 873 2020. Our Customer relations centre will close your account upon request.

Your access will be revoked and your cards will be instantly deactivated. The points in your account will be cancelled without further formality or compensation. You’ll stop receiving the personalized SAQ Inspire newsletter and all other tips and personalized offers.

If you decide to join the SAQ Inspire personalized experience again after opting out, it won’t be possible to reactivate your old account. You’ll have to register again. In such cases, points earned in previous accounts cannot be carried over.

In the event of the death of the account holder, the account will be closed and the points earned in the account will be cancelled.

The closing of an SAQ Inspire account does not result in the automatic closing of the SAQ.COM account.

I registered, but I can’t open a session in SAQ.COM website. Why?

If you have never created an online account in SAQ.COM or in the SAQ mobile application: you must first complete the online registration form. Make sure to create your account with the same email address as your SAQ Inspire account and enter one of your Inspire card numbers to link all your accounts and thus finalize your registration for the SAQ Inspire program.

If you do not remember having already created an online account: simply click on the Forgot password link. If you already have an SAQ account, you will receive an email with a link allowing you to determine your new password.

If you already have an online account and are having trouble logging in, please contact the Customer relations centre.