New Woolworths, Caltex deal earns Qantas frequent points on fuel
By David Flynn, August 19 2016
EXCLUSIVE | Qantas frequent flyers will once again be able to earn points buying petrol following a relaunch of the Woolworths Rewards scheme.
The revised program will offer one Woolworths Point for every dollar spent at the pump at affiliated Caltex-Woolworths outlets, although this will not include purchases at Star Mart and Star Shop retail stores.
This will be on top of the current 4c per lite fuel discount available when shoppers spend $30 or more in a supermarket, according to company documents sent to Woolworths managers and seen by Australian Business Traveller.
However, the scheme will fall short of the uncomplicated 'direct earn' used by Virgin Australia and BP, which sees the airline's own Velocity points earned with a swipe of your frequent flyer card before paying the bill.
Instead, customers will swipe their Woolworths Rewards card to add Woolworths Points to their account.
Woolworths Points will also be earned on all purchases at Woolworths supermarkets and BWS bottle shops at a 1:1 point-for-dollar rate.
Once your account reaches 2,000 Woolworths Points, those points can be converted into 10 Woolworths Dollars, which in turn can be traded for 870 Qantas Points (or $10 off the next eligible shop).
Read more: Woolworths brings back Qantas points in revamped rewards scheme
Woolworths also has a substantially smaller footprint in the service station market, with around 530 Woolworths/Caltex fuel outlets compared to over 1,000 BP service stations where drivers can earn Virgin Australia Velocity points.
The new scheme marks an embarrassing backflip for Woolworths, which axed its Qantas Frequent Flyer alliance in December 2015 as part of a controversial and widely-criticised overhaul of Woolworths Rewards.
Woolworths plans to announce the revised scheme on August 23 ahead of its launch on August 31.
Australia's third major petrol brand, Shell, is tied to the Coles Flybuys rewards program.
Also read: Hot August deals – this month's top Qantas Frequent Flyer credit card sign-up offers
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jan 2014
Total posts 321
I think the rewards on these external purchases don't really change people buying habits a lot, considering you get 50% more points from using your Amex on the purchase than you do from the rewards card itself. If I am at a BP I swipe my card but I don't drive to a BP to get points.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 Mar 2014
Total posts 567
It changed mine. I previously used one service station further down the road. Just a slight adjustment. I wouldn't drive there just to get fuel but I work it into my routine.
Points earned plus 75% tier bonus plus points for paying on Amex. It all adds up.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Apr 2012
Total posts 317
It changed mine as well. If I'm paying for fuel anyways, I'll detour just to go by a service station to get my points with it.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Jan 2013
Total posts 240
IMHO Simplicity is what will make these partnerships sink or swim. In the case of petrol, I think Velocity + BP got it right and Qantas just created a program with too many moving parts.
It's a great little earner for people who are on the road a bit, but for the occasional driver such as myself, I'm usually caustious not to get too emotionally attached to what is essentially a $2 discount or 80 points.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2443
Sadly most Caltex petrol stations (the ones not operated by Woolworths) have a 2.5% surcharge for AMEX which makes me and I'd imagine many people who care about points drive straight past Caltex and into BP to fill up there instead, sans surcharge and with extra Velocity points on top.
Ditch the fee, then we'll talk. ;)
11 Mar 2012
Total posts 316
My local Caltex isn't part of the network that accepts eGift Cards so I've altered my habits to fill up when I pass the one that does. Getting them at a 5% discount through the Entertainment Book plus the points earn makes the 3km of extra driving easier to swallow!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 May 2014
Total posts 4
I agree with Chris while Caltex charge for using credit cards they won't get my business. They are the only service station group that I have encountered that do it.
23 Sep 2015
Total posts 47
I'd use BP more often if they weren't more expensive than the others.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
10 Jan 2012
Total posts 259
I agree. I literally drive past a BP on my way home, but have to slightly divert to get to a WW Petrol. But the BP is often up to 5c/L dearer than WW (using a voucher).
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
30 Jun 2012
Total posts 6
If they had half a brain they would, if they have not already done so, remove the person who made all the changes and lost many shoppers. They should immediately go back to the scheme before they dropped QANTAS. Need to go back to simple one action return. Flash your card and get your points there is too much messing around with Woolworths points then you can change them, WHY just make it one transaction. No point going back to Woolies if they still want to complicate the rewards for loyal shoppers
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