Esso has announced a significant transformation to their fuel loyalty scheme. From next year the company will end their partnership with Tesco Clubcard and, instead, are to team up with Nectar.
Not alone in the changes to fuel loyalty programmes, BP is cutting ties with the Nectar points scheme and is also to offer a different system for their customers. Drivers can expect the changes to take place from June 2019.
All change
From June of next year, drivers who fill up at Esso-branded filling stations can earn Nectar points on their purchases. Esso Nectar will replace Esso’s partnership with Tesco Clubcard and will allow motorists the ability to accumulate Nectar points at Esso-branded stations when they make purchases in store, or through the Esso App.
While this will be good news for those who shop at Sainsbury’s or who already collect Nectar points from other partners, keen Tesco Clubcard collectors may not welcome this announcement.
BP is also making big changes, confirming they will withdraw from their Nectar partnership in 2019 and launch a brand-new loyalty programme for its UK retail business.
They haven’t said just what this new scheme is, but say the new BP programme will support a digital platform that will offer more engagement with customers on various levels and will allow consumers the chance to personalise their benefits with rewards on a broad variety of goods and services across their 1,200 forecourts.
BP is also growing and its retail network within the UK. Over the next twelve months, they plan to increase both the amount of M&S ‘Simply Food’ shops and ‘Wild Bean’ cafés. And with electric vehicles (EVs) on the rise, BP will add Chargemaster EV charging points to their arsenal.
In June of this year, BP announced they were buying the nation’s leading EV charging company, Chargemaster, to become the largest supplier of energy to low-carbon vehicles.
What the customer wants?
ExxonMobil is best known in the UK for their famous brands: Esso and Mobil. They’re one of the largest petrol retailers in the UK and serve around 800,000 customers every day of the year through their retail network of around 1,100 Esso-branded petrol stations.
David Chilton, Global Loyalty Programs Manager at ExxonMobil said:
“Our customers are our number one priority, so we’re very excited to be launching the Esso Nectar partnership,”. Mr Chilton said it will allow Esso to expand upon how they reward customers’ visits to Esso stations. “The launch of Esso Nectar will enable us to continue to develop our loyalty offer in step with our customer’s needs,” he added.
Managing Director of Nectar Loyalty Ltd at Sainsbury’s, James Moir announced:
“We’re pleased to be welcoming Esso on board the Nectar scheme as of next year.” The managing director explained that Nectar cardholders can later convert the rewards they earn on petrol or diesel into money off their grocery shop and hundreds of other Nectar offers.
BP has over 300 filling stations in the UK and 900 more BP-branded forecourts owned and run by independent dealers.
Nicola Grady-Smith, BP UK Retail Director/BP Oil UK Director said:
“We’ve listened to what our customers have been telling us.” She added that, for the last year, BP has been working on producing a compelling and worthwhile personalised offer.
Ms Grady-Smith said all of these developments serve the commitment BP has in offering its customers ‘convenient, differentiated and high-quality products and services throughout our retail business—now and into the future,’.
Points mean prizes
Drivers who want to continue to collect Tesco Clubcard points on their petrol or diesel can use Tesco filling stations in the same way those who wish to collect Nectar points on their fuel purchases can fill up at Sainsbury’s forecourts.
The cost of petrol and diesel from supermarkets is certain to be cheaper than from major oil brands, but many drivers prefer to buy from brands such as Esso and BP, as they believe it gives their cars better performance. This is an ongoing and controversial debate that there’s no space to cover in this article.
It’s not yet clear which Esso purchases will be eligible for Nectar point collection, as Esso haven’t yet released the full details of the offer, but they say they’re working to offer Nectar points on most Esso products such as fuel, shop purchases, and carwash services following the launch. Esso says they will announce further details closer to the launch time. Until then, customers will still be able to collect Tesco Clubcard points at Esso stations.
Are you a BP or Esso customer? How do you feel about the change to their loyalty programmes? Will this change affect which of the two brands you visit, to fill up your vehicle? Let us know in the comments.
BP petrol is too expensive. My local BP garage is charging 10p a litre more than Tesco. I’d rather have cheaper fuel than “loyalty” points any day!
YOU GET POINTS ON TESCO 7& MORRISONS ‘ FUEL AND MAYBE OTHERS. I USE BOTH AND HAVE NOT BOUGHT ANY OTHER THAN THOSE TWO FOR YEARS.
Do a mileage test. BP fuel will still give you more miles than supermarket fuel although you’re essentially getting less from BP. This is because the quality is way better and premium fuel burns better.
its a shame. because i have a bp stn just up the rd. i personally like nect points. so i will probably change stns. -personal choice…
I have no Esso station nearby and I will stop using BP. Listening to customers, really! I do not want yet another reward scheme. This is all about collecting information, it’s all about BP, not about their customers. Same for Esso.
I fill up at BP as they offer discounted fuel twice a week where I live, also it offers nector points which I collect so it’s a shame they will be changing this as I will be filling up at Esso.
I can’t remember when last I bought branded fuel as it must be many years ago. A small amusement when travelling is spotting which brand has the highest price – usually Shell.
ME TOO!
I have been using Esso to fill up my van ( £400 – £500 pm)for about four years now due to the fact I could get club card points. As I don’t shop at Sainsbury’s I will be going elsewhere.
Stick with Esso, and use the Nectar points to exchange for Ebay vouchers.. I’ve saved a lot of money by doing this.
My local BP garage (formerly known as Dick Turpins) has now created an eleven pence a litre differential between unleaded and diesel. Now let me see, shall I pop in for a few loyalty points? Maybe not.
Be nice if BP decide on Sparks cards as they have M&S shops!
Sadly its not that simple. M&S will not allow BP to use Sparks as they would then have to allow BP access to the data they collect. This data is valuable as it can be used to track spending habits and can also be sold on once made anonymous.
BP are leaving Nectar as they want to be the only branded fuel that you can collect points with and this was part of the contract when BP joined Nectar and why BP are leaving before the end of there contract.
As a BP employee I would love BP to be able to fully accept Sparks as this may mean we could get staff discounts at M&S stores but sadly it probably wont happen. M&S are very closed off with there systems and BP sites with an M&S have to juggle two stock management systems as M&S wont piggy back on BP’s.
their not there
“M&S will not allow BP to use Sparks as they would then have to allow BP access to the data they collect. This data is valuable as it can be used to track spending habits and can also be sold on once made anonymous.”
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Is this not the same scenario as Tesco currently giving access to Esso and/or Sainsbury’s (Nectar) giving access to BP? Perhaps M&S are less willing to share the data with their partners, which would then put the above statement into perspective – it’s more a case of do not wish to do, versus not being able to do.
Not happy! I DO NOT WANT another loyalty scheme. I never buy Esso but now buy BP and Nectar is a good bonus as I have Nectar BUT NOT AS GOOD AS Tesco. Might now just buy all fuel at Tesco. Don’t use Salisbury as not competitive and don’t like stores.
I’m the same but the opposite way around. I hate Tesco.
I think you mean Sainsburys. Salisbury is alive, welcoming and open for business
Will be filling up at Tesco in that casc or Asda
We use Morrison’s, same card for everything 😊
I would never, EVER set foot in a Tesco. BP I tend to find expensive, Esso/Shell not so bad. Prices around where I live in County Durham tend to be on the high side anyway.
Have you been banned from all Tesco then?
Or perhaps a life-scarring incident?
Use BP Ultimate petrol as it is a premium petrol and better for the car engine. Nectar was very useful as we also shop at Sainsbury’s. we will still shop at Sainsbury’s for a number of reasons one being Nectar Points. Which we collect and redeem regularly. It seems like we will stop using BP in June 2019, and move somewhere that has the Nectar facility, most likely to be Esso, and use their Ultimate petrol equivalent.
A bit more research needs to be done before June 2019 methinks. I doubt whether we’ll be the only ones to change our loyalty.
if you’re silly enough to pay more for “Premium” petrol you might as well buy Tesco’s premium petrol as the price differential is about the same and Tesco’s base price is much lower!
Chris – Derek values Nectar points. So for him, he ought to go for Sainsbury’s premium petrol instead. Incidentally, I have found my local Sainsbury’s higher octane fuel is normally a few pence cheaper than the surrounding stations’ regular unleaded petrol prices.
My local Essos all have Tesco Express shops. How is it going to work if I buy petrol and Tesco groceries at the same time? Will I need to use both my Nectar and my Clubcard?
Sainsbury’s and Asda are routinely the cheapest forecourts in my area, Tesco close behind and Esso, BP, and others trailing way behind. Most shopping done at Tesco and points bumped up by their credit card / club card combo. Will continue with Sainsbury’s fuel for Nectar and convenience to regular route.
Instead of loyalty points they should bring the cost of fuel down.
Instead of loyalty points they should bring the cost of fuel down
Won’t be buying BP diesel after June 2019
Won’t be buying BP diesel after June 2019.
A shame about Esso. In my experience in Manchester, Tesco offer a far superior range of groceries to Sainsbury’s (Nectar) and are a lot less expensive. I will need to change where I buy fuel as I value Clubcard points much more than Nectar.
Personally I’ll be following the Nectar points. So goodbye BP and hello Esso.
That is a shame, I feel I am supporting Britain using BP fuel stations, I might swap to the their loyalty in 2019 and ditch Nectar.
I have both Nectar and Clubcard cards. I find Nectar points accumulate well (at BP and Sainsbury’s own petrol stations as well as instore) and are very easy to redeem. I doubt I will continue to fill up at BP once their link with Nectar ends.
I currently use a BP garage just two minutes from my house. I will certainly be looking to use either Esso or Sainsbury when BP stop using Nectar.
Have had a Tesco card for years, never knew you could collect points at Esso. Will now start using my Nectar card. BP always too pricey. I have a Shell card and can usually find one at a competitive price when I need to fill up.
If the customers really are their priority then they would drop their prices! 15p a litre more than the supermarkets, that proves they are ripping us off!
I use stocard on my iPhone and have all my loyalty cards stored on that. Always go for cheapest petrol and surprised when I get enough points to redeem. I’m sure it cost less rather than going to a garage which is more expensive just for the points.
loyalty schemes ? rubbish We just want cheaper fuel
Have used BP fuel for the past 5 yrs and save Nectar points.
Have always filled up with the more expensive diesel fuel, so getting the points did help to offset the higher cost. Regardless of the new BP points system I will switch to Esso or a more competative fuel with no points.
I think this will be the choice of those who selected BP for the points if they have the choice.
I am not a high mileage driver but always filled up with BP due to the points reward.
Two garages in our area used to be B P garages they are now both Esso garages Don t know why they have changed brand but now they do Tesco points instead of nectar points I have both so makes no difference really , and the shell garage is usually cheaper if you collect shell drivers club points you can opt to get money off fuel voucher s as you are using fuel any way it makes sense.
Disappointed that BP are dropping nectar. My BP service station also has an incentive to build up to 5p off a litre of fuel. Most of my nectar points come from the purchase of fuel which I double up at Christmas for Taste the difference wine at Sainsburys.
Don’t use Nectar or clubcard. Just another way to accumulate data about. you. Shopping at Aldi or Lidl fair outweighs anything you get with stupid points. Asda for fuel as its the cheapest in this area.
WHEN MORRISONS OR TESCO GIVE MONEY OFF FUEL, SOMETIMES AS MUCH AS 10p A LITRE, COLLECTING POINTS ON ALEADY CHEAP FUEL PAYS OFF. TRY IT SOMETIME.
looks like i will have to drive an extra 3 miles to TESCO to get my points [past the ESSO at the end of my road] as i have never had any interest in nectar and sainsbury’s stores are very depressing
As Sainsbury’s and Asda are merging will i be able to collect Nectar points at Asda?
I believe not.
Asda do not have a reward scheme and their petrol is consistently the lowest by 2-3p a litre. Drop the rewards and lower the price (simples.)
Sorry Esso, but Nectar has been pants for years now.
Guess I’ll have to reconsider which prime brand I use to fill up (Supermarkets are seldom branded but the cheapest tanker-full available on the day!).
Wouldn’t buy BP regardless far more expensive where I live. Will continue to buy on price rather than brand loyalty.
Well, I used to go to Esso and collect Tesco clubcard pts, but in reality they are poor compared to Nectar so I have gone to local BP (where I have another loyalty card that gives me 2p off per litre but Sundays only) and Nectar pts for the last couple years. The BP garage has the cheapest fuel for miles with the exception of Asda (very nearby) which is usually 2p cheaper (but the loyalty card at the BP garage gives me that 2p a litre difference back) – plus the loyalty card also has a ‘free’ monthly gift (usually bag crisps, cake, sometime bottle beer!).
The loss of the Nectar pts however will mean I’ll probably now go to Asda (Esso is too expensive).
Pity.
The price of fuel is too high it’s about time that they get to reserrect Robin Hood so he can share their profits back to the people
i am having my card swiped at bp garages but points never gom on this has happened over months lost hundreds of points
Happy for BP to leave nectar. Since Sainsbury took complete control they are obviously only interested in there own brands.
BP have the opotunity to connect directly with there consumers.
I would like to say that as a customer assistant at BP petrol station we have no control over what nectar do or are planning to do in the future. We sell fuel etc but that’s as far as it goes. I will myself personally miss asking our customers “do you have a nectar card?” As it is a great loyalty scheme for the public and personally for myself as I don’t shop in Sainsburys . But there are rumours that BP are bringing in there own loyalty scheme, so we will have to wait and see.
When I see comments saying oh I wont be using BP now, that’s rather a silly comment to make, as don’t forget BP employers rely on customers like yourselves to keep us in our jobs.
Thankyou for reading.
I get most of my nectar points through BP as I find Sainsburys supermarket over priced and rarely shop there. Very disappointed about this change
I think it’s very annoying …I like collecting nectar points at BP stations and I dont like esso as they dont have many petrol stations in my area….I will not be using esso
BP / Nectar, Esso / Tesco Clubcard. BP / Tesco Clubcard, Esso / Nectar. Ironic that they are called loyalty cards isn’t it.!
BP has just lost a loyal customer.
Will now start using esso no loyalty go where I get my Nectar points
What on earth do BP think they are doing. Another loyalty card rather than a general one. Suppose the Pound Shop will be next (if not already). Don’t bother I say.
Listening to customers, it is f****g s**t. Bp lost another loyal customer. I and my husband used bp for more than 8 years and now it is time to say Good bye to bp.
I use BP because the fuel is better quality and I shop at Sainsburys.
I really dont like Tescos for shopping just my preference. I am going to stop using BP the rewards scheme is a joke: 1 litre is 1 point and you need 200 points to spend £1.
My 50 litres per week will give me 216 points per month……mmmm.
Bye bye BP
I have a BP station at the end of my street and have been collecting Nectar points for several years. My complaint is this ‘There are NO ESSO outlets in Northern Ireland’ Checking the Esso website, it tells me that my nearest Esso outlet is in Stranraer in Scotland. I am just curious, who decided to cut the link – BP or NECTAR
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