Loyalty cards won't replace finding a cheap station (use Tanki for that), but they're free and can save you an extra £30-80 per year on top. Here's how the major fuel loyalty programmes compare.
Earn 1 Clubcard point per £1 spent on fuel at Tesco filling stations. Points convert at 1p each, so you're getting roughly 1% back. But the real value is using Clubcard vouchers with reward partners where points can be worth 2-3x.
Tesco regularly runs promotions like "10p off per litre when you spend £60 in store" — stacking these with already competitive supermarket pricing makes Tesco one of the best value options.
Earn 1 Nectar point per litre at Sainsbury's fuel stations and participating Esso stations. Points are worth 0.5p each, giving you roughly 0.5p per litre back. Nectar occasionally offers bonus point promotions that increase the value significantly.
The advantage of Nectar is the dual network — you can earn at both Sainsbury's and the thousands of Esso stations across the UK.
Shell Go+ rewards are more focused on in-store purchases than direct fuel savings. You get 10% off hot drinks and deli items, plus personalised offers that occasionally include fuel discounts. Shell also runs periodic promotions with partners.
Shell's fuel prices tend to be higher than supermarkets, so the rewards rarely offset the price premium unless you're already passing a Shell station.
BP's BPme app lets you pay at the pump from your phone and earn reward points. Points can be redeemed for money off fuel or in-store purchases. BP also partners with various retailers for bonus offers.
Like Shell, BP's base fuel prices are typically higher than supermarkets. Best for drivers who regularly fill up at BP anyway due to location or convenience.
Earn More points when buying fuel at Morrisons. Regular promotions offer 5p off per litre when you spend a certain amount in store. Morrisons fuel is generally competitively priced, making this a solid combo of cheap base price plus rewards.
The best strategy is simple: always fill up at the cheapest station (use Tanki to find it), and use whichever loyalty card matches that station. Don't drive further or pay more per litre just to earn points — the points are almost never worth the extra fuel cost. Sign up for all the free ones (Clubcard, Nectar, Shell Go+, BPme, Morrisons More) and use whichever applies when you're at that station.
If you're self-employed or run a business, dedicated fuel cards offer additional benefits like simplified VAT reclaiming and consolidated invoicing. Popular options include:
Accepted at over 7,600 UK stations across all major brands. HMRC-compliant invoicing for easy VAT reclaims. Best for businesses that need flexibility across multiple fuel networks.
Competitive fixed weekly pricing at Esso stations. Good for businesses with predictable routes near Esso locations. Weekly price is often below the national average.
Access to BP's network plus partner stations. Online account management and detailed reporting. Good for medium to large fleets.
Stack discounts — Use Tanki to find the cheapest station, then use the matching loyalty card. A supermarket with competitive pricing plus Clubcard points is the sweet spot.
Watch for promotions — Supermarkets regularly offer "X pence off fuel when you spend £Y in store". Plan your grocery shop around these deals.
Don't chase points — If the cheapest station near you is an independent without a loyalty scheme, fill up there anyway. The 5-10p per litre you save beats any loyalty points.
Find the cheapest fuel near you — loyalty card or not
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