BP Bonus Points Promotion

[edman]

Wouldn't count on it. I don't use BP and I wasn't targetted (do use Shell generally). Anyway, its hard to pick who the next promo wll be with.

Yeah I agree, seems pretty random. It was a little tounge-in-cheek when I suggested that, considering all the disucssion about Amex's systems in the other thread.

Would be interesting to see what the cost of this promo would be to BP, considering all the whinging that the oil companies do about margins not being that great...

 

[QF WP]

The promotional card I received did not mention an ending date; I thought someone here said it ends Nov 30th?

Yes, both cyberdog's initial post and my post quote that date.

Haven't seen any bonus MR points yet.

Sometimes it takes 2 days to show, but it will be backdated to the date of transactions.

I calculated the fill cost me $0.06 per litre more than it would have cost me at Coles Express with a docket. So my fill cost me about $3 extra to get about an extra 370 MR points. Hmmm....

Exactly, I'd usually do the same (either Caltax/Wollies or Coles Express) but my wife has been hoarding the dockets. Not much of a difference, but if it's fairly even, I'll do it (but not drive out of my way to do it). I've already pegged out my "local" BP's to fill up.

With oil down to about US$72 per barrel BeePee and the other Oil companies in Australia are making a KILLING at the moment so paying for a few extra AMEX points is chickenfeed for them. Frankly I would much prefer fairly priced fuel than a few measly MR points.

I don't think it's too expensive for BP to pony up for a couple of million MR's in this promo - I think their market share and margins have been squeezed by Coles Express and Caltex/Woolies over the past year and they are trying to get it back. A habit takes 14 days to form...so maybe they are thinking 4 or 5 fills at a BP will change people's habits. I think not...the fill $ talks to the average person.

 

[straitman]

I know many bike riders only use BP Ultimate, because they say their bikes turn to cough when they pull Shell in. They say Shell is the worst, then Mobil.

Interesting as the fuel is all refined by one company in any given area and then goes out to the various downstream outlets (read brands)

 

[Chicken]

Interesting as the fuel is all refined by one company in any given area and then goes out to the various downstream outlets (read brands)

This is the case with ULP and PULP, but I don't think this is the case with Ultimate / Voltex / Optimax, at least not at the beginning, don't know about now.

 

[straitman]

This is the case with ULP and PULP, but I don't think this is the case with Ultimate / Voltex / Optimax, at least not at the beginning, don't know about now.

Surely is.

 

[JohnK]

Wouldn't count on it. I don't use BP and I wasn't targetted (do use Shell generally). Anyway, its hard to pick who the next promo wll be with.

I hardly ever use BP and I was not targetted for the promotion. I mainly go to Woolworths/Caltex then Coles/Shell or independent petrol stations.

 

[QF WP]

This is the case with ULP and PULP, but I don't think this is the case with Ultimate / Voltex / Optimax, at least not at the beginning, don't know about now.

Surely is.

I'd think that straitman would know what he's talking about , considering he works in the industry ...

 

[edman]

Surely is.

So is there any difference in the top-of-the-line products? The different bands all talk about premium additives etc as well as obviously the higher octane level over standard premium, are you saying they are all exactly the same, or just that they originate from the same place?

 

[docjames]

The main difference between them all is that Optimax/Vpower; Caltex 98 and Mobil 8000 are all made by putting essentially octane booster additives to ULP or PULP95; plus then the "detergents" they all have (BP included).

BP Ultimate is refined to 98 octane then detergents added (ie no post refining octane boosters added). Note also 98 is a certified minimum, but fuel does deterioate with time, so you ideally want to fill up when a truck has just delivered to your local servo as often it'll actually be closer to 99 octane to allow for deterioation during tank storage at the servo.

BP would thus to most eyes be considered better as it's refined to 98. The others presumably dont do this because it costs more!

In most markets, there is some sharing, but it is not universal. Eg. in Brisbane, where Shell and Caltex both have refineries, they will sell each other fuel when maintenence etc needs to be done, and sell to non-refiners in that marketplace (ie. shell or mobil - but it's made / additives to the purchaser's specification) but they do try and do their own. Any extra they can sell to each other is bonus profit.

So it's not quite as simple as "it's all from one" in any one market - there's a whole mixture of things happening!

 

[QF WP]

Well, I've continued to be in the first group....those whose bonus points post automatically. Filled up Wednesday AM, it was posted yesterday and bonus points were there.

 

[straitman]

The main difference between them all is that Optimax/Vpower; Caltex 98 and Mobil 8000 are all made by putting essentially octane booster additives to ULP or PULP95; plus then the "detergents" they all have (BP included).

BP Ultimate is refined to 98 octane then detergents added (ie no post refining octane boosters added). Note also 98 is a certified minimum, but fuel does deterioate with time, so you ideally want to fill up when a truck has just delivered to your local servo as often it'll actually be closer to 99 octane to allow for deterioation during tank storage at the servo.

BP would thus to most eyes be considered better as it's refined to 98. The others presumably dont do this because it costs more!

In most markets, there is some sharing, but it is not universal. Eg. in Brisbane, where Shell and Caltex both have refineries, they will sell each other fuel when maintenence etc needs to be done, and sell to non-refiners in that marketplace (ie. shell or mobil - but it's made / additives to the purchaser's specification) but they do try and do their own. Any extra they can sell to each other is bonus profit.

So it's not quite as simple as "it's all from one" in any one market - there's a whole mixture of things happening!

Sorry I did not get back on this one.

As I mentioned earlier I work in the upstream side of the business so have little contact with the part we are now talking about. I do believe the last sentence above is about as close as we can go in a limited discussion as we have here.

My latest understanding is just a variation on what docjames has posted above in that the 'home' refineries process to their parent company's standards then the appropriate additives are put in for the who ever is going to be sold the product. ie as above except that in Melbourne for example, the ExxonMobil refinery refines Mobil Synergy 6000 & 8000 to 96 & 98 octane and do the additives for the opposition as described above.

 

[QF WP]

*bump*

Just a reminder to all in this prromo that there are 13 days left (including today). Enough time for at least 2 fills for some (or 3 if your SO helps out).

 

[paul4471]

Here's a question? I've just noticed that I am getting the bonus points credited immediately on my Gold Amex Business charge card (linked to my personal account) but I am not getting the bonus points on my Platinum Amex Credit Card. Even though both cards use the same ascent account.

Have I overlooked something here and they are not offering the BP bonus on the Amex credit cards, only the charge card??

I went back over the letter they sent with the offer and it is not clear to me now.

Has anyone been using a platinum amex credit card and been getting the bonus points??

 

[QF WP]

Yes, mine's an Amex Plat Credit Card and I've certainly been getting the points every transaction (just waiting for yesterday's to post - takes 2 days usually).

One or two fills left in this promo for me - maybe 1 for Mrs LW.

 

[edman]

I'm on Amex Platinum Credit Card too, no dramas here, had 6 or 7 from memory. Same experience as Lindsay with the 2 day wait to post.

 

[Cyberdog100]

I've made 2 eligible purchases at BP, the first over a month ago and still no bonus points credited to my account! I've got a Rewards Maximiser, I called Amex yesterday and all she could suggest was that it could be because these transactions are still on the current statement or in fact I will have to wait the full 8-10 weeks as per the conditions.

Seems the plat members are lucky and getting their points straight away, I guess its not a huge deal as long as it does come through. The girl said to call back after 8-10 weeks if I still hadn't got my points

 

[QF WP]

*bump*

This promo has 6 days left. Mrs LW is going to fill up today and I'll be filling up (for the last time) later this week.

Thanks BP for the bonus points. Looks like from 1 December, it's back to Coles Express or Woolies/Caltex (for the cheaper fuel....)

 

[serfty]

Maybe you could buy a fuel drum and fill that as well ...

 

[QF WP]

Well, I do have to fill up the mower fuel as well, but that's not much of a drum ... don't think Mrs LW would be thrilled if that was sitting in the garage with mini-LW around.

Hmmm, maybe I should drain the water tank and fill it instead ( thinks of 2,500 litres of fuel ) - but that would mean waaaaay too much explanation.

 

[NM]

I am very happy for you to fill up my two cars (and the mover) if you want the bonus points