With the recent removal of fuel taxes in Auckland, and fuel prices rarely falling, there are a few tips and tricks to help squeeze every last drop of fuel from every last dollar.
While the AA Smartfuel plans that partnered with Caltex and then BP were popular, the programme recently ceased, leaving us with individual brand deals and discounts to save, use and reward.
And with such a choice, whether it’s fuel discounts via the major supermarket chains or discount partners, there should rarely be a reason to pay full price for fuel, without some form of saving or discount. Researching and effectively using these programs is key to saving potentially hundreds of dollars each year, if not more.
One fuel program that has remained resilient is Z Energy’s (Z) Sharetank. Launched as a world-first in October 2019, Sharetank is now about to enter its fifth year, and is effectively a virtual pre-paid tank of fuel that you can fill anytime.
Sharetank allows users to pre-purchase up to 1000 litres of petrol or diesel when it suits, store it on the Z smartphone app and share it with up to five people.
At the time of launch, Z said the idea for the virtual feature was founded with the knowledge that motorists were "willing to drive across town to save a few dollars".
Users can employ the app to scan every Z station within 30km of their current location to find the lowest pump price at that time. You can purchase anywhere from 2 to 1000 litres of any fuel type into a “virtual tank” on the app.
The virtual litres can then be redeemed for actual litres of fuel at any of Z’s 180+ service stations nationwide, at any time, regardless of what’s showing on the pump at the time. The virtual tank purchases also qualify for the usual Flybuys (ending late-2024) and Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollars rewards.
Z says the program, downloadable as a smartphone app on Apple or Android, is ideal for families with young drivers, or those away at university, for example.
Additionally for small business, company owners can budget and manage purchasing and give selected employees access to the account. It helps with admin but stops short of smaller businesses making the step into a full Z Business fuel card.
For more info see the Z Sharetank page.