First National Bank's (FNB's) eBucks members have spent R13 million on fuel since December 2009, when Engen came onboard to allow the use of the virtual currency at participating stations.
According to FNB, this is enough fuel to drive close to 20 million kilometres or, to make 25 trips to the moon, driving an average family sedan.
The initiative was launched in December 2009 as a way of allowing members to spend the R500 million in unspent rewards. The virtual money, earned when FNB customers shop, can be spent on fuel at any of the 600 participating Engen garages nationwide.
At the time of the start of the initiative, FNB said that during recession periods it was noticed people used their rewards currency as a means of helping them make ends meet.
After seven months of consecutive petrol price increases, many consumers have changed their motoring behaviour, according to eBucks CEO Jolande Duvenage.
While some people are making use of public transport, creating car pools or opting for scooters, Duvenage says eBucks provides a means of saving on fuel expenses.
"For those of us who have planned holidays and will be travelling in and around SA in April, the recent petrol and long-distance toll road price increases will make it more expensive to reach our destinations," says Duvenage.
"But eBucks members will be able to extend their wallets by filling up using their eBucks.”
Motorists can use an eBucks card to purchase petrol, diesel or oil. The system works in the same way as swiping any other card to pay for fuel at a station.
According to FNB, there is no longer a transaction fee of R10 which was charged when the service was first introduced.
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