Velocity Frequent Flyer points to be used as cash in BP stores

Velocity Frequent Flyer and BP Australia have announced a new initiative allowing BP customers to pay for fuel using their Velocity points.

The program, Pay with Points, is understood to be an Australian-first. From next week, customers can redeem between $10 and $60 off their eligible fuel and in store purchases at participating BP service stations using their Velocity points.

It is the first time an Australian airline loyalty program has allowed its members to use their frequent flyer points as currency in a retail store.

Nearly one million unique members have swiped their Velocity card at BP since the launch of Velocity and BP Australia’s partnership in April 2015.

Currently as part of the partnership consumers earn two Velocity points per litre on fuel purchases and two Velocity points per dollar in store at selected BP service stations.

The new program will be progressively rolled out to participating BP stores over the coming months.

Adam Arnold, BP general manager, marketing and offer development, said: “This new offer will help Australians rethink how they refuel. The cost of fuel is a significant household expense, and we want to help reduce the impact on household budgets by opening up more ways to pay, thanks to our partnership with Velocity Frequent Flyer.

“This offer is an evolution of our best in class promise to our customers. BP’s focus continues to be on how it can best serve its customers and provide them with the benefits they want and need,” said Mr Arnold.

Velocity Frequent Flyer CEO, Karl Schuster, said: “This is a game changer for Australians, with Velocity Points soon to be a form of currency at BP service stations.

“Nearly one million unique members have swiped their Velocity card at BP since the launch of our partnership in April 2015 and we are excited about how this new initiative will ensure the partnership continues to go from strength to strength,” Mr Schuster said.

Sign up to C&I’s bi-weekly newsletter here to receive the latest industry news every Tuesday and Thursday. Follow C&I on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin.