Members of eBucks, First National Bank's (FNB) rewards programme, have spent over eB51 million (R5.1 million) on fuel and oil since the official launch of Engen as a spend partner for eBucks in November 2009.

This is according to Jolande Duvenage, CEO of eBucks, who says that the ability to buy fuel with eBucks is turning out to be one of the fastest-growing spend channels in the rewards programme.

"Travel costs – and particularly fuel costs – fluctuate to the extent that fuel costs make up, on average, just over 10% of household expenditure," Duvenage explains.

"So, it comes as no surprise that eBucks members have jumped at the opportunity to purchase fuel and oil with their eBucks. We've also had a number of inactive eBucks members who kicked off their spending activity with buying fuel, which is very encouraging. In fact, over a third of the eBucks members who have purchased fuel using their eBucks, were previously listed as inactive members.

"It's obviously a benefit that our members have really found valuable and have, no doubt, been waiting for some time.  Through this offering, FNB has enabled eBucks to be the only rewards programme in South Africa to offer members the ability to spend their eBucks on fuel, it's like getting fuel for free," she adds.

According to the statistics, eBucks members have swiped their eBucks cards at one of the 670 eBucks enabled Engen forecourts around the country, spending on average of eB2,360 (R236) on fuel per transaction. 

According to Engen Retail Marketing Manager, Pierr Roodt, Engen has been a leader in allowing South Africans to use alternative methods of fuel payment, with the ability to purchase fuel using debit cards, credit cards and eBucks.

He also shared information illustrating that the introduction of eBucks as a payment method at various Engen forecourts hasn't only benefitted consumers but also the business of individual Engen stations as well.

"Buying fuel may be a grudge purchase and not very rewarding, but getting a free tank of fuel thanks to FNB and eBucks – and saving yourself a few hundred bucks in the process – frees you up to spend that money on something you really want," Duvenage concluded.

About eBucks:

eBucks, the rewards programme offered by First National Bank (FNB) and RMB Private Bank, is acknowledged as one of South Africa's leading rewards programmes with highly active members spending in excess of 80% of the eBucks earned in any given month.