Welcome to our ultimate FAQ guide to the AA Smartfuel Savings & Discount programme.

This used to be a programme that I really didn’t know to take advantage of and was always just using my fuel discounts as soon as they were available. However, it really does make sense to learn how to accumulate them into a big saving at the petrol pump.

This comprehensive FAQ guide will provide answers to all your questions, whether you're a new member or have been using AA Smartfuel for years.

From earning and redeeming fuel discounts to understanding where you can earn, this guide covers it all.

So, sit back, relax and learn how to maximise your fuel savings with AA Smartfuel.

Let's get started!

1. How does AA Smartfuel work?

AA Smartfuel is a rewards programme that allows you to earn fuel discounts when you shop at participating retailers.

You can pick up a free AA Smartfuel card from any of their partners, including bp, GAS, and Countdown, or use your existing AA Membership card.

You can also download the AA Smartfuel app and do it all digitally.

To start earning fuel discounts, simply show your card or scan the app with each qualifying purchase at any of their 1,200+ retail partners.

You can continue to build your balance of fuel discounts until you're ready to redeem them.

Though keep in mind that fuel discounts must be redeemed by the end of the following calendar month, so be sure to redeem them before they expire.

When you're ready to redeem your discounts, you can do so at bp or GAS, or exchange for other options include Qantas Points, Uber Gift Cards and donations to charity.

You can choose to redeem your discounts straight away or continue to build your balance for next time. Your discounts will come off every litre of fuel at bp or GAS, up to a maximum of 50 litres.

In order to redeem your fuel discounts, you'll need to first register your physical card online or by phone by calling 0800 842 877.

Once you've registered, you'll also be able to view your AA Smartfuel transactions and manage your account online, change your Countdown rewards preference, link cards with family and close friends, and receive email reminders before your fuel discounts expire.

If you're an AA Member, your AA Membership card is already pre-registered for AA Smartfuel and ready to earn and redeem fuel discounts.

You can manage your account with MyAA, which allows you to view your AA Smartfuel transactions, change your Countdown rewards preference, link cards with family and close friends, and sign up for email updates and reminders.

2. How long do AA Smartfuel points last?

AA Smartfuel points last for one to two months.

The discounts will expire at the end of the calendar month following the month in which they were earned. For example, if you earned a discount on April 1st, it will expire on May 31st.

Make sure to redeem your discounts before the expiration date to make the most of them.

3. How to apply for an AA Smartfuel card?

To apply for an AA Smartfuel card, there are a few options available to you.

The easiest option is to download the AA Smartfuel app and apply for a digital card. With the app, you can easily track your fuel discounts and redeem them at participating BP or GAS locations.

Alternatively, you can pick up a free AA Smartfuel card from participating retailers such as BP, GAS, and AA Centres. Once you have your card, you can start earning fuel discounts immediately by showing your card when you make qualifying purchases at any of their 1,200+ retail partners.

For AA Members, your AA Membership card is already pre-registered for AA Smartfuel and ready to earn and redeem fuel discounts, so there is no need to apply for another one.

4. Where can I use my AA Smartfuel card?

The AA Smartfuel card can be used to earn fuel discounts by shopping at any of the 1,200+ participating retail partners across New Zealand.

These include retailers such as Countdown, BP, GAS, and Contact Energy, as well as local cafes and restaurants, fashion and jewellery stores, and service providers.

The discounts can be redeemed at participating BP or GAS service stations for instant savings on fuel, or can be converted into other rewards such as Qantas Frequent Flyer points, CarbonClick carbon offsets, ChargeNet credits, or Uber gift cards through linking your AA Smartfuel account with the respective programme.

The location of the participating retail partners and fuel stations can be found on the AA Smartfuel website using their location finder tool.

5. When do AA Smartfuel points expire?

AA Smartfuel discounts expire at the end of the calendar month following the month in which they were earned.

For example, a fuel discount earned between 1st and 30th April will expire on 31st May, giving you one to two months to use your discounts.

6. How to activate an AA Smartfuel card?

There are three ways to activate an AA Smartfuel card:

1. Download the free app on the App Store (for iOS) or Google Play (for Android) and register the card through the app.

2. Register the card online by visiting the AA Smartfuel website and following the instructions on the screen.

3. Call 0800 842 877 to register the card over the phone.

Once the card is successfully registered, you will receive confirmation via email.

7. How to link AA Smartfuel cards?

You can link your AA Smartfuel card with family and friends to increase the fuel discounts accumulated across the group. This is great for those who share cars or household purchases.

To link cards, users can log in to their AA Smartfuel account and click on "Manage card groups" and then “Add cardholders to group”. Follow the steps on the screen.

If the other cardholder has already linked to another group, the user will need to ask the other cardholder to send an invite request for them to join that group.

Once the cards are linked, all fuel discounts go into a joint account and any cardholder in the group can redeem them.

Once any one cardholder has redeemed the fuel discounts, the account is cleared to zero.

Users can also unlink cards from the group, by logging in to their AA Smartfuel account and clicking on "Manage card groups" and then "Remove cardholder from your group".

8. How to check an AA Smartfuel balance?

To check your AA Smartfuel account balance, you can use one of the following methods:

1. Download the AA Smartfuel app from the App Store or Google Play and log in to your account.

2. Log in to your AA Smartfuel account on the website.

3. Check the receipt when you show your card at a participating retailer or service provider. The receipt should show both the discounts earned for that purchase and your total account balance. To find out more about specific participating retailers, visit the "Where to shop" page on the AA Smartfuel website.

Summing up

With this comprehensive guide, you should now have all the information you need to make the most of the AA Smartfuel programme, from earning and redeeming fuel discounts, to redeeming your discount for other options like Qantas Points or Uber Gift Cards.

AA Smartfuel also have an extensive FAQ section on their own website, which you can browse for the answers to less common questions.

I think the AA Smartfuel is a great way to save on fuel costs, especially given how exorbitant they are in New Zealand.

I do question whether these programmes artificially inflate the cost of fuel. In Australia, similar programmes were banned as they were found to not be fair to all consumers. However right now, it’s best to make the most of them.

Remember to use your registered AA Smartfuel card every time you shop at a participating retailer, either in-store or online, to earn fuel discounts, and take advantage of exclusive offers and competitions.

Safe driving!