New Petrol Discount Card

Unfortunately Marmalade has made some changes to its scheme. This is its statement:

"We have been requested by the fuel card issuers to make changes to our website. Firstly, fuel prices may only be sent to enquirers as a result of a specific request or on a regular basis by email or text to cardholders

“Secondly, on the grounds of economic viability, the fuel accounts will be restricted to the business traveller, sole trader or company user. To differentiate between these and the occasional purchaser of fuel, a monthly minimum will apply. We have, however, been able to introduce a pre-pay diesel card for the average user.

“For those MoneySavingExpert users that have already applied, the fuel card company will be making contact to ensure that the card applied for will make economic sense for the user.”


I then asked him:

1. Why has this happened?
2. Will you offer a full refund to anyone who signed up to the card before the change of circumstance?


His reply:

“Basically, someone at the fuel card company we were dealing with had not really thought through the consequences of the offer made to us.

“We will refund anyone who signed up for the card and elects not to take up the alternative, but as a gesture we will maintain their membership of Marmalade for 12 months.

“However, there are a significant number of people who have applied and it is clear that there will be a positive benefit, indeed a number of smaller businesses and companies have come forward as this is the type of facility that they have been seeking to help them stabilise their fuel costs. We are working through the applications with another fuel card company, which has taken a more sensible approach.”

If you no longer think the card is suitable for you, call Marmalade on 0845 644 2026 for a full refund.

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The original post is below for info...

I've just received a press release about the Marmalade Car Club which already runs corporate fuel cards and is now allowing private motorists to join it for £10/year. It's an interesting new scheme, and will save some money, though it is by no means a solution for all.

How does it work?

Choose a petrol station chain, get a card and then buy your petrol there at a price which is fixed at the beginning of the week. This is done by forward purchasing the fuel; this week it's 94.2p for unleaded petrol and 94.6p for diesel (though there are price variances depending on the chain).

Whether this is cheaper depends on where you live, but will be a substantial discount for some (and more costly for others!) see ''Petrol Cost Cutting Article' for how to find your current cheapest petrol station to compare it.

Hold on, wasn't there another similar card scheme?

Yes. The pipeline card launched last year promising a free petrol discount card. Many people from this site have added their names to its email list. The latest news is that it's trying to put the finishing touches to its card.

In many ways thats a rather different proposition, as it was set to offer a purchasing discount and also had the advantage of being free.

For full details and explanation read the 'Petrol Cost Cutting Article'

Is this new scheme any good?

It will certainly save some people money, but at the current pricing level, it by no means has universal application; for many it's a damp squib. However, it's certainly worth taking a couple of minutes to see if it works for you.

The more you drive each year the more likely it is to be a good deal. If it's an average 2p cheaper (will be for some) then if you use more than 500 litres (10 full tanks) then it'll pay for itself - of course there are a lot of ifs and buts there!

However, if the Pipeline card manages to deliver, it is likely to be a better bet, as with no upfront costs, you won't have to first 'recoup the outlay' from the discount.

Link To Marmalade: Marmalade

Marmalade Car Club helps to reduce fuel costs
Members benefit from lower petrol and diesel costs


Marmalade Car Club provides a range of motoring related benefits and has developed a fuel card system to help members save money.

Fuel cards have been available for many years mostly to commerce to supply fuel at the pump and then pay for it a few days later at a pre-agreed price. Marmalade has now brought this convenience to members in the private motorist market.

Every Sunday the fuel card price is posted on the web and this price is then fixed for the next seven days, giving the member the choice to use the fuel card to fill up their car or pay the pump price with cash or credit card.

Savings depend upon location and local conditions but these can be as much as 6p per litre on trunk roads and motorway services.

How the scheme works


Members select the fuel card account from BP, Texaco or Total that best suits their individual circumstances. Additional cards are available for other family members and cards come with added PIN security.

Every Sunday, the price of the fuel supplied for the following 7 days, is posted on the web. At the end of each week an e-bill is sent to the member detailing the fuel drawn and the cost of the fuel is paid by direct debit 10 days later.

Benefits

• Savings of up to 6p per litre
• Simplicity
• Fuel costs are known in advance
• No minimum volumes
• Cards available for all family members
• Detailed usage bills

Private Motorists may join Marmalade Car Club for £9.99 pa, which includes the cost of applying for a Fuel Card Account (normal cost to members £3.99 pa). Additional cards are 75p.