[ANALYSIS] Esso Extra (Part 1)

If spend a lot on gas, a program that gives a decent return is the Esso Extra program. There is a current 250 points sign up bonus. Furthermore, until November 11, 2013, you can earn 2x points on regular grade gas, 4x on extra grade gas and 6x points on supreme grade gas. That is a great way to jumpstart your account. Earn another 500 points for signing up for a Speedpass.

Furthermore, you can add to your account by signing up for the RBC Esso Visa Card. The highlights of this credit card are as follows:

• No annual fee
• Earn 4,500 sign up bonus after your first purchase
• Earn 2 points per $1 spent at Esso stations
• Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases

I would not use this credit card for all other purchases as there are other credit cards that give a better rate of return, but this is a great card to use at Esso stations. Just a word of caution, I have been told by people who have this credit card that not all Esso stations are linked to the credit card, so you may not always earn the bonus points. You may need to follow up with Royal Bank on certain purchases. In terms of double dipping, sometimes the 4,500 sign up bonus is even higher, so if you are not in a rush, you can wait for that promotion instead.

Esso Extra provides a host of valuable rewards. What I like best is the variety of choices, giving us more options with our points, depending on our needs. In terms of dollar value, the best bang for your buck in terms of Esso dollars is the: Reload $0.25 per litre for 200 litres (8,200 points). If you like hockey, right now, this is an amazing deal: Hockey Canada Jersey (12,800 points).

If you are not interested in Esso Extra, but you fill up at Esso stations, remember to use your Aeroplan card instead because you can earn:

• 1 point for every $3 on regular grade gas
• 2 points for every $3 on extra grade gas
• 3 points for every $3 on supreme grade gas

Sometimes, they also have the double the points promotion as well.

See also:

• [ANALYSIS] Esso Extra (Part 2)