Cheaper fuel for AA members (old thread)

I'm not a member just thought this interesting........

http://www.aaireland.ie/AA/Ezine/AA-Ezine-February-2012/Cheaper-fuel-for-AA-Members.aspx?utm_campaign=10194784&utm_content=74908193851&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Emailvision

"The new AA Fuel Card cuts the cost of petrol or diesel bought from any of Topaz’s 320 service stations throughout the Republic of Ireland by 2 cents per litre "

If I was it would save me about €50/annum, not to be sniffed at really. Interesting how 2c/litre discount can be arranged despite the ole "we make very little on petrol line" though.

Fiona

I was thinking of signing up for this. Has anybody else?

I normally go to Topaz all the time, our local one the price is now 1.50 which appears to be the cheapest around.

flyingsnail

My local topaz always seems to be a bit more expensive than the local Texaco so the 2c would only offset the higher price.

Big Nasty

My local Applegreen is €1.548 as opposed to Topaz @ €1.569 so it's not really worth a toss to me.

Where To

Nowhere near enough.

It's a sad state of affairs when a small farmer with 10 acres has more buying power than the AA.

coylemj

I have the Topaz card via Axa Insurance, you get a txt message every Friday giving you the floor price for petrol and diesel for the following seven days (Sat-Fri). If you use the Topaz card the price will be the lower of the pump price or the guaranteed price so you can take your pick and obviously if someone else is charging less then that's another option.

Payment is via bank DD only, no credit card. Billing cutoff is the last Monday of the month and the DD goes through on the second Monday of the following month i.e. two weeks later.

vetstu

But sure how much does joining the AA cost? For a service that's included with most insurance policies anyway

Fiona

vetstu wrote: »

But sure how much does joining the AA cost? For a service that's included with most insurance policies anyway

No idea how much it costs im in it already. €24 a month or something like that for myself and my husband. We dont have breakdown on our car insurance.

mrs crilly

mrs crilly wrote: »

I was thinking of signing up for this. Has anybody else?

I normally go to Topaz all the time, our local one the price is now 1.50 which appears to be the cheapest around.

mrs crilly wrote: »

No idea how much it costs im in it already. €24 a month or something like that for myself and my husband. We dont have breakdown on our car insurance.

The card is good for ye so

my friend

with the range meter reading the same my car cost €98 to fill at a Topaz and €89 at an Applegreen

even allowing for the range meter being 'out' thats still a huge difference?

unkel

vetstu wrote: »

But sure how much does joining the AA cost? For a service that's included with most insurance policies anyway

The AA service is far superior to the cover on most insurance policies. The latter is only for towing you away really. The AA man is a qualified mechanic who will try his utmost to actually fix the car on the spot

Gophur

my friend wrote: »

with the range meter reading the same my car cost €98 to fill at a Topaz and €89 at an Applegreen

even allowing for the range meter being 'out' thats still a huge difference?

Don't you know the "range meter" makes it's calculations based on your driving style in the previous xxxkm (differs for each car)?

Your calculations are, therefore, not accurate.

unkel

unkel wrote: »

The AA service is far superior to the cover on most insurance policies. The latter is only for towing you away really. The AA man is a qualified mechanic who will try his utmost to actually fix the car on the spot

I'm with AA & through them as a broker for my car insurance. since my renewal is coming up, i'm looking at other policies to see is it worth staying with them (as i get a discount on the insurance if i'm an aa member). the cover they seem to offer is better than most policies from what i have read, so yeah...

the car servicing being done at your home looks handy too

R.O.R

Sounds very much like http://www.motorcard.ie/

Does anyone actually use one of these, and if so - how often is the weekly price cheaper than the pump price? Just looked at the benchmark weekly price and I'm sure that's higher than the Topaz at the Square (which is usually one of the most expensive).

bluewolf

bluewolf wrote: »

..............

the car servicing being done at your home looks handy too

..looks overpriced to me by quite a bit...
"Interim Car Service
50 safety and maintenance checks
Recommended after 10,000 km
Car Service from €179"


they don't do the following for that..

Visually inspect smoke emissions (diesel models)
Inspect fuel cap for condition and security
Check exterior mirrors for condition
Check interior mirror condition
Check windscreen condition
Check bonnet catch and lubricate (if required)
Inspect and lubricate door hinges (if required)
Inspect HT leads for visual condition
Replace spark plugs if applicable
Replace air filter element
Replace fuel filter (diesel models)
Check cabin/pollen filter and report if due
Check throttle linkage and lubricate (if applicable)
Visually inspect coolant hoses for condition and leaks
Visually inspect expansion bottle for leaks and cap security
Check cooling fan for operation (where applicable)
Check radiator for condition and leaks
Check radiator cap condition
Remove rear wheels and check drum condition
Refit rear wheels,adjust nut torque to manufacturer setting
Remove front wheels
Refit front wheels,adjust nut torque to manufacturer setting
Check brake shoes for wear (where applicable)
Check wheel cylinders for wear and leaks


so an oil and filter change and check the basics for €179.

Gary ITR

unkel wrote: »

The AA service is far superior to the cover on most insurance policies. The latter is only for towing you away really. The AA man is a qualified mechanic who will try his utmost to actually fix the car on the spot

Also most insurance companies are now towing you 15miles then charging a 'reduced rate'

Cost my mate €50 to get his car towed from Lucan to Coolock on this reduced rate. I could have sent him a guy to do it for €45

RoverJames

RoverJames wrote: »

..looks overpriced to me by quite a bit...
"Interim Car Service
50 safety and maintenance checks
Recommended after 10,000 km
Car Service from €179"

what price would you expect to pay for all those checks in a garage? would the difference sound reasonable for a doorstep service?

testicle

R.O.R wrote: »

Sounds very much like http://www.motorcard.ie/

That's because it's exactly what it is, just rebranded.

bluewolf

bluewolf wrote: »

what price would you expect to pay for all those checks in a garage? would the difference sound reasonable for a doorstep service?

Renault garages are doing it for €89 according to an add I saw on TV recently I think. Personally I don't think the doorstep service is worth a €90 premium but your own circumstance would be a huge contributor, if the only other option was time off work for example it might well be really worth it

...... just to add, the Renault thing is for all makes and models iirc over 4 years old

Ace2007

How exactly does the payment end work, It states that they take Fortnightly Direct Debits, so let's assume i spent 70 quid today on petrol, do they than take this 70 quid in 2 weeks time?

What happens if i don't buy any petrol for another 2 months - a direction debit by nature is a recurring transaction on a set date.

whiterebel

flyingsnail wrote: »

My local topaz always seems to be a bit more expensive than the local Texaco so the 2c would only offset the higher price.

Same all over the country. Topaz always the most expensive.

punisher5112

3year old thread

!!

delahuntv

Ace2007 wrote: »

How exactly does the payment end work, It states that they take Fortnightly Direct Debits, so let's assume i spent 70 quid today on petrol, do they than take this 70 quid in 2 weeks time?

What happens if i don't buy any petrol for another 2 months - a direction debit by nature is a recurring transaction on a set date.

Old thread, but it's a variable direct debit. Whatever you spend in week one is debited 2 weeks later. As they use auto direct debit, there's saving on the credit card fee and you become loyal to them, thus 2c (including vat) saving is good for both motorist and topaz

pa990

2¢ isn't a great deal.

Check with your local credit union, they might have a better fuel card option.

My credit union offers a topaz card with a 3.5¢ /l reduction and an esso card that offers a 4¢/l reduction

Shop around

Ace2007

punisher5112 wrote: »

3year old thread

!!

I know that but the card is still about and it's the first thread that comes up when you google the question i asked - so if anyone else asks it the answer will be here.

pa990 wrote: »

2¢ isn't a great deal.

Check with your local credit union, they might have a better fuel card option.

My credit union offers a topaz card with a 3.5¢ /l reduction and an esso card that offers a 4¢/l reduction

Shop around

Not in a Credit union, and just saw the card on offer on the AA plus nearest station to me are topaz, looks like there is no cost to me so might as well just get the card.

Thanks

Bandara

Topaz are generally significantly dearer than a competitive station

For example I am operating off a less than 3c margin at the moment, the nearest Topaz to me is 5c dearer on Unl and 4c on derv

I can't see the card working out cheaper if you keep your eye on prices local to you tbh