Countdown to end partnership with AA Smartfuel

Customers of supermarket chain Countdown will soon no longer be able to receive AA Smartfuel discounts as the two companies have today announced they will go their separate ways.

Since 2016, New Zealanders have been able to accumulate cents per litre discounts and rewards with their AA Smartfuel card at Countdown stores across the country, which can then be used at fuel stations like BP and Gas to reduce their overall fuel cost.

However, Countdown’s partnership agreement with AA Smartfuel is set to expire in early 2024 and it has no plans to renew it.

“We have advised them [AA Smartfuel] that we won’t be renewing the agreement,” says Mark Wolfenden, Countdown’s Director of Loyalty.

Instead, the supermarket chain plans to launch a new loyalty programme for its Onecard members. We don’t yet know if this will include fuel discounts but Countdown says we’ll hear more about this later this year.

For the time being, Countdown customers can still use their discount and rewards cards as normal. Members will also be able to redeem every reward they’ve earned once the current pregramme ends at the start of next year.

AA Smartfuel points and discounts can still be accumulated at Bridgestone, Hammer Hardware, Pet Depot, Bargain Chemist, and AA Auto Centres.