Chevron, Safeway Begin Rollout of Joint Fuel Rewards Program

SAN RAMON & PLEASANTON, Calif. -- A little over a month since first announcing their plans, Chevron Corp. and the Vons division of Safeway Inc. are beginning to roll out a new joint loyalty program called Reward Points.

As CSNews Online previously reported, this is Chevron's first loyalty program in the United States. (It has programs in Canada and some Asian markets.)

Customers who earn gas rewards by shopping with their VonsClub Card at Vons stores and their ValuePlus Card at Pavilions stores will now be able to use those rewards for up to 20 cents off per gallon when filling up at participating Chevron- and Texaco-branded locations in southern and central California.

"Safeway listens to our shoppers and we understand the importance of stretching their grocery dollars and saving at the pump," said Mir Aamir, president of customer loyalty and digital technologies at Safeway. "By teaming up with Chevron, we're able to thank our customers with an innovative rewards program that makes these two frequent and critical purchases even easier and more affordable."

Beyond savings, customers also benefit from the ease with which they can earn and redeem their gas rewards, according to Safeway, since there are 264 Vons and Pavilions stores and well over 900 Chevron- and Texaco-branded stations in southern and central California.

"We're confident new and existing customers will be excited to use this new rewards program, which teams up two quality brands," said Cary Knuth, general manager of marketing, sales and services for Chevron Americas Products. "We wanted to offer customers the opportunity to reap the benefits and product offerings of both Safeway and Chevron."

Under the new Reward Points program, for every 100 points earned by shopping at Vons and Pavilions stores, customers receive a 10-cent-per-gallon gas reward. Points can be earned by shopping at Vons and Pavilions stores in the following ways:

• Customers receive one point per $1 spent on eligible grocery purchases.
• By purchasing qualifying gift cards, shoppers receive two points per $1 spent.
• For purchases made at the pharmacy, customers receive one point for every $1 of out-of-pocket cost, including co-pays.

Customers redeem their rewards by simply swiping their VonsClub Card or ValuePlus Card, or by entering their phone number at the pump before fueling up.

The Reward Points program is currently available in the Fresno, Bakersfield, Los Angeles and San Diego areas.