Add Esso to the retailers who have moved up their reward earnings needed this past month. After five years or so, I had enough points for a $50 gift card that I redeemed. But also had another 1,200 points. At 1,400 it was going to get me another $10 gift card before cancelling the card.

Nope – a $10 gift card now needs 1,800 points. As the closest Esso station is almost always 2 cents higher than anyone else. To get the 600 points, I’d have to spend $600 in fill-ups. But that requires overpaying 2c or $12 to get $10. Or overpay about 7 cents on average over the Costco gas bar five km down the road. That’d need $40 overspending to get $10.

Good bye Esso Extra – not going to miss you.