UK’s biggest energy supplier baffles customers with big loyalty scheme discount change
THE UK'S biggest energy supplier has left customers baffled after making a big change to its loyalty scheme.
Octopus Energy is now releasing codes for free hot drinks daily instead of once weekly via its Octoplus scheme.
Shoppers can redeem the codes for beverages at Greggs or Caffe Nero with one code available per Octoplus customer per week.
Previously, the codes were issued in bulk on Mondays and customers had to snap them up before they were gone.
But they're now being released every morning before 6am, with the firm saying it means customers have more of a chance of claiming them across the week.
However, the change has left some customers baffled and grumbling it's now harder for them to bag codes before they're snapped up.
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Posting on Reddit, one said Nero vouchers are only available "for those who get up at 6am now".
They added: "The old system wasn't perfect, but at least the Nero vouchers were usually still available throughout the day on Monday.
"Now they are limited to people who get up very early in the morning, and are all gone by the time of the later risers."
Another posted: "The free Caffe Nero drinks get snapped up so fast now.
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"I used to be able to get the free Cafe Nero drink as late as Tuesday morning if I forgot (sometimes even later than that).
"Now, it's Monday morning and my app says that all the codes have already been redeemed."
A third recently posted: "I'm trying to get a code now. It's 8.40am and all the codes for Neros and Greggs are gone.
"Haven't had a code for months, where as I used to be able to pop on at any time of day and get one."
Meanwhile, a fourth said: "I used to love getting my weekly cafe Nero drink but over the past couple of months the drinks have been sold out on the app every time I try to get one.
"Is there a best time to check to get the code? I thought Sundays but they're still often gone when I look."
But not all customers are unhappy at the change, with one recently posting on Reddit: "I've got a Neros every week since they went to daily.
"Usually get one early morning Monday or Tuesday."
Another commented: "Just jumped on at 7.44am and got a Greggs (free hot drink) no problem."
It is understood the same amount of free hot drinks codes are being issued as before the change, which was brought in two months ago.
Octopus Energy launched its Octoplus scheme in October 2023, as exclusively revealed by The Sun.
The scheme offers members the chance to earn loyalty points when taking part in energy saving sessions and spinning a virtual wheel of fortune once a week.
Members can also get free movies with Rakuten TV and all you can eat breakfasts for £4.99 at Toby Carvery and Stonehouse locations.
An Octopus Energy spokesperson said: "Millions of customers benefit from our Octoplus rewards - over the last six months alone we’ve given away millions of free coffees from Caffe Nero and Greggs, National Trust 2 for 1 family days out, £4.99 breakfast at Mitchell & Butlers pubs, Odeon free tickets, AO and Lucky Saint discounts and more.
“Coffees (and tea, for the traditional amongst us) are definitely very popular - customers suggested releasing codes daily rather than all on Monday, which we’ve done, and we’re also looking at releasing codes throughout the day as well.
"Each week we see thousands more claimed, and as more customers join Octoplus we look forward to releasing even more in future."
A brief history of Octopus Energy
Consumer reporter Sam Walker gives you a brief rundown of the UK's biggest energy firm.
Octopus Energy was founded in 2016 by Greg Jackson, who remains the firm's chief executive.
By 2022, it was powering homes in the UK, Germany, the USA, Japan, Spain, Italy, France and New Zealand.
It currently serves 7.7million households across the world, spanning 18 countries.
Which?'s most recent annual customer satisfaction survey saw Octopus come out on top, with an overall score of 74%.
OTHER LOYALTY SCHEME CHANGES
The change to the Octoplus scheme comes after a host of rewards scheme shake-ups in recent months.
Morrisons recently announced shoppers can now earn points on their More Card by buying products at over 300 brands.
Customers can bag the extra points by spending with partners including eBay, Very, Just Eat, ASOS and more.
The Central Co-operative also recently revealed it was scrapping its traditional style of membership and rolling out a new benefit system.
The retailer has axed the member-pricing model and introduced a cashback rewards scheme.
Read More on The Sun
The Sun also exclusively revealed in February that Tesco was trialling personalised discounts for selected shoppers.
The "Your Clubcard Prices" update has been rolled out to selected shoppers but not UK-wide.
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