How to get more than 4c off Ampol, Shell or Caltex Woolworths?

There are so many changes recently with petrol stations that it is confusing where you can use different fuel offers. Everyone knows about the 4c off you can get at Caltex Woolworths petrol stations when you spend $30 at Woolworths and the 4c off Coles Express when you spend $30 at Coles. Some may not know about the other extra offers you can get on top of these. 

For Shell - If you don't mind adding the CarSales App to your phone, you can get 8c off petrol on top of your Coles Express offer. There is also the offer from MyCar car servicing (not sure I would recommend them though) who offer you a "Shell Secret Saver" app for two months during which you can use up to 20 times their 10c off Shell petrol. However, you can't stack this offer with the CarSales Shell offer because both offers are via a company called Viva Energy and can't be stacked. 

For Ampol - Ampol has a 6c off offer for those who own a Toyota and download the MyToyota App every 24 hours with the barcode updating every day. You can also buy digital gift cards via Shopback for 3% off which at today's petrol prices, is another 5c off. Some Ampol petrol stations also allow you to get 4c off if you have a Woolworths petrol offer on your Woolworths rewards card. However, some Ampol stores only show an Woolworths Rewards card banner but not 4c off. This means that you can earn Woolworths Rewards points, but you can't redeem your 4c off. 

For Caltex Woolworths - You can buy WISH giftcards from places like RAC or the Entertainment Book for 3% off which can be used at Caltex Woolworths petrol stations.  Note that you can't use Woolworths gift cards at Caltex Woolworths petrol stations, only WISH giftcards or WISH egiftcards. If a Caltex Woolworths petrol station becomes an Ampol, I don't think you can use a WISH card there either. Confused? So are we. If you notice any other offers or exceptions floating around, please leave a comment below

How to Remember Where You've Been with Google Maps

If you are in a jurisdiction where COVID hasn't yet ravaged, such as Western Australia, you may be wondering whether there is a way that you can keep track of where you've been when exposure sites are listed. One way is to let technology do it for you. It is possible that Google Maps has already been doing it on your phone. Go to your Google Maps app on your phone and tap the top right corner then tap "Your Timeline". If you have location tracking enabled, you will see where you've been today and with one tap to the left arrow, where you were yesterday and at what time. 

If location tracking is not enabled, you should go to https://myaccount.google.com/data-and-privacy and sign in to Google if you haven't already. Then under Data and Privacy, tick the box next to Location History. Whether you have Google Maps open or not on your phone, your phone will now remember where you've been. Very helpful when you can't work out what you did last Tuesday when Omicron was walking the supermarket or pharmacy.

Expired gift cards can be reactivated

Recent surveys have found that gift cards have become the most popular gift option, particularly the e-giftcards which sometimes provides instant access to the gift card that you have bought without waiting for the mail to arrive. However, unlike cash, gift cards do expire. While many operators now have no expiry date, some of your existing gift cards may have expired. Many don't realise that you can ask for the gift cards to be reactivated after they have expired. 

For Coles and related gift cards (eg Coles, Bunnings, Officeworks) you can just call 1300304990 or email them at support@giftcards.coles.com.au with your gift card number (don't provide the PIN). Some have said that their reactivation was within a few minutes of the email being sent. If it is a different brand such as WISH or Woolworths, you can do the same by calling 1300 10 1234 or email giftcard@woolworths.com.au. If you have experience with another brand, leave a comment for the benefit of others.