AGL customers who linked their Flybuys membership and AGL account before 31 March 2021 may be able to collect Flybuys points. Please treat AGL/Flybuys information below as historical only.
Competition between energy retailers has always been fierce, and as far as we know, AGL and Origin have been battling it out since Benjamin Franklin flew that famous kite. Not really. It is true, however, that these power retailers – the two largest in Australia – have been going head-to-head in a bid to earn more customers since each brand’s respective start. It becomes clear that both providers nailed Marketing 101 in uni, seeing as each are slinging rewards programs as a sign-up incentive. It’s no coincidence these partnerships have been made, as much like AGL and Origin, Coles and Woolworths are each other’s main competitors.
But which rewards program will give you the most bang for your buck? Let’s find out.
Origin vs AGL Rewards – Quick Comparison
| AGL Flybuys | Origin Everyday Rewards | |
| Plans with rewards | Essentials, Essentials Saver, Solar Savers | Origin Everyday Rewards |
| Rewards points upon sign up | Up to 1,000 points when direct debiting monthly bills | Up to 10,000 points for connecting electricity and gas |
| Ongoing rewards points | One point for every dollar or two spent on energy bills (depending on billing option). Bonus 1,000 points every three months | One point for every dollar spent on energy bills |
| Main retail partners | Coles, Kmart, Target, Liquorland, Velocity Frequent Flyer & more | Woolworths, BWS, Big W, Caltex, Qantas & more |
| Conditions upon sign up | Must agree to fixed rates for 12 months | Must agree to fixed rates for 12 months |
| When do rewards start | Within 90 days | Around 45 days |
AGL ceased offering new customers Flybuys points after 31 March 2021. Existing customers who linked their accounts before this date may still be eligible to receive points. Contact AGL for further details.
AGL Flybuys Points
AGL had partnered with Flybuys to offer its customers bonus points for simply being with the provider. How it worked was that customers needed to have a Flybuys membership, which they could set up online, in order to link both accounts. This was done either online or over the phone. Flybuys points were available on any AGL plan, whether it was electricity or gas.
The maximum households could receive was 5,000 Flybuys points over the span of 15 months. At the start, customers could receive 1,000 points if they agreed to direct debiting and paid bills monthly instead of quarterly. Every three months, households would also get a 1,000 point bonus, in addition to earning points along the way. Aussies who preferred to receive paper bills received one Flybuys point for every two dollars spent on their power, although those who got their bills via email would receive a point for each dollar.
What did customers get with AGL Flybuys points?
Flybuys veterans will know that it takes 2,000 points to get $10 off your shop at places like Coles, Kmart, Target and Liquorland. Even those paying hefty bills will need some time to bring their balance up to 2,000, so some patience was required. Flybuys points can also be used, as the name suggests, to fly, as well as purchase a range of lifestyle goods. Here are some examples as of July 2021:
- 10,000 points: $50 Coles/Target/Kmart gift card
- 25,000 points: Westinghouse 4 Slice Toaster – Stainless Steel
- 32,000+ points: Sydney to Melbourne flight
- 75,000+ points: Panasonic Inverter Flat Bed Microwave
- 100,000 points: Weber Q Black BBQ
AGL Energy Prices
Here are the AGL Energy plans on our database for NSW. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are the AGL Energy plans on our database for Victoria. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are the AGL Energy plans on our database for SE QLD. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Energex energy network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4613kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are the AGL Energy plans on our database for South Australia. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Origin Everyday Rewards Points
Teaming up with Woolworths, Origin is providing Everyday Rewards members with points to help them save on their next shop. You’ll need to have an Everyday Rewards card or use the app, which you can find online. When signing up to the Origin Everyday Rewards plan online, you’ll be prompted to enter your membership information, at which point, according to Origin, it’ll take around 45 days for you to begin receiving points.
If your household signs up to the Everyday Rewards plan for both electricity and gas, you’ll receive 10,000 points off the bat. For just one or the other, 5,000 are up for grabs. Following that, you can expect a point for every dollar you spend on energy while you’re on the plan. The Origin Everyday Rewards plan also happens to offer the retailers lowest rates as well as 25% GreenPower by default.
What can I get with Origin Everyday Rewards points?
Much like Flybuys, 2,000 Everyday Rewards points will get you $10 off a Woolies group shop. That means BWS, Big W, Caltex and more. That same amount of bonus points could also be exchanged for 1,000 Qantas points. A Sydney to Melbourne flight, for example, can be paid off with around 15,000 Qantas points.
Unlike the Flybuys program, Everyday Rewards doesn’t offer smaller purchases or gift card exchanges. You’ll need to spend the money at a participating retailer to really experience the value.
Origin Energy Prices
Origin Energy Prices NSW
Here are the Origin Energy plans on our database for NSW. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Origin Energy Prices VIC
Here are the Origin Energy plans on our database for Victoria. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Origin Energy Prices QLD
Here are the Origin Energy plans on our database for SE QLD. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4613kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Origin Energy Prices SA
Here are the Origin Energy plans on our database for South Australia. These are products from a referral partner†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Are rewards points worth your business as an energy customer?
Both Origin and AGL’s rewards programs provide value in different ways. AGL Flybuys gave you fewer points, but more options for how to spend them, whilst Origin’s Everyday Rewards gives you more points with fewer spending avenues.
If you’re a devout Woolies or Coles shopper, the choice should be relatively easy. However, for the likely large sum of people who go between grocery stores, it gets a little more complicated.
Rewards programs aside, AGL and Origin’s cheapest products carry quite similar pricing and features, such as fixed rates. With AGL, you have a bit more freedom to choose a different plan, whereas with Origin you’re left with just one option. That being said, Origin’s Everyday Rewards plan is also rather flexible.
The bottom line is that you’ll get more points with Origin if you’re signing up for both electricity and natural gas. Whether the lack of choice in how to use the points deters you is your business.
Don’t forget that there are many more retailers out there, with some providing value that supersedes what these large companies are offering in terms of rates. Start comparing below.
Image credit: LADO/Shutterstock.com
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