How anti-crisis measures for fuel and transport affect consumers
Gasoline discount battles are ongoing. Cesa has joined the move by announcing a 10-cent-per-liter discount on refueling. This follows the government’s 20-cent support, which runs until March 31. The same discount has been promised by Galp and Shell, according to what the companies reported. In effect, these discounts target loyalty by rewarding customers who use cards or apps. One major company has yet to confirm its strategy for the coming year.
In short, the discounts are designed to reward regular customers, often through loyalty programs that are accessed via cards or mobile apps. These measures come as some players in the sector press ahead while others have not finalized their trade policies for 2025.
Thus, after Repsol announced continued support with a 10-cent bonus for its customers through April, Cepsa confirmed it will maintain the same discount as its main competitor through its free program, “Because You’re Back”, which accepts any identification method, whether card, app, or national identity document. For customers refueling premium fuels from the Optima series, an additional 2-cent discount applies.
Professional clients who participate in the Direct Starressa program will see savings of up to 12 cents per liter. These savings can be combined with other discounts depending on the sector in which the client operates.
Galp, one of the four major groups in the oil field with around 4,800 service stations, has also confirmed it will keep a 10-cent discount through the Galp World free app. In addition, a single-use voucher of 25 cents per liter may be issued, potentially raising the total bonus to 35 cents on certain refueling occasions.
In another shift, Shell and Disa will maintain their discounts through March 31. Refueling with Shell V-Power or DisaMax will attract 10 cents per liter, while Shell My Energy may grant a 5-cent reduction. Discounts apply at stations using Shell Fuel Save, Disa Eco, and Disa Autogas, as long as the purchase is processed via relevant apps.
The government discount of 20 cents per liter has reopened the debate on waivers to sustain consumer savings through apps and card programs offered by various companies. This comes amid scrutiny from national market regulators. The National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC) is reviewing these practices, with complaints from independent gas station associations accusing the large players of offering deep consumer discounts while charging higher wholesale prices for fuel.
Smaller players such as Ballenoil, Plenoil, and Petroprix are pursuing aggressive margins to gain market share against the major networks. Yet the sizable discounts from the big operators have made it difficult for these smaller outfits to remain competitive, according to industry complaints.
As the market continues to evolve, customers should stay informed about how these discounts are applied, which loyalty programs are valid at their usual stations, and how additional vouchers or cross-brand promotions might affect total savings over the coming weeks and months. Consumers are encouraged to review app terms, check eligibility criteria, and watch for any changes announced by the major oil companies and government programs. This evolving landscape means keeping an eye on policy updates and staying aware of how mixed incentives could shape both consumer costs and retailer competition over the medium term. Attribution: CNMC investigations and industry reports, company press releases, and market analyses provide the basis for these summaries.