British Gas is launching a loyalty scheme with Sky TV perks and discounts for loyal customers
Experts have knocked the firm for introducing the new loyalty scheme instead of cutting prices
BRITISH GAS is launching a new rewards scheme giving its millions of customers Sky TV freebies and discounts for loyalty.
The new scheme, which is set to launch in April, will include an “industry-leading collaboration with Sky”, even if customers are not Sky TV subscribers.
There will also be “large discounts” for the longest-serving British Gas customers, as well as deals on boiler servicing, wireless heating controls and insurance products.
British Gas is the UK’s biggest energy supplier with around 11 million customers. A spokesperson confirmed that the new scheme will run alongside an existing deal where customers can collect Nectar points when paying their bill.
But experts have warned that it could lead to some customers paying more than they should because they will hold of from switching to a cheaper deal.
Hannah Maundrell, editor in Chief of money.co.uk, slammed the scheme as "just noise that makes staying loyal seem like an attractive option to homeowners afraid to switch".
She added: "In reality it’s likely to mean more people stay on standard variable tariffs and end up paying too much."
While Will Hodson, co-founder of consumer collective TheBigDeal.com, said: “British Gas’s PR sop is an insult to their customers’ intelligence.
How to cut your energy bill
DESPITE British Gas promising to freeze prices for millions of households around the UK, consumers could still cut their bills and save money.
Around 70 per cent of people are on bog-standard expensive standard tariffs, when they should be shopping around for a cheapest deal. If in doubt, call your provider and call other providers to ask them what their cheapest fixed tariff is.
Better still, use a comparison website, like Energyhelpline.com, uSwitch or MoneySupermarket to find the very best deal for you.
By switching providers you could save hundreds of pounds a year. Bear in mind that the amount you pay for your energy varies depending on where you live
“Over the last year, British Gas have overcharged their most loyal customers by upto 50 per cent for their energy.
He added: "Even now, British Gas customers could save hundreds of pounds by switching away from the energy giant’s standard tariff.
"And yet British Gas believe they can regain the trust of 6.6 million families with a few quid off Sky TV."
Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: "Loyal energy customers have for too long paid over the odds on their bills.
“While offering rewards is one way to acknowledge how valuable loyal customers are, bringing down bills would make a bigger difference to more people’s household finances.”
Earlier this month, British Gas announced it would extend a price freeze for customers on its standard tariff until August this year.
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