Complaint Review: Fuel Reward Network o/b/o Royal Dutch Shell

Regarding the Fuel Rewards Network ("FRN") referral bonus promotion.  I properly forwarded the promotion email to my wife, who in turn signed up for FRN program.  There are specific qualifications required:

1. Referral person must use link to sign up for FRN

2. Referral bonus of $0.25 is available once new FRN member completes one fillup (minimum 8 gallons)

3. Referral bonus of $0.25 is available 2 to 3 days after

I adhered to all above as well as the completed task by my wife.  The referral bonus email was forwarded AS-IS, plus I copied the actual link provided by FRN and pasted it in my email body.  My wife confirmed that she clicked the link to get onto the FRN registration page.  My wife filled up, and entered her FRN number manually at the pump.

I called FRN customer support after 4 business days after my wife filled her tank, much more than the 8 gallons minimum requirement.  FRN customer support advised me that a ticket was created and escalated.  I patiently waited 1 week.

After 1 week, I again called FRN customer support to determine why my referral bonus has not posted.  FRN customer support advised me that ticket was "On Hold/Still Being Reviewed."  FRN customer support also informed me that it will take another 2 to 3 days to get a resolution.  I asked that my ticket be marked urgent, since it has been several days since my initial call into FRN.

Today, I received a generic email from the "Advanced FRN Support Team": Thank you for contacting Fuel Rewards Member Support Team. Our Advance Support Team has reviewed the information. The referred friend did not use the link to sign up for the Fuel Rewards Network. We apologize for any inconveniences this may have caused you.

What a deceptive program.  First, my wife took time to register for this FRN program.  Then she went to a Shell gas station that is farther from our house.  And now my referral bonus rewards will not post due to an error by FRN/Shell, even after I followed all the steps listed.  DO NOT use this FRN program.  Albeit, it might be nice to get $0.03 off a gallon of Shell gas, but I have noticed that Shell is usually 5 to 10 cents MORE than Mobil or Amoco.  And definitely do not use the refer a friend/family promotion.  Some it may have worked, while others who have not, FRN will give you a generice email response than to correct the error.