Your Payback loyalty points from three years ago expired on September 30. October brings three more changes: a fuel tax cut, a ban on drinking alcohol at all 5,400 Deutsche Bahn train stations, and the switch back to standard time (Winterzeit).
Payback Points Expired at Midnight on September 30
Payback points don’t last forever. Every year on September 30, Payback clears out any points older than 36 months.
Fortunately, Payback warns you well ahead of time. Points at risk show up in your account a year in advance, and Payback sends a reminder to your inbox too.
If you have a Payback Visa or American Express card, though, your points don’t expire as long as you keep using the card to collect them.
Expired Payback points stay visible in your account for three months. You can see them, but not use them, until December 31.
TIP: Log into your Payback account to see which points expired on September 30.
Germany’s Fuel Tax Cut Starts October 1
Drivers get a tax break on fuel this October. Germany’s fuel tax cut runs from October 1 to December 31.
The energy tax on petrol and diesel drops by 14.04 cents per litre. With VAT included, the fuel tax saving works out to about 17 cents per litre.
Petrol stations don’t have to pass on the full saving right away, though. So compare prices at the pump before you fill up, rather than expecting every station to cut prices by the same amount.
How Much Will You Save at the Pump From October 1? ->
Deutsche Bahn Bans Alcohol at About 5,400 Stations From October 15
By October 15, 2026, Deutsche Bahn’s alcohol ban covers all of its stations. That’s about 5,400 stations across Germany.
If you change trains at a Deutsche Bahn station, the alcohol ban means no drink on the platform while you wait for your next train.
Deutsche Bahn staff can tell you to leave if you are drinking. Repeat offenders risk a formal ban from Deutsche Bahn stations.
Germany’s Alcohol Consumption Rank in the EU ->
Germany’s Clocks Fall Back One Hour on October 25
Germany’s clocks go back one hour early on Sunday, October 25. At 3:00 a.m., the clock turns back to 2:00 a.m.
Double-check any early-morning appointments or international calls on October 25, so the time change doesn’t catch you out.
Sources
- https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktuelles/gesetzliche-neuregelungen-oktober-2026-2454624
- https://www.deutschebahn.com/de/presse/pressestart_zentrales_uebersicht/Deutsche-Bahn-Alkoholkonsumverbot-an-allen-Bahnhoefen-13980686
- https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2026/kw39-de-versicherung-aufsicht-1216898
