Best gas reward programs | creditcards.com

Outdoor walking has been all the rage in 2020 and 2021 and there is no sign that it will slow down. According to Fortune, Club Wyndham and WorldMark by Wyndham recorded a 71 percent increase in timeshare bookings near US national parks. And the top 10 destinations for 2022 are no longer metropolitan areas, but have been replaced by outdoor destinations and beach towns.

Many vacationers heading to national parks do not fly, but travel by road. However, gas has become much more expensive than just a year ago. With that in mind, it’s wise to look for ways to maximize the purchases you plan to make during your trip, especially gas. Gas reward programs allow you to do just that.

By and large, gas incentive programs offer discounts on the purchase of gas just for registration, and it is free to join them. These discounts can be small: many programs allow you to earn as little as a few cents per gallon if you are not an elite member. However, some gas programs allow you to qualify for elite status if you buy enough gasoline to meet the requirements on an ongoing basis.

According to our 2021 gas card survey, the most popular gas card perk by far is the per gallon discount. In fact, 21 of the 26 cards we profiled offered gas rebates ranging from 3 cents to 10 cents per gallon. The average discount was 6 cents. If you are a true traveler, consider getting a credit card for gas.

After all, it makes sense to sign up for a gas rewards program if you plan to travel in the near future. The problem is to figure out which program to subscribe to. To help you in your search, below we highlight the best gas incentive programs.

BPme Rewards: Best for BP and Amoco loyal customers.

The BPme Rewards program is available at BP and Amoco gas stations, both of which allow you to earn 5 cents per gallon in your first month as a member. Just keep in mind that you need to spend $100 per month on gas in the program to keep the 5 cents per gallon rebate in subsequent months.

Enrolling in the BPme Rewards Program is completely free and the discount you receive is automatically applied to your purchase when you fill up with petrol at BP or Amoco and identify yourself as a Reward Program member. Simply enter the phone number associated with your account on your pump or by downloading the BPme mobile app.

• pros: The price matching feature has also been added to the BPme mobile app. For 99 cents a month, Price Match will look for competitor stations within a half-mile to two-mile radius. If a lower price is found, BP will save you up to 5 cents per gallon.
• MinusesA: You must spend at least $100 per month to keep the 5 cents per gallon discount. For some home-based or hybrid workers, this can be difficult to satisfy.

Exxon Mobil Rewards+: the best choice for consumers who spend money on premium gasoline

Exxon Mobil Rewards+ allows you to earn discounts on fuel based on your spending, including gas and in-store purchases. At Exxon Mobile stations, you’ll earn 3 cents per gallon in points when you fill up and 2 cents per dollar in points when you buy beverages and beyond.

This program also allows you to get Premium status for even greater discounts. To qualify for this status, you must fill your vehicle with eight gallons or more of Synergy Supreme+ Premium gasoline at least three times per month. After that, you will earn 6 cents per gallon in gas station points as long as you maintain your status.

This program is also free to register and you can track your rewards using the mobile app.

• pros: AARP Members: By linking your AARP and Exxon Mobil Rewards+ memberships, you’ll earn 1 cent more on every purchase. So you earn 4 cents per gallon in points and 3 cents per dollar in points when you shop in the store.
• Minuses: You can only achieve Premium status by filling your vehicle with Synergy Supreme+ premium gasoline (91-93 octane). In other words, for people who drive a car that only uses 87 or 89 octane gasoline, you can never become a Premium member.

Shell Fuel Rewards: Best for Accumulating Discounts

The Shell Fuel Rewards program is pretty versatile for a gasoline rewards program, but you can still use it to save big on gas at Shell gas stations.

This program entitles you to Gold status for six months, which entitles you to 5 cents per gallon rebates. To maintain your Gold status, you must fill up your vehicle with fuel at least six times during the last three months of your enrollment period. If you don’t, you’ll revert to Silver status in the program, which means you’ll only get a 3 cents per gallon discount when you fill up at a gas station.

• prosA: There are many different ways to earn gas rebates through the program. For example, you can earn 10 cents on fuel for every $50 you spend at restaurants that participate in Shell Fuel Rewards. You can also earn another 5 cents per gallon when you spend at least $50 on online shopping and other purchases at participating stores through Shell. You can add up all the discounts you get from other ways (meals, shopping, event tickets, etc.) to maximize your gas savings.
• MinusesA: You must continuously top up your balance six times every three months during the qualifying period in order to maintain your Gold status for the next three months. If you don’t, you will drop to silver status.

Speedway Speedy Rewards: Best for Free Stuff

The Speedway Speedy Rewards program offers a plethora of different ways to earn points in their program, but each point does not equate to 1 cent savings on gas. Instead, points are assigned to rewards for which you can redeem them. For example, you can accumulate 1,750 points over time and then redeem those points for a 10 cents per gallon rebate per fill. However, you can also use your points for free purchases including snacks, gift cards and more.

Registration is free and earning points is easy. First, you earn 10 points per gallon of fuel and 20 points per dollar spent on goods. You can also earn more points for special items that change over time, such as a certain type of ice cream or an energy drink. Plus, you can earn Bonus Points for fuel when you shop with partners, including select grocery stores, Points.com, Quicken Loans, and more.

• prosA: As we have already mentioned, there are many different ways to earn points, such as refilling the tank, buying certain items in the store, shopping online, and more.
• MinusesA: A single Speed ​​Rewards point isn’t worth much, so it takes quite a few fills (around 10 fills, we estimate) to be able to redeem your points for a free item like a Slurpee or a bag of chips.

Kroger Fuel Rewards: Best for Kroger Shoppers

The Kroger Fuel Rewards program is primarily for people who shop at the Kroger chain of stores, which includes Ralphs, Dillons, King Soopers, Harris Teeter and more. This program is also free to register and easy to understand. You’ll start earning 1 Fuel Point for every dollar you spend at Kroger stores, but you’ll also earn 2 Fuel Points for every dollar you spend on gift cards. Qualifying recipes can earn you an additional 50 fuel points. The Kroger Fuel Rewards program also allows you to earn more fuel points when you shop online through its store or at Fred Meyers jewelry stores.

• prosA: You are likely to earn points quickly as you can earn 1X points by shopping at the Kroger store. In terms of redeeming points, you can redeem your fuel points at Kroger Family of Stores Fuel Centers or select Shell gas stations.
• MinusesA: All points you earn will expire on the last day of the following month, so your points earned in September will expire on October 31st. You don’t have much time to earn and spend points.

Circle K Easy Rewards: Best for Simplicity

Circle K Easy Rewards makes it easy to sign up for free online or through the mobile app. Once you become a member, you will earn 10 points per gallon of fuel and 20 points per dollar for drinks, snacks and more.

Once you earn 2000 points, you will receive a $2 reward that you can use on your next purchase. You may also qualify for special sweepstakes and promotions as a member, although these offers vary.

• prosA: This gas reward program is much easier than others. You don’t need to constantly fill up your car’s tank to maintain your status or the like, just register, earn points and redeem your rewards.
• MinusesA: Its greatest advantage can also be the reason why you don’t sign up. Apparently, there is no other way to earn points other than fuel and shopping at the store.

How to choose a gas reward program

Since the gas reward programs are free to sign up, in theory you can create an account in all of them if you wish. However, this can be a lot to keep track of, so it might be best to narrow your choices down to one or two.

How to choose a gas reward program? These tips may help:

• Find out which gas station brand you spend the most with. Get your bank statements or credit card bills to see which brand of gas station you spend the most with. If any particular gas station is most convenient for you depending on where you live or work, see if their gas reward program is right for your needs.
• Take stock of your gas station spending. Also, consider how you spend money on different gas station brands. Do you fill up with fuel and leave immediately? Or are you the kind of person who stops at gas stations to grab a bite to eat, drink coffee, or pick up essentials? Because some gas reward programs reward these purchases differently, you should aim to choose the program that gives you the most discounts or points for how you spend.
• Decide if you want fuel discounts or free stuff. Also look at how gas reward programs reward you, whether it’s gas discounts or free drinks and food. Ultimately, you must choose a gas reward program that offers perks and rewards that you can use.

bottom line

Before you pack your car for a ride you’ll never forget, don’t forget to sign up for the Gas Rewards Program. Better yet, sign up for several free programs that can reward you for stops at various gas stations, and team up with a gas credit card that will reward you for every dollar you spend.

If you spend money anyway, you might get something back.

Holly Johnson is a financial expert and award-winning writer who is obsessed with frugality, budgeting, and travel. In addition to being the editor of The Simple Dollar, Johnson owns Club Thrifty and co-authored Zero Your Debt: Get Your Income Back and Build the Life You Love.