Grocery store loyalty programs used to be the way to go to save money on gas, but now that gas stations are offering their own fuel rewards programs, times are changing.
And because gas prices are the highest they’ve been since 2014, you’ll want to save every penny you can while you’re filling up that tank.
6 of the Best Gas Station Rewards Programs
So if you’re on the hunt for cheap gas, check out this list of the best gas station rewards programs, plus some bonus tips for using free gas apps to save even more.
1. BP Driver Rewards
BP Driver Rewards offers 10 cents off per gallon for every $100 you spend on fuel purchases of up to 20 gallons. So if you have a 10-gallon tank, you’ll save $1 for every $100 you spend on gas.
If you’re a frequent flyer, you can earn 2 MileagePlus miles per gallon if you purchase regular or midgrade fuel, or 3 miles per gallon if you use premium-grade fuel.
You’ll also receive 200 bonus miles after you link a debit or credit card and make your first transaction. If you don’t use your miles, you can use them toward fuel purchases — 60 MileagePlus miles equals 50 cents off per gallon on up to 20 gallons, for a maximum of $10 off per fill-up.
To find participating stations, search your ZIP code in the station finder and filter by “BP Driver Rewards,” or download the BPme app for Android and iPhone.
To pay using the app, simply open the app and select your pump number — your location should automatically be recognized as long as you have enabled location settings for the app.
2. Exxon Mobil Rewards+
After parting ways with Plenti, Exxon Mobil launched its own rewards program — Exxon Mobil Rewards+.
This points-based system awards 3 points per gallon on fuel purchases, plus 2 points for every $1 you spend on car washes and convenience store items. The program also offers a sign-up bonus of 100 points and 15 points per gallon for the first 30 days.
Members can redeem points on fuel, car washes and store items, with every 100 points equaling up to $1 off. Let’s say you have a 10-gallon tank and are earning 3 points per gallon. That means you’ll only have to fill up a little over three times to earn enough points for $1 off fuel and other purchases — not too shabby. Combine that with any points you earn on car washes and in-store items, and you have an even better deal.
You can also keep track of your rewards in the Exxon Mobil Speedpass+ app for Android and iPhone. You’ll need to register an account for the app separate from your Exxon Mobil Rewards+ account. You can then link your rewards account via your rewards card or phone number.
The Speedpass+ app also allows you to search for nearby Exxon and Mobil stations and pay for gas right from your phone using Samsung Pay or Apple Pay.
3. Maverik’s Adventure Club
Located in several states across the Northwest, Maverik is another gas station offering its own fuel rewards program: Maverik’s Adventure Club. This program offers two rewards cards: the Adventure Club card and the Adventure Club Nitro card.
The Adventure Club card offers 2 cents off per gallon on fuel purchases. Card holders can also earn Trail Points through fuel and in-store purchases, excluding gift cards, lotto tickets, tobacco products and alcohol. You can use Trail Points to buy store items or win prizes in weekly drawings. And if you stop by Maverik on a Tuesday, you’ll earn triple points for Triple Trail Point Tuesday.
The Adventure Club Nitro card offers all of the same benefits and a little bit more, including 6 cents off per gallon, double Trail Points from purchases, price matching and $1 fountain drinks and refills — that includes the 64-ounce drinks.
The main difference between the cards is the Adventure Club Nitro card must be linked to your checking account, and you must pay using the card to save on fuel and earn points.
Track your Adventure Club rewards by logging in to the website or through the free app for Android and iPhone.
4. Pilot Flying J
While Pilot Flying J’s rewards program was built with professional and RV drivers in mind, all PIlot Flying J customers ages 18 and older are eligible to join the myRewards program with the Preferred Customer Rewards card.
With the Preferred Customer Rewards membership, you can save 3 cents for every gallon of fuel purchased and earn points for in-store purchases. You’ll also gain access to the Coffee Club, which awards a free cup of coffee after every ninth coffee purchase, and you can enjoy a free dessert during your birthday month.
You can manage your rewards using the myPilot app. You can start the pump and pay right through the app — and if there’s a line, the app has a feature that shows you which pump is most likely to open up next.
The app also allows you to track your receipts, find fuel prices and search for local places to eat, plus, it gives you exclusive offers.
5. Shell Fuel Rewards
I’ve been using Shell Fuel Rewards for the last few months, and at the very least, I save a few cents per gallon every time I fill up. On one fill-up, I saved 18 cents per gallon.
Shell Fuel Rewards has two tiers: Silver Status, which saves 3 cents per gallon on fuel purchases and Gold Status, which saves you 5 cents per gallon.
To reach Gold Status, you only need to fill up six times within three months. And if you purchase at least eight gallons four times within 30 days, you’ll receive 10 cents off per gallon on your fifth fill-up.
Shell Fuel Rewards offers additional savings that can be stacked on to your status, including 25 cents off per gallon for referrals, 25 cents off per gallon for shopping and 10 cents off per gallon for dining. You can earn additional savings for booking flights, hotels and rental cars through Fuel Rewards offers.
So let’s say you earn Gold status, then another 25 cents off per gallon for shopping online and another 10 cents off for dining out. That means you’ll get a total of 40 cents off per gallon on your next fill-up of up to 20 gallons. If you stack on a referral, that’s a total of 65 cents off per gallon.
You can also earn more through featured offers and card-linked offers.
You must opt in to the link-and-save feature. Just be warned that card-linked and featured offers can take up to seven business days to process.
6. Speedway Speedy Rewards
Just like Shell’s program, Speedway Speedy Rewards is packed with a ton of ways to save, and it comes with a free mobile app to keep track of it all.
With Speedy Rewards, you’ll earn 10 points per gallon at the pump and 20 points per dollar spent in-store, plus bonus points on select items. You can also earn reward points for shopping online through the Speedy Rewards Mall.
And if you want to use points for free stuff, a minimum of 1,000 points gets you free drinks and snacks, while 5,500 points can get you a whole large pizza.
You can earn even more free stuff when you become part of the Speedy Club. All you have to do is purchase one item from the club, and you’re in!
With the Speedy Club, if you frequent the car wash, you can earn a free wash for every sixth you purchase. And if you’re all about the coffee, fountain drinks and Speedy Freezes, you can be part of the Beverage Club — which allows you to choose a reward for every six beverages you buy. This could be a free beverage, 1,000 bonus points or 10 cents off fuel.
You can also choose between four monthly perks. Current options include 200 bonus points with the purchase of 10 gallons of gas, 100 points per day with the purchase of king-size candy bars, 100 points per day with the purchase of sports drinks or 100 points per day with the purchase of energy drinks.
As an added perk for using the Speedy Rewards Pay Card, you’ll earn double points each time you purchase fuel, plus you’ll save 5 cents per gallon on all fuel purchases for the first 90 days. In certain states, you’ll earn 70 bonus points per gallon of fuel purchased for the first 90 days instead of 5 cents.
Bonus: Save Even More on Fuel With These Free Gas Apps
If you’re into saving even more money on gas, there are a couple of free apps you can use in combination with your preferred gas station rewards program.
1. GetUpside
GetUpside is a free mobile app for iPhone and Android that offers fuel rewards in the form of cash back. Coverage areas are currently limited to Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Long Island, New York, and Florida.
The app provides a map of the nearest gas stations and lowest fuel prices, along with an offer to get cashback. Gas prices are updated in real time; however, because prices are always changing, the amount listed in the app may not always be accurate. If you find an inaccurate price listing, you can update the prices through the app.
To accept a cash back offer, you simply hit “claim,” then pay with your usual debit or credit card. Make sure you get a receipt, because you will need to snap a photo to upload in the app to receive your cash back, which takes 24 to 48 hours to process. You can choose to transfer the funds to your PayPal account or receive a check by mail.
GetUpside cash-back offers can be used in combination with other discounts, coupons and loyalty programs, and there is no limit to how much you can earn. Just keep in mind cash back offers may be reduced when you use them with other loyalty programs. I’ve been using GetUpside for a little over two weeks and already have earned $5.25.
P.S. If you live in the D.C. area, you can also use the app to earn up to 15% cash back on groceries and 35% cash back on dining.
2. GasBuddy
GasBuddy is a free app that helps drivers find the cheapest gas prices across a database of more than 140,000 gas stations and convenience stores in the United States, Canada and Australia. In 2017, GasBuddy added a new feature to help drivers save on gas called Pay with GasBuddy.
Pay with GasBuddy can be used at the pump and is linked to your checking account. The card is currently accepted at most gas stations except for Exxon and Mobil stations, BJ’s, Costco, Sam’s Club, HEB, and select Walmart and ARCO stations.
During account setup, you’ll be asked to choose between receiving 10 cents off per gallon for your first fill-up and 5 cents off per gallon thereafter, or receiving cash back in the form of Shop Your Way points, which can be redeemed for discounts at participating retailers.
Once setup is complete, your Pay with GasBuddy card will be issued by mail.
It can take a few days for the transaction to process. I used my card on July 24, and the transaction didn’t show up in my bank account until July 27.
For more information about the GasBuddy app and the Pay with GasBuddy card, visit the GasBuddy Help Center.
