Conquer soaring gas prices during holiday travel: 8 strategies to save at the pump

The holiday season is often about coming together and celebrating, but many of us also face long drives to reunite with family and friends, along with the rising fuel costs that come with holiday journeys.

To navigate the holidays without breaking the bank, refer to this guide curated by TPG editors to maximize your savings at the pump during every fuel stop.

Leverage Fuel Rewards for your upcoming holiday road trip

As reported by AAA, the current national average for regular gas stands at $3.33, which can quickly accumulate if you're driving long distances to see loved ones. Prices might be even steeper depending on your location; for instance, in California, the average price for a gallon of gas is slightly over $5.

Fortunately, the past few years have seen a rise in gas station rewards and third-party loyalty programs aimed at helping you save on fuel costs. This means there are now more opportunities than ever to avoid paying full price. You can combine one or more programs to maximize your savings on your next holiday road trip, not to mention any rewards earned through your credit card.

Fuel Rewards, a loyalty program designed for Shell gas stations, has proven to be an excellent way to cut gas expenses. Once you familiarize yourself with the program and adjust a few shopping habits, it's relatively easy to accumulate enough rewards (in cents off per gallon) to make your next fill-up more budget-friendly.

Fuel Rewards partners with numerous national brands, allowing you to link your credit card for shopping and earn cents off per gallon on your upcoming gas purchase.

With these savings and achieving Gold or Platinum status, you can enjoy at least a 30-cent discount per gallon on your next fill-up. All Fuel Rewards discounts are capped at 20 gallons. Once you start fueling, your savings will apply whether you pump one gallon or the full 20.

Circle K Easy Pay Debit

Another opportunity to save at Shell is through Circle K Easy Pay Debit. This program allows you to enjoy a discount of 30 cents per gallon for the first 100 gallons or within 60 days, depending on where you are located; after that, your savings drop to 10 cents per gallon.

Here’s how it operates: you receive a physical Easy Pay card linked to your checking account. You then use this card to pay for your gas, with all discounts automatically applied. The cards are secured with a PIN and will lock after three unsuccessful login attempts. The only downside is that you won't be able to earn credit card rewards with this method.

Pilot Flying J myRewards Plus

Pilot and Flying J offer a combined loyalty program called myRewards Plus, allowing drivers to accumulate rewards on fuel purchases and other transactions. The program features various promotions that change from month to month.

In one of their promotions, you could receive a 5-cent discount for each gallon of gas purchased when using the myRewards Plus app for payment. Be sure to check the website for the latest promotions.

Upside

This third-party application provides rewards for restaurants and grocery stores, along with savings at the gas station. While you’re shopping for your Thanksgiving meal, you can also activate offers in the app to save a specific amount per gallon.

Once you activate an offer, you have a four-hour window to refuel at the designated station using a linked credit card. Any cashback earned from your fill-up will be credited to your Upside account, which you can withdraw at your convenience. I appreciate Upside because the savings from fill-ups can apply to as much as 50 gallons, allowing you to use those savings for better things during this holiday season.

Use GasBuddy for savings on your next journey

The Pay with GasBuddy program is constantly evolving and improving. It previously awarded Shop Your Way points, but now it provides various levels of cash savings for each fill-up. The program has introduced offers that can be claimed at specific gas stations just before refueling, along with a "gas back" shopping portal in the app.

Similar to Circle K Easy Pay, payments are made using a physical card linked to your checking account, which GasBuddy sends to you. You use this card at the pump, and the amount you fill, after deducting any GasBuddy savings, is subtracted from your checking account.

GasBuddy also has a Pay with GasBuddy Premium option that allows you to save up to 40 cents per gallon once you enroll. This service is priced at $9.99 per month and ensures a minimum saving of 20 cents per gallon (for up to 50 gallons monthly). If your family often embarks on holiday road trips, this could lead to significant savings. Plus, it includes added benefits such as roadside assistance.

Grocery store fuel points for saving on holiday groceries and fuel

A Walmart+ subscription costs $12.95 monthly, but those with The Platinum Card® from American Express can have this fee reimbursed as a benefit of the card. (Terms apply. Cardholders receive a statement credit after using their Platinum Card to pay for Walmart+ each month. The fee includes $12.95 plus any applicable local sales tax and is subject to automatic renewal).

You can receive a discount of up to 20 cents per gallon when filling up at Exxon, Mobil, Sam's Club, or Murphy gas stations. Additionally, several other grocery store chains provide gas discounts to their members.

Kroger is a popular choice in the South. With holiday grocery shopping and the chance to earn 2 fuel points for every dollar spent on gift cards, it’s quite simple to reach the $1-per-gallon savings allowed by the Fuel Points program. You can even purchase third-party gift cards through the Kroger gift card-specific website, which often features discounted gift cards or offers 4 fuel points per dollar spent.

Maximize savings with the right credit cards for gas

Credit cards offer one of the most effective ways to save on fuel without the need for an app or a membership. We have a guide on the best credit cards for gas to help you start saving on your next holiday road trip. For instance, the Citi Custom Cash® Card can provide up to 5% cash back on gas (on the first $500 spent in combined categories each billing cycle, then 1%).

Some excellent travel cards also provide extra gas rewards, perfect for the holiday season. Certain American Express cards can earn an additional 2 Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at participating US Phillips 66®, 76®, and Conoco® locations or through the Fuel Forward™ app (limited enrollment, offer expires 12/31/23). Moreover, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express grants 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, along with more attractive rewards like 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per calendar year, then 1% thereafter). The cash back is offered as Reward Dollars, which can be redeemed for statement credits or during Amazon.com checkouts.

Combine savings programs

You can combine two or more programs during a single fill-up to enhance your savings and make fuel prices significantly lower. Here are some effective strategies:

• Fuel Rewards and Pay with GasBuddy: These two programs work independently, allowing you to reduce your gas price with Fuel Rewards. When you pay at a Shell station using your GasBuddy card, the amount deducted from your checking account will reflect a lower price. If you earn enough Fuel Rewards to make your fill-up almost free, GasBuddy will still provide savings based on the original price of the Shell gas, enabling you to benefit financially when refueling your vehicle.
• Kroger and Pay with GasBuddy: The same concept applies here; you can fill up at a discount using Kroger Fuel Points and then settle the payment with your GasBuddy card.
• Fuel Rewards and Circle K Easy Pay: Similar to the aforementioned strategies, you can accumulate Fuel Rewards while paying with your Circle K card.
• Combining with Amex Offers: Occasionally, American Express provides promotions for gas purchases. For example, we've observed Amex offering 400 bonus Membership Rewards points when you spend $40 on gas.

Key takeaway

The holiday season is typically hectic, especially for those traveling to visit family and friends. Utilizing gas rewards programs and credit card offers can significantly reduce your costs every time you fill up your tank.

Most major gas station brands offer their own loyalty programs, which often feature limited-time discounts or sign-up bonuses. Additionally, many of these programs can be combined to maximize your savings even further.

If you’re not using Pay with GasBuddy, ensure you opt for a credit card that provides excellent rewards for fuel purchases to accumulate extra savings on your next fill-up. Also, be sure to check for rotating categories that offer additional discounts at the pump.