Essential tips for saving on gas

Gas prices may be declining, but they remain too high for most consumers.

You likely already use coupon codes, frequent cash-back websites, and the right credit cards to save on various household expenses. So, why are you still paying full price for gas, which is a significant cost for many families?

There are now numerous apps, programs, and strategies available to help reduce the price per gallon on your next fill-up. These savings can accumulate substantially over the year. In fact, I saved over $1,000 in one year by being mindful of our household's fuel expenses, even before we acquired a recreational vehicle. Now, being strategic about gas is more essential than ever.

So, how can you save even more on this vital expense? Here are some of our best tips for reducing gas costs.

Fundamental strategies

The savings principles for all the gas programs mentioned below are quite similar. However, it’s important to plan a few things in advance.

Maximum gallons permitted

Various gas savings programs limit your discounted fuel to a specific number of gallons per fill-up. For instance, Kroger allows discounts on up to 35 gallons, while Fuel Rewards caps it at 20 gallons. Once you apply your savings to lower the pump price, they are used up—whether you purchase 1 gallon or the maximum allowed.

To maximize your savings, aim to fill up as close to the maximum allowable gallons per visit as possible. For us, this means my wife and I go to the station together and coordinate to fill both cars without returning the pump to its holder. It can also involve bringing along a few empty gas cans to capture any remaining discounted gas after filling up the vehicles.

Maximum discount available

Depending on your location and the specific program, the discount on gas may either have a cap or be uncapped.

For instance, Kroger offers a maximum discount of $1 off per gallon at all participating gas stations, except for one location in Tennessee and another in Richmond, Virginia.

On the other hand, Fuel Rewards can reduce your gas price to just 1.9 cents per gallon in certain states (like my home state of Georgia). In other locations, the discount caps at $1 off per gallon.

Expiration dates

One way these companies provide such generous discounts is by anticipating breakage. Most of these programs have short expiration windows of one to three months, during which you must redeem your fuel savings. If you overlook filling up before your points and savings expire, there’s no way to recover them.

Fuel savings programs

Exxon Mobil Rewards+

You can earn 3 points for every gallon of gas you pump and 2 points for every $1 spent at the convenience store. Each point is valued at 1 cent toward discounted gas or store items, requiring a minimum of 100 points to redeem $1 in savings. The discounts are not calculated per gallon but rather as a flat dollar amount.

This program is likely the least rewarding, making it difficult to derive significant value from it. However, they do offer regular sign-up bonuses for new users, so be sure to check for their latest promotions if you haven’t signed up yet.

Fuel Rewards

The third-party loyalty program for Shell has been the most rewarding for me in terms of savings at the pump. There are several ways to earn Fuel Rewards, which you accumulate in cents-off-per-gallon. By linking your credit or debit card to the program, you can earn savings when shopping at participating merchants.

Fuel Rewards also features an online shopping portal that grants you a certain number of cents off per gallon for purchases made at participating retailers.

Download the app or register to automatically receive Gold status, which gives you a discount of 5 cents off per gallon on every fill-up. Explore the various actions you can take and limited-time promotions to save on your next fill-up. Each fill-up is capped at 20 gallons, and the maximum discount allowed varies by state.

If you shop at Giant supermarkets, for instance, you can link your Giant and Fuel Rewards accounts. This allows you to redeem your grocery store points through Fuel Rewards for discounts on your next fill-up.

Kroger Fuel Points

You will earn 1 point for every dollar spent at Kroger. Every 100 points can be redeemed for a 10-cent discount per gallon on your next fill-up. Kroger often facilitates point accumulation by offering bonus points of 2 to 4 per dollar spent on gift cards and selected grocery items.

During special promotions, such as those that grant 4 points per dollar on gift cards, be sure to load the digital coupon onto your Kroger Plus Card via the Kroger app before checking out.

The maximum discount allowed per gallon of gas is $1 (with previously mentioned exceptions), and you can buy up to 35 gallons at each fill-up. For example, if you purchase a $500 Disney gift card during a bonus points event that gives you four times the points, you will earn 2,000 points, which is enough for two fill-ups of $1 off per gallon on up to 35 gallons (or a total savings of $70). This translates to a 14% discount on the $500 Disney gift card if you consider gas savings equivalent to cash.

You can also use a card that provides bonuses when paying for your groceries. For example, the American Express® Gold Card offers 4 points for every dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 in purchases each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar thereafter).

Marathon Arco Rewards

This program offers occasional discounts at the pump, including a $2 sign-up bonus.

The program allows you to earn rewards points by purchasing gas and some items at Marathon stations or convenience stores. You receive 5 cents in Marathon Rewards for every gallon of gas purchased, which can be redeemed during your next fill-up.

Pay with GasBuddy

You might recognize GasBuddy.com as a site that provides gas prices in various locations. GasBuddy has since evolved to offer a way to pay for gas at the pump while earning rewards.

With Pay with GasBuddy, drivers can enjoy immediate savings at the pump. You activate deals in the GasBuddy app before fueling to save additional cents per gallon.

By enrolling in Pay with GasBuddy, you link your checking account to the service and receive a physical card resembling a credit card. Use this card at the pump, and your checking account will be charged the amount you paid, minus any discounts. The best part about Pay with GasBuddy is that you can combine your savings with other discount programs.

Pay with GasBuddy focuses on the number of gallons you pump, not the price of the fuel. Even if you use Fuel Rewards to pay only $1 per gallon, you'll still earn your savings with Pay with GasBuddy for each gallon purchased.

Trunow

The Trunow app provides cash back of at least 0.5% to 2% on gas receipts from any station. Partner stations with Trunow offer 1% cash back on all gas purchases and let you redeem rewards right at the station.

You can identify Trunow partner stations on the map by a blue circle. To earn your savings, simply take a photo of your gas receipt using the app. Your cash back will appear in your account within two days.

Upside

Upside, previously known as GetUpside, is a third-party app that launched a few years ago and has since grown considerably. It now offers savings not just at the pump, but also at restaurants and grocery stores. You can claim offers in the app to receive discounts of a certain number of cents per gallon.

Once you sign up and claim an offer, you have a four-hour window to fill up at the selected station using a linked credit card. The cash back from your fill-up will be credited to your Upside account, and you can withdraw it at any time. I appreciate Upside because you can save on fills of up to 50 gallons.

A recent promotion in New York City offered 40 cents off at a Mobil station on Eighth Avenue, bringing the price down to $3.99 per gallon.

As I mentioned before, my wife and I wait until our cars are on empty and then fill up together at the same pump. (Just a reminder: don’t put the pump handle back between fills, or you’ll lose your ongoing savings.)

Triple stack

This is where it gets exciting. You can combine Fuel Rewards, Pay with GasBuddy, and Trunow during the same fill-up for a triple layer of savings. Here’s how it works:

• If you have $1 in Fuel Rewards, you can reduce the price at the pump at a participating Shell station from $2.50 per gallon to $1.50 per gallon.
• Then, use your Pay with GasBuddy card to save an additional 20 cents per gallon (the gas price is irrelevant for this savings).
• Lastly, scan your pump receipt with Trunow to earn up to 2% cash back on your purchase.

If you fill up the maximum of 20 gallons, you’ll save $20 on gas, plus $1 from Pay with GasBuddy. Additionally, you’ll earn 3 cents in your Trunow account. This brings your total fill-up cost down to $38.97 instead of the typical $50 that most people pay.

Of course, to maximize your savings, you'll want to pay the remaining balance with a credit card that offers bonuses at gas stations. A great choice is the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see rates and fees), which provides 3 ThankYou Rewards points per dollar spent at gas stations, translating to 5.4 cents in points earned per dollar spent based on current TPG valuations.

When looking for ways to save on gas, keep an eye out for American Express or Chase offers that apply at gas stations. For instance, there was a promotion offering $10 back on a $20 purchase through the BPme mobile app.

Review the Amex Offers section on any relevant American Express cards you possess. Discovering a money-saving deal on an Amex card—like the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, which gives 3% cash back on gas purchases at U.S. stations—can be particularly beneficial. The cash back is credited as Reward Dollars, redeemable as statement credits or during Amazon.com checkout.

Bottom line

Nearly every grocery store and gas station chain has its own fuel savings program, so ensure you’re enrolled in one that operates where you typically fill up. Once I established a routine, I found that saving money at the pump became one of the simplest loyalty strategies I engage in each month.

If you spot someone at the gas station with several gas cans on the ground, they probably aren’t just gearing up for yard work or running generators. They might be like me, trying to maximize their fuel discounts at the pump.