5 Gas Rewards Programs That Can Help You Save Money

Gas rewards credit cards are a great way to cut your transportation costs — these cards offer higher rewards rates when you fill up. But that’s not the only way to save money. Joining a gas rewards program is another option to save money on fuel. Typically, gas rewards programs are free and earn consumers a certain number of points back for every gallon of gas they purchase. In most cases, you can sign up on a website or through an app. You can then earn rewards by entering your phone number at gas stations or paying with a debit or credit card associated with your account. It’s best to choose a rewards program at a gas station you frequent, as many offer higher rewards rates for loyal customers. Some rewards programs don’t offer generous rewards, either, so you’ll have to weigh whether the effort of signing up for them is worth it.

Apps like GasBuddy and AAA are also useful because they show users gas prices at nearby gas stations. No matter how you choose to save money on gas, there are plenty of ways to do it.

Best Credit Cards for Gas Purchases

To get the most cash back or rewards on your fuel purchases, you’ll want to use gas rewards credit cards and gas rewards programs.

CNBC Select named the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, and the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card as the best gas rewards cards. All of these cards offer at least 3x points or 3% cash back on gas.

Earnify

Earnify is the rewards program of BP and its subsidiaries, including Amoco and AMPM. Standard members get 5 cents off per gallon every time they fill up. On top of that, you earn one point per dollar spent on fuel and two points per dollar spent on convenience services. 200 points equals $2 in convenience services or an extra 5 cents off per gallon. Just pay with the Earnify app or use your phone number or linked card at checkout. Points stay in your account until you choose to redeem them and expire after 90 days of inactivity. New members receive a 250-point welcome offer and earn 2x points in the first 90 days after signing up.

Exxon Mobil Rewards+™ Program

Through the Exxon Mobil Rewards+™ program, individuals can earn rewards on gas, convenience store, or car wash transactions. The app is available for download on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

The Exxon Mobile Rewards+ program has multiple membership tiers. Most members earn 3 points per gallon of regular gas and 2 points per $1 spent at convenience stores or car washes. 100 points equals $1 in rewards. In other words, a person would need to purchase more than 33 gallons of gas from Exxon or $50 worth of merchandise at a convenience store to earn $1 worth of rewards. You can also earn the "Frequent Gas" tier by purchasing 100 gallons or more of Synergy fuel per month. That gives members a total of 4 points for every gallon of regular gas purchased, and 4 points for every $1 spent at convenience stores or car washes. Premium members earn a higher rewards rate than people who fill up frequently -- 6 points for each eligible purchase of Synergy Supreme+ gasoline, a higher-octane premium gasoline. However, premium members don't get extra rewards for points earned at convenience stores or car washes. To earn premium status, you must fill your tank with at least 8 gallons of Synergy Supreme+ gasoline three times a month. New Exxon Mobil Rewards+ members who successfully link their AARP membership will receive 500 bonus points, valued at $5, plus they'll be eligible to earn an additional 1 point on purchases and other rewards. You can redeem points through the app or with a physical Exxon Mobil Rewards+ card. Generally speaking, people don't get many rewards from the program unless they buy a lot of premium fuel from ExxonMobil and qualify for the higher rewards rate offered by premium status. However, this means you need to buy 24 gallons of Synergy Supreme+ gas.

Shell Fuel Rewards

With the Shell Fuel Rewards program, members can earn 3 cents per gallon in rewards, 5 cents per gallon, or 10 cents per gallon depending on their tier.

Silver: Silver tier earns you 3 cents per gallon in rewards, no fill-up amount requirement, and still lets you accumulate any additional savings earned through convenience stores or other means.

Gold: Gold members earn 5 cents per gallon back when they make six fill-ups of at least 10 gallons of gas, or three fill-ups of premium gas. This membership tier also allows for accumulated rewards.

Platinum: The highest tier is Platinum, which earns 10 cents per gallon in rewards for at least 12 fill-ups (or six fill-ups of premium gas) of 10 gallons or more, as well as special opportunities for 2x in-store rewards and special offers and experiences.

All first-time members enjoy Gold tier benefits during the six-month introductory period. Shell Fuel Rewards offers benefits beyond gas when you link your card or the corresponding app. It's one of the most generous gas rewards programs on the market, offering 3 cents back per gallon for Shell consumers who don't fill up frequently, and a clear path to upgrade to higher tiers.

Inner Circle

The Circle K Rewards program, also known as the Inner Circle, has two different membership tiers. Basic benefits for members include three cents off per gallon, in-store discounts, and members get a sixth item free with most Circle K purchases. Premium members get the same benefits, but save 5 cents per gallon instead of 3 cents. Plus, it offers exclusive benefits to premium members, and they get early notice of some new products. You'll upgrade from the first tier to premium once you spend $500 on fuel and merchandise. You can sign up online or through the Apple App or Google Play Store. Members will receive a card before signing up online or through the app. The program is free to join, and you qualify for higher tiers through traditional purchases in stores. Inner Circle is currently offering a join offer where you can save 25 cents per gallon on your first 5 fill-ups.

Speedy Rewards

You can sign up for Speedy Rewards through the website or app. Members earn 10 points for every gallon of gas they consume and 20 points for every dollar spent on merchandise. You can then redeem those points through the app or at the register. Circle K offers all types of rewards—from food at convenience stores, discounts on future fill-ups, to a variety of gift cards. Speedy Rewards members also receive monthly benefits that help them earn more rewards and have the opportunity to earn free items with repeat purchases. To earn rewards, members can use a digital card through the app or enter a phone number as another form of identification. The Speedy Rewards program is a great option for those who don’t want to just redeem points for cash back on gas.