Beat high gas prices on your next trip: 6 ways to save money on a pump

Editor’s Note: This post has been updated to reflect current gas prices.

While refueling your daily commute or refueling before a family road trip, you’ve no doubt groaned at the numbers on the screen at the gas pump. Although prices have dropped quite a bit over the past few weeks, they are still relatively high.

Follow data from AAA. That’s 50 cents higher than the average this time last year, though still well below what we saw a week ago when the national average was at $3.92 per gallon.

Prices may be higher where you live. In California, an average gallon of gas costs a staggering $6.

Since the first months of 2022, the war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia have significantly affected crude oil prices… and pump prices. That quickly led to the strongest price increase since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Related: Higher fuel prices mean more expensive airline tickets, but it’s not as obvious as you think

Given the uncertainty about the situation in Ukraine and the volatility in the global oil market, it is difficult to know how long prices will stay high.

So, what can you do when planning your future travel or navigating higher prices in your daily driving?

Thankfully, the past few years have brought a quiet increase in gas station rewards and third-party loyalty programs designed to save you money on gas. This means there are more ways than ever to avoid paying full price. You can use one or more programs to save significantly on your next fill – and that’s before counting on any rewards you earn with credit.

Here are some of the more popular programs, in addition to some stacked opportunities, where you can use two or more of these to fill. If you have a strategy, you can even make a profit on your next trip to the gas station.

Fuel Bonus, a third-party loyalty program exclusive to Shell gas stations, is an incredibly lucrative way to save on gas. Once you’ve learned about the program and adjusted a few shopping patterns, it shouldn’t be too difficult to accumulate enough rewards (reduced in cents per gallon) to make your next trip to the pump at a price. more affordable.

Sign up for Gold status instantly, you will get 5 cents per gallon off your first deposit. This adds up to any Extra Fuel Rewards you earn – all the way up to nearly free gas.

Fuel Rewards has dozens of national partners where you can use your linked credit card to shop and earn coins off your next gallon of gas. There’s also a food rewards program, shopping portal, and many promotional offers (like T-Mobile on Tuesdays) that let you earn Fuel Rewards.

Related: Gas prices are falling, but here are some ways to save even more

Shop through the online portal and earn as little as 5 cents per gallon. Link your Dunkin’ rewards account and earn an extra 10 cents per gallon. Eat at your favorite local restaurant in the dining rewards program and earn 10 cents per gallon.

With those savings, in addition to having Gold status, your next refill will be reduced by at least 30 cents per gallon. All Fuel Bonus refills are capped at 20 gallons, and once you start pumping, your savings will be used, whether you pump one gallon or 20 gallons.

Another way to save at Shell is Circle K Easy Pay Debit. This program allows you to save 30 cents per gallon for the first 100 gallons or 60 days, depending on your location, after which you will save 10 cents per gallon.

Here’s how it works: You get a physical Easy Pay card linked to your checking account. You then use that card to pay for your gas refills, all the savings automatically deducted. The card is PIN protected and locked after three failed login attempts. The only downside is that you can’t earn credit card rewards this way.

Related: 8 of the most underrated loyalty programs and tools you should be using

J myRewards Plus Flight Pilot

Pilot and Flying J have a joint loyalty program called myRewards Plus allows drivers to earn rewards for gas refills and other purchases. Through October 31, you can get 10 cents per gallon off all gas refills when you pay for gas using the myRewards Plus app. This promotion will be available at all Pilot and Flying J locations across the country.

This third party application appeared a few years ago and has expanded considerably. It currently includes restaurant and grocery rewards, as well as savings at the pump. You can claim an in-app voucher to save a certain number of cents per gallon.

After you claim an offer, you have four hours to fill in the specific station of your choice, using the associated credit card. The cash earned will then be transferred to your Upside account, which you can withdraw whenever you want. I like Upside because of the economical filling that can go up to 50 gallons.

Related: How to use these 7 credit cards to maximize your US vacation

The Pay with GasBuddy The program continues to grow rapidly and improve. It used to offer Shop Your Way points, but now it offers some cash savings on every top up. It showcases deals that you can claim at specific gas stations right before refueling, as well as an in-app “refill” shopping portal.

Similar to Circle K Easy Pay, payment occurs with a physical card GasBuddy sends you connected to your checking account. You pay with it at the pump. The amount you pump, minus any GasBuddy savings, will be deducted from your checking account.

GasBuddy also offers a Pay with GasBuddy Premium option where you can save up to 40 cents per gallon after signing up. This service costs $9.99 per month and ensures that you save at least 20 cents per gallon (up to 50 gallons per month). It also offers additional perks like roadside assistance.

The newest entrant is Walmart+, which is Walmart’s subscription service that offers free two-day shipping on Walmart.com orders and other perks, similar to Amazon Prime. The Walmart+ subscription costs $12.95 per month. Here’s the great thing about it: That monthly fee is refundable like a privilege of the Platinum Card® from American Express. (Cardholders are reimbursed with a credit statement after they pay Walmart+ each month with their Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Not included. including extras.)

Related: Save 10 cents per gallon at Mobil and Exxon with Walmart +

You’ll save up to 10 cents a gallon if you fill up at Exxon-, Mobil-, Sam’s Club- or Murphy-branded gas stations. Find the complete guide here.

There are a number of other grocery store chains that offer a gas discount on membership.

Kroger is a very popular choice in the South. Between regular grocery shopping for the family and taking advantage of 4 fuel points per dollar on gift cards, it’s easy to hit the maximum $1 per gallon savings the program allows. . You can even purchase third-party gift cards from the website dedicated to Kroger gift cards. It often has gift cards for discounts or with earnings of 4 fuel points per dollar.

• Fuel Bonus plus GasBuddy Payments: The two programs work independently of each other, allowing you to reduce prices at the pump with Fuel Rewards. You’ll then have less cash than you pumped off your checking account when you pay at a Shell station with your GasBuddy card. If you earn enough Fuel Rewards for a free basic refill, GasBuddy still gives you savings based on Shell gas’s pre-discounted price – meaning you can make a profit when you fill up your tank with gas. .
• Kroger plus Pay with GasBuddy: The same principle as above applies when depositing for a discount with Kroger Fuel Points and then paying with your GasBuddy card.
• Fuel Rewards Plus Circle K Easy Payments: Like the two strategies discussed above, you can earn Fuel Rewards when paying with your Circle K card.
• Stacked with Offers of Amex: From time to time, American Express has promotions when buying gas. For example, we’ve seen Amex offer 400 Membership Rewards points for spending $40 on gas. These have gas stations and third-party loyalty programs, although you have to pay with the Amex card you linked the offer to. Therefore, you cannot accumulate Amex Vouchers with GasBuddy or Circle K Easy Pay.

Related: Best credit card to buy gas

With gas prices still much higher than we were used to during the height of pandemic caused by corona virusIt’s best to take advantage of many different ways to save money on gas.

Most gas station chains across the country have their own loyalty programs, usually with limited time savings or sign-up rewards. Aside from featured shows, there’s basically no reason to pay full price for gas no matter where you are. If not using Pay with GasBuddy, make sure to use credit cards earn great rewards at the pump, and you’ll double your savings. And if you’re looking to stop paying for gas altogether, you could try an electric or hybrid vehicle, which will not only benefit your wallet, but benefit the planet far beyond your time on the road. .

Read more: If you’re tired of high gas prices, here’s how to rent an electric (or hybrid) car

Additional reporting by Ehsan Haque, Andrew Kunesh, Sean Cudahy, Clint Henderson, Caroline Tanner and Benji Stawski.