With global developments and inflation pushing prices higher, average gas prices across the US have climbed to $4.58 per gallon. Here’s a roundup of some practical ways to save money on gas. Hope it helps.

Credit Cards

Quite a few credit cards now offer elevated cash back on gas purchases. This is one of the more consistent and convenient ways to save money—you simply pay with the right card. If you spend a lot on gas, it may be worth applying for a card that earns 3%-5% cash back at gas stations.

Gas

Credit Card Cash Back Annual Fee Notes Apply
AMEX Business Gold 6% (4x MR) $375 Only earns 5% if gas purchases are in your Top 2 spending categories, Apply
Citi Custom Cash 5% (excluding EV charging) $0 You only earn 5% on gas if gas is your top spending category, Apply
Synchrony Sam's Club 5% (excluding EV) $0 5% on the first $6000 in purchases per year; requires a Sam's Club membership; you need to be approved for the Mastercard version Apply
AMEX Everyday Preferred 4.5% (3x MR, excluding EV) $95 You only earn 3 MR/$ after making 30 purchases each month Apply
Citi Sears 4% (5x points, excluding EV) $0 You earn Sears points, which have limited redemption options Apply
US Bank Altitude Connect 4% (including EV charging) $95 Will be refreshed to no annual fee in September 2024; quarterly cap of $1000 on bonus gas rewards Apply
Citi Costco 4% (including EV) $0 Requires at least a $55 Costco membership Apply
Citi Premier Strata 3.9% (3x TYP, excluding EV) $95 Apply
BOA Alaska 3.2% (2x miles, including EV) $99 If you have a BOA account, you can get 10% more Apply
BOA Customized Cash Rewards 3% (including EV) $0 With a BOA account, rewards can be boosted by up to 75% Apply
Wells Fargo Autograph 3.6% (3x points; including EV) $0 Apply
AMEX Blue Cash Everyday 3% (excluding EV) $0 Annual cap of $6000 Apply
AMEX Blue Cash Everyday 3% (excluding EV) $95 Apply
Barclays AARP Essential  3% (excluding EV) $0 Apply
Detailed analysis: Best Credit Cards for Gas Stations

In addition, many credit cards also come with extra targeted offers that can give you additional savings on gas. For example, AMEX Offer, Citi Offer, Chase Offer, and BofA Offer. It’s worth checking whether your cards have similar offers available.

Sometimes these offers can be very strong, with discounts in the 20%-33% off range.

Buying Gas Gift Cards

At some gas station chains in the US, you can also use gas gift cards. At certain stations, paying with a gas gift card gives you the cash price, which is slightly lower than the credit card price. These gas gift cards are usually valid across brands within the same chain family. For example:

  • BP family: Amoco, Arco, BP
  • Phillips 66 family: 76, Conoco, Phillips 66
  • Chevron family: Chevron, Standard, Texaco,
  • ExxonMobil family: Exxon, Mobil

These gas gift cards can often be purchased at local grocery stores (Target, Walmart, Sam's Club, Safeway), electronics stores (Best Buy, GameStop), drugstores (CVS, walgreen), department stores (sears, Macy's), and even toy stores (TRU). One simple strategy is to use a card that earns well in those categories to buy gas gift cards there, then use the gift cards at the pump. For example:

  • Use AMEX Gold to buy gas gift cards at Safeway and earn 4x MR
  • Use Freedom Flex or Discover it to buy gas gift cards at merchants that qualify for the quarterly 5x category

Also, some gas stations sell their own gift cards directly. You can use a card that earns 5x or 5% back on gas during a bonus quarter to buy gas gift cards at the station, or stock up when there is a limited-time gas promotion and use them later. For example:

  • Buy Shell gift cards during an AMEX Offer such as spend $30 at Shell and get $10 back, then use them later
  • Stock up on gas gift cards during Discover it's Q2 5% gas category and use them in Q3

Amazon also sells gas gift cards, and you can even pay with Amazon gift cards, so that may be worth considering as well.

Grocery Store Fuel Points

Some grocery stores now offer fuel points programs, especially stores that partner with gas stations. You can earn fuel points from grocery spending and then redeem those points for discounts when filling up. Since each grocery chain’s fuel points program works a little differently, you can choose one based on the gas stations near you and the stores you shop at most often.

For example, Kroger fuel points can be used to reduce your gas cost. Every 100 fuel points can reduce the price by $0.1/gallon at participating gas stations. You can redeem up to 1000 points in one transaction, which means up to $1/gallon off. The maximum fill-up size is 35 gallon. Grocery purchases earn fuel points, and even gift card purchases may earn points too. Normally, you earn 1 point per $1 spent, and during promotions you may earn 4x fuel points. If you fill up 10 gallons at a time, then with 4x fuel points that works out to a 4% discount. If your vehicle has a 20Gal tank, that’s roughly an 8% discount.

Gas Apps and Loyalty Programs

Besides the more common ways to save above, there are also some newer apps that offer additional rebates on gas. For example, a lot of people use Upside. After filling up, you upload your gas receipt and earn rewards. The rewards can be redeemed for various gift cards, such as Amazon, Apple, Target, and Walmart. Redemptions start at $10, and you can also cash out via PayPal and check.

Shell also has its own loyalty program, Shell Fuel Rewards. Members can get a small discount on gas. There is also BPme Rewards, which offers discounts at BP and Amoco stations.

Checking Gas Prices

If you don’t want to deal with too much complexity, you can also simply use the following tools to check nearby gas prices and go to the cheapest station. Of course, it’s still a good idea to factor in your own driving experience, since fuel quality may vary slightly from one station to another.

  • Gas Guru: Gas Guru lets you check real-time prices at nearby gas stations. These prices are provided through a partnership between OPIS (Oil Price Information Service) and Wright Express.
  • GasBuddy: You can also check real-time gas prices with GasBuddy. GasBuddy also offers a Gas Card debit card that can save you up to 25c/gal off, as well as a GasBuddy credit card (get $10 back on your first fill-up, and save up to 25c/gal off on each fill-up).

Summary

Gas is basically a necessary expense, but for most people the monthly spending is fairly predictable and doesn’t fluctuate too much. You can pick a few methods that are convenient for you and save a bit of money—there’s no need to over-optimize every last cent.

Do you have any good tips for saving money on gas? Feel free to share them in the comments~