7 Reward Apps + 6 Gas Station Loyalty Programs to Save You Money

Gas prices tend to rise as spring approaches and people start to plan road trips. This year is expected to follow the trend. Retail prices have already started their annual climb, and every little bit of savings can help.

If you need to save money when filling your gas tank, these apps and loyalty programs will help.

Our take

There are a lot of different apps that can help you save money on gas — either directly, like GetUpside, or indirectly, like Receipt Hog. Here are some apps (available for Android and iOs) to get the most savings.

  • Best overall: GasBuddy
  • Best to find the nearest cheap gas: Gas Guru 
  • Best for functionality: Waze
  • Best if you’re organized enough to act quickly: GetUpside
  • Best for hyperlocal deals: Trunow
  • Best if you have paper receipts: Receipt Hog
  • Best for in-app gift card purchases: Ibotta

Best overall: GasBuddy

GasBuddy is sort of like the Target Red Card but for gas. After downloading the free app and signing up for a card, you connect the app to your bank account. Then, whenever you are at the pump, swipe the GasBuddy card instead of your regular debit card. The discount is automatically applied, and the money comes out of whatever account you’ve connected to the card. The app also features ways to get “GasBack” savings, find cheaper gas, etc. 

Get the free GasBuddy card here.

Important to Know: They will ask you for your driver’s license number to verify your identity. 

Best to find the nearest cheap gas: Gas Guru 

Gas Guru does one thing: It helps you find the cheapest gas in your area. It does this thing very well. After downloading the app, allow the app to access your location (you can choose “only while using the app” if you’re worried about data/battery/security issues). You’re done! When you open the app, you’ll get a list of gas prices nearby. The app will also let you know whether there’s a convenience store or an ATM at the location. 

Available for Android here or for iPhone (iOS) in Apple’s App Store here.

Best for functionality: Waze

Most people know Waze as a map/directions app with built-in social networking. In addition to being alerted to traffic slowdowns, potholes, etc., Waze users can set up the app to show them nearby gas stations. Waze also has a built-in “contactless payment” platform to use your smartphone to pay at participating gas station locations.

Available for Android here or in the Apple App Store here.

Best if you’re organized enough to act quickly: GetUpside

Upside is a cash-back app that focuses on gas and restaurants. What differentiates Upside from other apps is that each offer has a relatively small window. An offer must be used within four hours of claiming it on the app. Some discounts can be as high as 20 cents off per gallon of gas.

You can sign up for the app here.

Best for hyperlocal deals: Trunow

Trunow helps you find cashback deals within ten miles of your current location. The deals are for money back from gas and retail purchases. The app is a little older, so there aren’t a lot of offers. Still, every little bit helps.

Download the Trunow app here.

Best if you have paper receipts: Receipt Hog

Receipt Hog offers points in exchange for receipts. There are a few options available for submitting your receipts. You can connect your email. You can link your store rewards accounts to Receipt Hog. You can use the mobile app’s “scan” feature to take a photo of your receipt and upload it. The more points you earn, the more cash you’ll get back. The nice thing about Receipt Hog is that it doesn’t care where you shop. Every receipt you submit will earn you something: coins/points for cash back, spins on “Hog Slots,” or entries into the app’s sweepstakes program

Download the Receipt Hog app here.

Best for in-app gift card purchases: Ibotta

Ibotta is one of the best-known cash-back apps. It also offers more cashback than most other apps. Ibotta features offers on specific items from specific stores. The best way to save on gas through Ibotta is to purchase gas station gift cards from retailers through the Ibotta app. You can also save extra money if you cash out your Ibotta earnings for e-gift cards to retailers that sell gas.

Sign up for Ibotta here.

Best gas station loyalty programs

Many of the gas chains have their own rewards programs. Some offer discounts on gas at the time of purchase, some offer points you can accumulate and redeem for rewards, etc. The good news is that you can usually stack these deals with a paper receipt app like ReceiptHog to get a double discount.

Murphy Drive Rewards

Murphy’s is a convenience store/gas station chain in the south and the mid-west (and it has a few outliers in Nevada and Utah). Murphy’s works a lot like Ibotta — you can redeem offers on specific items available at Murphy’s stores, get points for discounts on gas, etc.

Download the Murphy Drive Rewards app here.

Exxon Mobil Rewards+

Exxon Mobil Rewards+ is an incredibly generous rewards program. You earn up to 3 cents for every gallon of fuel you purchase. You also earn 2 cents for every dollar in their convenience stores. You can turn them in once you accumulate 100 points to get $1 off. You can qualify for even better rewards if you buy gas a lot. Exxon also allows members to combine their Mobil Rewards with other rewards programs like AARP and Frequent Filler.

Sign up for Exxon Mobil Rewards+ here.

Shell Fuel Rewards

Shell has one of the best and most generous rewards programs out there. In addition to earning points every time you buy gas, you can also earn points by dining in program-participating restaurants, online shopping, grocery shopping, and travel expenses (like flights, hotel bookings, etc.). Members with gold status can earn up as much as 75 cents off per gallon. 

Learn more about Shell Fuel Rewards here.

Speedway

Like Shell, the Speedway Fuel Rewards program offers members a bunch of ways to get points — buying fuel, shopping in their convenience stores, etc. Speedway also has a club that offers perks like free car washes, free coffee, free snacks, and a bunch of other stuff. Speedway differs because you get to choose how you use your points. You can use them on discounts at the pump or on merchandise/more savings.

Register for the Speedy Rewards program here.

Chevron

The main thing that you need to know about Chevron’s app is that it allows members to pay for their gas using PayPal or Venmo when they pay via the Chevron app. To save money on gas, you must sign up (and be approved) for the Chevron Techron Advantage Visa or the Techron Advantage Credit Card. Another option is accumulating points by grocery shopping in participating grocery stores (more on this below).

Sign up for Chevron’s program here.

Marathon

Marathon and Arco stations nationwide share a rewards program called Make it Count. Members save $.05 a gallon, but the discount is doubled for your first four fill-ups. There are no special membership criteria; you just have to sign up.

The app also includes discount offers for some grocery items.

Sign up for Marathon Rewards here.

Grocery store fuel rewards and points programs

Grocery store loyalty programs are a great way to save money on your “everyday” purchases. Many of these programs are partnered with gas stations to offer discounts on gas when you accumulate a specific number of points via your grocery purchases. If you’re buying groceries at these stores, the points can mean significant savings. For example, each $100 you spend at Kroger will get you 10 cents off a gallon of gas. The savings max out at 1000 points for a $1 gallon discount.

Pro tip: This may seem like a lot to spend monthly on groceries, but there are ways to maximize the number of points you accrue.

How to maximize your savings 

Stores create loyalty programs to reward shoppers for returning to the same store over and over again. One of the ways they reward shoppers is by giving them lots of opportunities to earn extra points and offering extra discounts. Here are some things you can do to maximize your savings at the pump via strategic loyalty program use.

  • Buy gift cards to accrue double (or even quadruple) points
  • Fill up with as much discounted fuel as possible
  • Get a credit card with a cashback bonus on gas
  • Stack deals to maximize savings
  • Pay cash

Only do what makes sense for you

Do the math and ensure that the work you’re doing to save money is saving you money. For example, is it worth it to drive to the next town over to take advantage of your gas rewards program? Or does the increased fuel use offset the savings you’re trying to get? And if your credit card gives you 4% cash back on gas purchases but you’re carrying a balance, it will probably be a better deal to use cash and avoid paying the high interest rate.

The bottom line

Fuel prices fluctuate. Make sure you’re taking advantage of every possible opportunity to save money. Pick what works best for you and take advantage of loyalty programs when possible.

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