For the American driver, the cost of gasoline is a constant and fluctuating expense. While the price at the pump may seem out of your control, the final price you actually pay is not.
A new generation of loyalty programs, co-branded partnerships, financial tools, and mobile apps has created a powerful ecosystem for the savvy consumer. Saving money on gas is no longer a matter of luck; it’s a matter of strategy.
Mastering this strategy means understanding that you can earn discounts from multiple sources on a single fill-up. It's about layering rewards from the gas station, the grocery store, your credit card, and your smartphone to create a powerful, money-saving combination.
This guide is your complete playbook for navigating the world of gas discounts. It will break down the most effective programs and tools available, show you how to use them, and teach you the art of "stacking" to ensure you are never paying full price at the pump again. Please note that specific offers, points values, and discounts mentioned are illustrative examples based on common promotions and are subject to change.
The most direct way to save is by joining the free loyalty programs offered by major gas station brands. Committing to one or two brands you use most frequently allows you to concentrate your spending and maximize rewards.
Shell Fuel Rewards
How it Works: This program is based on an instant, cents-per-gallon discount. The standard baseline offer for new members with "Gold Status" is an automatic savings of at least 5 cents per gallon on every fill-up (up to 20 gallons). You can earn additional, larger discounts by linking your credit cards and shopping or dining at participating partners.
Best Use: It's incredibly straightforward. The savings are immediate and visible right at the pump, which is psychologically rewarding. It's an excellent foundational program for any driver.
ExxonMobil Rewards+
How it Works: This is a points-based system. You earn points for every gallon of fuel and for every dollar spent on in-store items. These points are then redeemed in 100-point increments for dollar-off savings on future purchases. The program also rewards loyalty, often offering bonus points after a certain number of fill-ups per month.
Best Use: This program is ideal for drivers who not only buy gas but also frequently purchase convenience items. The ability to earn on both fuel and in-store items accelerates your savings.
Costco Gas
How it Works: This isn't a rewards program but a wholesale pricing model. Costco leverages its massive buying power to offer its members gasoline at a price that is consistently lower than surrounding stations. The savings are built directly into the price you see on the sign.
Best Use: For Costco members, this is often the single biggest and easiest way to save on gas. The only requirements are a Costco membership and a willingness to potentially wait in line, as their low prices attract a lot of customers.
Comparison: Choose Shell for instant, simple discounts. Choose ExxonMobil if you're a frequent in-store shopper. Choose Costco if you're already a member and value a consistently low base price above all else.
This strategy allows you to turn your largest household expense—groceries—into direct fuel savings. It's one of the most powerful ways to earn significant discounts.
How the Partnership Programs Work: Major supermarket chains like Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons, and others have partnerships with major gas station brands or operate their own fuel centers. The standard model for many of these programs is that for every dollar you spend on groceries, you earn one fuel point. Once you accumulate 100 points, you can typically redeem them for a 10-cent-per-gallon discount on your next fill-up.
Turning Everyday Purchases into Gas Discounts:
Accelerate with Gift Cards: The key to maximizing these programs is to look for frequent promotions like "2x" or "4x fuel points" on the purchase of third-party gift cards. For example, if you plan to spend $100 at a home improvement store, buying the gift card for that retailer at your supermarket first during a 4x points event could earn you 400 fuel points. This would translate into a 40-cent-per-gallon discount on a single fill-up.
Walmart+: This membership program offers a flat discount at the pump, which is often 10 cents per gallon at participating Exxon, Mobil, and Murphy stations, as well as at their own fuel centers.
Paying with the right piece of plastic is essential. Your credit card should be working to lower your net cost on every single gallon.
Dedicated Gas Credit Cards vs. General Cashback Cards
Dedicated (Co-Branded) Gas Cards: These are credit cards tied to a specific brand, like the Shell | Fuel Rewards® Credit Card. Their main benefit is often a high, instant discount at that brand's stations (e.g., a common offer is 10 cents off per gallon). The downside is their inflexibility.
General Cashback Cards: These are cards from major issuers that offer a high percentage of cash back on a broad "gas station" category. This is often the superior choice because it gives you the flexibility to buy gas at any station and still earn a significant rebate.
Which Cards Are Best for Frequent Drivers?
Look for a general cashback card with a permanent, high-yield gas category. Competitive cards will offer 3% or more back on gas.
Consider cards with quarterly rotating 5% cashback categories, as gas stations are almost always a featured category for at least one quarter of the year.
If you're a warehouse club member, their co-branded credit cards often offer some of the highest cashback rates on gas.
Your smartphone is your command center for finding the best deals. Using a combination of these apps ensures you are both finding the lowest price and getting a rebate on the purchase.
GasBuddy (The Price Finder): Its primary function is to show you the real-time prices at nearly every gas station around you. Before you fill up, a quick check can reveal a station a few blocks away that is significantly cheaper. This app is your strategic starting point.
Upside (The Rebate Earner): This is a cashback app that provides offers for gas stations. You "claim" an offer for a specific gas station in the app, pay with your linked credit card, and the app gives you cash back after the purchase. Offers can typically range from a few cents to over 20 cents per gallon. It's a rebate you get on top of any other discounts.
AAA (The Member Benefit): If you are an AAA member, their app often highlights participating stations (like Shell) where you can get an additional discount or an accelerated earning rate on their loyalty program simply by being an AAA member.
To illustrate how powerful stacking can be, let's walk through a realistic, albeit ideal, scenario. Note that specific offers and your personal point balances will vary.
The Scenario: You need to fill up your car's 15-gallon tank.
Start with the App: You open GasBuddy and see that a nearby Shell station has a competitive price. At the same time, you open Upside and see that the same station has a "12 cents back per gallon" offer. You claim it.
Use Your Supermarket Points: You have saved up 700 fuel points on your grocery store's loyalty account. At the pump, you enter your loyalty information and redeem your points for a 70-cent-per-gallon discount.
Apply Your Membership: As a Shell Fuel Rewards member, you get your standard baseline 5-cent-per-gallon discount on top of that.
Pay with the Right Card: You pay for the fuel with your credit card that earns 4% cash back on all gas station purchases.
Claim Your Rebate: Because you claimed the offer in Upside and paid with a linked card, you will receive the 12 cents per gallon in cash back from them.
In this single fill-up, you have successfully stacked five different types of savings: a price-finding app, a supermarket loyalty program, a gas station membership, a cashback credit card, and a rebate app.
Short-Term Savings (Every Fill-Up): Your immediate goal is to never pay the sticker price. This involves the daily habit of checking a price-finding app and always paying with a high-yield cashback credit card.
Long-Term Savings (Building Rewards): This is the strategic game. Consistently shop at a supermarket with a gas rewards program to build up fuel points for large discounts. Choose one or two gas station loyalty programs to concentrate your spending and earn status.
The Ultimate "Gas Discounts" Combination Strategy:
Foundation: Join the free loyalty programs for the gas stations and supermarkets you use most often.
Payment: Secure a general cashback credit card that offers a high, permanent rebate on gas purchases.
Pre-Trip Routine: Before you need gas, use an app like GasBuddy to identify the station with the lowest base price in your immediate area.
The Stack: At the pump, apply your supermarket and gas station loyalty discounts first to lower the price, then pay with your rewards credit card, and finally, claim any available rebates from an app like Upside.
By making this strategic process a regular habit, you can transform a routine expense into a rewarding game—one that can save you hundreds of dollars each year.
