Drivers Feeling Pump Pain Should Use Apps and Rewards Programs To Save on Gas

Drivers across the nation are dreading their next trip to the gas station. With fuel prices soaring over $5 a gallon and rising, vehicle owners are paying substantially more for a full tank than just a year ago.

Now couldn't be a better time to jump on cash-back apps and rewards programs that can help drivers save at the pumps.

Cash back Apps and Rewards Programs to Save on Gas 

Cashback apps are popular in the retail and grocery space. But many of them work just as well for gas purchases. Generally, drivers must pay at the pump up front and receive cash or rewards points once the purchase is confirmed. Although not an immediate saving at the pump, the rewards allow users to direct their savings to other expense areas, such as grocery and retail shopping. 

The following are the best apps and rewards programs to help drivers save money on gas purchases.

1. Cashback Apps

Fetch Rewards

Fetch Rewards is a free cashback app that users can download from Google Play or Apple App stores on their mobile phones. Scan the receipt once a gas purchase is made, and a percentage will be rewarded as points. Users may scan paper receipts or upload a digital copy. The more receipts users scan or upload, the more points users receive. 

With Fetch Rewards, 1,000 points are equal to $1. A minimum balance of 3,000 points is required before the account can be redeemed for gift cards, and there are $3 gift cards available. Giving friends and family your referral code is the easiest way to hit 3,000 points. Referrals range from 2,000 to 4,000 points, depending on the special offers. Make sure to use a referral code when you sign up, too.

Purchase gift cards for your shopping needs at major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Amazon, or grab some coffee at Starbucks. Drivers can save up for prepaid Visa cards and use them directly at gas stations. 

You can download the Fetch Rewards app at the Google Play Store or Apple Store.

Upside 

The company rebranded to Upside from GetUpside in early 2022. It's another free cash-back app that allows users to collect rewards points and eventually redeem them for gift cards and cash payments. 

Users can search within the area they choose for gas stations partnered with Upside to offer users a discount. Users must select the ‘claim' button and fill gas within the next four hours or submit a receipt as proof of purchase. 

Drivers can get cash back at more than 45,000 locations across the U.S. Upside claims that drivers can save up to 25 cents a gallon, but user reviews vary. 

2. Gas Price Reporting Apps

Gasbuddy

GasBuddy is also a free app and one of the most popular gas apps. GasBuddy directs drivers to nearby locations with the lowest gas prices by simply inputting a zip code or enabling a mobile's location services. GasBuddy uses real-time, crowdsourced prices at more than 150,000 gas station convenience stores in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. 

Guru Gas

Unlike GasBuddy, which mainly relies on crowdsourced information, Gas Guru data comes from the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS), a fuel-pricing service firm. Gas prices with Gas Guru may be more up-to-date than the gas apps that rely on crowdsourcing. 

3. Gas Station Rewards Programs

Previously, only grocery stores would offer loyalty programs, allowing customers to save money on gas. Now, gas stations have started offering customers their own rewards programs. 

Bpme Rewards

The BPme Rewards app gives drivers using BP and Amoco gas stations a 5-cent discount per gallon for the first month of use. To continue the 5-cent deal, users must spend a minimum of $100 on fuel each calendar month. 

Exxon Mobile Rewards+

Exxon uses a points system and awards 3 cents in points per gallon on gas purchases. Points can also be earned from car washes and attached convenience store purchases. ‘Frequent Fillers' who pump 100 or more gallons monthly make an additional 1 cent per gallon. Every 100 points earned is equal to a $1 discount. 

Shell Fuel Rewards

The Shell rewards program is a two-tier system. Silver Status saves drivers 3 cents per gallon on fuel purchases, and Gold Status saves drivers 5 cents a gallon. Drivers new to the rewards program will instantly start with Gold Status. To maintain that level, drivers must fill up six times with at least five gallons every three months. 

4. Gas Reward Cards

Credit cards are often another reliable way to earn reward points and cash back or credits on statements. Look for the cards that provide the highest money back on gas. 

Penfed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card

The PenFed Visa card offers the most cash back at gas stations, with 5x the points per dollar spent for gas purchases. There is no annual fee; they give a welcome bonus of 15,000 points if users spend $1,500 in the first three months of opening the account. 

Pnc Cash Rewards Visa

The PNC Visa card offers a 4% cash back at gas stations. There is no annual fee and a welcome bonus of $100 for purchases of $ 1,000 or more within the first three billing cycles. Users should note, however, that the combined assets of gas, dining, and grocery store bonus cash back of 4% are limited to the first $8,000 spent. After that, the cash-back rate drops to 1%.

Check Out Other Rewards Programs

There are many other rewards programs available. Seek them out, and make scanning receipts and collecting points through apps and cards a part of your daily routine when making any eligible purchase. Hopefully, the rewards will add up and provide much-needed relief from pump pain. 

This article was produced and syndicated on Wealth of Geeks.