Gas prices in the U.S. have touched a record high: American motorists are now paying the equivalent of $4.17 per gallon at the pump. Yet, in areas like California and Hawaii, you’re lucky enough to find petrol priced under $5.50 per gallon.
As many individuals prepare to hit the road for spring getaways, those fees — but happily, also those joys — may pile up quickly. For example, a car driver that gets 25 miles per gallon would have to pay $60 to fill up for a 500-mile road trip back when gas was $3 a gallon. If the same motorist had to spend $5 a gallon, you’re talking $100 for the same journey.
Signing up for fuel rewards.
This is the simplest method to save money on gas at a Shell station.
When you join up or download the app, you’ll automatically be upgraded to Gold level, which entitles you to a 5 cent per gallon discount on every fill-up. Plus, you may save even more money on petrol by using the online shopping platform.
For example, an online purchase from Home Depot or Staples will save you 5 cents per gallon on your next fill-up. Although each fill-up is restricted to 20 gallons and the maximum discount permitted varies by state, Fuel Rewards can help you save a lot of money on petrol.
If you shop at specific grocery shops like Giant or Stop & Shop, you may link your Fuel Rewards account and use your grocery store points to get savings on your next fill-up through Fuel Rewards.
If you want to get American Airlines status, you may link your AAdvantage account to obtain 2 miles for each and every dollar you spend at the gas station. This will also help you get closer to the next elite rank by increasing your Loyalty Points balance. Simply enrolling and completing their first fill-up at Shell will earn new members 100 miles.
The best part is that you can combine your cashback or American AAdvantage miles with any reward you earn on the credit card you use at the pump.
Use the Walmart+ membership with the Amex Platinum card to save money on petrol.
Last year, all cardholders of American Express’ Platinum Card® received a complimentary membership to Walmart+, Walmart’s subscription program similar to Amazon Prime. Aside from free shipping, the membership might also help you save money on petrol.
Walmart+ members receive a 5 cent per gallon discount at Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Murphy gas stations. To obtain the value, utilize the Walmart Pay feature in the Walmart app. To save the most money, attach a card that gets bonus points on petrol (more on that later) to your Walmart app before you go to the pump.
Use a credit card that gives gas bonus points.
If petrol is one of your most significant expenses, you’ll want to use a credit card that gives you cashback every time you fill-up.
The Citi Premier® Card, which rewards 3 Citi ThankYou points for each dollar spent on petrol, is one of the better alternatives. When you spend $4,000 on the card during the first three months after account opening, you’ll get 60,000 extra points. You’ll also get 3 points for a dollar spent on air tickets, hotels, supermarket purchases, and restaurants, which is a good deal. But, of course, you’ll only get 1 point for every $1 spent elsewhere.
As part of their introductory offer, many credit cards now provide extra points on gas. For example, the Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Unlimited cards offer 5% cashback on petrol purchases for the first year after account opening, up to $6,000 in expenditure. The Chase Freedom Flex rewards you $200 if you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months after creating your account. The Chase Freedom Unlimited card gives up to $300 in cashback and an additional 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases up to $20,000 in the first year.
Suppose you have a premium Ultimate Rewards-earning card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. In that case, you can convert your Freedom Unlimited or Freedom Flex cash back into Ultimate Rewards points, which can be transferred into several airlines and hotel loyalty programs.
If the cashback is more your style, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi will give you 4% back on your first $7,000 in gas purchases every year. In addition, the card provides 1% back on eating and qualified travel, 2% back at Costco, and 1% back on all other transactions.
Conclusion
Gas prices are at an all-time high, and we’re all feeling the pinch.
Even though gas costs have skyrocketed, you may get a little more creative to save money on your gas. For example, you might obtain between 15% and 25% back in rewards by using a credit card with a high return on gasoline purchases and third-party apps, which will assist in lessening the financial strain.
