21 Fuel Rewards Programs: Save Money on Gas by Buying Groceries
When I started driving in 2012, gas cost almost $4 per gallon. At the time, public transportation was practically nonexistent in Florida, which left us no choice — my family and I had to buy gas.
But by changing our grocery shopping habits, we haven’t paid full price for gas in years — and sometimes, we even get it for free. (OK, we still have to pay taxes on it, but where we live, that’s only about 2 cents per gallon).
We started with the now-discontinued Winn-Dixie fuelperks! program, which gave us a 5-cent-per-gallon discount on gas for every $50 we spent on groceries.
This was the only fuel rewards program I knew of at the time, but I thought there must be other grocery stores that offered similar discounts — and I was right.
No matter where you live, here’s how to save money on gas by buying groceries.
Grocery Stores With Fuel Rewards Programs
To find out, I took to the internet and asked our Facebook community group. Here’s what I found out, organized by region.
Nationwide
These national chains offer fuel rewards programs. Is there one near you?
1. Safeway
Safeway grocery stores offer fuel discounts through Sunoco — for every $100 you spend on groceries, you get 10 cents off per gallon.
You can stack rewards up to 20 cents off per gallon, though you can only redeem them on 25 gallons of fuel at a time. Simply register with the Sunoco app to keep track of your rewards and enter your phone number at the gas pump.
2. Kroger
In Kroger’s fuel rewards program, you earn 1 point for every dollar you spend in the store.
Once you’ve earned 100 fuel points (after spending $100 on groceries), you’ll get 10 cents off per gallon on up to 35 gallons.
You can redeem your Kroger fuel points by scanning your Plus Card at Kroger gas stations or Shell stations — though at Shell, you can only redeem 10 cents off per gallon.
You’re better off using the discount at Kroger gas stations, so you can stack your discounts. The maximum amount of points redeemable at Kroger Fuel Centers is 1,000 — or $1 off per gallon.
While you’ll usually earn double points (two points per $1 spent) on gift cards, a few users of our Facebook Community group mentioned that Kroger offers four times the points on gift card purchases during the holidays.
Another bonus: You earn 50 fuel points for every non-federally funded prescription you fill at Kroger (federally funded prescriptions help you earn 1 point for every $1 you spend).
3. Stop & Shop
Stop & Shop gives you 10 cents off per gallon for every $100 you spend.
You can stack deals for up to $1.50 off per gallon. Scan your Stop & Shop card at Shell or Stop & Shop gas stations to redeem your savings. These points have a shorter expiration date than most — 30 days — so plan your trips carefully!
4. Albertsons
At Albertsons, you receive one point for every dollar you spend on groceries, one point for every dollar spent at the pharmacy and two points for every dollar you spend on gift cards. Once you reach 100 points, you’ve earned 10 cents off per gallon.
You can redeem up to $1 off per gallon at Safeway, Randalls, Vons, Tom Thumb, Texaco and Chevron stations, as well as Albertson’s gas stations.
You can also keep track of your points and get access to additional store savings using the Albertson’s app for Android or iPhone.
Southeast
These stores with gas rewards programs are located anywhere from Florida through the Carolinas.
5. Winn-Dixie
Winn-Dixie’s fuel rewards program has seen a few makeovers in the last few years. After parting ways with Plenti last year, the grocery chain has joined a new fuel perks program: SE Grocers rewards.
With SE Grocers rewards, you’ll earn 1 point for every $2 spent on qualifying purchases. For every 100 points earned, you’ll receive $1 off for groceries or 5 cents off per gallon at participating gas stations.
Sign up for Winn-Dixie rewards here.
6. Bi-Lo
Scattered throughout Georgia and the Carolinas, Bi-Lo also offers fuel savings with SE Grocers rewards, which gives you 1 point for every $2 spent on qualifying purchases and either $1 off for groceries or 5 cents off per gallon at participating gas stations for every 100 points earned.
Register for Bi-Lo Rewards here.
7. Harris Teeter
Located throughout Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and the Carolinas, Harris Teeter shoppers can earn one fuel point for every dollar spent in-store, two fuel points per dollar spent on eligible gift cards and 50 fuel points per non-federally funded prescription.
Every 100 fuel points earned equals 10 cents off per gallon on up to 35 gallons — with a maximum of 1,000 points redeemed per transaction — at Harris Teeter Fuel Centers and participating BP and Amoco stations.
8. Food City
In Tennessee and Georgia, Food City offers 15 cents off per gallon for every $150 you spend. Gift card purchases of $50 will net you double the points.
You can only use 15 cents off per gallon each day, but on Wednesdays, you can cash in 30 cents off.
Rewards are redeemable via Food City’s ValuCard at Gas n’ Go fuel stations.
9. Harveys Supermarkets
Florida, Georgia and South Carolina are home to Harveys Supermarkets.
Harveys also partners with SE Grocers rewards, so you’ll earn 1 point for every $2 spent on qualifying purchases and receive $1 off for groceries or 5 cents off per gallon at participating gas stations for every 100 points earned.
Register for Harveys Supermarket Rewards here.
Northeast
Northeasterners, do you take advantage of any of these fuel rewards programs?
10. Giant Eagle
Located in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana and Maryland, Giant Eagle’s fuelperks! program offers 10 cents off per gallon for every $50 spent at Giant Eagle, GetGo, Market District or Giant Eagle Express.
You can use these rewards at GetGo stations on up to 20 gallons of gas with your Giant Eagle Advantage card.
11. Price Chopper
Scattered throughout New England, New York and Pennsylvania, Price Chopper stores award you 10 cents off each gallon of gas for every $100 you spend in stores.
You can stack gas discounts and redeem them on up to 20 gallons of fuel at any participating Sunoco station with your Price Chopper AdvantEdge card.
12. Shaw’s
Spread throughout New England, Shaw’s offers 10 cents off per gallon for every $100 you spend, plus double the points on gift card purchases.
Redeem your points for up to $1 off per gallon at Sunoco stations by registering for MyMixx and entering your phone number at the pump.
13. TOPS
Located in New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont, TOPS offers 1 point for every dollar you spend with its GasPoints program. Get 10 cents off per gallon by earning 100 points.
Redeeming coupons? You’ll get 10 points for each one you use, and bonus items throughout the store offer extra points.
Fuel discounts are good on up to 20 gallons at any TOPS gas station by scanning your TOPS BonusPlus card.
14. Market 32
Owned and operated by Price Chopper, Market 32 services New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. It provides 10 cents off per gallon for every $100 you spend on groceries.
Use your discount at participating Sunoco stations by scanning your Fuel AdvantEdge card.
Midwest
From Ohio through the Dakotas, buying groceries helps you save money on gas.
15. Shop N’ Save
Located in Missouri and Illinois, Shop N’ Save offers 10 cents off per gallon for every $50 you spend — which is twice the amount many other stores offer.
Use your Shop N’ Save fuel discount at Sunoco stations by scanning your Pump Perks card.
16. Pay Less Super Markets
Owned by Kroger, Pay Less Super Markets in Indiana offer one fuel point for every $1 spent.
100 points will get you 10 cents off per gallon, and you can stack ‘em for up to $1 off at Shell stations. Scan your Shopper’s card at the pump to receive your discount.
Codi, one of our Facebook community group members, said you can fill out the survey from your receipt once a week for 50 bonus fuel points — not bad for an extra 5 cents off per gallon.
17. Hy-Vee
Hy-Vee offers fuel perks on select grocery items that vary weekly.
Unlike other stores, there isn’t a set reward per dollar amount spent — either check the weekly ad or browse your local Hy-Vee to see which items offer fuel rewards.
Redeem points at Hy-Vee Gas, Casey’s, Shell or PDQ stations by swiping your Hy-Vee Fuel Saver + Perks card.
18. Cub Foods
Located in Minnesota and Illinois, Cub Foods offers fuel discounts at participating Holiday gas stations through its My Cub Rewards card.
You’ll earn 10 cents off per gallon for every $100 spent. You can earn up to $1.50 off per gallon — which would require spending $1,500 — on 20 gallons of gas.
West
The final frontier… of fuel rewards.
19. QFC
For every $100 you spend at QFC, you’ll receive 10 cents off per gallon.
Use your rewards at QFC fuel centers or participating Shell stations by swiping your Advantage card.
How much can you redeem? Stack your 10-cent discounts for up to $1 off per gallon.
20. Fred Meyer
Fred Meyer is located in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska.
It offers 1 point for every dollar spent, and 100 points earns you 10 cents off per gallon.
Purchase gift cards for double points and fill prescriptions for 50 bonus points. Redeem your points, which are good on up to 35 gallons of fuel, at Shell or Fred Meyer gas stations with your Rewards card.
21. Fry’s Food
Located in Arizona, Fry’s Food offers 10 cents off for every $100 you spend.
Use your Fry’s Food fuel rewards at Circle K and Shell stations.
Fuel Rewards Tips
Now you know where you can score some gas rewards — but how do you make the most of them?
Here are some tips to help you maximize your savings with grocery store fuel rewards programs.
Buy Gift Cards for Double Points
This is an easy way to rack up your fuel rewards, as stores such as Albertsons and Fred Meyer offer double points on gift card purchases.
You don’t need to actually give them as gifts — purchase gift cards for restaurants or stores you already shop at. Better yet, buy gas gift cards and use them when you fuel up at a discounted price!
Keep an eye out during the holiday season, since some stores offer special gift card promotions with anywhere from two to four times the amount of fuel rewards.
Beware of Expiration Dates
As awesome as fuel rewards are, they all expire eventually. Stop & Shop fuel rewards expire after only 30 days, but most other retailers’ points last 60 or 90 days.
Make sure to check the terms of your fuel rewards program and use your points before they expire.
Get All Your Discounted Fuel
One downside of gas rewards is that you can only use the points once, even if your tank is smaller than the maximum number of gallons you can redeem.
Try to fill up when your tank is as close to empty as possible — that way, you’ll get more gas and maximize your savings.
If your car doesn’t have a large tank (and if it’s allowed by your gas rewards program), bring an empty gas can to fill with the remaining gallons, so you don’t waste your fuel rewards.
Shop on the Weekend
Now you’ll have an actual excuse to wait until the weekend to hit the grocery store.
Some stores, such as Kroger, offer double fuel rewards on weekends. It will probably be busy, but the savings might be worthwhile.
Other Ways to Save on Fuel
Some gas stations are now offering their own rewards programs, and most come with a free app to help you keep track of your rewards, take advantage of in-store sales and discounts, and even pay right from your phone.
Check out our list of the best gas station rewards so you can save on fuel every time you fill up.
Jacquelyn Pica is an SEO specialist at The Penny Hoarder. She never pays full price for gas thanks to her fuelperks!-savvy dad.
Jessica Gray is an editorial assistant at The Penny Hoarder. She updated this post for 2018.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
