When I started driving in 2012, gas cost almost $4 per gallon. At the time, public transportation was practically non-existent in Florida, which left me 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).
Our secret? The Winn-Dixie fuelperks! program, which gives you a 5-cent-per-gallon discount on gas for every $50 you spend on groceries.
This was the only fuel rewards program I knew of, 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 as many rewards as you’d like in a single purchase, though you can only redeem them on 20 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. Make a note on your calendar for next year!
Another bonus: 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 and 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. Once you reach 100 points, you’ve earned 10 cents off per gallon.
The program’s redemption rules vary depending on your location and the gas station you choose.
You can redeem up to 20 cents off per gallon at Texaco and Chevron stations. Or, you can redeem up to $1 per gallon off at Albertson’s gas stations, Safeway, Randalls, Vons or Tom Thumb.
Southeast
These stores with gas rewards programs are located anywhere from Florida through the Carolinas.
5. Winn-Dixie
Located in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, Winn-Dixie offers a fuelperks! program in partnership with Shell gas stations.
For every $50 you spend in the store, you get 5 cents off per gallon of gas. Bonus grocery items can give you up to an extra 50 cents off per gallon. And if you have a baby, consider joining Baby Club — you’ll earn 10 cents off per gallon for every $25 you spend on baby products.
There’s no limit to how many fuelperks! you can earn, but you can only redeem perks for up to 20 gallons of fuel at a time.
I usually find the best deals on bottles of red wine, which offer anywhere from 5 to 25 cents off per gallon. Gift cards also offer double the points — 10 cents off per gallon for every $50 you spend on gift cards.
6. Bi-Lo
Scattered throughout Georgia and the Carolinas, Bi-Lo’s fuelperks! program is nearly identical to Winn-Dixie’s — spend $50, get 5 cents off per gallon.
There are also various bonus fuelperks! items located throughout the store for an extra 3- to 50-cent reward.
Gas discounts are redeemable at any Shell station on up to 20 gallons.
7. Ingles
Serving six southeastern states, Ingles rewards you with one fuel point for every $1 you spend on groceries.
Once you hit 100 points, you’ve got yourself 5 cents off per gallon. At 200 points, you get 10 cents off, 300 points gets you 15 cents off, and so on.
There is no cap to how much you can earn. You can redeem your points on up to 20 gallons at Ingles gas 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. Harvey’s Supermarkets
Florida, Georgia and South Carolina are home to Harvey’s Supermarkets .
Harvey’s uses the Plenti rewards card for its fuel program, which makes it different than most grocery store fuel discounts.
Plenti is a rewards card that lets you collect and redeem points at multiple retailers, such as Harvey’s, Macy’s and Mobil. You earn two points for every dollar you spend on non-fuel purchases.
Once you have 200 points — meaning you’ve spent $100 — you’ll receive $2 off your total fuel purchase (not per gallon) at Exxon and Mobil locations. You can also collect more points before redeeming them, up to a $10 discount.
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, Vermont and Massachusetts, 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
Market 32 services New York, Massachusetts 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 Missouri 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 Perks Card.
16. Pay-Less Supermarket
Owned by Kroger, Pay-Less Supermarkets 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 Plus 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 stations as well as Shell.
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 Safeway, Fred Meyer and Winn-Dixie 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.
Know Your Store’s Policy
That way, you can change your shopping strategy to maximize your savings. For example, at Winn Dixie, your grocery spending rolls over to the next time you shop.
Say you spend $65 on groceries. You’ll earn 5 cents off per gallon, since you spent $50. The other $15 you paid will apply to your next purchase — so you only have to spend $35 to reach the $50 threshold for 5 cents off.
Check your grocery store’s policy to find out if it offers the same perk.
If your store doesn’t do this, make sure every purchase is over but as close to increments of $50 as possible (e.g. $50.62 or $101.27). That way, you’ll earn gas rewards for as much of your grocery spending as possible.
Look for Bonuses on Alcohol
I’m not sure about other stores, but Winn-Dixie offers crazy-awesome fuelperks! on alcohol.
I’ve found the best deals on red wine and liquor. The extra gas discount can be as high as 25 cents per gallon… for just a $10 bottle of red wine.
My dad loves red wine and, even though the bottles aren’t pricy, he never seems disappointed with them. (I’m not sure if he’s excited about the savings or just really likes wine.)
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 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 might be busy — but the savings might be worthwhile.
Your Turn: Do you collect fuel rewards? Did we miss any other programs?
Jacquelyn Pica is an editorial intern at The Penny Hoarder. She never pays full price for gas thanks to her fuelperks!-savvy dad.
The post 21 Grocery Stores That Help You Save Money on Gas appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.
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