With fuel prices rising and budgets tightening, loyalty programs promise easy savings at the pump. But are they really worth it? Or are they just clever marketing tactics with minimal return? The answer depends on how—and where—you fill up. Here’s what to know before committing your loyalty.

How fuel loyalty programs work

Most gas loyalty programs offer a per-gallon discount in exchange for consistent use, purchases from partner retailers, or frequent fill-ups. Some even tie in with grocery chains, letting you accumulate points for fuel discounts while shopping for essentials.

Popular examples include:

• Shell Fuel Rewards: Save at least 5¢ per gallon when you link your debit/credit card and shop with participating partners.
  
• Kroger Fuel Points: Earn 1 fuel point per dollar spent at Kroger stores, redeemable for up to $1 off per gallon at Kroger Fuel Centers or participating Shell stations.
  

How much can you really save?

While savings vary, most programs offer between 3¢ and 10¢ per gallon. That may not sound like much, but for high-mileage drivers or families with multiple vehicles, the value stacks up. For example:

• Filling up a 15-gallon tank with a 10¢/gallon discount = $1.50 saved per trip.

• Multiply that by four weekly fill-ups and you’re saving $6/month or $72/year—without changing your routine.

Factor in bonus rewards (like shopping partners or seasonal offers), and the savings increase.

How to make loyalty programs work harder for you

To truly benefit, combine your loyalty program with other savings tools:

• Find the lowest gas prices using GasBuddy or Waze, then choose the lowest-price station that accepts your loyalty program.
  
• Use digital gift cards from cashback platforms like Fluz to pay. You can earn cashback with a BP virtual card or get rewards with a Shell virtual card while still getting loyalty discounts.
  
• Pay with a rewards credit card when purchasing gift cards on Fluz to stack cashback from multiple sources.
  

This “stacking” method helps boost your effective per-gallon discount from a few cents to potentially 10–15% of your total purchase.

Where loyalty falls short

Loyalty programs don’t always offer universal savings:

• You’re locked into specific brands or stations.
  
• Discounts may expire or require frequent activity.
  
• Limited redemption locations can make it hard to use rewards during travel.
  

That said, if you already fill up at the same station weekly, joining the program is a no-brainer.

The verdict: are loyalty programs worth it?

Yes—when used correctly. On their own, loyalty savings might not be game-changing. But when combined with apps like GasBuddy, rewards programs like Kroger Fuel Points, and cashback tools such as Fluz, they become part of a smart, layered savings strategy.

If you’re already fueling up with major brands, there’s no reason not to earn cashback with a BP virtual card or get rewards with a Shell virtual card while stacking your loyalty perks.