It’s no secret that gas is expensive, but since we are so dependent upon it to help us get to work, school, and other places, there is nothing that we can do besides grit our teeth, watch the price go up, and purchase as much as we need to get from point A to point B.

However, while we can’t lower the gas prices themselves, there are things that we can do to make gas less of a stressor on our budget. One solution that many are turning to is finding ways to receive cheap gas cards in return for small tasks and other similar promotions.

Are you having trouble squeezing the price of gas into your budget? If so, this guide will cover 12 easy ways to get cheap gas cards and provide you with some additional advice into how you can make your weekly gas needs more affordable! Let’s dive in!

Get Gas Cards

Best Options for Free/Cheap Gas Cards

If you are only looking for ways to get free gas cards to make your overall fuel spending easier to manage, there are plenty of resources out there for your situation as well! Let’s take a look at a few of these great options that you may or may not have heard of yet.

1. Take Surveys on Swagbucks

Some of the best opportunities to earn a little extra money towards are gas come in the most simplest of forms. Take, for example, Swagbucks. Swagbucks is a website that allows users to make money by engaging in activities like taking surveys, watching videos, using the many cashback offers that they have listed throughout the site, and playing games.

Each of these activities provides you with a certain amount of Swagbucks that, when they are allowed to accumulate and reach a high amount, can be traded in for various gift cards. One of the options available in their gift cards section is gas cards, which includes stations like Sunoco, Exxon Mobil, Jiffy Lube, and Chevron. If you like doing basic tasks for money and rewards, this can be a great way to earn gift cards that you can use to save on your next trip to the pump.

If you prefer straight cash instead, there are also multiple survey sites that will distribute cash rewards to your PayPal that you can then use strictly for your gas needs. If you’re interested in making money with surveys to pay for your gas, take a look at our guide on the 15 best survey sites to make money to find the best platforms for your needs!

2. Keep an Eye Out for Gas Card Product Offers

Some companies will encourage you to engage in promotions by offering additional incentives if you make a certain type of purchase. For example, CVS previously ran a promotion where, if you purchased $30 worth of the participating products they were offering, you would receive a $10 gas card in return.

Granted, these types of promotions are not guaranteed, so you should not expect to earn regular gas rewards through company promos. However, you should keep an eye out for rewards and promotions at the stores you shop at as these offers may come up periodically. This then will help you build upon some of the other activities listed on this guide so that you can receive even more gas discounts!

3. If You’re Traveling, Watch Out for Deals Offered by Local Hotels

Travel rebates are another great way to earn gas cards in return for booking stays. While this is another type of promotion that only happens every so often, there are quite a few companies that have done it in the past. One company to do so was Marriott, which offered $25 to $50 in gas cards for members who stayed one to two nights in Myrtle Beach.

Another example of this type of promotion is the Summer Sale Giveaway that was run by Hotels.com, which offered users a $25 gas card when they booked stays in select locations throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Canada, and Europe. The best part? It’s not just well-known hotel companies that run these promotions. There are plenty of smaller hotels and businesses that will offer gas cards in return for stays as well.

Whether you are someone who travels frequently or someone who has been itching to go on vacation and wants to earn some extra rewards along the way, take a look around at various hotels and destination booking sites to see if they are running gas card promotions in return for booking a stay!

4. Find a Credit Card That Offers Cashback and Discounts When You Fuel Up

Cashback rewards and reward credit cards are great because they provide us with bonuses for making everyday purchases that we would need to make anyways. Signing up for cards that offer discounts on gas purchases can be an excellent way to get a bit of money back into your pocket when buying gas on your daily commute. Some potential credit cards to look into include:

• The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express: The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is an excellent card for those who want all-around rewards for their everyday purchases. With 3 percent cash back on purchases at U.S. gas stations and additional cashback opportunities like 6 percent cash back at U.S. supermarkets, 6 percent on certain streaming platforms, 3 percent cash back on transit, and 1 percent cash back on other purchases, this credit card is an excellent choice for those looking to save on gas and beyond.
• The City Rewards +SM Card: The City Rewards +SM card offers 2x ThankYou Points at supermarkets and gas stations (for the first $6,000, which is a common cutoff for most credit cards) and 1x ThankYou Points for all other purchases. Looking for something basic that you will mainly use gas and groceries? The City Rewards +SM card has you covered?
• Discover it Secured, Chrome, Student Chrome: Discover it has several credit cards that can help people save money on their gas purchases. All three of the credit card options listed above provide cardholders with 2 percent cash back at gas stations and restaurants for the first $1,000 spent per quarter and one percent unlimited cash back on all other purchases. So, whether you are a college student, someone who wants to open their first credit card and has no credit history, or someone who simply wants to access their cashback as soon as possible, any one of the Discover it credit cards above will provide you with the benefits that Discover has to offer.
• Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi: Shop frequently at Costco? If so, you may want to consider applying for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi. The Costco Anywhere Visa Card provides gas guzzlers with 4 percent cash back on eligible gas and perks like 3 percent back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases, 2 percent cash back on purchases from Costco and Costco.com, and one percent cash back on all other purchases. Why not double up on gas and bulk purchases with the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi?
• Credit One Bank Platinum Rewards Visa (Also option with no annual fee): The Credit One Bank Platinum Rewards Visa offers the highest percentage of cash back on fuel purchases on this list, coming in with 5 percent cash back on eligible gas purchases, as well as grocery, internet, cable, satellite TV, and mobile phone service purchases. This card also offers one percent cash back on all on all other purchases. If you are looking for a card that has no annual fee, you will find that they do have this option, but this card only offers 2 percent cash back on the same purchase types and no additional one percent on other purchases.

It’s important that you also pay attention to your bank app and other financial apps that you use. Companies like Chase and Acorns will often offer a certain percentage of cash back when you make purchases, which will often include purchases with certain gas stations. This money then goes back into your account once the transaction has been processed and approved!

5. See If Your Local Grocery Store Offers Special Gas Rewards for Shopping With Them

Grocery shopping is something that everyone has to do. However, did you know that you can find special rewards programs at your local supermarket that may be able to help you get those gas rewards you’ve been looking for? If you’re interested in taking advantage of these rewards programs, some grocery stores that have gas rewards programs include:

• Kroger: Kroger’s Fuel Points Program can be a great way for you to save money on gas while shopping for your everyday groceries. Through this program, members are able to earn one point for every $1 they spend in the store, 2x points when you shop for gift cards, and other promotions like 50 points on qualifying prescriptions. Over time, these points can add up to a great discount when you need to refuel!
• Winn-Dixie: Winn-Dixie is another grocery store chain that provides you with a fuel rewards program you can use to save money at the pump. For every 100 points you earn through their program, you can save $1 on groceries or $0.05 at participating Shell locations. Beyond shopping rewards at the Winn-Dixie store, they also have promotions where you can earn points by dining at participating restaurants, spend money on live event tickets, and shop online. Put simply, there is no end to earning opportunities via the Winn-Dixie fuel rewards program.
• Stop&Shop: Stop&Shop’s GO Rewards program is straightforward. Earn one point for every dollar spent at Stop&Shop locations and you can access these points to spend on gas, grocery discounts, and even free items! You can learn more about how this program works and what you will be able to use your points towards when you sign up on the Stop&Shop website.
• Safeway: Safeway’s Just for U program makes shopping for groceries rewarding. Each time you shop at Safeway, you get one point for every $1 you spend (2 points for every $1 you spend on gift cards). When you reach 100 points, you have what is considered to be one reward. This one reward can either be spent towards $0.20 off per gallon at participating gas stations or $1.00 off per gallon at Safeway gas stations. You can also use your points to get free grocery items or discounts in your basket!
• GIANT Food: GIANT Choice Rewards isn’t as clear about how much points you earn when you shop with your GIANT card. However, it does state that every 100 points will get you $0.10 per gallon of gas as well as $1.00 of your grocery purchases with special rewards being offered weekly!
• Albertson’s: There’s no need to dive deep into the Albertson’s Just 4 U program as it is the exact same as Safeway’s. If you have both grocery stores in your area and you use both, it is definitely a good idea to sign up so that you reap the benefits of what this program has to offer, especially if you like to fuel up right at the store.
• Fred Meyer: Similar to the above mention, the Fred Meyer’s Fuel Points Program is the same as Kroger’s. Make sure to sign up if you have both options in your town!

If you did not find any of your local supermarkets on this list, don’t fret. These are just a few examples. Make sure to reach out to your local grocery store or visit their website to inquire about any of these potential deals!

6. Purchase Gas Cards Online At a Discounted Rate

Many people think that gift cards are useless if you have no need to spend them. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. There are plenty of people who will sell their gift cards online in order to transform them into cash that they would otherwise be unable to access.

This creates a unique opportunity for individuals who are looking for specific gift card types like gas cards. Unlike buying gift cards at a store, which would cost you the exact amount as specified on the face of the card, buying gift cards on sites where people are looking to sell gives you discounts on the face value of the cards.

That said, the biggest problem that many encounter when trying to buy gift cards online are online scams. If you do wish to purchase discounted gas cards online, it is important to turn to reputable websites like Gift Card Granny or Raise. Both of these platforms can provide you with discounts anywhere from 2 percent to 10 percent on your gas card purchase. Should you choose to use another gift card platform, make sure to do your research and ensure that it is a high-quality platform before spending your money online.

7. Let Your Car Pay for Its Own Gas By Wrapping It

Owning a car is expensive. Beyond the money that you have to pay for gas, you also have to spend money on car insurance, make any repairs that your car may require as it continues to be used, and other simple purchases that may be car-related.

The best way to pay for the needs of an expensive item is to have that item pay for itself. But how? One great way to let your car make the money you need to pay for gas is by wrapping it. Car wrapping companies pay everyday drivers to have advertisements placed on their cars. You can then make money simply by driving around, although the amount will vary depending upon the type of car you have, where and how often you drive, and how much space will be taken up by the wrapping.

Still, if you believe that this may be a viable way to make money, you can sign up with companies like Wrapify and Carvertise to bring in a little bit of extra change that can go towards your fuel needs. As was stated in the previous section, it is important that you really do your research on car wrapping companies before you sign up as scams abound for this type of earning opportunity. If something sounds too good to be true or if a company is asking for money or sensitive information before you get started, turn to a well-established, trusted company instead.

8. Use GasBuddy to Save Money and Earn Rewards

GasBuddy is a well-known application designed specifically designed to save you money on gas. With GasBuddy, users can save up to $0.25 on each fill-up, earn GasBack by using the dining and shopping promotions on the GasBuddy app, and even receive your own GasBuddy card to make sure that you are connected to the app and getting the most out of it. If you are someone heavily focused on saving the most when you need to refill, the GasBuddy app is a great way to save all-around.

9. Join Gas Station Rewards Programs to Get Points for Your Fuel Needs

Finally, we have one of the most obvious ways you can save on gas: joining gas station rewards programs! Signing up with gas stations rewards programs can help you, you guessed it, save money each time you need to refuel your car. A couple of programs you may want to consider joining that you can find in your area includes:

• Speedway: Speedway’s Speedy Rewards program gives you 10 points per every gallon of fuel you purchase and 20 points for every dollar spend on Speedway merchandise. Once you accumulate enough points, you can use those points to get free items, fuel discounts, and gift cards. Although it will take you quite a few fills before you can utilize your points, those who frequently visit Speedway for their fueling needs will find that this rewards program will pay off over time.
• Shell: Shell’s Fuel Rewards Program gives members instant gold membership at sign up, which offers benefits like $0.05 off per gallon when they fill up at Shell. These fuel rewards also tie into some of the programs that we saw in the grocery store rewards section, which means that you can seriously stack up on points if you join this program that is being offered at your local grocery store as well.
• Exxon Mobil: Exxon Mobil’s Rewards+ program can save you up to $0.03 in points with each gallon you purchase, $0.02 per for every $1 spent on drinks or similar merchandise, and provide you access to bonus offers. Looking to save more? They also offer a premium version of the same program that will help you save up to $0.06 per gallon in points!
• Circle K: Circle K Easy Rewards provides you with 10 points per gallon and 20 points per $1 spent on items like food, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages. Once you reach 2,000 points, you receive $2 in K Cash that can be redeemed at your local Circle K gas station. Becoming a member of this program also gives you access to exclusive member benefits like frequency clubs and offers as well as sweepstakes and rewards!
• BPme: BPme Rewards is a rewards program offered through the BPme app that helps members save $0.05 on every gallon through the first month, then the same amount through every consecutive month as long as users reach $100 minimum fuel purchase (which, let’s face it, will be quite easy). The app also offers access to special rewards that you can claim at your local gas station.
• QuikTrip: QuikTrip Rewards is a very simple program for those who frequently use the gas station. For every $2 spent on qualified merchandise, users receive one point. For every two gallons of fuel purchased, users also receive one point. Each point counts for $0.01 off per gallon of fuel. Given that points expire after one year, you can easily build up an impressive amount of points to help you save when you visit the pump.

Many of these gas stations have locations throughout the nation. However, if you can’t find your gas station on this list, contact your local gas station to see whether or not they offer their own rewards program or other discounts and rewards that you can use to save on gas purchases.

When You’re Struggling: Free Gas Vouchers and Resources

With the introduction of many socio-economic developments, many people may find themselves struggling to pay for day-to-day necessities like gas. This can put extreme pressure on individuals who are currently looking for work and other ways to get through these trying times.

Although these recommendations aren’t traditionally listed on other websites, it is important to know that there are resources out there designed to help you with these types of expenses so that you can experience some relief when it matters most. Remember, there is nothing shameful in asking for support during times of need. If this sounds like something that would be beneficial for your current situation, let’s take a look at a few resources that may be able to provide you with free gas vouchers.

(Note: It’s important to remember that these resources are a potential source of support, not guaranteed. If you find any online that you may believe can help you, it is important that you do your research before reaching out to them. Some recommendations made online like FreeGasUSA have no formal website/contact options and low  and these are the types of red flags that you should look out for when researching organizations.)

10. St. Vincent De Paul

St. Vincent De Paul is a Catholic volunteer organization (which states on its website that it is focused on providing help for individuals of all faiths) headquartered in Los Angeles that has thousands of churches nationwide. Besides their other support programs that involve access to food, clothes, healthcare, and homelessness relief, St. Vincent De Paul is said to be able to provide some individuals with free gas cards as well as support with car repairs and maintenance. If you are unable to find the help you need with them, ask them for a referral as they are connected to many other organizations that may be able to provide you with the support you need.

11. The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is well-known to most people. This international evangelical organization (which is also focused on helping others without discriminating) helps approximately 23 million Americans each year through their community-based efforts which include support for the homeless, alcohol and substance abuse counseling, and after-school programs, just to name a few. Much like with St. Vincent De Paul, it is said that you may be able to get free gas cards from The Salvation Army when you are unable to afford it for mandatory travel. However, the availability of such services will be dependent upon how well-funded your local center is. As mentioned in the previous suggestion, ask for a referral if they are unable to help you with your fuel needs.

12. Catholic Charities USA

Catholic Charities USA is another international, faith-based organization dedicated to providing local relief to those in need and advocating for justice in social structures. Its over 3,000 agencies nationwide serve to provide services such as affordable housing, disaster relief, and immigration/refugee support. This is an organization that may be able to supply you with gas cards if you are struggling financially. If not, getting a referral from them to an organization that can is the next best step to take.

Beyond gas cards, many of these organizations have the ability to help you out in other areas such as providing you with access to free transportation (whether that be in the form of a free car or other bus passes), support with rent or utilities, and help getting food. No matter where you live, there are often a large number of local organizations and non-profits or government services at your disposal that can support you  If you’re struggling financially, the resources listed above may provide you with the help you need to get back on your feet, even if it as something as simple as receiving a gas card. Make sure to ask for plenty of referrals and do your own research in case there are other forms of support in your area as well!

Save on Gas Now!

Gas is expensive, but there are always ways to save money and limit the impact that expenses can have on your budget. If you want to save more money on gas, use the 12 methods listed above to get free gas cards, cheap gas cards, or other gas-related rewards to help you cut down on your overall fuel spending.