On Monday, AAA reported the nationwide average for a gallon of regular gas reached $4.52. That's still lower than the all-time high of $5.01 reached in June 2022, but well over a dollar more than the $3.18 average seen at the start of May 2025.
In addition to normal seasonal shifts, pricings are being driven up by the ongoing conflict in Iran, which is causing higher oil prices and global supply shortages.
Enrolling in a gas station rewards program is one way to save money on fuel. It's usually free to join, and members get a few cents back for every gallon of gas they purchase. You can sign up online and earn rewards by entering your phone number at the pump or using a debit or credit card linked to your account when you pay.
earnify
Earnify is BP's rewards program, covering its subsidiaries such as Amoco and AMPM. Standard members receive 5 cents off per gallon on all fill-ups. On top of that, you'll earn 1 point per dollar on fuel spend and 2 points per dollar on convenience store spend.
Simply pay with the earnify app or use your phone number or linked card at checkout. New members can also enjoy an automatic 250-point welcome offer after registration.
If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can link your Amazon and earnify accounts to save 10 cents per gallon on fuel. Prime members can also get exclusive Fuel Up Friday savings now through May 29: up to 20 cents off per gallon on one fuel purchase each Friday.
Exxon Mobil Rewards+™
With the Exxon Mobil Rewards+™ program, you can earn rewards on gas purchases and convenience store or car wash transactions.
Members earn at least 3 points per gallon on regular gas, plus 2 points for every dollar spent in the convenience store or on car washes. You can earn 6 points per gallon when you fill up with Synergy Supreme+™, a premium gas with a higher octane level. 100 points are equivalent to $1 worth of rewards.
If you're a Frequent Filler member (or purchase 100 gallons or more of Synergy fuel in a calendar month), you earn:
- An extra 1 point on gas (per gallon)
- An extra 2 points in convenience stores or on car washes
Walmart+ members can save 10 cents per gallon at over 13,000 stations nationwide, including Exxon, Mobile and other eligible stations. Plus, new Exxon Mobil Rewards+ members who successfully link their AARP membership will receive a bonus of 500 points and receive an extra 1 cent on gas, in-store purchases and car washes.
3. Shell Fuel Rewards
With the Shell Fuel Rewards program, you can save 3, 5 or 10 cents per gallon based on your status:
- Silver: The Silver tier saves you 3 cents per gallon, has no required fill-up amounts and still lets you stack any additional savings you earn through convenience stores or other methods.
- Gold: The Gold tier saves 5 cents per gallon when you complete six regular fills or three Shell V-Power NiTRO+® Premium Gasoline fills per quarter (with a 10-gallon minimum per fill-up).
- Platinum: The highest tier saves 10 cents per gallon when you complete 12 regular fills or six Shell V-Power NiTRO+® Premium Gasoline fills per quarter (with a 10-gallon minimum per fill-up).
Shell Fuel Rewards also offers savings beyond gas when you link your card or the appropriate app. For example, you can earn 10 cents per gallon for every $50 spent at qualifying restaurants using your linked credit card and at least 5 cents per gallon for every $50 spent at participating brands while online shopping.
From now until Nov. 8, 2026, Shell is also offering Race Day Rewards. On a NASCAR Cup race day, Shell® Fuel Rewards® members can save 22 cents per gallon when they fill up at Shell. You must opt in via the Shell App, and there's a limit of 20 gallons.
4. Inner Circle
It's free to join Inner Circle, Circle K's rewards program, and you'll get 25¢ per gallon off on your first five fuel-ups —then 3 cents off per gallon after that (up to 35 cents off per day). If you spend $500 within a year, you'll be upgraded to the Premium membership, which ups the discount to 5 cents off per gallon.
Circle K is also offering a Current Member Challenge, which has two windows: one from May 6 to May 31, the other from June 1 to June 30. During these times, if you complete four fuel-ups of five gallons or more, you'll earn a reward of 40 cents off per gallon. You can only achieve one reward per window for a total of two, and no enrollment is required.
5. Speedway Speedy Rewards
Speedy Rewards members earn 10 points per gallon of gasoline and 20 points for every dollar spent on merchandise. You can then redeem those points to pay for select items, enter Speedy Rewards Sweepstakes, purchase Speedway merchandise and more.
As a Speedy Rewards member, you'll also receive an automatic Monthly Perk, like additional points on gas or the ability to earn free items through repeated purchases.
Best credit cards for gas rewards
Gas rewards credit cards are another way to cut your transportation expenses. They offer higher rewards rates when you purchase gas or charge your electric vehicle.
The PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card, Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express and Citi Strata Premier® Card are among CNBC Select's best gas rewards cards. The PenFed Platinum card offers the highest return on gas and EV charging at 5X points, plus there's no cap to the amount of rewards you can earn.
PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card
Rewards
5X points on gas purchases at the pump and electrical vehicle charging stations, 3X points on purchases at the supermarket (including most Target and Walmart locations†), restaurants, and TV, radio, cable, streaming services
Welcome bonus
15,000 points when you spend $1,500 in first 90 days
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% introductory APR for 12 months on balance transfers made in the first 60 days after account opening.*
Regular APR
17.99% variable on purchases; 17.99% non-variable on balance transfers
Balance transfer fee
3%
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Good/Excellent
Terms apply.
Pros
- High 5X points on gas at the pump and 3X on supermarket purchases
- No bonus category activations
- Good special financing offer on balance transfers
Cons
- 3% balance transfer fee
*0% introductory APR for 12 months on balance transfers made in the first 60 days after account opening. After that, the APR for the unpaid balance and any new balance transfers will be a non-variable rate of 17.99%. 3% balance transfer fee per transaction. Subject to credit approval. If you take advantage of this balance transfer, you will immediately be charged interest on all purchases made with your credit card unless you pay the entire account balance, including balance transfers, in full each month by the payment due date.
While the other two options earn a slightly lower 3X points or 3% cash back on U.S. gas purchases, they offer perks and benefits that the PenFed Platinum might not.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a low-fee card with generous cash-back rewards and useful ongoing benefits, such as a monthly Disney Bundle credit. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- High cash-back earnings for U.S. supermarkets and streaming services
- Intro-APR offer for purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee for the first year
- It's less rewarding after the first year because of the annual fee
- Bonus rewards for U.S. supermarkets are capped
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Apply and find out your welcome offer. As High As $300 cash back* after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply, and if approved: 1. Find out your offer amount 2. Accept the Card with your offer 3. Spend $3,000 in 6 months 4. Receive the cash back. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.49%-28.49%.
- Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don't have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options. Plus, you'll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do.
- Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get up to a $10 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars
The Citi Strata Premier® Card has competitive rewards rates and unlocks access to all of the Citi ThankYou® transfer partners, which boosts the value of your points.
- Unlocks point transfers to all of the Citi ThankYou® partners, including Emirates Skywards, Choice Privileges, Flying Blue and more
- Generous bonus spending categories include dining, supermarkets, hotels and flights
- Valuable welcome bonus
- Has an annual fee
- Car rental coverage is secondary, not primary
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
- Earn 10 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
- Earn 3 Points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Balance transfer fee
Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
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For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card, click here.
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