5 Legit Ways to Get Free Gas Cards

On average, US drivers spend around $500 a month for gas, so if you can get free gas cards to reduce this expense, wouldn’t you take it?

The answer is probably a no-brainer. Unfortunately, not many people are aware of or have the patience to obtain these freebies.

But if you’re really trying to downsize your expenses, you may find some of the following tips worth the trouble.

1. Do Online Tasks to Earn Free Gas Cards

From survey sites to gift card websites, there are several websites that you should bookmark for your fuel money fundraising. These include:

• SwagBucks — This site rewards you whenever you watch videos, answer surveys, complete offers, shop online through Swagbucks, and participate in other activities. It is possible to earn up to $5 in rewards, which may seem small now, but if you keep at it religiously for 30 days, that $5/day could be $150/month you can redeem as free gas cards or cash.
• Inbox Dollars — Another legit company that’s known for paying users, Inbox Dollars will even jumpstart your earnings by giving you $5 just by joining.
• Survey Junkie — This is similar to Swagbucks and Inbox Dollars, but the task is exclusive only to completing paid online surveys. The coolest thing about Survey Junkie, which gives it an edge over other similar sites, is that even if you don’t qualify for a particular survey, you will still earn some rewards for your time.

Note that the sites above do not always have gas cards you can redeem for, but they will always have PayPal as an option for payout. That’s real money you can spend for as much fuel as your vehicle needs.

Just like my post about getting free Steam gift cards, not all sites provide free gas cards (or Steam cards), but because they allow you to earn extra cash, you can use this for your weekly gas money just as you’re free to spend the money on groceries.

2. Get Free Gas Cards from Rewards and Rebates

Rewards, cashback, and rebates are all great because you earn money for spending money.

Many rewards, rebates and cashback programs lead to cash payouts and gift cards. Gas cards are also often an option for payout, but if the program doesn’t pay out in gas cards, it’s up to you to use your earned cash to buy free gas.

Here are some places you might find these programs:

Credit Card Cashback

If you use credit cards, check the website for cashback promos.

Some cards offer from 2% up to 10% cash back on gasoline purchases all year round. Others make it exclusive to certain cards, such as the Bank of America Gas Rewards card or Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express.

Sometimes, gasoline purchase is just one of many rotating categories of a bank’s credit card cashback promo.

You’d have to check with your particular bank if you already have an existing credit card. If you’re shopping for one, include gas rebates as a major consideration.

Travel Rebates

Those who travel regularly should look out for hotel promos, such as the rewards program offered by Best Western Hotels.

You accumulate points with every stay, which you can then redeem for gas cards at certain gas stations.

Grocery Store Rewards

Grocery runs are part of life, so if your favorite store has a loyalty program, check if you can redeem points towards gas at their gas stations or partner stations. Here are some examples:

• Albertson’s fuel rewards program — You earn 1 point for every dollar you spend. You can redeem the points for fuel at Albertson’s, Chevron, Texaco, and Safeway.
• Stop & Shop GO Rewards — You get 1 point for every dollar you spend with your Stop & Shop Card. Save 10¢ per gallon at Stop & Shop gas stations and participating Shell gas stations for every 100 points you receive.
• Kroger’s Fuel Points Program — Get a Shopper’s Card and earn 1 fuel point for every $1 you spend on the store or 2X fuel points if you purchase Gift Cards.

Gas Station Rewards Programs

Almost all gas stations have their own loyalty programs, which give you a chance to earn money back whenever you fill in your tank.

• BPme Rewards — If you have the BPme Rewards card, you can start saving 5¢ on every gallon you purchase fuel at BP and Amoco stations.
• Exxon Rewards Program — You can use your card, phone number, or app to collect rewards from Exxon™ and Mobil™ stations. You’ll automatically earn 3¢ per gallon in points to use for savings at checkout on future purchases.
• Circle K Rewards — The Circle K Easy Rewards program offers 10 points per gallon and another 20 points per dollar spent on all food, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. (Note that as of 2023, Circle K Rewards no longer accepts new members. But if you’re already a Rewards member, you can continue to enjoy the rewards and earn free gas cards).
• Flying J — Download the MyPilot app and save up to 3¢ per gas gallon. You can also earn myRewards points when you make a purchase.
• Kum & Go — With the company’s rewards program, earn 5 points for every $1 spent on qualifying in-store purchases and 2 points on every gallon of fuel.
• Shell — When you join the Fuel Rewards program, you instantly become Gold Status and save 5¢ per gal when you fill up at participating Shell stations.
• Speedway’s Speedy Rewards — Buy anything (gas, food, or anything else) from Speedway and earn points. Each gallon of gas earns you 10 points, while each dollar spent on anything inside nets you 20 points.
• Chevron – This company has partnered with Safeway and Albertson’s grocery stores to reward you with every purchase and help you earn free gas in the future. Check the company site for current gas promos.

Other gas stations like Loves only have a rewards program aimed at professional drivers.

Retail Stores

Even your favorite local stores could have rewards programs that could help you earn some fuel money without working for it.

A good example of this is CVS and its ExtraCare Rewards Card that sometimes gives away free $10 gas cards with certain amounts purchased.

Check with other retail stores for similar promos.

Scan-Your-Shopping-Receipt Rewards Apps

If you don’t keep receipts when shopping or dining out, it’s a good time to start now.

There are plenty of apps and sites (such as Ibotta and Receipt Hog) that reward you for uploading your receipts. Just download the app, take a picture of your receipts, and earn points immediately based on the purchases you made.

3. Apply for a Gas Station-Branded Credit Card

As mentioned above, there are a number of credit cards that do have general rewards program, where you card earn rewards, rebates, or cashback for every purchase you make.

However, if you have a long commute and drive heavily, or if you moonlight as an Uber or Lyft driver on your days off, and you tend to visit the same gas stations, then a gas station-branded card may be a good choice for you.

These gas credit cards normally offer gas-centric rewards, maybe even free gas cards or vouchers, as well as discounts on convenience stores in gas stations and related products and services.

Do remember that you can only maximize the rewards if you pay these gas credit cards in full, as their APR is typically higher than the usual credit cards.

Here are some of the gas station-branded cards currently available, as well as some information about their rewards.

• ExxonMobil™ Smart Card — They offer free annual fee and 6¢ off on every gallon of gas you pump. They also currently have a promotion that gives you 10¢ off every gallon of Synergy fuel for the first 60 days after account opening.
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card – Geared for travelers, this credit card gives you 4X points on travel and at gas stations and EV charging stations. The best thing about this card is that it has no caps on how many points you can earn on gas and travel purchases, on top of groceries and dining rewards.
• Techron Advantage® Visa® Credit Card — Earn up to 7¢ per gallon depending on the type of gas you get from Chevron or Texaco stations.
• Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi – This card lets its users earn up to 4% cashback rewards on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter.
• PNC Cash Rewards® Visa® – Earn 4% cash back on gas station purchases.
• BP Visa® Credit Card — Get 10¢ off every gallon at participating bp and Amoco stations and no annual fee if you were approved for a BP Visa, and 5¢ off every gallon if you get approved for a BP credit card (a credit card you can only use at BP gas stations). Plus, get cashback for non-fuel purchases.
• United Gateway℠ Card – If you’re looking for a card ideal for frequent flyers and roadtripppers (for gas perks), this card offers 2X miles per $1 spent on United purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting. 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. It also has a 20,000 bonus miles as welcome bonus.
• PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card – Get 5X points on gas purchases at the pump, 5X points on electrical vehicle charging stations, 3X points on supermarket purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases.
• Buc-ee’s Platinum Mastercard^® from TDECU – As a Buc-ee’s Platinum Mastercard^® cardholder, you will receive great benefits, including a 5% discount when you buy fuel or shop in-store at participating Buc-ee’s locations.
• Shell Fuel Rewards® Mastercard® — Save 10¢ per gallon at participating Shell stations, plus earn up to 10% Shell rebates for non-fuel purchases.

4. Win Free Gas Cards Straight from Fuel Companies

Follow the social media platforms of all the fuel companies and gas stations you frequent.

You can also subscribe to their newsletters or text alerts to be updated with product offers, contests, and giveaways.

Sometimes, the prize is free gas cards. Other times, you’ll get discounts. If you’re lucky, you may land the jackpot of all free gas giveaways and win a year’s worth of gas. Your chances would probably slim, but there’s nothing to lose if you join these contests, right?

Here are a handful of the popular gas station brands: Casey’s, Hy-Vee, Rutter’s, Sheetz, Parker’s, and Love’s Travel Stops, among hundreds of others.

5. Ask For Help

Since 2008, the non-profit organization Free Gas USA has helped low-income families pay for fuel to get to work, with monthly grants from $50 to $1,200.

Although this specific fuel card program from Free Gas USA stopped in 2019, you might be qualified to get free gas from the government, churches, and certain organizations such as the local Salvation Army and other local charities.

These kinds of help exist. The only problem is they’re in high demand and the funds can be limited.

The Bottom Line

If you’re unable to take advantage of the tips above for one reason or another, you could always find the next best thing: discounted gas.

You can download apps like GasBuddy, which partnered with over 150,000 gas stations across the US, Canada, and Australia. It’s available for Android and iOS phones and can be used to find the cheapest gas near you, or just pay through GasBuddy to save 5¢ per gallon, and 10% for parking, shopping, and dining at GasBuddy locations.

If you want to buy cheap gas cards anytime, Gift Card Granny is a site you should bookmark. Here you could save from 5% to 10% of the regular price of popular brands like Exxon Mobil, BP, Speedway, and more.

Many newer cars are fuel-efficient, so even if driving is a necessity, regular gas purchases aren’t too much of a burden financially.

Unfortunately, not everyone could just sell their current cars and buy newer models. If rising fuel prices are placing pressure on your budget, this list of ways to get free gas cards can hopefully help.

You should also check my guide on how to get a free car, where to find free car vacuum services near you, gas stations with free air pump services, and this ever-so-handy free towing guide (because you never know when you’ll need it).