Gas Prices are High Right Now: Best Money-Saving Tools
Just ahead of summer road trip season, Americans are feeling even more pain at the pump.
The national average price for a gallon of regular gas hit $4.39 on May 1, according to AAA. That’s an increase of about 8% from a month earlier, when gas reached $4.06 per gallon.
Americans aren’t just feeling price hikes in gas; they’re seeing increases for other essentials like food. But there are ways to find cheaper gas, if you know where to look and what tools to use. Below, CNBC Select rounds up our top ways to save on gas.
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Use an app to find the best prices
There’s never been a better time to shop around before you fill up the tank. Gas prices can vary widely, even from block to block. Keeping an eye on prices can help, but comparing numbers across a large area can help you find better deals.
Gasbuddy App
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Features
Gasbuddy helps you find the cheapest gas near you in one easy-to-use app. It’s helped people find the best gas prices over 900 million times and save over $3.1 billion at the pump.
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App availability
Available in both the Apple App Store and the Google Play store
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Price
Join a wholesale club
Consider the math: memberships for Sam’s Club’s and Costco Gold Star — both of which give customers access to gas — are $60 and $65, respectively. BJ’s Club+ membership is $120 annually. Most cars hold between 12 and 16 gallons of gas, and with prices at $4.39, you’d spend at least $50 at the pump filling up your tank once.
Plus, memberships can be combined with the brands’ credit cards to earn rewards.
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi has no annual fee for Costco members and earns 5% cash back on Costco gas, plus 4% on other eligible gas and electric vehicle (EV) charging (up to $7,000 in combined spending per year, then 1%). You’ll also earn rewards on eligible travel and restaurant purchases, plus 2% back at Costco and Costco.com.
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is a valuable card to pair with a Costco membership, but the rewards program is more restrictive than what you get with a typical cash-back card.
- High rewards rates for gas/EV charging and travel
- No foreign transaction fees
- Restrictive rewards that you can only cash out once per year
- Requires a paid Costco membership
- No welcome bonus
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Discover one of Citi’s best cash back rewards cards designed exclusively for Costco members
- Earn 5% cash back rewards on gas at Costco and earn 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle (EV) charging purchases for the first $7,000 combined spend per year, and then 1% thereafter.
- 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases and eligible travel, including Costco Travel.
- 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- No annual fee with your paid Costco membership and enjoy no foreign transaction fees on purchases
- Receive an annual credit card reward certificate, which is redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses, including Puerto Rico
Balance transfer fee
5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum
Foreign transaction fee
The Sam’s Club® Mastercard® is a great card to pair with your Sam’s Club membership, but less flexible than other reward cards, as it earns Sam’s Cash instead of direct cash back.
- High rewards rates for gas/EV charging
- Sam’s Cash doesn’t expire
- No foreign transaction fees
- Requires a paid Sam’s Club membership
- Caps the maximum Sam’s Cash you can earn per year at $5,000
Rewards
- Earn 5% Sam’s Cash™ on gas and EV charging (on first $6,000 per year, then 1%) at Sam’s Club
- Earn 3% back in Sam’s Cash™ on dining and takeout
- Earn 3% in Sam’s Cash™ on Sam’s Club purchases for Plus members (Club members earn 1%)
- Earn 1% back in Sam’s Cash™ on other purchases.
Foreign transaction fee
The BJ’s One Mastercard is the first level of card for someone who frequently shops at BJ’s Wholesale clubs, but just know that all your earned rewards have to stay within the BJ’s club ecosystem.
- Strong earnings on BJ’s Club purchases
- No cap on reward earnings
- No foreign transaction fees
- Requires a paid BJ’s club membership
- Can’t redeem rewards for gas
- Requires a minimum of $10 to redeem
Take advantage of an Amazon Prime membership
Additionally, now through May 29, members can get $0.20 off per gallon on one fill-up every Friday at BP and Amoco, along with participating ampm and Thorntons locations across the U.S.
To get started, create your earnify™ account, activate your membership at amazon.com/fuelsavings, and pair the two accounts. Then, you’ll be able to use your phone number or a linked payment method to get the discount. However, this discount only applies at qualifying gas stations, so review the list of stations near you and make sure to compare prices at those stations ahead of time.
Read more: Amazon Prime is offering a 20-cent-per-gallon discount. Stack those savings with a credit card
This discount can be shared with one additional person over the age of 18 who also lives in your home. When the promotional period ends later in May, Prime members who link their accounts will continue to receive $0.10 off per gallon at these eligible stations.
This promotion doesn’t require you to use a certain credit card to qualify but you can make the deal even better with credit cards that offer cash back on fuel. The Prime Visa (see rates and fees) doesn’t require an annual fee, just a Prime membership, which starts at $139 annually. It offers 5% cash back on Amazon.com purchases, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and Chase Travel. It also earns 2% back on gas stations, local transit and restaurants.
The Prime Visa is only available to Amazon Prime members ($139 for an annual membership and $14.99 for a monthly membership) but is very rewarding for Amazon purchases.
- High rate of return at Amazon and Whole Foods
- Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
- Requires an Amazon Prime membership
- If you choose the promo APR you won’t earn rewards on those purchases
Rewards
- Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
- Unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
- 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership
- Unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
The Citi Double Cash® Card is one of the best no-annual-fee cash-back cards thanks to its straightforward rewards structure.
- Balance transfers get a long intro APR
- Generous flat-rate cash-back rewards structure
- No annual fee
- Travelers face a foreign transaction fee
- Intro APR only applies to balance tranfer
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 17.49% – 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Balance transfer fee
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
Foreign transaction fee
Use your credit cards wisely
Credit cards aren’t just a way to pay for the things you buy every day — they’re also a way to get rewarded.
Some cards offer higher rewards levels for rotating categories, while others offer a flat percentage of cash back or even travel points for the purchases you make.
If you spend a lot on fuel and want to maximize your earnings, the Citi Custom Cash® Card could be a strong option. This card has no annual fee, and cardholders earn 5% cash back on one of 10 top eligible spend categories each billing cycle (on up to $500 in spending, then 1%). If gas stations are your highest spending category for that cycle, you’ll earn 5% cash back, one of the best rates we’ve seen.
The Citi Custom Cash® Card is an especially simple and rewarding cash back card because you’ll automatically earn bonus rewards where you spend the most.
- Offers a long intro APR on balance transfers
- Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
- No annual fee
- Bonus cash back categories are capped
- Charges a foreign transaction fee
Rewards
- Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter
- Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026
Balance transfer fee
5% of each balance transfer ($5 minimum)
Foreign transaction fee
If you’re primarily spending on essentials like groceries and gas, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express could be a good fit. There’s a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then a $95 annual fee (see rates and fees). Rewards highlights include 6% back on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases at U.S. supermarkets (then 1%) and 3% back at eligible U.S. gas stations.
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
Take advantage of your AAA membership
If you’re already an AAA member — or thinking of joining for the discounts on travel-related items and services — you could find deals.
AAA members can save at eligible Shell gas stations by signing up for the free Shell Fuel Rewards® program. As a member, you’ll save $0.30 per gallon on your first fill-up. Then, you’ll save $0.05 off per gallon on up to 20 gallons at participating Shell stations.
Seek out cash discounts
Some gas stations will offer a small discount for using cash — typically between $0.05 and $0.10 off per gallon, according to NerdWallet. While that might seem like a small amount, it could add up if you have a large gas tank or buy gas frequently.
Ask your local stations if they offer a discount for those paying in cash. If they do, keeping some cash could help you get that discount. Having easy ATM access could also help you take advantage of a cash discount.
The Axos Bank CashBack Checking Account includes free withdrawals from over 95,000 ATMs nationwide, plus unlimited reimbursements for any out-of-network machines you might encounter domestically in the U.S. It also doesn’t have any monthly maintenance fees and offers 1% cash back on purchases requiring a signature, a feature many other debit cards don’t have.
Axos Bank CashBack Checking
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Monthly maintenance fee
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Minimum deposit to open
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Minimum balance
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Rewards
Earn up to 1.00% cash back on all transactions that require a signature.
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Free ATM network
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ATM fee reimbursement
All domestic ATM fees reimbursed
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For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here.
Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
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