Save on Gas in Canada: Cards and Programs

Why Gas Is So Expensive

Gas prices depend on several factors: oil prices, refining costs, transportation, and taxes.

In Canada, taxes represent a significant portion of the final price paid at the pump. Depending on the province, they can account for up to 30% of the price per liter.

Thus, even when oil prices drop, savings for consumers sometimes remain limited.

This is why many drivers look for ways to save on gas in Canada, particularly through credit cards and rewards programs.

Save on Gas in Canada – Credit Cards for Gas

Credit cards are among the simplest ways to save on gas. They allow you to get:

Some cards also offer additional bonuses at gas stations or in the transportation category.

Here is our selection of the best credit cards for your gas purchases:

By choosing a card suited to your spending habits, you can recover between 2% and 5% of the value of your gas purchases in the form of rewards.

In some cases, it’s even possible to combine the benefits of a credit card with those of a gas station loyalty program.

Save on Gas in Canada – Rewards Programs

In addition to credit cards, several gas stations offer their own loyalty programs.

These programs allow you to accumulate points or get discounts when you purchase fuel.

Here are the main programs in Canada.

PC Optimum – Esso

The PC Optimum program allows you to accumulate points when purchasing gas at Esso and Mobil stations.

Members can earn points on every liter of gas purchased and regularly take advantage of promotions offering additional points.

These points can then be used at Loblaw group stores, particularly at Maxi and Provigo grocery stores.

Thus, points accumulated at the pump can be converted into discounts on groceries or other everyday purchases.

For many consumers, this combination of groceries and fuel represents a simple way to save on gas in Canada while reducing their food expenses.

To better understand the program, check out these articles:

CIBC – Journie Rewards

The Journie Rewards program is offered at Pioneer, Ultramar, and Chevron stations.

Each gas purchase allows you to accumulate points. These can then be redeemed for discounts on fuel.

Members can also earn additional rewards when they reach certain spending thresholds.

Additionally, when you link your CIBC Dividend^® Visa Infinite* Card or your CIBC Dividend Platinum^® Visa* Card to Journie Rewards, you save up to 10 cents per liter at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar, and Chevron gas stations.

To better understand how this program works and how to optimize your rewards, check out our guide on Journie Rewards:

RBC – Petro-Points

The Petro-Points program is offered at Petro-Canada stations.

Every liter of gas allows you to accumulate Petro-Points. These can be redeemed for:

Additionally, holders of certain RBC credit cards can get additional benefits when they link their card to the Petro-Points program.

For example, when you link the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card to your Petro-Points card, you can save 3¢ per liter at Petro-Canada stations. You also earn 20% more Petro-Points and 20% Avion points on your gas purchases.

Here’s how to link your RBC card to this program:

This combination often allows you to earn more rewards for every tank of gas.

AIR MILES: Transition with Shell

The AIR MILES program has long been associated with Shell stations for accumulating miles on gas purchases.

However, this situation is currently evolving. Shell is gradually ending its partnership with AIR MILES and introducing a new partnership with the Scene+ program.

This transition means that accumulation habits may change for many consumers.

To understand the details of this change and what it means for members, check out this article:

In this context, it may be useful to compare the different rewards programs available to determine which one best matches your purchasing habits.

Other Strategies to Save

Buy Your Gas at Costco

Costco gas stations are often recognized for offering gas prices lower than the Canadian market average.

This is explained by the company’s business model, which uses gas as a loss leader to attract members to its warehouses.

However, to take advantage of these prices, you must be a Costco member. Additionally, gas purchases are excluded from the 2% rebate offered to Executive members.

Payment at the pump is also limited to Mastercard credit cards. Some cards can therefore be advantageous, particularly the CIBC Costco Mastercard, which offers 3% cash back on gas at Costco.

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard also allows you to earn 2 points per dollar on gas purchases.

Even though Costco doesn’t offer a loyalty program for gas, its lower prices can represent an attractive saving for drivers who regularly fill up.

Gas Gift Cards

Beyond credit cards and loyalty programs, other strategies can help you save on gas. For example, some grocery stores offer promotions that allow you to get discounts on fuel.

Additionally, purchasing gas station gift cards can allow you to accumulate more reward points. We explain how to take advantage of this strategy in this guide on gift cards:

By combining these techniques with a suitable credit card, you can significantly reduce the actual cost of your fuel.

For example, the Cobalt^® American Express Card allows you to earn 5 points per dollar on grocery purchases, compared to 2 points per dollar at gas stations. Thus, when you purchase gas station gift cards at the grocery store, you can earn 5 points per dollar instead of 2.

Let’s take a simple example. If you spend $100 on gas per week, you could accumulate 26,000 Membership Rewards points per year, rather than 10,400 points. Based on their average value, this represents approximately $260 in rewards rather than $104.

This strategy can also apply with other cards offering bonuses on groceries, such as the National Bank World Elite Mastercard, which offers 5 points per dollar, or the Scotia Momentum^® Visa Infinite +* Card, which offers 4% cash back on groceries and 2% on gas.

Gas vs Electric Vehicle

More and more drivers are considering switching to an electric vehicle to reduce their transportation expenses.

Although the initial purchase is often higher, the operating cost can be lower than that of a gas vehicle.

Some credit cards now offer rewards for expenses related to charging stations.

To learn more, check out our guide on the best cards for charging stations:

Which Strategy to Choose?

The best strategy to save on gas in Canada depends on your consumption habits.

If you often fill up at the same gas station, a specific loyalty program may be advantageous.

On the other hand, if you prefer flexibility, a credit card offering discounts at all gas stations might be more attractive.

In many cases, the best approach is to combine a credit card and a loyalty program to maximize rewards.

Conclusion

Fuel costs represent a significant expense for many drivers in Canada. Fortunately, several strategies can help reduce this bill.

By using a suitable credit card, a loyalty program, and certain promotions, you can accumulate rewards or get discounts on every tank of gas.

Partnerships between programs and gas stations are also evolving. It’s therefore useful to stay informed in order to adapt your strategy.

By combining these different approaches, you can save on gas in Canada while accumulating points or cash back on your everyday purchases.

Save on Gas in Canada – FAQ