Save on Gas in Canada: Cards and Programs
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Gas prices in Canada fluctuate frequently and represent a significant expense for many households. Fortunately, several strategies can help reduce this bill.
By combining credit cards, loyalty programs, and promotions, you can accumulate points or get discounts on every liter of gas.
In this guide, you’ll discover how to save on gas in Canada, which credit cards to prioritize, and which rewards programs to use to maximize your savings.
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:
- cashback
- reward points
- direct discounts at the pump
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:
- 4% cash back with the SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express.
- 5 points per dollar (approximately 3.35%) with the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card
- 3% cash back with the BMO CashBack® World Elite®* Mastercard®*
- 3% cash back with the CIBC Dividend Platinum® Visa* Card
- 2% cash back with the Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite +* Card
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $119.88 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $0 |
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.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $0 |
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 a CIBC credit card, such as the 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.
- Annual feeNo annual fee the first year
- $0 $99
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$250Annual fee rebated$99Total$349Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $349
- Welcome offerAfter $2,000 in 4 months
- Up to $250 cash back
Apply Now
on CIBC's website
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:
- fuel
- gift cards
- various rewards
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.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $165 | |||
| $120 | |||
| $48 | |||
| $139 |
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.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $0 |
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.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $191.88 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $0 |
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Save on Gas in Canada?
You can save by using a credit card offering rewards on gas, joining a gas station loyalty program, and taking advantage of promotions.
Which Credit Card Is Best for Gas?
The best cards are those that offer cash back or bonus points in the gas category. Check out our comparison of the best credit cards for gas to choose the card suited to your needs.
Can You Combine a Credit Card and a Gas Program?
Yes. In many cases, you can accumulate points from the gas station’s program and rewards from your credit card.
Are Gas Loyalty Programs Worth It?
Yes, especially if you regularly fill up at the same gas station. These programs allow you to accumulate points or get discounts.
Is the Shell and AIR MILES Partnership Changing?
Yes. Shell is gradually ending its partnership with AIR MILES and introducing a partnership with the Scene+ program.
