Grocery chains across the U.S. advertise fuel points as a perk of loyalty programs—but are those savings actually worth chasing? The short answer: yes, if you know how to use them strategically. Whether you shop at Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons, or another participating chain, you can convert everyday grocery spending into real cents-off at the pump.
Here’s how grocery fuel point systems work, where they offer the most value, and how to combine them with cashback apps for even bigger savings.
How Grocery Fuel Rewards Programs Work
Most major grocery retailers operate fuel points systems that reward you with cents off per gallon at affiliated gas stations. Typically, you earn 1 point per $1 spent in-store, and every 100 points equates to 10 cents off per gallon.
Some of the most popular programs include:
- Kroger Fuel Points: Points can be redeemed at Kroger Fuel Centers or participating Shell stations.
- Safeway for U: Points earned through Safeway translate to fuel discounts at Safeway Fuel or Chevron.
- Albertsons for U: Offers similar redemptions to Safeway through its own partner gas stations.
Most programs cap fuel redemptions at 1,000 points per fill-up, or $1.00 off per gallon (up to 25 gallons per transaction).
Where Grocery Fuel Points Shine
Fuel point programs can significantly lower your effective price per gallon when:
- You consolidate your grocery shopping into a single chain each week.
- You take advantage of bonus point offers (like 2x or 4x points on virtual cards).
- You redeem points at the beginning of the month, when rollover totals expire.
- You fill up a larger tank or multiple vehicles at once to maximize per-gallon savings.
For example, Kroger often offers 4x fuel points on third-party virtual card purchases. If you spend $100 on a virtual card, that’s 400 points or $0.40 off per gallon—plus the potential to earn cashback with a BP virtual card if purchased through a platform like Fluz.
Can You Combine Grocery Points with Other Fuel Rewards?
Yes—this is where savings stack. Let’s say you’re using Shell Fuel Rewards, which supports Kroger Fuel Points at participating locations. You can apply both your Fuel Rewards discount and grocery rewards during the same transaction, often resulting in 20–30 cents or more off per gallon.
Pro tip: always enter your phone number linked to your grocery account at the pump before inserting your payment method to ensure discounts apply.
How to Boost Grocery Fuel Savings Even Further
- Use cashback apps for virtual cards:
Buy third-party or gas-specific virtual cards during 4x fuel point promotions, and earn cashback at the same time. For example, you can get rewards with a Shell virtual card while also racking up fuel points at checkout.
- Shop during promotional events:
Look for weekly ads that promote 2x or 4x fuel points on specific categories. These often align with holidays or seasonal promotions.
- Fill your tank strategically:
Only redeem points when your tank is nearly empty, or combine fill-ups across vehicles if permitted (up to 25 gallons per transaction at most locations).
- Link your rewards to gas station apps:
Apps like BPme and Exxon Mobil Rewards+ may allow you to stack additional per-gallon discounts or rewards.
Limitations to Keep in Mind
- Fuel points often expire at the end of the following month. If you don’t use them, you lose them.
- Not all gas station partners honor grocery fuel points; check each station’s participation before filling up.
- Some reward programs restrict combining third-party virtual card redemptions with fuel discounts—always read the terms before purchase.
Conclusion
Grocery fuel points do offer real value when used intentionally—especially when paired with cashback platforms and branded loyalty programs. If you regularly shop at chains like Kroger or Safeway, these points can shave significant dollars off your monthly fuel expenses. Whether you earn cashback with a BP virtual card or get rewards with a Shell virtual card during a fuel points promo, the key is strategic stacking.
