Smart Spending: 5 Ways to Score Free or Discounted Gas This Summer
By Brad Tuttle | @bradrtuttle | July 6, 2011 | + Tweet | Getty Images
Supermarkets, retailers, and cereal producers are enticing customers with giveaways that everyone seems to have, while gas prices remain high: discounts and freebies at the pump. Here's a look at five campaigns promising free or discounted gas, including how much you can save, as well as how hassle-free each program is.
Kellogg: Through the end of 2011, Kellogg is offering $10 gas cards to consumers who clip 10 UPCs from Kellogg's cereals, fill out forms, and mail everything in by December 31. There's a limit of five cards per household.
Potential Savings: $10 to $50
How Much You Need to Spend to Save: Depends on how cheaply you can buy 10 boxes of cereal (10 ounces or larger) required for each gas card.
Hassle Factor: Depends on how much cereal is eaten in your household and how much it would bother you to stock up and potentially eat stale cereal over the next couple of years. Also, if you're the type who loves the idea of saving but forgets to send in forms and rebate requests, this probably isn't the promotion for you.
Kroger: The supermarket chain’s fuel program offers 10¢ off per gallon at Shell stations for every 100 points earned on a Kroger Plus Card. $100 worth of groceries equals 100 points, two prescriptions equal 100 points, and $50 spent on certain gift cards equals 100 points. Customers can redeem no more than 100 points—and get no more than a dime-per-gallon discount—each time they fill up.
Potential Savings: $1.50 on a 15-gallon fill-up
How Much You Need to Spend to Save: $100, most likely, but potentially less.
Hassle Factor: If you already shop at Kroger, no hassle at all. But savings aren't substantial enough to justify special trips to Kroger.
Publix: This grocer’s current weekly ad includes a coupon for $10 off a $50 gas card, as long as the customer uses another $25 or more to buy groceries.
Potential Savings: $10
How Much You Need to Spend to Save: $25
Hassle Factor: Minimal, although Publix’s gas card campaigns typically last only a short time.
Stop & Shop: Like Kroger, Stop & Shop’s gas-savings program reduces the price of gas by 10¢ per gallon when the customer accumulates 100 points (likely by spending $100 inside the store). But Stop & Shop customers can save much more than that. Accumulate 200 points on a Stop & Shop loyalty card, and you'll save 20¢ per gallon, 300 points equals 30¢ off per gallon, and so on, maxing out with a discount of $2 per gallon.
Potential Savings: $33 on a 15-gallon fill-up
How Much You Need to Spend to Save: $2200, though you could also spend much less ($100) and get a smaller discount on gas ($1.50 off a 15-gallon fill-up).
Hassle-Free Factor: If you shop regularly at Stop & Shop, non-existent. But to save a significant amount, you’ll need to spend an astronomical amount.
Walmart: Now through September 18, when you pay for gas at a Walmart or Murphy USA station with a gift card, MoneyCard, or Walmart credit card, you'll get 10¢ off per gallon. The offer is valid only in 18 states in the South and Midwest.
Potential Savings: $1.50 on a 15-gallon fill-up
How Much You Need to Spend to Save: Nothing beyond the cost of gas.
Hassle Factor: While no separate purchase is required, a trip inside Walmart is necessary if you get the 10¢ discount via reloadable gift card payment, and as with any trip inside Walmart, it's always possible you'll end up at the checkout counter holding more items than you had planned to buy.
(More: Walmart In New Loss Leader: Cheap Gas)
Brad Tuttle is a journalist at TIME. Find him on Twitter at @bradrtuttle. You can also continue the conversation on TIME’s Facebook page and on Twitter at @TIME.
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