You can maximize your rewards on gas station purchases by following a few easy steps. Gas station rewards are very helpful for Canadians.
Growing up in the city, there was a gas station at every corner. I usually went to the location which had the cheapest gas. Brand didn’t really matter much to me. I lived equidistant from a Shell, Petro, Canadian Tire and Esso, and I would rotate through them without thinking twice.
I would pay with my debit card, not bother to swipe my rewards card, and be on my way.
Eventually, I came to the realization that if I’m going to be spending roughly $300 a month on gas, I should probably see SOME sort of return. Swiping your debit card and moving along does help.
With numerous rewards programs, credit cards and apps in the market today, it can be difficult to understand if you’re getting the best deal.
Let’s walk through the 5 largest gas station rewards programs in Canada, the best credit cards to use at the pump, and other pieces of technology that you can use to ensure you’re getting great value on your monthly gas budget.
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1. Petro Points
Petro Points is a fairly straightforward program as it allows you to earn 10 points per Litre, and 10 points per dollar spent at their convenience store. For every 1,000 points you earn, you can receive $1 off purchases
| Pros | Cons |
| Extremely easy program to comprehend | Gift cards not eligible |
| Frequent in store points promotions | Mobile app doesn’t provide many additional benefits |
| OLG eligible purchases | Tobacco products not eligible |
| Points do not expire | Petro points not transferable to other stores |
It’s also worth noting that Petro Canada has a relationship with RBC that will allow you to save 3 cents/litre if you link your RBC debit or credit card with your Petro Points account. Needless to say, you should be taking this initial step if you own an RBC credit card.
If you are looking to build out your credit card portfolio and frequently fly within Canada, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite could be something you want to consider.
The $120 annual fee is offset by the following perks & benefits:
- Sign-up Bonus:
- 35,000 Avion points upon approval
- 20,000 Avion points when spending $5,000 in the first 6 months
- Earn Rate:
- 1.25 Avion points per dollar spent on travel
- 1 Avion point everywhere else
- Insurance:
- Emergency Medical Travel Insurance
- Trip Interruption insurance – up to $5,000
- Cancellation Insurance – up to $25,000
- Flight delay insurance – up to $500
- Mobile device insurance – up to $1,500
- Perks
- Special discounts throughout the year
Card Valuation
Annual Fee – $120
Sign up Bonus – 55,000 Avion points
Annual Spend – $5,000 in the first 6 months
First Year Value – $875
2. Shell Canada (AIR Miles)
Rather than having their own in-house solution, Shell Canada has partnered with Air Miles for their rewards program. You get 1 Air Mile for every 10 dollars spent at Shell Convenience, and 1 Air Mile upon purchasing 15L at the pump. Air Miles are valued at roughly 15c per point.
| Pros | Cons |
| Collecting Air Miles allows for a wider variety of redemptions compared to other Canadian gas station programs | 1 Air Mile upon reaching 15L opens up the possibility for not getting rewarded on every trip (nothing at 14L) |
| Air Miles can also be transferred to “cash rewards” | Air Miles is not a strong travel program when compared to programs like Aeroplan |
| Frequent in-store points promotions | 1 Mile for a fill up is not great value |
| Extra Air Mile bonuses for Shell V-Nitro Premium (20 bonus miles for 25L) | Tobacco products not eligible |
It should be noted that Shell doesn’t have a partnership with one of the big banks, but does have a branded credit card through Mastercard. My personal belief is that there are other Mastercards in the market where you can extract a lot more value, including the one mentioned below.
If you regularly collect Air Miles, the BMO Air Miles World Elite Mastercard is the top Air Miles card in the market.
The annual fee of $120 is waived for the first year, and is offset by the following benefits:
- Sign-up Bonus:
- 2,000 Air Miles upon spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
- Earn Rate:
- 3 Air Miles per 12 dollars spent at Air Miles partner retailers
- 2 Air Miles per dollar spent at grocery & gas stations
- 1 Air Mile per 12 dollars spent everywhere else
- Insurance:
- Emergency medical travel insurance – up to 15 days
- Flight delay insurance – up to $500
- Car rental damage insurance
- Trip cancellation insurance – up to $2,500
- Perks
- DragonPass membership
- 15% discount on all Air Miles flights within North America
Card Valuation
Annual Fee – $120 (waived for the first year)
Sign up Bonus : 2,000 Air Miles upon spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
Annual Spend – $3,000 in the first 3 months
First Year Value – $275
The 1 Air Mile per $12 spent is a higher earning rate when comparing to your average Air Miles Card, so there is benefits to be had there.
If you intend on cashing in your Air Miles for a flight, this card can certainly help. The 15% discount on Air Miles flights within North America, and the 2,000 sign up bonus can get you a free round trip flight.
3. Esso
Unlike Shell and Petro, Esso gas stations give you the ability to earn through 2 rewards programs, Esso Extra and PC Optimum.
The Esso Extra program allows you earn points based on a tiered system (1 point for $1 spent on regular fuel, all the way to 4 points per $1 spent on their Premium+ fuel). You also receive 1 point per dollar spent at the Esso convenience store.
For those who don’t enjoy spending time filling up gas in -20 degree weather, the Esso Speedpass key can be used for quick and easy transactions that also link to your Esso Extra account.
If you are one of the many Canadians who collect PC Optimum points, you are able to earn points at Esso Pumps (in lieu of the Esso Rewards program). The earning rate is 10 points per $10 spent at the pump.
You also earn 10 points per dollar spent at the store.
| Pros | Cons |
| Option for 2 different rewards programs | Tobacco products not eligible |
| Frequent in-store promotions | Less than 1 cpp (cent per point) on many redemption options (pretty much anything not a car wash or in-store items) |
| Great redemption value on car washes | Poor value on transferring out your points |
| Ability to redeem points for e-gift cards for other stores | Esso Rewards redemptions are limited to Esso locations unlike Optimum or Air Miles |
For collectors of Optimum points, PC financial has branded credit cards which allow you to earn up to 30 optimum points/dollar on gas purchases. The card does not have an annual fee, and comes with the following benefits:
- Earn Rate:
- 30 points per dollar spent at PC Financial’s grocery partners
- 30 points per litre at Esso gas stations
- 45 points per dollar spent at Shoppers Drug Mart
- 10 points per dollar spent everywhere else
- Emergency Medical Travel Insurance – up to $5,000,000
- Car rental damage insurance
4. Canadian Tire
Launched in 2018, the Canadian Tire Triangle Rewards program allows you to earn Canadian Tire money at Canadian Tire & Husky gas bars.
You collect 3cents/L in CT money if you pay with debit or with cash, with up to 5cents/L if you get one of the Triangle branded credit cards. You’re also able to collect Triangle rewards at Canadian Tire partner stores such as Sport Check and Marks Work Warehouse, but with an earning rate of 0.4%
| Pros | Cons |
| Able to rack up Canadian Tire money at partner stores | Only able to receive points if you pay with debit, cash, or a branded credit card |
| 5 cents/L is a good redemption rate if you have the branded credit card | Poor earning rate within Canadian Tire & their partner locations |
| Frequent in-store promotions | Unable to transfer points to other rewards programs |
| Redemptions have more flexibility due to Canadian Tire’s vast offerings |
5. Journie Rewards (Chevron, Ultramar, Pioneer)
Journie Rewards is another fairly straightforward program as it allows you to earn points per dollar spent. Points can be redeemed for up to 7cents off per litre of gas.
| Pros | Cons |
| Extremely easy program to comprehend | Gift cards not eligible |
| Frequent in store points promotions | Mobile app doesn’t provide many additional benefits |
| OLG eligible purchases | Tobacco products not eligible |
| Points do not expire | Journie points not transferrable to other stores |
It’s also worth noting that Journie Rewards has a relationship with CIBC that will allow you save 3 cents/litre if you link your CIBC debit or credit card with your Journie Rewards account. Needless to say, you should be taking this initial step if you own a CIBC credit card.
The CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite provides a 4% earn rate on gas and grocery purchases, along with strong cash back on everyday spending. The $99 annual fee (which is rebated in the first year for new applicants) comes with the following benefits:
- Earn rate: 4% cash back on groceries and gas; 2% back on spending at Tim Hortons and Telus; 1% on everything else
- Travel Medical Insurance
- Flight Delay & Baggage Insurance
- Trip Interruption Insurance
- Auto Rental Insurance
- Purchase Security & Extended Protection Insurance
Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards For Gas
While some of the cards mentioned above (the PC World Elite MasterCard for example) are great for earning or redeeming at one particular location, individuals who are focused on travel rewards should set their sights higher.
Most major gas chains accept American Express and that is where we find the best earning rates.
Top Rewards Card For Gas Purchases – The American Express Business Edge
The American Express Business Edge card offers a strong signup bonus, along with strong everyday earning. The $699 Annual fee is offset by the following benefits:
The cost for the card is $12.99 monthly, & comes with the following benefits:
- Sign-up Bonus:
- 45,500 Membership Rewards upon spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
- 1,000 Membership Rewards each month in which you spend $3,000
- 10 Membership Rewards on office supplies & electronics, rides & gas, eats & drinks within 6 months of cardmembership (up to 10,000 points)
- Total of 67,000 Membership Rewards
- Earn Rate:
- 3 Membership Rewards per dollar spent on eligible food & drink (groceries not included), office supplies, electronics & gas
- 1 Membership Reward for everywhere else
- Insurance:
- Car rental damage insurance
- You can be insured for eligible items charged to your American Express Business Edge Card for 90 days from the date of purchase in the event of accidental physical damage or theft
- Automatically extend the manufacturer’s original warranty up to one additional year
- Perks
- Occasional discounts on select products
Runner-Up Rewards Card For Gas Purchases – The American Express Platinum
The American Express Platinum card offers a strong signup bonus, along with strong everyday earning.
The $699 annual fee is offset by the following perks & benefits:
- Sign-up Bonus:
- 60,000 MR points upon spending $6,000 in the first three months
- 20,000 MR points upon spending $1 during months 14-17 of card-membership
- Earn Rate:
- 3 MR points per dollar spent at grocery stores & at restaurants
- 2 MR points per dollar spent on travel and
- 1 MR point everywhere else
- Insurance:
- Emergency Medical Travel Insurance – up to $5,000,000
- Car rental damage insurance
- Trip Canacellation Insurance- up to $3,000
- Hotel Burglary insurance – up to $1,000
- Baggage delay insurance – up to $1,000
- Lost or stolen baggage insurance – up to $1,000
- Perks
- $200 Annual Travel Credit
- Special discounts for cardholders, which are sent via email
- $100 Nexus Credit
- Instant Gold Status at Marriott Bonvoy
- Instant Gold Status at Hilton Honours
- Priority Pass Membership
- Access to Pearson Priority Security Lane during peak operating times
- Complimentary valet service at the Express Park and Daily Park at Pearson Airport
Top Cash Back Credit Cards For Gas
If you’re not someone who travels frequently, or if you don’t see the value in travel rewards cards, getting a high return cash back card is still better than an individually branded card, or using your debit card.
Top Cash Back Credit Cards For Gas Purchases: CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite
The CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite provides a 4% earn rate on gas and grocery purchases, along with strong cash back on everyday spending. The $99 annual fee (which is rebated in the first year for new applicants) comes with the following benefits:
- Earn rate: 4% cash back on groceries and gas; 2% back on spending at Tim Hortons and Telus; 1% on everything else
- Travel Medical Insurance
- Flight Delay & Baggage Insurance
- Trip Interruption Insurance
- Auto Rental Insurance
- Purchase Security & Extended Protection Insurance
Runner-Up Cash Back Credit Cards For Gas Purchases: The Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite
The Scotia Momentum is a strong cash back card for everyday spending. The annual fee is $120 (waived in year 1), but is offset by the following benefits:
- Earn Rate: 10% cash back on purchases made in the first 3 months (up to $2,000)
- 4% cash back on groceries and recurring payments
- 2% cash back on gas and daily transit
- 1% cash back on everything else
- New mobile device insurance
- Travel emergency travel insurance
- Trip cancellation insurance
- Flight delay insurance
- Lost or delayed baggage insurance
The Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite also provides the following perks
Top Apps to Stretch Your Gas Earnings
1. Gas Buddy
If you ever find yourself running on empty, it’s imperative to know the nearest gas option. GasBuddy provides Canadians with directions to the nearest gas station, along with the cost of regular fuel. Gas prices can fluctuate between municipalities, so it’s definitely a handy tool on long road trips
2. Waze
The Waze app operates in a similar manner to GasBuddy. It crowdsources information, and populates the application with location & prices.
3. Branded Rewards Apps
PC Optimum, Air Miles & Petro Points each have their own apps. They offer a streamlined user experience, but to be honest, I never saw the value in downloading them. I’m seeing greater value in getting promotional emails from those 3 rewards platforms, and determining if there are any “deals” I want to hop on.
FAQ’s
How do I set my monthly gas budget?
It’s important for your financial health to have an understanding of how much is being spent per month compared to your earnings. Setting a budget is key to this.
When initially setting your monthly gas amount, go through your previous 3 months of bank/credit statements, and take the average amount. Use that as a benchmark going forward.
Read: How to Budget
4 Tips to Help You on Your Financial Wellness Journey
1) Get registered for a Petro Points, Air Miles & Optimum card
2) Ensure you have a credit card which has above 1x earning, or 1% cash back at your local gas station
3) Download either Waze or Gas Buddy on your phone
4) If you have a credit card which has a high earnings rate at gas stations, here is a friendly reminder that you can always purchase gift cards for locations which have lower earning value. For example, I have purchased Tim Hortons gift cards at Petro stores, in an effort to maximize the earnings on my American Express Gold rewards card.
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