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402 gallons!
That’s what an average American consumed in 2024, as per the US Energy Information Administration.
With more companies resuming five days a week in the office and President Trump’s executive order making it mandatory for federal workers to join the office in person, fuel consumption is bound to see an uptick.
As consumption increases, customers will turn to gas stations that offer more value for their money and have a strong loyalty program, bringing them back again and again.
Do you have what it takes to fuel customer loyalty?
Fuel loyalty programs personalize the customer experience and help fuel retailers stand out. Participants earn points for every gallon of gas purchased, offer exclusive discounts, or partner with other businesses for expanded benefits.
In this blog, we’ll explore fuel loyalty programs and the different types available. We'll also look closely at some of the best fuel loyalty programs in 2025, which stand out in rewards, convenience, and customer engagement.
What Are Fuel Loyalty Programs?
Fuel retail loyalty programs are designed to retain customers by petrol pumps, gas stations, and charging stations. These loyalty programs intend to go beyond attracting drivers to stop for fuel.
It intends to instill genuine loyalty among consumers by improving the duration and quality of their visits to the fuel retail location.
Fuel loyalty programs focus on product discounts or points-based purchases. Customer loyalty programs in the oil and gas industry are structured to align with drivers' needs.
They rely majorly on card-based interactions through physical loyalty cards, mobile apps, or RFID-enabled payment systems.
Fuel retailers track their customers' purchasing behavior and tailor rewards accordingly. Integrating digital and physical transactions ensures a personalized experience that enhances customer satisfaction and brand affinity.
Some leading fuel retail loyalty programs also partner with other businesses, such as convenience stores, quick-service restaurants, and automotive service providers, to offer a broad spectrum of benefits.
Different Types of Fuel Loyalty Programs
Fuel retailers often choose or combine models based on their specific customer base and business objectives. Below is the list of some of the fuel loyalty programs existing in the market:
Earn and burn loyalty programs
These programs allow customers to accumulate points with each purchase and redeem them for rewards, such as discounts on fuel or in-store items. By offering immediate, tangible benefits, they encourage repeat business.
Tiered loyalty programs
Customers unlock progressively greater rewards in tiered programs as their spending or engagement increases. This fuel loyalty program motivates customers to reach higher tiers to access exclusive benefits, fostering deeper loyalty.
Coalition loyalty programs
Coalition loyalty programs involve partnerships between fuel retailers and other businesses that benefit customers by allowing them to earn and redeem points across a network of participating brands.
This broadens the appeal of the loyalty program and offers customers more flexibility in how they use their rewards.
Subscription-based programs
Some fuel retailers offer subscription models, in which customers pay a regular fee to receive benefits such as fuel discounts, free car washes, or other perks.
This approach ensures steady revenue and encourages consistent customer engagement.
Gamified loyalty programs
These programs make earning rewards more engaging by incorporating game-like elements such as challenges, badges, or leaderboards. This appeals to customers' competitive instincts and increases participation rates.
Lifestyle loyalty programs
These programs extend beyond fuel discounts to offer rewards that align with customers' lifestyles, such as partnerships with fitness centers or entertainment venues.
Industry Challenges Impacting Fuel Loyalty Programs
Fuel retailers face several industry challenges impacting the effectiveness of loyalty programs.
Understanding these challenges is crucial for developing strategies that attract and retain customers in a highly competitive market.
Intense competition and price sensitivity
The fuel retail industry is characterized by intense competition, with numerous stations often located nearby. This saturation leads to heightened price sensitivity among consumers, who may choose a station based solely on fuel prices.
In such cases, customer differentiation through loyalty programs becomes challenging, as customers might prioritize immediate cost savings over long-term rewards.
Evolving customer expectations
Modern consumers expect more than just fuel from their visits to gas stations. They want to grab essential grocery items at a convenience store gas station, quick-service restaurants, and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.
Meeting these expectations requires fuel retailers to expand their offerings and integrate them into their loyalty programs, which can be complex and resource-intensive.
Technological advancements
Fuel retailers must adopt more digital solutions to enhance customer experience. Implementing mobile apps, digital payment systems, and personalized marketing requires huge investment.
Failure to integrate this tech stack might disrupt customer experiences.
Environmental concerns and the rise of EVs
With increasing awareness of environmental issues and the growing adoption of EVs, traditional fuel retailers must adapt to a changing market.
Incorporating EV charging stations and promoting sustainable practices are essential. Integrating these elements into existing loyalty programs requires careful planning to ensure relevance to traditional and EV customers.
Data management and personalization
Effective loyalty programs rely on collecting and analyzing customer data to offer personalized rewards. However, managing vast data while ensuring privacy and regulation compliance is a significant challenge.
Best Fuel Loyalty Programs in 2025
For 60% of customers, sustainability is an important criterion while purchasing. In 2025, several fuel loyalty programs have distinguished themselves by offering their members exceptional benefits and innovative features.
Here are some of the top programs:
Shell Fuel Rewards
Shell's Fuel Rewards program has tiered silver, gold, and platinum loyalty programs. The loyalty program wants customers to earn points for every purchase made at Shell stations.
Shell has integrated with multiple partners, through which customers use the points earned from gas purchases to shop, eat out, and fly.
As Shell’s gas stations are readily available, earning and redeeming points has become a convenient way to save on gas. Additionally, the program offers substantial fuel savings potential for loyal customers.
BPme Rewards
BP's BPme Rewards offers members discounts on fuel purchases and a user-friendly app for seamless transactions. Amazon Prime members link their accounts to BP's loyalty program, Earnify, to save at least 10 cents per gallon at BP and Amoco stations, adding value to their membership.
The BPme app allows for easy point tracking, access to personalized offers, and even mobile payments.
Customers will use BPme rewards to unlock more valuable rewards as they progress through the tiers, making the customer loyalty program more attractive with regular use.
Exxon Mobil Rewards+
Exxon Mobil's Rewards+ program allows members to earn points on fuel, convenience store purchases, and car washes. Accumulated points can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases, providing consistent value to loyal customers.
Points earned through mobile pay in the app allow users to pay at the pump or inside the store by scanning their member ID, entering their phone number, or using their member card.
Since Exxon’s fuel loyalty program has partnered across categories, customers can earn points during station visits.
Exxon Mobil Rewards+ has partnered with AARP, Walmart, and other grocery chains to offer its members additional savings and earning opportunities.
Kroger Fuel Points
Kroger's Fuel Points program allows shoppers to earn points on grocery purchases. The points can be redeemed for fuel discounts at Kroger gas stations and participating Shell stations.
The Kroger Loyalty Program helps customers save on fuel every time they shop. Customers earn 1 Fuel Point for every $1 spent. This integration of grocery and fuel savings offers a comprehensive value proposition to customers.
Kroger’s fuel retail loyalty program helps customers save on groceries and fuel. The partnership incentivizes customers to choose Kroger for groceries and Shell for fuel, creating a win-win situation for both businesses.
Speedway Speedy Rewards
Speedway's Speedy Rewards program allows members to earn points on fuel and in-store purchases.
Points are redeemed for various rewards, including fuel discounts and merchandise, providing flexibility and value to members.
Members will earn 10 points per gallon of fuel and 20 points per dollar spent on merchandise. In addition, the Speedy Rewards fuel retail loyalty program offers special monthly deals.
7REWARDS
7-Eleven's 7REWARDS program enables members to earn points on nearly every dollar spent in-store, which can be used for free snacks, drinks, and other items.
Members also benefit from exclusive deals, bonus points on some products, and a complimentary Slurpee during the company's birthday month.
Additionally, by loading funds into the 7-Eleven Wallet, customers can access fuel discounts and other rewards.
Circle K Inner Circle
Circle K's Inner Circle program offers members daily fuel discounts of 3 to 5 cents per gallon, applicable to all fuel grades for up to 35 gallons per transaction.
The program also includes tier-based benefits, allowing customers to unlock additional rewards and upgrades as they shop more frequently. Enrollment is free and can be completed via the Circle K mobile app.
These programs exemplify the industry's commitment to enhancing customer loyalty through tailored rewards and seamless integration with other services.
Key Features of Fuel Retail Loyalty Programs
Fuel retail is a highly competitive and price-sensitive market. Fuel retailers must continuously update their fuel loyalty programs to attract customers and provide added value to foster long-term loyalty.
Below are the key features that make fuel loyalty programs successful in 2025:
Membership tiers
Customers are segmented into loyalty tiers (say, Silver, Gold, Platinum) based on their fuel spend, engagement levels, or number of visits in a tiered membership structure. The higher the tier, the better the rewards, such as fuel discounts or exclusive merchandise.
For example, Shell Fuel Rewards offers its Platinum customers a Free Shell Windshield Wash.
Tiered programs motivate customers to spend more with the same brand to unlock better benefits.
Mobile app integration
A fuel loyalty mobile app allows users to track points, redeem rewards, pay at the pump, and receive personalized offers via notifications.
Oil and gas companies should leverage a customer loyalty management solution like Loyalife. This solution will help develop a mobile app with mobile-specific features to encourage app usage and engagement, allowing customers to engage with the brand on the go.
Flexible redemption options
Customers earn points for various purchases (fuel, snacks, car washes) and redeem them flexibly for discounts or gifts. Some programs also allow customers to "stack" rewards for more significant savings.
Flexibility in earning and redeeming points enhances customer satisfaction and increases program usage rates.
Subscription-based benefits
Paid memberships provide exclusive perks such as unlimited car washes, premium fuel discounts, or free coffee for a monthly fee. Subscription models drive recurring revenue while offering high-value benefits that justify loyal customers' costs.
Programs offering $10 monthly subscriptions for unlimited small coffees or discounted fuel.
Gamified elements
Introducing game-like elements such as challenges, badges, sweepstakes, or leaderboards to make the program more engaging. Gamification boosts customer interaction and encourages frequent visits by making loyalty fun and rewarding.
Programs with "shake-and-win" promotions or scratch-and-win contests keep customers engaged and incentivized.
Sustainability incentives
Programs reward eco-friendly actions, such as using carbon offsets or purchasing sustainable products. Some also include benefits for EV charging. As sustainability becomes a priority for consumers, these incentives align with customer values and encourage environmentally conscious behavior.
Partner rewards and coalition programs
Partnering with grocery stores, restaurants, or other retailers allows customers to earn points across multiple categories. Partnerships expand earning opportunities and increase the program’s value proposition for customers.
Kroger Fuel Points lets customers earn discounts on fuel through grocery purchases.
Instant rewards and freebies
Offering immediate benefits like discounts at the pump or free products in-store without requiring extensive point accumulation.
Instant gratification keeps customers engaged and provides a tangible reason to return.
Some programs offer instant discounts on snacks or beverages when refueling.
Personalized offers through AI and data analytics
Using advanced analytics and insights to deliver individualized promotions based on purchase history and preferences.
Personalization increases relevance and engagement by making offers more appealing to each customer’s unique needs.
AI-driven offers tailored to frequent purchases, like coffee or car washes, improve customer retention.
Location-based promotions
Location-specific promotions drive immediate action and increase foot traffic at specific locations. Mobile apps notifying users of double-point campaigns when they approach a gas station.
Going Forward
As fuel consumption rises, retailers must leverage loyalty programs to retain customers. Building an effective fuel loyalty program requires more than discounts. It requires seamless digital integration, data-driven rewards, and flexibility for fuel and EV customers.
Loyalife’s loyalty management solutions help retailers create customized programs fully integrated with mobile apps, provide AI personalization, and more.
Want to know more? Book your demo now!