Planning is how I maximize it. The 4X promos show up quite often around major holidays plus occasional one day/weekend deals. Since you can bank points for the following month there is not that much of the year that is not covered if you pay attention. Someone with more energy than me could probably go through the history of this thread and compile a list of when they show up, but major gift giving holidays (Christmas, Easter, MDay, FDay, etc.) are good guesses.

There was a January promo so I banked points for February. There was another one in early March, so I banked for April. The Easter promo ran into April, so I banked for May. It is typically easy for me as my truck can take 28 gallons in a fill up and I carry two cans to get the extra seven in the tank at a later date. I usually only fill up twice a month, so 2000 points a month is all I need.

I also avoid the VGC since I can usually use enough Amazon, HD/Lowes, restaurant and other fee free cards. I also will pick up BP $50 cards to cover road trips where Kroger is not around or those times it is just not convenient to get there. Since I am netting 20% (14% gas points and 6% Amex BCP) I don't mind losing the 5% cash back my PenFed card gives, plus the BP card gives the cash price instead of credit price most stations around here charge.