I'm a first time poster in MilesBuzz so I hope I'm asking my question in the right place...

I might be leaving Vancouver and driving across the US to take up a new job in Toronto. I was wondering if there are any reward programs run by gas stations that I could join that would get me some form of reward for my trip. I figure I'll spend around $300 in fuel. Obviously it would need to be a station that exists along my route. I'm planning to drive down to Seattle, across I-90 through South Dakota and into the Chicago area, and then along I-94 and I-69, crossing the border at Port Huron. I know I'm not spending all that much, but I figured rather than going unrewarded that I could join something that might get me a free soda or snack at the end of the trip. Any ideas?

Maybe a credit card that gives 5% cashback on gas purchases would be in the works? Also, when I've gone to Petrol Canada (I think that's the name... white background with the red maple leav?) in YUL and en route to YYZ, they've offered to sign me up for their reward program. Being US based and not there often, I didn't sign up for it, but it could be worth looking into.

As for US stations, I'm not aware of any national chains that have anything.

Aah, thanks. I collect Petro Points and Esso Extra rewards up here, wasn't sure if US gas stations had a similar type of set-up. I usually pay cash for gas in the States because if I use my CC they'll pre-auth it for $100 at the pump each time, and I don't have enough room for that in addition to car rental, hotels, etc. Plus my CC only gives 0.5% cashback so I'm not missing out on much.

The only rewards program I know of (aside from a credit card) is at Flying-J, and those are almost always located on interstate highways.

The Flying J rewards programs (they have several) are geared toward high-volume consumers, such as truckers and RVers, so you may not see much of an advantage. The fuel business in the USA appears to be price-based, in the sense that deals and rewards are basically cash back or immediate cents off the gallon, rather than points-based rewards. Your best option(s) would probably be among the following:

1. Obtain a gas company credit card (or two). They are only useful at the gas stations owned by that company, but offer good discounts and/or cash-back on the monthly statement. They are similar to department store cards in that they are pretty much instantly approved and have no fee.

2. Buy Wal-Mart gift cards and use them at the pump at Wal-Mart gas stations, which are located at some Wal-Mart stores. They give an immediate dicount at the pump when paying with a Wal-Mart gift card.

3. Get a bank-issued credit card that offers cash back on fuel purchases and treat it like a gas company-issued card that works at all gas stations. You can shop the multitude of CC offers, looking only for the best terms for fuel purchases. Don't settle for anything less than 3% cash back. Given your situation, reserving the card only for fuel purchases would avoid having the preauthorization eat up your credit limit on your main card.

4. Continue using your regular credit card, but go inside before pumping and ask the station cashier to turn on the pump as a cash purchase, then pay with your card for the exact amount. This way you won't have to worry about the preauthorization hold on you credit line. In less cynical towns, you might be able just to push the "pay inside" button on the pump, fill your tank, then go in and pay with the card.

What stations are you using? Because I've never seen this.

I can't remember what stations I've used in the US, but I remember my CC declined near the end of a long road trip at a pub (in front of my friends no less). When I checked my available funds the next day, I had more than enough to cover the bar tab, so I figured it would have been pre-auths coming off. I do know that all the stations in Canada will authorize for $75-$100 at the pump. That way they make sure you have the funds available before you start pumping fuel. So if you spend $40, the remaining amount of the authorization is released back onto the card in a day or two.

I've checked my preauthorizations (on cards which show them, such as Bank of America). Gas pumps nearly always only do a $1 authorization.

At least that's been my experience at Chevron, Holiday, Tesoro, Fred Meyer, Carrs Safeway, and perhaps a smattering of others.

It wasn't the fraud department freezing the card? I went on a road trip with a friend and she used her card to pay for all the gas. her bank froze the card for suspicious activity.

Sppedy Rewards from Speedway/Super America is free and will cover you from Minnesota east. By far not a very lucrative program, it should get you a soda or two. Sign up at the first station you encounter.

You want the Pentagon Federal Visa Plat. Card
https://www.penfed.org/productsAndRa...ewardCards.asp

5% cash back on purchases made at the pump. You can become a member of Pentagon Federal by joining some program pretty easily, I heard.

My mom phoned me on one trip to say that the bank had phoned her house looking for me. One phone call straightened it all out. However, on the trip where my card declined, it was just a matter of it being maxed out. The card worked again the next day without any issues once some of the pre-auths had disappeared and the charges were actually posted.