Fuel prices may be out of your control—but how much you actually spend at the pump isn’t. Cashback apps give drivers a smart, passive way to earn money back on gas purchases. With just a few taps, you can stack rewards, unlock discounts, and reduce the sting at every fill-up.

This guide breaks down the top fuel cashback apps—Fluz, Rakuten, Ibotta, and Upside—and shows how each one works with major gas brands, what you can earn, and how to use them safely and effectively.

1. Fluz

Fluz rewards users instantly when they purchase digital gift cards through the app. You simply buy a gift card for your favorite gas station—like Shell, Chevron, or Speedway—and use it like cash at the pump or inside the store.

How it works:

• Open the app, search for your gas station, and buy a gift card in the exact amount you plan to spend.
• Use the code at checkout (or enter at the pump where accepted).
• Earn instant cashback—no receipt scanning required.

Pros:

• Instant rewards
• Works with dozens of gas and grocery brands
• Great for stacking with fuel loyalty programs

Best For: Drivers who plan ahead and want cashback upfront.

2. Rakuten

Rakuten is known for online shopping rebates, but it can also be used to save on gas through prepaid gift cards or partner offers.

How it works:

• Shop for gas or convenience store gift cards via Rakuten’s gift card portal.
• Earn cashback (typically 1%–5%) on the purchase.
• Use the card at the pump or in-store.

Pros:

• Trusted platform with thousands of retail partners
• Occasional bonus offers on gift card purchases
• Can stack with store loyalty cards

Best For: Online shoppers who like to plan gas purchases alongside other spending.

3. Ibotta

Ibotta is a grocery cashback app that indirectly helps cut fuel costs. While it doesn’t offer gas-specific rebates at the pump, you can earn cashback at grocery stores like Kroger or Safeway—many of which offer fuel rewards for every dollar spent.

How it works:

• Link your store loyalty card or upload your receipt after shopping.
• Activate offers before purchase.
• Earn cashback, which you can cash out and apply toward gas.

Pros:

• Cashback on items you already buy
• Integrates with grocery fuel rewards
• Passive earning with linked accounts

Best For: Budgeters who want to reduce both grocery and gas costs.

4. Upside

Upside is built specifically for gas, groceries, and dining. It partners directly with gas stations and offers real-time cashback offers based on location.

How it works:

• Open the app, find an offer nearby, and “claim” it.
• Pay with a credit or debit card and upload a receipt—or link your card for automatic tracking.
• Cashback is added to your Upside account within a few days.

Pros:

• Real-time, location-based offers
• No gift cards required
• Higher cashback potential (up to 25¢ per gallon)

Best For: Spontaneous drivers and travelers who don’t want to pre-plan.

Safety and Ease of Use

All four apps are widely used and secure, with millions of downloads and positive ratings across app stores. They support bank transfers, PayPal withdrawals, and gift card cash-outs.

• Fluz stores your gift cards securely in-app for future use.
• Rakuten and Ibotta link with retailer portals or loyalty programs.
• Upside uses encrypted transactions and offers optional receipt scanning or linked card verification.

Potential Earnings at a Glance

App	Potential Cashback	Works With Gas Brands	Best Feature
Fluz	1–10%	Shell, Chevron, more	Instant cashback on gift cards
Rakuten	1–5%	Circle K, Exxon (via gift cards)	Easy online integration
Ibotta	$0.25–$5/item	Indirect via grocery	Stacks with grocery fuel rewards
Upside	5–25¢/gal	Partnered locations	Real-time, location-based savings

Final Thoughts

Cashback apps aren’t just a nice-to-have—they’re a practical tool for any driver looking to fight back against rising fuel prices. Whether you’re using Fluz to shop discounted Shell gift cards, earning cash on groceries through Ibotta, or grabbing a last-minute gas deal on Upside, every little bit adds up.

Try combining these apps with your station’s loyalty program to double up on rewards—and start turning every drive into an opportunity to save.