The average fill-up is 11.7 gallons (due to smaller cars). The average fuel reward is a 15 gallon fill-up. So this is where the breakage comes in along with expired rewards and unused rewards that is split between the Wholesaler and Retailer.

If you purchase the product at the offered TPR (Temporary Price Rollback), say $ .50 cents off, you receive the full reward offered. Much better deal.

The sad thing about this program is that there are consumers in rural areas that usually put much less than the average fill-up in their vehicle, due to lack of funds, and they would be better off taking the TPR.

Just a game of smoke and mirrors.

Ted

I don’t know if it’s necessary to completely avoid stores with fuel rewards programs altogether, but if you have access to a store with cheaper overall grocery prices (like a Walmart Superstore), then you would definitely save more money shopping at your discount grocery store in the long run than you would by shopping at a more expensive store just to participate in the fuel rewards program (if the participating store is indeed more expensive).

The FuelLinks program is not based on points, so I’m not sure I understand the statement that according to the program creator the program is redeeming at 60% of the earned points, but I understand your general sentiment.

I do agree that a lesser gas reward is not a substitute for a bigger purchase discount, so that’s something consumers have to be aware of when grocery shopping. However, if the previous purchase discounts don’t exist anymore, then you are better off taking advantage of the gas rewards program than receiving no discount at all.

Basically, if you can get cheaper prices somewhere else, then yes, you shouldn’t shop at a more expensive store just to get gas rewards, but if you are already shopping at certain stores or the prices on your purchases would be the same, then you might as well participate in the free fuel rewards program to get the additional savings.

Thank you for your comments.

Max