5 Of The Best iPhone Apps For Saving Money On Gas
Commuters across the country face the specter of high gasoline prices every day. We're all looking for ways to reduce travel expenses – and luckily, there are a lot of them. Using cash-back credit cards or other rewards programs that provide a benefit that suits your lifestyle (travel rewards points, for instance) can help shave off some of the net expense that filling up the tank requires. However, a more tech-savvy approach to saving money at the pump can make your daily drive less costly.
For iPhone users, a smorgasbord of apps can help in this task. Finding the lowest price on gas and receiving discounts and benefits can be accessed in seconds. With these five iPhone apps on your device, enjoying savings on your gasoline bill each month can make a massive difference in other areas of your daily life. Let's explore each app in detail, looking at how they work, what makes them unique, and how you can get the most out of them.
Waze
Image credit: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Waze offers drivers a community-based directions app and has been downloaded by over 140 million people who use it to find the most efficient route to their destination on any given day. Rather than providing users with a guess based on average road data or speed limit calculations on roadways, Waze takes its information from the community to provide an accurate reading of real-time roadway conditions. This gives "Wazers" a personalized experience every time they hit the road with up-to-date information on the best way to get where they're going.
One crucial feature that Waze users can access is the display of gas prices updated by community members, which can be highlighted along a route. While using the app, searching for gas stations is easy, and users can filter their results based on price or locate stations directly on their map, making fill-up stops at the lowest prices simple to plan. The app’s real-time updates ensure that you are never overpaying for fuel, and the community-driven nature means prices are often accurate within minutes of a user’s report. Additionally, Waze integrates with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing hands-free navigation and gas price checks while driving. For those who commute daily through busy urban areas, Waze’s rerouting capabilities can also save time and reduce idling, which indirectly saves gas. The app is free to download and does not require a subscription, making it accessible to anyone with an iPhone.
Waze’s social features also allow users to see where friends are and share arrival times, which can be handy for coordinating carpools. Carpooling, when possible, can dramatically reduce individual fuel costs. Waze even has a dedicated Carpool feature in some regions. By combining route optimization with gas price transparency, Waze remains one of the top choices for cost-conscious drivers.
GasBuddy
Image credit: GasBuddy
GasBuddy’s app store page claims a user base of around 90 million, and it lists a total savings across users in North America of more than $3 billion. The app is free to download and has a 4.7-star rating among over 444,000 reviews. GasBuddy allows users to save as much as 25 cents per gallon, reducing the total expense of a fill-up by a sizeable margin. The app gives users real-time updates on gas prices in their area, helping them find the least expensive options nearby.
The app works in tandem with a free GasBuddy card. Signing up for the card lets you link your payment account to the tool. Then when you pay for gas, use the GasBuddy card instead of your credit or debit card to access the discounted price. The app claims that the card is accepted at 95% of gas stations across the United States, making it a significant value addition to anyone's phone and wallet. The physical card puts GasBuddy in its own category when it comes to savings on gasoline prices. However, it should be noted that using the card won't receive the same rewards and benefits as using your credit or debit card directly. You may miss out on cash-back or points from your regular card, so it's worth calculating which method offers better overall savings.
GasBuddy also offers a Premium version for $9.99 per year that provides additional savings of up to 5 cents per gallon at certain stations, as well as other perks like roadside assistance. For frequent drivers, this can pay for itself quickly. The app also includes a trip cost calculator that estimates fuel expenses based on your vehicle's MPG and current gas prices along a route. This feature is excellent for budgeting road trips or daily commutes. GasBuddy’s community of users actively reports prices, making it one of the most reliable sources for gas price data. With over 150,000 stations tracked, you can almost always find a station near you with a competitive price.
Upside
Image credit: Upside
Upside is a cash-back app that will help you save at the pump. Upside sports a 4.8-star rating on the App Store with more than 393,000 reviews. The app has saved users $350 million, and rewards can be earned for gas and other purchases. The app offers up to 25 cents cash back per gallon when refueling, and it works at more than 25,000 participating gas stations that include Circle K, Shell, Exxon, BP, and other brands that can be found nationwide.
To use Upside, you must download the app, and claim offers as you spend. The developer notes that you'll need to check in or submit a photograph of your receipt to earn cash-back rewards when purchasing gas or other goods in tandem with the Upside app. Upside offers benefits beyond the pump, as well. Users will get cash back rewards for using their account when making grocery store purchases and at restaurants, too, effectively expanding the savings you might be looking at on everyday purchases.
The tool also acts as a bridge between consumers and their local brands. Not only do users gain actual cash savings on their gas purchases and other spending, but the businesses themselves can win increased patronage through a partnership with Upside. This means that Upside is one of those unicorn apps that benefit those on both ends of a transaction! The cash-back is redeemable via PayPal, gift cards, or direct bank transfer, making it flexible. The app also rounds up your earnings, so you can accumulate savings over time. For example, if you earn $0.15 cash back on a fill-up, that might not seem like much, but over a year of weekly fill-ups, it adds up to meaningful savings. Upside also provides personalized offers based on your location and driving habits, ensuring you never miss a deal. The app is completely free to use, and you only need to claim an offer before you pay. Many users report that the process is straightforward and that the savings are credited quickly.
AAA Mobile's TripTik
Image credit: AAA
For AAA members, the TripTik feature on the AAA Mobile app is an excellent option for planning lengthy routes, including the essential stops to fill up the tank for less. The trip planning feature, found on AAA's website or the app, allows you to easily plan out all the minute details of a road trip. For those who enjoy getting out on the highway and enjoying the ride, this app can make a huge difference in finding gas stations that can save some serious cash. With the integrated route planning features that AAA is known for, you can create a rough outline for when and where the trip will require stops for food, gas, and nights at a campsite or hotel.
As a result, users can mark out their likely rest stops and then search for the lowest gas prices in those areas to add to their journey's route. However, it should be noted that the AAA Mobile app provides a full slate of features to AAA members and a more limited set for those who aren't. The trip planning features embedded here go far beyond those other services offer. Yet, the tool might not be the best option for those just looking to find discounted fuel prices along their typical route. The app is primarily geared toward those planning road trips.
AAA members also get discounts at certain gas stations and convenience stores, which can be combined with the TripTik gas price feature. The app also includes member-exclusive deals on hotels, attractions, and car rentals, making it a comprehensive travel companion. For those who are not AAA members, the basic trip planning and gas price lookup are still available, but advanced features like route optimization and discounts require membership. AAA’s longstanding reputation for roadside assistance adds an extra layer of security when traveling long distances, especially in unfamiliar areas. If you often take road trips, the TripTik feature alone can justify the cost of membership by saving you significant money on fuel alone. The app also allows you to download maps for offline use, so you can still find gas stations even in areas with poor cellular coverage.
Fuelio
Image credit: Fuelio
The Fuelio app is another crowdsourced price tracker that helps drivers find the cheapest gas prices in their area or along the route they may be following. This valuable feature is excellent for keeping fuel costs as low as possible. However, pricing information is only one component of the Fuelio platform. The app's primary function is mileage management, and it works phenomenally well for those who routinely log dozens or hundreds of miles on the road for work, in particular.
Fuelio can be used to track miles submitted to your employer for a per-mile reimbursement, and you can track repair and gasoline expenses in the app, resulting in a running tally that provides in-depth statistics surrounding your vehicle use. Tracking these metrics can help drivers make the most of their cars for business (or other) uses and identify areas that can be improved for even greater fiscal efficiency.
For those requiring additional expense management tools, Fuelio is a great option that provides both tailored data on spending and a fuel cost tool that will help rake in the savings. The app also generates reports that can be exported to CSV, making it easy to submit expense reports or analyze your driving habits. You can log multiple vehicles, set reminders for maintenance, and even estimate your car's fuel economy over time. The crowdsourced gas price feature is kept up-to-date by a community of users, similar to GasBuddy, but Fuelio focuses more on the personal finance aspect. If you are a freelancer, sales representative, or anyone who uses their vehicle for business, Fuelio can help you maximize deductions and reimbursements. The app is free with optional in-app purchases for premium features like ad-free experience and advanced statistics. Combining fuel price tracking with mileage logging makes Fuelio a dual-purpose tool that saves both time and money.
In summary, each of these five iPhone apps offers a unique angle on saving money at the pump. Whether you rely on community updates like Waze and GasBuddy, prefer cash-back rewards with Upside, need comprehensive trip planning from AAA TripTik, or want to manage your overall vehicle expenses with Fuelio, there is an app suited to your needs. By integrating one or more of these tools into your routine, you can significantly reduce your monthly fuel costs and enjoy a more efficient driving experience.
Source: SlashGear News