How to get free gas — the practical guide (for Canadians)

TL;DR — fastest wins

1. Sign up for major fuel loyalty programs (Petro-Points, PC Optimum via Esso/Mobil, Petro-Canada app) and stack their offers.
2. Use dedicated gas cashback apps (e.g., Upside / GetUpside) to get cash back on each fill-up.
3. Enter regular “free fuel” sweepstakes run by Shell, Petro-Canada and manufacturers — many run yearly.
4. Scan receipts and use general cashback/survey apps (Swagbucks, Fetch, Rakuten, KOHO rewards, receipt-scan apps) to convert rewards into gift cards or cash that you can use to buy gas.

1) The reliable baseline: loyalty programs & station apps

Most big Canadian retailers and fuel companies run loyalty programs that give discounts or points redeemable for fuel.

• Petro-Canada (Petro-Points) — collect points per litre and redeem for cents-off per litre or gift cards when thresholds hit. Use the Petro-Canada app to track and redeem.
• Esso/Mobil → PC Optimum — link your PC Optimum account and the Esso/Mobil app to earn extra points per litre when you pay through their app. Points convert to groceries/merch or gift cards you can use to offset fuel.

Why do this? Even small per-litre savings stack quickly if you drive a lot. Always link loyalty cards to credit/debit cards that earn extra rewards where possible.

2) Cash-back gas apps (use every time you fill up)

Apps like Upside (GetUpside) list participating stations and offer cash back per fill-up. Workflow:

1. Open app → find participating station → “check in” or upload receipt after fuel.
2. Pay as usual (card, tap) → submit receipt or check-in → cash back posts to app account → transfer to bank/PayPal/gift card.

Upside and similar apps can deliver meaningful per-litre cash back when you pick the best local offers. Always check participating station list before you drive.

3) Receipt-scanning, cashback & survey apps — turn everyday purchases into gas money

Many apps reward you for scanning grocery/retail receipts or doing quick tasks. Convert those points to cash or gift cards, then buy gas.

• Fetch / Swagbucks / Ibotta / Rakuten / KOHO — earn cash, points or gift cards from everyday shopping; redeem for Visa/Mastercard gift cards, PayPal or e-transfer depending on the platform. KOHO also offers direct cashback on gas when you pay with their card.
• Receipt scanning apps — upload receipts from convenience store or grocery purchases and redeem rewards. Useful to stack with loyalty programs.

Pro tip: use receipt apps for convenience store purchases at the same station (snack + fuel) to get both points on the loyalty program and cashback from the receipt app.

4) Enter contests & surveys that give away “free gas for a year”

Fuel brands run recurring sweepstakes (often “free gas for a year” or prepaid cards) — entry is usually free if you complete a survey or follow a purchase receipt link.

• Shell survey contest — recurring annual survey contest entries via receipts. Check official contest pages for dates and rules.
• Petro-Canada Hero / “Free Gas for a Year” — Petro-Canada runs guest satisfaction contests and posts winners. Enter from receipts / survey links.

How to maximize sweepstakes entries:

• Keep receipts for every fill-up and complete the short survey whenever invited.
• Subscribe to station e-newsletters and follow them on social to get contest alerts.
• Read the rules — some contests restrict entries by province or need purchase receipts.

5) Stacking strategy (the trick that multiplies savings)

Combine multiple programs on the same transaction where possible:

1. Use your fuel station app/loyalty to pay (earn points).
2. Pay with a cashback/rewards credit card or a rewards-enabled prepaid card (KOHO, credit cards that give extra travel/gasback).
3. Use Upside/GetUpside check-in or upload receipt if the station participates.
4. Scan the receipt into a receipt/cashback app afterward for extra points.

Stacking example: you earn Petro-Points + Upside cash back + credit-card rewards + receipt-app points on the same fill-up — that’s how “free-ish” gas becomes realistic.

6) Creative/unique methods

• Referral bonuses: Many apps give referral credits when friends sign up and complete a purchase. Refer friends to Upside, Fetch, Rakuten, etc., for bonus funds.
• Manufacturer/brand competitions: carmakers sometimes hold contests with dealers (e.g., GMC/GM brand contests) — keep an eye on brand sweepstakes in Canada.
• Local community giveaways: grocery stores, convenience chains and radio stations sometimes run local promos. Follow local stations and store social feeds.
• Buy gift cards during promotions: if grocery stores sell fuel gift cards with bonus points during promotions, buy those when they’re at a discount/bonus and use them at the pump later. (Check terms for use at specific stations.)

7) Safety, terms & tax notes

• Read the terms and conditions: contests and apps have rules about eligibility, residency and taxes. Big prizes might be taxable — check contest rules.
• Beware of scams: official contests won’t ask for upfront payment to claim a prize. If you get an unexpected “you won” request for bank info, verify on the brand’s official site.
• Privacy: many apps ask for location and receipt data. Read privacy policies before uploading receipts.

8) Quick checklist to start

• Download Petrol/Loyalty apps: Petro-Canada, Esso/Mobil, Petro-Points, Shell if available.
• Install at least one gas cashback app (Upside/GetUpside).
• Sign up for 1–2 receipt-scan/cashback apps (Fetch, Swagbucks, KOHO).
• Keep receipts and complete surveys when prompted to enter sweepstakes.
• Link loyalty programs to a rewards-earning payment method (card/app).

9) Best apps & programs (short list + why)

• Upside / GetUpside — direct cashback on gas and restaurants; straightforward receipt or check-in system. Good for immediate per-fill savings.
• Petro-Canada (Petro-Points) — frequent “free gas for a year” contests and steady points per litre; redeemable through Petro-Canada.
• Esso/Mobil + PC Optimum — extra PC Optimum points per litre when using their app; PC Optimum points are flexible.
• KOHO — prepaid card with cashback categories, including gas (Canada-focused).
• Receipt/cashback apps (Fetch / Ibotta / Swagbucks / Rakuten) — extra ways to convert everyday spending to cash/gift cards to pay for gas.

Final notes — realistic expectations

• “Free gas” is often a combination of rewards, cashback and occasional contest wins — not literally unlimited free fuel. But if you consistently use loyalty apps, cashback apps and sweepstakes, you can cut your annual fuel bill substantially.