Having to stop to get gas can be an annoying chore, but what if you could pay for gas online, right from your phone — without having to get out of the car to pay?
Turns out the future is actually here, because you can do this right now!
Rather than fumbling with your credit card in the sweltering heat or frigid cold, you can stay in your car and pay for your gas online using just your smartphone. We have all the details on apps that let you pay for gas online and how to use them.
We know filling up at the pump is expensive, but we have you covered with our best money-saving gas tips.
1. If you have an iPhone or Apple Watch, there are tons of gas stations that take Apple Pay.
You can totally use Apple Pay to pay for gas with an iPhone or Apple Watch, as long as the gas pump itself can accommodate contactless payments.
There are lots of gas stations that take Apple Pay, including:
- 7-Eleven
- BP/Amoco
- Chevron
- Circle K
- Cumberland Farms
- RaceTrac
- RaceWay
- Speedway
- Texaco
- Wawa
- … and many more
To use Apple Pay at a participating station, double-click the side button on your iPhone or Watch to open Apple Pay, then authenticate with Face ID or by entering your passcode. You’ll choose which card to use (or set up a new payment method), then hold your iPhone or Watch near the contactless reader until you hear a beep or feel a tap. That’s it!
In fall 2022, a new feature called Apple Pay Later will let you buy now and pay later so big gas purchases don’t hurt so much.
TIP: Want an easy way to figure out what gas stations take Apple Pay? Look up the gas station on Apple Maps. Under “Good to Know,” you’ll see “Contactless Payments” listed if the service is offered.
2. Google Pay lets you select your pump, so you don’t need to tap your Android phone anywhere.
As long as you have an Android phone, you can use the Google Pay app to pay for gas online, right from your device. At the time I’m writing this, there are only six stations that let you pay for gas with Google Pay right from your phone: 76, Exxon, Conoco, Mobil, Phillips 66, and Shell.
Here’s how to pay for gas with Google Pay:
- Open the Google Pay app on your Android device.
- Scroll down and select “Get gas.”
- Choose a gas station from the list. (You may need to enable access to your device’s location.)
- Once you’re at the station, select your gas pump number in the app.
- Tap “Continue” and select your payment method.
- After a few seconds, the pump should activate.
When you’re done, the Google Pay app will show you exactly how much you spent, and you’ll get a receipt emailed to you (with the address linked to your Google Pay).
3. Download the Chevron or Texaco apps to buy gas with Venmo.
If you’ve ever used the Venmo app (iOS / Android), you know how easy it is to send and receive money. Gas station companies have taken a liking to Venmo, too, as many offer it as a payment option on their gas station-branded apps.
Here are the companies that let you use Venmo when you link your account:
You’ll follow each app’s on-screen instructions to select your gas station location, enter your pump number, and then choose your payment method — no tapping your phone at the pump needed.
TIP: Here’s how the Venmo debit card can earn you cash back on purchases.
4. Pay with the BPme Rewards gas app and save $0.05 on every gallon at BP or Amoco.
You might be sensing a trend that gas stations want you to use their apps to pay for gas. Well, it pays off when gas rewards perks are included in the deal!
When you pay for gas with the BPme Rewards app, you’ll have the convenience of contactless payment plus $0.05 off every gallon, every time you fill up. The BPme app lets you pay with a credit card, debit card, or PayPal.
They also offer a handy Price Match subscription ($0.99/month), where they’ll automatically check for a lower price at competitors within a two-mile radius. If they find a lower price nearby, you’ll automatically get a credit of up to $0.05/gallon toward your next gas purchase.
5. Cash in on your Fuel Rewards savings when you use the Shell Pay & Save app.
We included Shell in our list of the best fuel rewards programs, and for a good reason. Their Fuel Rewards program makes it easy to rack up rewards ($0.05 off every gallon is the standard deal), and their Shell Pay & Save app (iOS / Android) makes it easy to cash in on your savings.
The app has a mobile payment option so you can pay for gas right from your phone by entering a code into the keypad. You can link any credit or debit card, PayPal, Chase Pay, or Apple Pay. There’s even a feature to connect your checking account to get an additional $0.10 off per gallon.
6. Say, “Alexa, pay for gas,” at Exxon, Mobil, or Citgo stations to pay for gas online.
Oh yes, they did. Amazon makes it easy to summon Alexa and fill up your tank with the help of Amazon Pay. Participating gas stations include Exxon, Mobil, and Citgo. You’ll need to have the Alexa app on your phone, an Echo Auto, or any other Alexa-enabled device.
Here’s how to use Amazon Pay when you’re at the gas pump:
- Activate Alexa by saying, “Alexa, pay for gas.”
- Follow the prompts to confirm your pump number and the gas station.
- Confirm when you’re ready to activate the pump.
- Fill up and go — your payment is handled automatically.
7. The Exxon Mobil Rewards+ app has Amazon Pay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
If you’re already a member of the Exxon Mobil Rewards+ program, be sure to download the Exxon Mobil Rewards+ app (iOS / Android).
The app lets you redeem your rewards earnings on future purchases, and you can pay from the comfort of your car using Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Amazon Pay right through the app.
8. Pay for gas from your dashboard with Apple CarPlay — coming in fall 2022.
There’s no set date, but experts guess that by September 2022, we could see the iOS16 update drop with the new Apple CarPlay gas payments feature.
If you have an iPhone and a car with Apple CarPlay, you’ll be good to use this new in-dash payment method.
Similar to Apple Pay, you’ll need to download an app on your phone and store your payment. Once your payment is stored, you’ll be able to choose the pump directly from your app, choose how much you want to fill your tank, and then pay.
So far, Sinclair Oil Company is the first to partner with Apple for these iOS16 in-dashboard payments, and they’ll enable them at 1,600+ gas stations across the country.
TIP: Choose the right way to pay by checking out our favorite gas credit cards to save you money at the pump.
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