Drivers Increased Use of Fuel Loyalty Stacking in 2026

Americans used loyalty programs to save $82.8 million amid rising fuel prices during the summer of 2026.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Couponing

Bold vector editorial illustration of a fuel dispensing nozzle, representing consumer fuel discount programs. — Americans saved $82.8 million in summer 2026 by utilizing loyalty stacking programs to mitigate the impact of rising fuel costs. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Are you proactively seeking out more discounts or rewards to cope with rising gas prices?

Data from the summer of 2026 shows that consumers increasingly utilized loyalty stacking, a method of combining multiple discount practices at the pump. This shift occurred as fuel costs rose significantly compared to the previous year.

Why it matters

The practice of stacking loyalty rewards has become a primary strategy for consumers attempting to offset inflation and rising fuel costs. By maximizing available discounts, drivers managed to secure substantial savings on total fuel expenditures.

The rate of loyalty stacking grew by 23% across 590 million fuel purchases analyzed at 40,000 retail locations. During this period, gas reached $4.32 per gallon, up from $3.20 one year prior, while diesel was priced at $6.26 per gallon.

The players

Verifone

Verifone is a global provider of payment and commerce solutions that operates a large network of point-of-sale systems at convenience stores and fuel retailers.

The details

Drivers are increasingly using bulk fuel purchases combined with multiple discount programs to mitigate the impact of high prices. Verifone analyzed this trend across its network of 40,000 convenience stores and fuel retailers during the summer months.

Late May 2026: The loyalty stacking rate was measured at 0.43%.
Summer 2026: A total of 590 million fuel purchases were analyzed for the report.
Late summer 2026: The loyalty stacking rate reached 0.53%.

Culture Shift

The adoption of loyalty stacking reflects a broader shift toward defensive consumerism as households actively manage essential costs. This behavior aligns with the patterns established by the 2026 Consumer Price Index fuel inflation data, signaling a long-term adjustment to high energy prices.

Consumers can mitigate daily fuel expenses by proactively combining various store-specific rewards and third-party discount programs. Utilizing these stacking methods remains a practical way to manage household budgets against volatile pump prices.

The takeaway

Stacking rewards allows savvy drivers to capture meaningful savings despite fluctuations in national fuel pricing. Consumers should regularly verify if their local fuel retailers participate in combined discount programs to ensure they are getting the lowest possible price per gallon.