Kroger/Ralphs/Safeway 4x gas points today, Saturday Jan 17, 2015.
The way I see this, it's not such a great deal for me. Here's my math:
1. Buy $100 VGC x 5 = $29.75
2. I will get 1030 UR with my 2x Chase MP Select plus 2120 fuel points
3. If I am allowed to get $1/gallon off (big IF), and since my car typically fills up with 12-13 gallons at a time, I will get back about $25 in fuel savings over 2 separate fill-ups. But I usually get gas at Costco, which is 10-20c/gal cheaper than most Shell's around here. So using the minimum 10c/gal Costco difference, I really only "get back" about 90c/gal, or about $22 in fuel savings over 2 separate fill-ups. The net cost to me will be $7.75 for 1030 UR (0.75c/point).
If you can actually get $1 off and can actually use it on 35 gallons, this would be $35 fuel savings and you would NET $5.25! Good Deal for you.
But for me, with Staples and my INK card, on $200 VGC, I spend $6.95 to get 1035 UR. (0.67c/point)
And...
With the typical $500 variable load Visa at my grocery store for $5.95, using my 2x Chase MP Select, I get 1012 UR
(0.59c/point; translates to a $147 cost for 25K United, Hyatt, points, etc)
I love UR, so this obviously does not apply to Barclay 2.2x or WF 5x lovers.
As for the Freedom 5x deal this quarter and the 2.4x or 7.5x Amex EveryDay cards (depending on which you have) I have already hit my $1.5K quarterly and $6K yearly max, respectively for these cards, so I do not count this gas deal as losing to those spend opportunities.
So this 4x gas deal, while interesting on paper, doesn't float my boat. Now, if we could find some $200 non-variable VGCs at the Kroger chain, that would be something! Or if I ever get a car with a larger tank, or bring Ms Weezl along for fill-ups, it might be more enticing.
For now, I'll stick with Costco for gas.