Is bp pulse worth it?

bp pulse is an app by bp that allows you to pay for gas and earn rewards at bp and Amoco gas stations. With bp pulse, you can pay for gas from your phone, earn points on gas purchases, and redeem those points for rewards like cash back, travel discounts, gift cards, and more. But is bp pulse really worth signing up for and using? Here we’ll look at the pros and cons of bp pulse and help you decide if it’s worth using.

How does bp pulse work?

bp pulse allows you to pay for gas at the pump using your smartphone. You link a payment method to the app, then when you’re at a bp or Amoco station, you open the app and select your pump number. The app activates the pump and tracks your gas purchase. You can also use bp pulse to pay inside the convenience store.

As you pay for gas and purchases through bp pulse, you earn points. The rate you earn points can vary, but is typically around 1 point per $1 spent. You need 100 points to earn a $1 reward. Points don’t expire as long as you have activity on your account at least once every 12 months.

You can redeem your bp pulse points for cash back rewards, travel discounts, gift cards to various merchants, donations to charity, and more. There are often bonus point promotions that allow you to earn points faster.

Pros of using bp pulse

Here are some of the main benefits of using the bp pulse app:

– Earn points on gas purchases – This is the biggest perk. You can earn 5-20 cents per gallon back in rewards when you pay with bp pulse. Over time this can add up, especially for frequent drivers.

– Convenient payment – Paying through the app is quick and convenient compared to using cash or a credit card at the pump. Stats up the pump faster.

– Access to special promotions – bp pulse frequently offers bonuses like double points days or extra point incentives that allow you to earn rewards faster.

– $0.15 off per gallon for new users – For the first 30 days, new bp pulse users get $0.15 off per gallon of gas. This discount alone can make it worthwhile to try out the app.

– Rewards options – Cash back is nice, but having options like travel discounts, gift cards, and charity donations provides flexibility in how you use rewards.

– bp station discounts – Sometimes bp pulse users will get special discounted gas prices not available to regular customers.

– Manage family/friends – You can add other people to your bp pulse account and manage their refueling if desired.

Cons of bp pulse

However, there are also some potential downsides to using bp pulse:

– Only works at bp and Amoco – Points and rewards are limited to bp and Amoco branded gas stations. If you don’t live near those stations, the program is less useful.

– Need a smartphone – Since it’s a mobile app, you need a compatible smartphone to use bp pulse. This excludes some basic cell phone users.

– Can encourage overspending – Like many rewards programs, it could entice some users to spend more on gas just to earn more points. Needs to be used responsibly.

– bp brand loyalty – You’re committing to frequenting bp stations to maximize earnings. Not ideal if you prefer other gas brand stations.

– Fraud risk – Any app tied to payments/accounts has some risk of hacking, phishing, or fraud even with security measures in place.

– Extra step at pump – Opening an app and inputting info adds an extra step vs. just using a credit card normally.

– Points caps – There are limits to how many points you can earn in a month, limiting reward potential for extremely high spenders.

Who is bp pulse good for?

While it has pros and cons, bp pulse will be most valuable for:

– Frequent bp gas station customers – If you already use bp and Amoco stations for gas often, bp pulse rewards will add up quickly from existing habits.

– Road trippers – For those who drive long distances often, all those gallons of gas can equate to big rewards over time.

– Tech-savvy users – Since it’s a smartphone app, it appeals most to those comfortable with apps and mobile technology.

– Credit card rewards maximizers – bp pulse points can stack with credit card rewards for double dipping benefits.

– City dwellers – More rewards opportunities for those in urban areas with lots of local bp stations. Rural users may have fewer chances to earn/use points.

– Costco members – bp stations are the exclusive gas retailer at Costco warehouses, so Costco members can benefit.

How much money can you save with bp pulse?

How much you can save with bp pulse depends on several factors:

– How often you buy gas at bp/Amoco – More frequent fill ups means faster points earnings.

– Number of points earned per gallon – Base earn is usually 1 point per $1, but can be higher with bonuses.

– Special promotions – Double point days, activated bonus offers, etc. can quickly boost point earnings.

– Redemption rate for rewards – 100 points = $1 off is the typical ratio. Höw you redeem also affects value.

Based on average use, drivers who fill up at bp stations 2-3 times a month could expect to earn $5-$10 back in rewards each month. With heavy use, rewards could be $20+ monthly.

Here are some examples of potential monthly savings:

Assuming gas prices of $3 per gallon, spending $100 per month would equate to about 33 gallons. At 5 points per gallon that’s 165 points, or $1.65 in rewards. For context, the average driver buys 55 gallons of gas monthly.

Tips for maximizing bp pulse rewards

To get the most out of the bp pulse program, keep these tips in mind:

– Activate bonus point promotions in the app when available. This can significantly increase your point earnings from each fill up.

– Pay attention to 2x and 3x points days at bp stations. Fill up on those days to rack up points faster.

– Redeem points before they expire. Make at least one redemption per year to keep points active.

– Use bp pulse at Amoco stations too. You can earn points at both bp and Amoco gas stations.

– Take advantage of new user discounts. Get the $0.15 per gallon off for your first 30 days on bp pulse.

– Get the bpme loyalty membership for additional savings at the pump.

– Use a bp or Amoco credit card to earn credit card rewards plus bp pulse rewards.

– Spend bonus points on high value rewards like travel discounts and gift cards. Cash back redemptions give only 1 cent per point.

Conclusion

bp pulse can provide nice gas rewards, especially for loyal bp and Amoco customers. Just don’t expect enormous savings, as even heavy users will likely only save $10-$30 per month. Make sure to weigh the pros and cons based on your gas buying preferences and habits. bp pulse is free to use, so you can always try it out and see if the convenience and rewards are worthwhile for your spending. Just be diligent about tracking points earned and redeem before expiry.

Key Takeaways

– bp pulse allows you to earn rewards points on gas and convenience store purchases at bp and Amoco stations.

– Typical rewards value ranges from 5-20 cents off per gallon. Heavy users saving $20+ per month is possible.

– Best for those already loyal to bp gas stations and frequent drivers. More points opportunities in urban areas.

– Convenience of mobile payment comes with some fraud risk and bp brand loyalty required.

– Maximize rewards with bonus promotions, points days, and high value redemptions.

So give bp pulse a try, especially if bp stations are convenient for your driving habits. Just don’t expect it to radically reduce your gas spending. View it as a nice additional rewards perk on top of your credit card benefits and fuel discounts. The convenience and rewards can add up over time for drivers who fill up frequently at bp or Amoco.