Frequent Miler's latest team challenge, Million Mile Madness, is happening now! Follow us as Greg, Nick, and Stephen compete to earn 1 Million SAS miles by flying 15 airlines before November 23rd. Who will complete the challenge with the most Speed, Affordability, and Style?
| Sorry, this deal is no longer available. Do you want to be alerted about new deals as they’re published? Click here to subscribe to Frequent Miler's Instant Posts by email. |
Safeway and its associated brands using the “just for U” loyalty scheme (Albertons / Vons / Randalls / Acme / Tom Thumb / etc) are offering 15x rewards points on dining gift cards through 11/17/19. That’s potentially a great deal.
The Deal
- Get 15x rewards points on restaurant gift cards at Safeway / Albertsons / Vons / Randalls / other just 4 u stores through 11/17/19
- Direct link to this promotion
Key Terms
- Valid through 11/17/19
- Limit of 1 per transaction, unlimited use
Quick Thoughts
While one can often score a decent discount on many restaurant gift cards, the high earning rate combined with a credit card that earns one of the best category bonuses at US Supermarkets could make for a really nice return here. Safeway gives you $0.10 off per gallon on up to 25 gallons for every 100 points you earn. You are essentially getting 37.5% back in the form of fuel points. Here’s how that works out:
- $0.10 off per gallon with 100 points (up to 25 gallons = max savings of $2.50)
- 100 points ÷ 15 points per $1 = $6.67 in restaurant gift card spend to earn 100 points
- $2.50 max savings ÷ $6.66 in gift card spend = 37.5% return in “free” fuel
Again, for every $6.67 you spend on restaurant gift cards, you’ll earn ten cents off per gallon. If you fill up to the max of 25 gallons, that’s a gas savings of $2.50 for each $6.67 in restaurant gift cards (in addition to the rewards earned on your credit card for grocery spend). The reality is that most people won’t actually use 25 gallons of fuel, but those with SUVs, vans, or trucks should probably get 15-20 gallons pretty easily. Even if you only fill up 15 gallons at a time, that’s a fuel return of about 22.5% (assuming the Safeway fuel cost is relatively similar to other gas stations in your area). If you have a gas can or two in the garage for the lawn mower / leaf blower / etc, you may be able to max it out. This will obviously highly depend on your fuel needs.
Points can also be used towards groceries, but I believe they then have a variable value (likely not as good).
What could make this deal particularly interesting is that Stephen Pepper reports that select Happy brand gift cards may have triggered a similar fuel point promotion at Kroger recently. In other words, he thinks that certain Happy cards coded as “dining” to earn a Kroger 4x fuel point bonus on dining gift cards, presumably because those cards work at some restaurants. It is far from certain that the same would apply at Safeway, but if I lived near one of the associated brands, I’d certainly be giving that a shot. In fact, I don’t live near any of the associated brands and I was still on Google Maps this morning trying to figure out how far they are from where I’ll be in the coming days to see if it might make sense to make a detour. In my case, it won’t work out — but if you’re nearby a store, it might be worth giving it a shot. The coupon says 1 per transaction, but unlimited use.
H/T: GC Galore
Want to learn more about miles and points? Subscribe to email updates or check out our podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
I just bought a $25 Happy Eats GC at Jewel (Safeway Affiliate) and I did indeed earn 15x points on the purchase. Thanks for the heads up!!
Awesome. Glad to hear it!
FREE MEAT!!! $100 Gift Card equals 150 points…..redeem 5 points for $7 of FREE MEAT (via SAFEWAY4U redemption options)……so if my calculations are correct (%7#+5X%7$=) $21 Bucks of artery clogging BBQ DELISH FREE MEAT!!!
Correction of my math, should be 150,000 points…..pass the Schnapps please.
You have to click on “just for U” at the top and load the offer to your member card account.
I wonder if Starbucks is included, it should be.
If you can max this at $25/fill up (25G max) then a $100 starbucks GC is worth 1.5x$25 or $37.50, which is a profitable resale (typically 75% of value).
Challenge is, who is left that is reliable to sell your GC to, as both kangaroo, cardpool, ABC are all not an option.
I am coordinating the 25 gallon purchase to redeem it with my husband’s car. We park side by side and use the same pump. Just like how we fill up at Costco when the right lane always gets way longer than the left side.
I fill up my car and have 2x 6G fuel safe bottles. My wife hasn’t been to the gas station in almost 3 years.
Shhhhhh. My wife reads this blog occasionally :-).
reward redemption for grocery also typically include cash off groceries. Like right now there is 7 rewards (700 points or $47 in dinning GC) gets you a coupon for $10 off next purchase. The break even compared to gas rewards ~14 gallons
Limit 1 per transaction, unlimited use.. so 1 GC per transaction but I can do unlimited transactions?
Yes, that’s what the terms indicate.