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PSA: Upside gas app - been hearing their ads a lot lately

Posted on 2/21/26 at 3:11 pm
Posted by dcbl
Good guys wear white hats.
Member since Sep 2013
31804 posts
Posted on 2/21/26 at 3:11 pm
I’m in Birmingham and hear their ads on the talk radio station I listen to periodically

They start their ads by saying:

quote:

The average American spends $5,000 a year on gas

FIVE GRAND!!


Then they blather on about getting cash back for gas purchases

I work in outside sales and drive more than at least 80% of other folks and I barely spend half of that…

Yes, gas is lower here than in some parts of the country, but even if I drove the same in California or New York, I would still not spend that much

Anyone else heard these ads?

Anyone tried this app?

The ad irritates me because I KNOW they are straight up lying and that many people that hear this don’t know better.

If they lie in their ads, odds are they are unscrupulous in other areas as well…
This post was edited on 2/21/26 at 3:41 pm
Posted by rattlebucket
SELA
Member since Feb 2009
12699 posts
Posted on 2/21/26 at 3:14 pm to
Some lady on there says she is saving for a vacation. $150? $200? Maybe…

For what? Just to put it back in your tank for the gas to 30A?
Posted by Splackavellie
Bayou
Member since Oct 2017
12395 posts
Posted on 2/21/26 at 3:15 pm to
I've been using it for 2+ years now. Drive a lot for work and my company pays my gas.

I have over $1100 cash back so far. It's paid for a hunting rifle and scope.

I pick the stations with the most cash back since I don't pay for my gas.
Posted by Skenes
Member since Mar 2025
455 posts
Posted on 2/21/26 at 3:17 pm to
I use it all the time, I don't drive as much and fill up once a week. Usually make 4-6 bucks a month which isn't a lot but if I only went to the places offering 0.10+ per gallon I would make more. My usual gas station is 0.02-0.04 cents a gallon but because I go once a week I hit the monthly bonus and get 0.15-0.20 cents a gallon for once fill up.
Posted by Nynna11
Member since Jul 2012
579 posts
Posted on 2/21/26 at 3:17 pm to
There is usually a nearby station with gas that costs less than buying from the upstart station with the discount
Posted by dcbl
Good guys wear white hats.
Member since Sep 2013
31804 posts
Posted on 2/21/26 at 3:20 pm to
quote:

I have over $1100 cash back so far. It's paid for a hunting rifle and scope.
that’s awesome! congrats for that.

my question is this, do the stations that offer the most cash back typically have higher prices? would I actually be saving money as someone that buys my own gas?

even if I were, I can’t wrap my head around doing business with a company that blatantly lies, but maybe I should look at other similar services, I’m open to it, it just aggravates me that they lie
Posted by Ed Osteen
Member since Oct 2007
59091 posts
Posted on 2/21/26 at 3:20 pm to
You are basically trading your data for a few cents off per gallon when you allow them access to your card info.

Buddy of mine works outside sales with a company gas card and gets back about $400 a year though

The amount you get back per gallon at most places drops a good bit after you use it a few times so prepare for that
This post was edited on 2/21/26 at 3:22 pm
Posted by Blue Jay Friend
United States of America
Member since Feb 2026
196 posts
Posted on 2/21/26 at 3:20 pm to
I got me some gas upstarting right now as a matter of fact.
Posted by notiger1997
Metairie
Member since May 2009
61614 posts
Posted on 2/21/26 at 3:22 pm to
Can you still get cash back or points on your credit card if using that app?
Posted by LemmyLives
Texas
Member since Mar 2019
14417 posts
Posted on 2/21/26 at 3:22 pm to
It doesn't appear to collect as much data as GasBuddy, and it claims not to *sell* your data:
quote:

We collect information from sources such as your friends who may refer you to us and from our merchant partners who participate on the Upside platform.

Merchants who partner with Upside share transaction-level data with us, which we use to verify your Upside transactions and to identify your purchase history with those merchants. When you choose to redeem a cash back rewards offer for the first time, you instruct participating merchants to send your purchase history data to Upside.

quote:

The app does not partner with all gas stations, so users must select from participating vendors. Furthermore, payments must be made using debit or credit cards to qualify for cash back, which can be a limitation for those preferring to use cash or EBT.
Upside's rebranding from GetUpside reflects its strategy to address user concerns and enhance its market appeal. However, the app has been criticized for discrepancies between advertised and actual savings, frequent cashback application issues,

quote:

Public sentiment about Upside's discount structures is mixed, as the app often promotes discounts that appear substantial but result in negligible real-world savings. This has particularly affected consumers in areas where Upside is mainly partnered with higher-cost gas stations, resulting in skepticism about the app's actual savings potential. While some consumers have reportedly saved significant amounts, the inconsistency in offers and experiences divides user opinions.
Posted by dcbl
Good guys wear white hats.
Member since Sep 2013
31804 posts
Posted on 2/21/26 at 3:23 pm to
quote:

There is usually a nearby station with gas that costs less than buying from the upstart station with the discount
I signed up w my cell phone for Circle K (they have never texted me, which is surprising) - I get 5 cents off their advertised price right at the pump (sometimes even 10 or 25 cents off) and they usually have lower prices than competitors - would the upstart app be better than that?
This post was edited on 2/21/26 at 3:25 pm
Posted by horndog
*edited by ADMIN
Member since Apr 2007
11889 posts
Posted on 2/21/26 at 3:24 pm to
I have a company car with fuel card and use upstart. I get about $10 a month. Its better than no money.
Posted by TDFreak
Coast to Coast - L.A. to Chicago
Member since Dec 2009
9137 posts
Posted on 2/21/26 at 3:32 pm to
I have a Sam’s club membership and the gas there is usually 15~20¢ cheaper than the race track or Shell station. I can’t think Upstart trumps those savings.

quote:

The amount you get back per gallon at most places drops a good bit after you use it a few times so prepare for that
Oooooo, now that is sneaky!
Posted by LSUtiger89
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2007
4649 posts
Posted on 2/21/26 at 3:34 pm to
Do you mean upside? Yes I use it. I’ve gotten about $500 back over the last two years. Didn’t really use it much at first. But I’ve used it this last year quite a bit.
Posted by Hold That Tiger 10
Member since Oct 2013
25040 posts
Posted on 2/21/26 at 3:38 pm to
quote:

Anyone tried this app?


Yes. Its not at every gas station. I probably get $100 back every year, filling up once a week. If its offered at a gas station you normally use, and you fuel up often, its certainly worth it.

quote:

The ad irritates me because I KNOW they are straight up lying and that many people that hear this don’t know better.


I'm not sure what you are certain they are lying about, but you don't really seem to know what you think you know
Posted by Ed Osteen
Member since Oct 2007
59091 posts
Posted on 2/21/26 at 3:39 pm to
Yeah the first time I used it, it showed like .25 off per gallon at the place right by my house and I thought I was going to rack up quick. It’s now like .03 per gallon
Posted by Twincam
Member since Nov 2021
963 posts
Posted on 2/21/26 at 3:39 pm to
I use Upside, it's good for $50-60 bucks every few months. My company pays for my fuel, so why not use it. Circle K and Raceways are typically the highest at 10-12 cents per gallon so I'll seek those out if they are close.
Posted by dcbl
Good guys wear white hats.
Member since Sep 2013
31804 posts
Posted on 2/21/26 at 3:41 pm to
quote:

Do you mean upside?


yes - thanks

fixed

Posted by Skenes
Member since Mar 2025
455 posts
Posted on 2/21/26 at 3:44 pm to
I mean I use a RaceTrack which typically has cheaper gas but that is also why the cash back option is lower
Posted by dcbl
Good guys wear white hats.
Member since Sep 2013
31804 posts
Posted on 2/21/26 at 3:46 pm to
quote:

I'm not sure what you are certain they are lying about, but you don't really seem to know what you think you know



I am certain that they are lying because they are lying

I know how much I spend on gas (which is at least double the average) & even accounting for prices in places like Cali & NY; their claim is beyond absurd

if you don't believe me, here is what a quick google query shows:

quote:

AI Overview

The average American household spends approximately $177 to $204 per month on gasoline, which translates to roughly $2,100 to $2,450 per year. Fuel expenses account for about 3.2% of the average household's total annual budget. These costs vary significantly by state, with Wyoming residents paying the most and New Yorkers the least.


LINK
This post was edited on 2/21/26 at 3:50 pm
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