Walmart+ Membership Offers a New Way to Save Money
Half of consumers are changing behaviors because of increased fuel prices, Walmart finds, and the retailer is tapping into this shopping evolution with a new benefit to its membership-based loyalty program.
Walmart+ is now offering a bigger discount per gallon at the pump at an expanded lineup of fuel stations. Members will receive an instant discount of up to 10 cents on every gallon of fuel they purchase at participating fuel stations. With the addition of 12,000 Exxon and Mobil stations across the country, a Walmart+ fuel discount is now available at more than 14,000 stations – a more than sixfold increase.
The previous benefit saved members 5 cents per gallon at Walmart and Murphy USA stations. Now Walmart+ members will save 10 cents per gallon at participating Exxon and Mobil locations, as well as 5-10 cents per gallon at Walmart and Murphy’s stations. Member pricing is also available at more than 500 Sam’s Club locations.
How It Works
Location services need to be on when Walmart+ members pull up to the pump. They then open the Walmart mobile app at the fuel pump, select “services,” and under Walmart+ benefits they tap “member prices on fuel.” Depending on the station, they’ll get different info. A popup will ask if they are “ready to fuel up.” Then they enter a pump number. At Walmart and Sam’s Club stations, members can just scan a QR code on the pump. At Murphy’s they can type in a discount ID from the Walmart app.
“Ninety-one percent of our customers are aware of the increased prices at the pump and nearly half of those told us they are changing behaviors because of them,” said Chris Cracchiolo, SVP & general manager of Walmart+. “More access to a bigger discount will make a difference for our customers. We want Walmart+ to help our customers save time and money, not only when they’re shopping with us, but throughout their day. We’re excited to continue to find new ways to deliver for them.”
Walmart has been adding benefits to the program since it rolled out.
In March, the retailer gave new and existing Walmart+ members six months of streaming through Spotify Premium for free as part of a promotion.
Additional benefits include free grocery deliveries from Walmart stores, free shipping on Walmart.com with no order minimum, Scan & Go contactless checkout, prescription discounts, and more.
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“We welcome Walmart+ members to Exxon and Mobil’s 12,000 plus stations across the country and look forward to giving them 10 cents off per gallon,” said Bill Barenborg, U.S. marketing manager, ExxonMobil. “We know that families want to maximize their budgets and look forward to helping them do just that while filling up with Synergy fuel technology that helps improve fuel economy, protect engines and enables better vehicle responsiveness.”
The cost of a Walmart+ membership is $12.95 per month or $98 per year and the retailer offers a fee 30-day trial. In February, Amazon announced price increases for its comparable Prime membership plans. The price of new monthly Prime memberships increased to $14.99 per month or
$139 per year. For current Prime members, the new prices will apply after March 25, 2022, on the date of their next renewal.
Last week, Amazon unveiled Buy With Prime, a new benefit that will allow Prime members to receive free, expedited delivery of products from online retailers beyond Amazon.com. Additionally, they’ll be able to return items at no cost while experiencing an Amazon-style checkout. Buy With Prime will be invitation-only for now, with eligibility dependent on a merchant’s use of Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). The Prime program will roll out throughout 2022, ultimately expanding to companies not selling on Amazon or using FBA.