How to Scan Wawa Rewards at the Gas Pump

Scanning your Wawa Rewards at the gas pump should be quick and painless — and it usually is, once you’ve done it a couple of times. But the first time can be a little confusing if you’re not sure where the scanner is or what order to do things in. And sometimes the scanner just doesn’t cooperate.

Here’s exactly what you need, a step-by-step walkthrough, and what to do when things don’t go as planned.

Disclaimer: This site is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Wawa, Inc. For official information, visit wawa.com.

What You Need Before You Start

Before you pull up to the pump, make sure you have the following ready:

• The Wawa app installed on your phone with your Wawa Rewards account logged in. If you haven’t set up an account yet, see our complete guide to Wawa Rewards.
• Your rewards barcode accessible. Open the app and navigate to your rewards barcode or QR code before you even get out of the car. It’s usually on the main screen or under the “Rewards” tab. Having it ready saves you from fumbling with your phone while standing at the pump.
• Any fuel rewards activated. If you have a cents-off fuel reward waiting in your account, activate it in the app before you scan at the pump. Go to “My Rewards” or “Offers,” find the fuel reward, and tap to activate it.
• Your payment method ready. Have your credit card, debit card, or cash on hand. You’ll scan rewards first, then pay — they’re two separate steps.

Alternatively, if you don’t use the app, you can bring your physical Wawa Rewards card. It works the same way — just swipe or scan the card instead of your phone.

Step-by-Step at the Pump

Here’s the process from start to finish:

Step 1: Pull Up and Choose Your Pump

Park at an available pump with your fuel door facing the correct side. Turn off your engine. Nothing special here — just standard gas station procedure.

Step 2: Open the Wawa App

Pull up the Wawa app on your phone and navigate to your rewards barcode or QR code. Make sure the screen brightness is turned up — dim screens are harder for the scanner to read, especially in bright sunlight.

Step 3: Locate the Scanner on the Pump

Look at the pump’s payment terminal. On most Wawa pumps, you’ll see a small QR code reader or barcode scanner built into the terminal, usually near the card reader. It might be a small glass window with a red or green light, or a camera-style scanner. Some newer pumps have a dedicated “Scan Rewards” area that’s clearly marked.

Step 4: Scan Your Rewards

Hold your phone’s screen up to the scanner with the barcode or QR code visible. Keep the phone about 2-4 inches from the scanner and hold it steady. The scanner should read your code within a few seconds. You’ll see a confirmation on the pump’s screen — something like “Rewards Applied” or your name may appear.

Important: Scan your rewards before you insert your payment card. The order matters. Rewards first, then payment.

Step 5: Insert Your Payment

After your rewards are confirmed, insert or tap your credit card, debit card, or select “Pay Inside” if you’re using cash. Follow the payment prompts as you normally would.

Step 6: Select Your Fuel Grade

Choose regular, mid-grade, or premium. If you have a fuel reward active, the discounted price per gallon should be displayed on the screen after your rewards scan. Confirm the price looks right — you should see the cents-off discount reflected.

Step 7: Fuel Up

Remove the nozzle, pump your gas, and replace the nozzle when you’re done. Your receipt (printed or digital) will show the discounted price per gallon and the total savings from your fuel reward.

Step 8: Check Your App

After you finish, open the Wawa app to verify that your points were credited and your fuel reward was applied. The transaction usually shows up within a few minutes, though occasionally it can take up to 24 hours.

What If the Scanner Doesn’t Work?

Scanner issues happen more often than you’d think. Here’s what to try:

Adjust Your Screen Brightness

Crank your phone’s brightness to maximum. Auto-brightness sometimes dims the screen in outdoor light, which makes the barcode harder for the scanner to read. This fixes the problem about half the time.

Adjust the Distance and Angle

If the scanner can’t read your code, try holding your phone closer (about 1-2 inches away) or pulling it back slightly (4-6 inches). Tilt the phone to reduce glare on the screen. Sometimes a slight angle change is all it takes.

Clean the Scanner Glass

The scanner window on the pump can get dirty, smudged, or foggy — especially in bad weather. Give it a gentle wipe with your sleeve or a paper towel from the pump area. A clean scanner surface makes a big difference.

Try a Different Pump

If the scanner on your pump is genuinely broken, move to a different pump. Not every pump’s scanner is in the same condition, and some locations may have one or two with hardware issues.

Go Inside and Ask for Help

If nothing works at the pump, go inside and ask a Wawa associate. They can sometimes apply your rewards to the fuel transaction manually, or they can tell you which pumps have working scanners. Wawa staff are generally very helpful with rewards issues.

Using a Rewards Card Instead of the App

If you prefer using a physical Wawa Rewards card, the process at the pump is similar but slightly different:

• Swipe the card at the card reader on the pump, or hold it up to the scanner if your card has a barcode on it
• Some pumps have a dedicated slot or reader for loyalty cards separate from the payment card slot — look for it
• If the pump doesn’t have a loyalty card reader, you may need to go inside, hand the card to the cashier, and pre-pay for your gas with the rewards applied

The app is generally more reliable than the physical card at the pump, which is one more reason I recommend switching to the digital version. But the card still works if you prefer it or if your phone is dead.

Getting Credit for Missed Scans

Forgot to scan your rewards before pumping? It happens to all of us. Here’s how to try to recover those points:

Save Your Receipt

This is the most important step. Your receipt has the transaction details that Wawa needs to manually credit your points. Without a receipt, it’s much harder to prove the purchase happened.

Submit a Missing Points Request Through the App

Open the Wawa app and look for an option to report missing points or submit a past transaction. You may need to enter your store location, the date and time of purchase, the transaction total, and possibly the receipt number. Submit the request and allow a few business days for Wawa to review and credit your account.

Contact Wawa Customer Support

If the app doesn’t have a self-service option for missing points, contact Wawa’s customer support directly through the app, their website, or by phone. Have your receipt and account details ready. Customer support can usually add missed points to your account within a few days.

Time Limits Apply

There’s typically a window — often 7 to 14 days — for submitting missed transaction claims. Don’t wait too long. The sooner you report it, the better your chances of getting the points credited.

Pro tip: To avoid this hassle entirely, build a habit of scanning your rewards as the very first thing you do at the pump, before you even pull out your wallet. Open the app while you’re still sitting in the car, get the barcode ready, and scan immediately when you step out. For more tips on maximizing your fuel savings, see our Wawa Rewards for gas guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to scan rewards before I insert my credit card?

Yes, scan your rewards first, then insert your payment card. If you insert your credit card first, the pump may start the payment process and skip the rewards step entirely. The correct order is: scan rewards, then pay, then select fuel grade, then pump. If you accidentally paid first, you can try canceling the transaction and starting over, or go inside for help.

Does the Wawa app work at all Wawa gas stations?

Yes, the Wawa Rewards app works at every Wawa location that has gas pumps. This includes all Wawa states — Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, and others. The scanning process is the same at all locations, though the exact pump hardware may look slightly different between older and newer stations.

Can I scan my rewards and use a Wawa gift card to pay?

Yes. Scanning your rewards and choosing your payment method are two completely separate steps. After scanning your rewards barcode, you can pay with a Wawa gift card, credit card, debit card, or cash (by going inside). Your fuel reward discount applies regardless of how you pay. In fact, paying with a Wawa gift card that you purchased with a cashback credit card is a popular strategy for stacking discounts — see our tips for using Wawa Rewards for more on this approach.

Related Articles

• Wawa Rewards Program: Complete Guide
• Wawa Rewards for Gas: How to Save at the Pump
• How to Use Wawa Rewards: Tips for Maximum Savings

Written by the MyWawaVisit Guide Team