Increasing gas need and an even greater upsurge in gas prices over the summer create a double whammy for consumers. Some companies pumped up their karma points with customers by alleviating the gas pressure.

Shoppers Drug Mart, Expedia.ca and the Oak Bay Marine Group (OBMG) all plotted programs involving ‘gas’ gift cards redeemable at Petro Canada: Shoppers Drug Mart gave $20 gift cards to customers who spent $75 or more at Shoppers as one of their Optimum program summer weekend specials; Expedia.ca offered $50 gift cards to users who booked a hotel and/or flight package for five+ nights; OBMG (owner and operator of seven resorts in British Columbia and one in the Bahamas) gave $50 gift cards to guests who booked a minimum two night stay at any of its three Vancouver Island Resorts.

Lakeport Brewing also spread relief. The Hamilton-based brewer launched the ‘Champion of Fair Prices’ promotion in which customers of Hamilton’s Rainbow Gas station received $10 Lakeport gas coupons at the pump. The one-day event was the first of many surprise deals by Lakeport this summer in Ontario.