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If you’re looking to save on your everyday spending, a gas credit card might be a worthwhile choice – especially as gas prices rise. Despite their limited use, gas credit cards are pretty versatile. They can help you earn points that can be used for more than just gas costs. They’re also helpful for those who have trouble getting approved for a traditional credit card. That means you can build credit even as you’re earning rewards.
So how can you tell if a gas card is worth it for you? We’ll help walk you through your options and see if any of the cards here are worth the pit stop.
If you’re looking to save on your everyday spending, a gas credit card might be a worthwhile choice – especially as gas prices rise. Despite their limited use, gas credit cards are pretty versatile. They can help you earn points that can be used for more than just gas costs. They’re also helpful for those who have trouble getting approved for a traditional credit card. That means you can build credit even as you’re earning rewards.
So how can you tell if a gas card is worth it for you? We’ll help walk you through your options and see if any of the cards here are worth the pit stop.
Our rating:4.6
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
6%
6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
3%
3% Cash Back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more.
3%
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations
1%
1% Cash Back on other purchases
At A Glance
Intro offer
$250
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Annual fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Regular APR
18.49% - 29.49% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
See if you’re pre-approved for this card using our CardMatch tool.
Our rating:3.9
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Earn cash back on your next road trip with 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.
1%
Earn 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
At A Glance
Intro offer
Cashback Match™
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year! There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
16.24% - 27.24% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.1
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
(No Credit History)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.
1%
Earn 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
At A Glance
Intro offer
Cashback Match™
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
17.24% - 26.24% variable
Recommended credit
(No Credit History)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:2.3
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Recommended credit
740-850 (Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter
3%
3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases
2%
2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
1%
1% cash back on all other purchases
At A Glance
Intro offer
No current offer
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.74% (Variable)
Recommended credit
740-850 (Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:3.7
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
580-740 (Fair to Good)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Get 5% cash back rewards on the first $5,000 of eligible gas, grocery, internet, cable, satellite TV, and mobile phone service purchases each year, and then 1% thereafter.
1%
1% cash back rewards on all other purchases. Terms Apply.
At A Glance
Intro offer
No current offer
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
28.24% variable
Recommended credit
580-740 (Fair to Good)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:3.9
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Recommended credit
580-740 (Fair to Good)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
1.5%
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
At A Glance
Intro offer
No current offer
Annual fee
$39
Regular APR
29.74% variable
Recommended credit
580-740 (Fair to Good)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:2.9
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Plus members earn 3% back on eligible purchases when shopping in-club or digitally through Sam’s Club when they use their Sam’s Club Mastercard and another 2% back from their Plus membership, for a total of up to 5% rewards on eligible purchases.
3%
3% cash back on dining and takeout
1%
1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
At A Glance
Intro offer
No current offer
Annual fee
No Annual Fee
Regular APR
15.65% or 23.65% Variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.3
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Earn 2X ThankYou® Points at Supermarkets and Gas Stations for the first $6,000 per year and then 1X Points thereafter.
1X
Earn 1X ThankYou® Points on All Other Purchases.
At A Glance
Intro offer
20,000 points
Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
17.99% - 27.99% (Variable)
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.1
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
(No Credit History)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.
1%
Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
At A Glance
Intro offer
Cashback Match™
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year! There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
27.24% variable
Recommended credit
(No Credit History)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:3.9
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
15,000 points
Get 15,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in your first three months.*
Annual fee
$0*
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:3.2
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
2% cash back rewards on eligible gas and grocery purchases as well as mobile phone, internet, cable and satellite TV services. Terms apply.
At A Glance
Intro offer
No current offer
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
28.24% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.3
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
5X
Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
3X
Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
At A Glance
Intro offer
Earn 100,000 points
Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 04/05/2023.
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
20.24% - 29.24% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
All information about the Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
5% cash back on eligible gas, groceries, cell phone services, internet, and cable or satellite TV service purchases (on first $5,000 in spending per year, then 1%)
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for family spending
Why we picked it: The Blue Cash Preferred Card is one of the most lucrative cards on the market thanks to its exceptional cash back program. With so many high-earning spending categories, it makes the daily grocery runs, the gas station visits and even the family binge-watching sessions that much more rewarding.
Pros: The Blue Cash Preferred offers a competitive 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and transit. You can also earn 6% back in two categories: U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 a year, then 1%) and select U.S. streaming subscriptions. There’s also a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership. No other card offers such high earnings at U.S. supermarkets, and the earnings on U.S. gas stations are more than competitive.
Cons: This card’s ongoing annual fee is $95 ($0 intro annual fee for the first year). Also, the heightened cash back rewards are only available in the U.S.
Who should apply? Family shoppers who often spend at grocery stores and gas stations might want to start bringing this card along on their errands thanks to its built-in cash back discounts.
Who should skip? Someone who spends time on the road but isn’t a supermarket shopper should explore their other options here – there may be a more fitting rewards structure for less of an ongoing annual fee.
Why we picked it: Ideal for the cardholder with good or excellent credit, this card offers a decent rewards rate. Also, the lack of annual fee means you won’t have to worry about it potentially cutting into your cash back earnings.
Pros: The Discover it chrome gives you all the benefits of the Discover it Secured Credit Card – 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 in combined purchases quarterly, then 1%) – but without the need for a security deposit on your line of credit. This card also gives you the opportunity for a lower ongoing interest rate (16.24% to 27.24%, variable).
Cons: Like many Discover cards, this card offers a Cashback Match at the end of the first year instead of a traditional sign-up bonus. Consider another card if you want gas rewards and a sign-up bonus.
Who should apply? If you spend a lot of time on the road or dining out, this card offers several ways to capitalize without having to pay an annual fee.
Who should skip? Credit builders who don’t yet have the credit score for the Discover it chrome are better off getting started with the Discover it Secured Credit Card and growing their score over time.
Why we picked it: It can be difficult to find a student credit card that offers a rewards structure as high as this card. This card charges no annual fee and offers 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants for up to $1,000 in combined purchases per quarter (then 1%) and 1% on all other purchases. Plus, all the cash back you earn is matched at the end of your first year thanks to Discover.
Pros: This card comes with several benefits: no credit history required, access to your FICO score, no APR changes for late payments and a six-month introductory 0% APR on purchases (then 17.24% to 26.24%, variable).
Cons: While ideal for a consumer just starting out, this is a card you will outgrow rather quickly. There is no penalty APR for late payments, but a late payment fee of up to $41 will apply after the first time you pay late.
Who should apply? This card is a great choice for anyone building credit. Thanks to high-traffic categories, useful perks and matched first-year cash back, the Discover it Student chrome might be the best student card out there.
Who should skip? Being a student card, this option isn’t one of the best cash back cards for people with a good or excellent credit score.
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi: Best for gas stations
Why we picked it: The Costco Anywhere Visa can help you earn extra cash back through everyday purchases. Plus, it has an extraordinary cash back rate on gas.
Pros: This may just be your best shot at finding a gas card most worthy of your wallet – earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases (that’s for the first $7,000 per year, then it’s 1% back after that). There are other great rewards, including 3% back at restaurants and eligible travel purchases, as well as a solid 2% back for Costco purchases.
Cons: There’s no annual bonus, as well as no sign-up bonus, and you’ll need to pay the $60 annual Costco membership fee to avoid an annual fee with this card.
Who should apply? Costco members and those who spend a lot of time on the road can benefit greatly from this card.
Who should skip? Anyone opposed to becoming a Costco member won’t be able to utilize this card. On top of the membership requirement to be a cardholder, your cash back certificate must be redeemed at Costco and you get 2% back when spending in the superstore.
Credit One Bank® Platinum X5 Visa®: Best for credit-builders
Why we picked it: This Credit One Bank credit card offers an impressive rewards program for a card that’s available to people with fair credit: You can earn 5% cash back on eligible gas, groceries, cellphone services, internet, and cable or satellite TV service purchases (on first $5,000 in spending per year, then 1%), and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Pros: While the bonus categories are capped to 5% cash back on $5,000 in spending per year (then 1%), there’s no cap on the amount of 1% cash back you can earn. The card also comes with access to free online credit monitoring.
Cons: The card does have the common costs associated with credit cards for fair credit, including a $95 annual fee, which can eat into your rewards earnings. There’s also a variable 28.24% APR, which you can avoid by not carrying a balance. Plus, you’ll start with a low credit limit: $500 minus the annual fee. (You may qualify for credit limit increases with consistent good credit behavior.)
Who should apply? People with fair-to-good credit who may not qualify for a top-tier rewards credit card may enjoy this card’s blend of rewards and credit-building features.
Who should skip? If your annual budget in this card’s bonus-rate categories easily exceeds the $5,000 annual spending cap, you should look for one that can consistently reward your purchases.
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best flat-rate rewards for fair credit
Why we picked it: This card could be an ideal option if you don’t want to keep track of rotating categories and would rather earn a flat-rate cash back on all purchases.
Pros: You’ll earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases, no matter the category. Also, the QuicksilverOne typically accepts consumers with fair credit, which is handy if you are trying to improve your credit and you also want to earn rewards.
Cons: This cash back card has an annual fee ($39), which lowers your overall rewards. That means to benefit from the 1.5% back, you’ll need to spend at least $2,700 each year to break even. Also, the card’s APR is high (29.74%, variable), so carrying a balance could be costly.
Who should apply? Those with fair credit who still want to earn cash back rewards are a good fit for this card.
Who should skip? Shoppers who spend most of their money in one or two categories might have more to earn with a rotating categories card or one that heightens rewards in a particular field.
Sam’s Club® Mastercard®: Best for supersized gas rewards
Why we picked it: This card offers a whopping 5% cash back on gas purchases (up to the first $6,000 per year) anywhere, meaning you’re not limited to only filling up at Sam’s Club fuel stations. Cardholders also earn 3% cash back on dining and 1% cash back on other purchases, with a maximum of $5,000 cash back per year.
Pros: You’ll also receive a small account opening offer: a $30 statement credit if you spend $30 in Sam’s Club purchases within 30 days of account opening. There’s no annual fee, though a $45 Sam’s Club membership is required. Plus, as a nice surprise, there are no foreign transaction fees, a benefit highly uncommon among store-branded credit cards.
Cons: You can only put rewards toward Sam’s Club expenses or statement credits, unless you redeem for cash back at the wholesale retailer. Moreover, you only receive rewards once a year in February, and those rewards expire if you don’t redeem them by Dec. 31 of that same year. You’ll also lose rewards if your Sam’s Club membership lapses before February.
Who should apply? Sam’s Club shoppers can take advantage of a best-in-class return on gas purchases without restrictions on where they fill up.
Who should skip? Although you don’t have to fill up at a Sam’s Club to get rewarded, you’ll want to be in the vicinity of one if you’re a carrier of this card. Rewards can only be used for Sam’s Club expenses or statement credits unless you redeem for cash at a physical Sam’s Club location.
Why we picked it: The Citi Rewards Card offers a unique rewards rate that makes it easy to rack up those bonus points. With the Citi ThankYou points rate, even the smallest everyday purchases, like a cup of coffee or a tank of gas have the potential to be very rewarding.
Pros: Not only do you get 2X points at gas stations and supermarkets (on up to $6,000 each year, 1X thereafter), but the sign-up bonus you’ll get is top-notch. You’ll earn a 20,000 point bonus after a $1,500 spend in the first three months (redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com). Plus, your rewards are always rounded up to the nearest 10 points – meaning a $1.29 pack of gum is worth a full 10 points. Also, you’ll get 10% of your points back on the ThankYou points you redeem for up to 100,000 points per year.
Cons: The intro balance transfer fee is 3% or $5 (whichever is greater) for balance transfers completed within the first four months of account opening, and there is a foreign transaction fee of 3%. Also, your travel redemption is limited to only the ThankYou Travel Portal.
Who should apply? Those looking for a straightforward rewards program for their everyday purchases might want to consider the Citi Rewards+. Also, if you find yourself making lots of small purchases, the round up feature might be for you.
Who should skip? If you’re someone who’s shy about using your card, this probably isn’t the right choice for you. The unique rewards structure of the Citi Rewards+ is designed to help shoppers capitalize on every purchase, no matter how small.
Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Best for limited credit history
Why we picked it: The Discover it Secured Credit Card offers high rewards and generous benefits. It also gives you tools that can help you stay on track financially, all the while maximizing your savings.
Pros: Earn 2% back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 in combined purchases quarterly, then 1%) and 1% on all other purchases. To cap it off, your cash back is matched at the end of your first year of card membership. That means if you spend $200 a month on gas and dining out, that comes to $48 for the year, plus another $48 matched at the end of your first year. Also, your credit may grow thanks to benefits like credit report alerts and automatic reviews starting at seven months to see if you can transition to an unsecured line of credit and have your deposit returned.
Cons: There is a minimum security deposit of $200 to open this account.
Who should apply? The Discover it Secured Credit Card might be the best of its kind, offering easy access, generous rewards and tools to build your credit score. Those with limited credit looking for a secured option to get started should look no further.
Who should skip? If you can’t afford the $200 minimum security deposit, the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card might be a better fit for you. Depending on creditworthiness, you may be able to get a card with a starting limit of $200 with as little as $49 down.
Why we picked it: General Motors is sure to grow its loyal fanbase with this card. The My GM Rewards Card earns an incredible amount of points: 7X points per on eligible purchases made at GM and 4X points on all other purchases. These points get the greatest value when you put them toward the purchase or lease of a GM vehicle or buy GM products and services.
Pros: On top of the high rewards, this card has no annual fee and comes with quite a few nice perks. These include a sign-up bonus of 15,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first three months of account opening and a $50 allowance per calendar year for vehicle detailing services at participating GM dealers.
Cons: This card offers very little flexibility when it comes to redemption options. One point is worth one cent when redeeming for GM products and services (100,000 points = $1,000). Beyond that, points can be redeemed for gift cards, but the redemption value drops significantly, and one point is only worth $0.0025 (100,000 points = $250).
Who should apply? Loyal GM fans and anyone thinking about buying a car in the near future will want to consider adding this card to their wallet so they can begin saving up points.
Who should skip? You won’t get a lot of value out of this card if you’re not in the market for a car and willing to stick with a GM vehicle.
Gas credit cards offer special rewards for purchases on gas. Putting it simply, you’ll earn points, cash back or miles when spending at the pump. The best gas rewards cards offer cash back (usually 1% to 3%) or points on gas, as well as on purchases in other categories. You can find even higher bonus rates in some circumstances, but many gas cards allow for cardholders with lower-end credit scores while still giving solid rewards.
Thanks to so many gas cards approving cardholders with fair or worse credit scores, these cards open lanes to earnings for all types of consumers – there’s even specific gas cards for bad credit. If you spend lots of time with your foot on the pedal, why not cut the cost of fueling up?
How do gas credit cards work?
Gas credit cards are often easy to apply for online, although credit requirements can vary depending on the type of gas card you’re considering. Your score will impact the available cards in your pool, but nearly anyone can find a way to earn rewards with a gas card.
Depending on the card you carry, there may be some slight differences in how you earn rewards. Some gas cards let you earn points or cash back for each dollar you spend on gas and other purchases, yet closed-loop gas cards that only work with a specific gas brand may offer a discount for each gallon of gas you buy instead.
At the end of the day, the benefits of picking up a gas card depend largely on the card you get approved for and their specific rewards program. Just remember that, like all credit cards, gas cards charge interest when you carry a balance, so you’ll want to pay your gas card bill in full each month you use it. Getting familiar with the various types of gas credit cards available will help you make an informed choice.
Types of gas reward cards
There are three types of gas credit cards:
General-purpose credit cards with gas rewards programs
Co-branded gas credit cards
Private label gas credit cards
General-purpose credit cards with gas rewards programs
General rewards credit cards come from traditional issuers like American Express and Capital One. These cards either offer rewards in specific categories (like supermarkets and gas stations) or a certain flat-rate cash back on all eligible purchases – including gas bought at any gas station you visit.
The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express has specific categories you can earn rewards: U.S. Supermarkets (6% on up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1%), select U.S. streaming services (6%), as well as U.S. gas stations (3%) and transit (3%).
Co-branded gas credit cards are offered by specific gas stations (like Shell or BP) that team up with traditional credit card networks like Mastercard and Visa. These types of gas cards can generally be used at any gas station. But they may only earn discounts or rewards when used at gas stations owned by the specific brand. They are a way to encourage customers to stay loyal to one brand of gas.
If you make a habit of only buying your gas from one particular brand, a co-branded gas credit card may be enough for you. But for anyone else, it makes more sense to stick with a general-purpose gas card. That way, you can always be assured you’ll earn rewards at any gas station you visit.
Private label gas credit cards
This type of gas credit card isn’t a part of any credit card network. It’s a store-branded card that can only be used at the gas stations owned by the specific brand offering the card.
Private label gas credit cards are a good option for people with bad or fair credit, as they are easier to qualify for. But most will not have as many perks as a traditional rewards card. So people with good or excellent credit should look to co-branded or general-purpose gas credit cards.
Pros and cons of gas credit cards
Pros
Savings. Many gas rewards cards come with no annual fee, allowing you to save up front and not have to worry about hitting a certain amount of spending to make your card worthwhile. Plus, your gas card may offer sign-up bonuses, rewards, or discounts, giving you a chance to earn cash back or reduce how much you pay at the pump.
Widespread availability. The best rewards credit cards are usually reserved for people with good or excellent credit. But some gas credit cards often allow for credit scores in the fair (580 to 669) or even poor credit range (300 to 579). This is a chance to improve your credit while earning rewards.
Additional rewards. Many gas cards offer a chance to earn rewards in additional categories like supermarkets and dining. The best gas credit cards come with rewards across several categories. With the right card, you can earn points or cash back on all of your eligible everyday spending.
Cons
The fine print. To earn gas rewards, you may have to jump through some hoops. Depending on the gas card, you may have to stick to a certain brand of gas station, may only earn gas rewards during certain months of the year, or could have limits on how much you can spend. Make sure you are aware of the terms and conditions of your credit card before applying.
Lack of welcome offers. Many gas options don’t provide any bonus rewards for early spending or 0% intro APR periods. If your credit score allows it, you can find sign-up bonuses and other first-year offers, but most gas cards here fall short on these incentives.
The interest rates. Depending on your credit score, your specific APR could be at the high end of the gas credit card’s APR range. That means your interest rates could be upwards of 20%. A low-interest credit card could be a better fit for you if you don’t make a point to pay your credit card bills in full on time.
How to choose a gas credit card
Who should get a gas card
The road warrior. When a good chunk of your life is spent driving from one place to another – be it commuting to work, picking up and dropping kids off or just hitting the open road – a gas card is for you.
The family shopper. Gas credit cards can help people manage the family budget. You can find rewards at the supermarket, on meals out and takeout, internet, streaming services and more, to add on top of your gas rewards.
The credit builder. Several gas cards allow for lower credit scores and give people the chance to earn rewards as they work to grow their credit. Just remember that earning rewards doesn’t mean you should overspend, and being sure you regularly pay off your monthly balance in full is the most important step in improving your credit score.
Who should skip a gas card
The frequent flyer. Gas cards typically reward in the form of cash back and don’t provide bonus rates on travel purchases. Even if a gas card does have points-earning or allows you to redeem rewards for travel, it likely won’t be as impactful as a travel rewards card would be.
The debt consolidator. Someone who has an outstanding balance in a high APR account is a prime candidate for a balance transfer credit card, but unfortunately 0% intro APR offers on balance transfers aren’t commonly found with gas cards.
The eco-friendly driver. If you drive a hybrid or an electric vehicle, your gas bills likely aren’t high enough to rationalize a gas credit card. A general cash back card or another category-specific rewards card will provide you much more value.
How to make the most of a gas rewards card
Know your terms. Some cards limit your bonus spending to a specified amount each quarter, so you may want to mark your calendar to make sure you fill up at the end of each period if you haven’t hit the threshold. Plus, if your card is a rebate card, there may be certain incentives for spending in the first 30-, 60- or 90-day window. If there’s bonus savings available, planning your card around a road trip or move could be a great way to take advantage.
Don’t forget the additional rewards. Top gas cards give rewards in other categories, so diversifying your spending might be an essential to taking full advantage of your card. You shouldn’t spend just to spend, but knowing where your card earns a little extra can save you in the long run.
Make timely payments. Getting your balance paid on-time and in full is one of the essentials of any credit card, but especially with gas cards. Some cards come with high APRs that can put you in the fast lane to expensive bills.
Secure your sign-up bonus. Some gas cards feature sign-up bonuses or first-year cash back incentives. Being certain to hit the spending requirement or purposefully maximizing your first-year cash back are great ways to squeeze value out of your card.
Map out your routes. If your card limits you to particular gas stations, plan out your stops ahead of time. GPS apps on your phone can make this easy, plus apps like GasBuddy can help you sort through locations, brands and prices as you search.
How we picked the best credit cards for gas
Research methodology: Our team of experts have sifted through hundreds of gas rewards cards to help you maximize your potential earnings on everyday purchases. A number of factors went into our search, but the following were the most important in choosing the top gas rewards credit cards:
Rewards rate: Some gas cards have earnings as high as 4% and 5% in select categories, competing with top rates on the market. With worthwhile rewards available, we made sure to include the most valuable options.
Annual fee: Many gas cards are affordable, coming with no annual fee. We selected options that weren’t costly up front, and if a card here does have an annual fee, we believe it is worthwhile.
Supplemental rewards categories: Gas cards oftentimes provide rewards in other areas, adding versatility to where you can get big savings. We included the top options that let cardholders earn at a high rate in all different kinds of places.
Availability: Gas credit cards are designed for all different ranges of credit scores, so we included choices for a variety of consumers.
Our full criteria include: Integration with loyalty programs, redemption options, redemption flexibility, sign-up bonus, other benefits, customer service, rates and fees, ease of application.
More information on gas credit cards
For more information on spending and saving with gas credit cards, continue reading content from our credit card experts:
Whether a gas rewards credit card requires fair credit or good credit varies. For example, a card that demands brand loyalty may accept fair credit, while a general-purpose cash back card that rewards for a number of categories (including gas) may require good or even excellent credit.
Here are some credit ranges for different types of gas rewards cards, with examples:
General-purpose cards: good to excellent credit (670+ FICO score). Example: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Co-branded cards: fair credit and above (580+ FICO score). Example: BP Visa® Credit Card
Private-label cards: limited credit to fair credit and above (580+ FICO score). Example: BP Credit Card
Secured cards: No credit history needed. Example: Discover it® Secured Credit Card
In short, yes. It should be. That doesn’t mean they’re for everyone, but if you spend enough time on the road that gas purchases make up a substantial amount of your budget, you should get value out of a gas credit card. Typically these cards come without an annual fee, so any rewards you earn are immediately beneficial to you. Even if your card does come with an annual fee, the available rewards should have no problem exceeding its cost.
A general-purpose rewards card offers a lot of value for the average gas spender thanks to the cash back rewards you reap across multiple categories. But which one will depend more on your spending habits.
For supersized gas savings, you’ll want to check out the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card (5 points per dollar on gas purchases) and the Sam’s Club® Mastercard® (5% cash back on up to $6,000 in gas purchases each year, then 1% back). These are some of the highest cash back rates for gas, and each card offers additional bonus categories that can help grow your rewards.
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi offers 4% cash back on eligible gas purchases (first $7,000 in purchases per year, 1% thereafter). Those rewards grow if your normal spending falls into other bonus categories offered by this card (restaurants, eligible travel, Costco purchases).
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express rewards cardmembers with an unlimited 3% back at U.S. gas stations every year. That rate isn’t as high as the other cards mentioned, but thanks to Amex’s generous welcome offer and higher cash back bonus categories (U.S. supermarkets and select U.S. streaming services), your rewards earnings could easily soar past the competition.
A traditional rewards credit card is more versatile and generally offers a better deal than a gas card. Why? Rewards cards may offer enhanced perks, including sign-up bonuses and cash back – not just for gas but for multiple bonus categories. Private label (or closed-loop) gas cards typically offer per-gallon discounts. Unfortunately, these gas brand cards lose their value as gas prices rise.
Rewards credit cards with the best perks typically require good or excellent credit. If you have less-than-stellar credit, you may have an easier time qualifying for a gas card than you would a traditional rewards card or a credit-building card that also offers rewards. If that’s the case, there’s nothing wrong with taking advantage of owning a gas card. The right gas rewards program may even have increased rewards for its most loyal members. Just keep in mind you may have to jump through some hoops, and you’ll need to stick with that particular gas brand to truly see any savings.
One example is the Shell Fuel Rewards program, which offers gas savings on every fill up at Shell stations as well as a chance to earn additional discounts on gas based on purchases you make at participating restaurants, Shell stores, online shopping, event tickets and rental cars.
About the Author
Joey Robinson
Joey Robinson is a credit cards writer for CreditCards.com and has worked at a “Big Four” (Ernst & Young) accounting firm before exploring the world of credit cards. After learning proper professional and financial practices through federal audits, he moved on to his second job, where he was introduced to CreditCards.com/Bankrate as a data analyst. As time passed, his interests drifted away from data analysis and into the communication of credit card essentials. Over the past two years, he’s shared his expertise and has brought understanding to complex topics as a writer and editor for sites like CreditCards.com, Bankrate.com and NextAdvisor. His advice on avoiding common credit card fees, top balance transfer tactics and more financial tips have been featured on MSN Money and other various news publications.
About the Editor
Tracy Stewart
Tracy Stewart is a personal finance writer specializing in credit card loyalty programs, travel benefits, and consumer protections. He previously covered travel rewards credit cards, budget travel, and aviation news at SmarterTravel Media. His money-saving tips have appeared in the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Consumer Reports, MarketWatch, Vice, People, the Zoe Report and elsewhere.
About the Reviewer
Jason Steele
Jason Steele is a professional journalist and credit card expert who has been contributing to online publications since 2008. He was one of the original contributors to The Points Guy, and his work has been appearing there since 2011. He has also contributed to over 100 of the leading personal finance and travel outlets. He’s frequently interviewed and quoted by mainstream outlets on the subjects of credit cards and travel. Jason is passionate about travel rewards credit cards, which he uses to earn rewards that he can redeem for him and his family to travel around the world. Jason is also the founder and producer of CardCon, a conference for credit and credit card journalists that’s held annually.
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