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June 30, 2022
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To help offset the cost of fuel, you may want to consider a credit card that offers rewards or discounts on gas purchases. Even better is a gas rewards card that also offers points, miles or cash back in other categories, such as groceries, dining and transit. Whether you have a long commute or you’re planning a road trip, the right card can make your drive a little cheaper. Based on our research of cards available through LendingTree, as well as the top cards offered by major issuers, here are our picks for the best gas credit cards for the following categories:
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers a generous cashback rate in several everyday categories, including gas purchases. Cardholders earn 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more), 1% Cash Back on other purchases. Terms apply. Cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit. Additionally, cardholders can earn a $350 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is best for consumers who spend a lot on groceries, gas and the card’s other cashback categories and are willing to pay a $95 annual fee. If you spend at least $1,584 on purchases that earn 6% cash back, you’ll recoup the amount of the annual fee each year. Just know, there is a yearly spending cap of $6,000 on supermarket purchases, after which your rate for such purchases drops to 1%.
To see rates & fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express please click here.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers a generous cashback rate in several everyday categories, including gas purchases. Cardholders earn 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more), 1% Cash Back on other purchases. Terms apply. Cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit. Additionally, cardholders can earn a $350 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is best for consumers who spend a lot on groceries, gas and the card’s other cashback categories and are willing to pay a $95 annual fee. If you spend at least $1,584 on purchases that earn 6% cash back, you’ll recoup the amount of the annual fee each year. Just know, there is a yearly spending cap of $6,000 on supermarket purchases, after which your rate for such purchases drops to 1%.
To see rates & fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express please click here.
Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Portfolio. Earn 6X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations. Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card. Plus, there’s an opportunity to earn a generous welcome offer: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 3 months of Card Membership.
Hilton has more than 6,400 properties in 119 countries. If Hilton is your go-to hotel chain when planning a stay away from home, and if you want to earn generous rewards on gas, dining, hotel stays and more, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is a solid choice. Plus, if you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year, you can earn a free weekend night reward. Be aware there’s a $95 annual fee, so this might not be the right card for your wallet if you only travel occasionally. Also, you can only earn the elevated rewards rates at gas stations, restaurants and supermarkets located inside the U.S.
Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Portfolio. Earn 6X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations. Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card. Plus, there’s an opportunity to earn a generous welcome offer: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 3 months of Card Membership.
Hilton has more than 6,400 properties in 119 countries. If Hilton is your go-to hotel chain when planning a stay away from home, and if you want to earn generous rewards on gas, dining, hotel stays and more, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is a solid choice. Plus, if you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year, you can earn a free weekend night reward. Be aware there’s a $95 annual fee, so this might not be the right card for your wallet if you only travel occasionally. Also, you can only earn the elevated rewards rates at gas stations, restaurants and supermarkets located inside the U.S.
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi offers 4% cash back on eligible gas for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter, 3% on restaurants & travel, 2% at Costco & Costco.com, 1% on all other purchases. Cardholders can earn the elevated rewards rate at gas stations worldwide; however, gas purchased at superstores, supermarkets, convenience stores and warehouse clubs other than Costco will earn the 1% cashback rate. If you max out the $7,000 spend threshold, that’s $280 back each year on gas alone.
This card is best for Costco members. While its annual fee is $0, you must have a Costco membership, which costs $60 or $120 a year depending on the membership type you choose. It’s also important to note that there are strict limitations on how you redeem your rewards earned with the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi. Costco cash rewards can only be redeemed for merchandise or cash back at Costco warehouses located in the U.S., including Puerto Rico. Plus, rewards are only distributed one time per year (after your February billing statement closes) and must be redeemed by Dec. 31 of the year they are issued.
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi offers 4% cash back on eligible gas for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter, 3% on restaurants & travel, 2% at Costco & Costco.com, 1% on all other purchases. Cardholders can earn the elevated rewards rate at gas stations worldwide; however, gas purchased at superstores, supermarkets, convenience stores and warehouse clubs other than Costco will earn the 1% cashback rate. If you max out the $7,000 spend threshold, that’s $280 back each year on gas alone.
This card is best for Costco members. While its annual fee is $0, you must have a Costco membership, which costs $60 or $120 a year depending on the membership type you choose. It’s also important to note that there are strict limitations on how you redeem your rewards earned with the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi. Costco cash rewards can only be redeemed for merchandise or cash back at Costco warehouses located in the U.S., including Puerto Rico. Plus, rewards are only distributed one time per year (after your February billing statement closes) and must be redeemed by Dec. 31 of the year they are issued.
Earn 5% cash back on your first $3,000 in gas and military base purchases annually on these categories combined. Earn 2% on your first $3,000 on supermarket purchases per year. Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Plus, the APR range is 11.90% - 25.90% variable. The lower end of that range is quite reasonable. We never recommend carrying a balance, but if you find it unavoidable once in a while, a card with a low APR can help you save money on interest charges.
If you max out the card’s $3,000 yearly spending cap on gas and military base purchases, you’ll earn $150 in cash back. So if you need a card that earns generous cash back on gas with no annual fee, and you’re eligible to join USAA, the USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card is a good card for fueling up. USAA membership is open to U.S. military members and veterans, precommissioned officers, and spouses and children of military members and veterans.
Earn 5% cash back on your first $3,000 in gas and military base purchases annually on these categories combined. Earn 2% on your first $3,000 on supermarket purchases per year. Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Plus, the APR range is 11.90% - 25.90% variable. The lower end of that range is quite reasonable. We never recommend carrying a balance, but if you find it unavoidable once in a while, a card with a low APR can help you save money on interest charges.
If you max out the card’s $3,000 yearly spending cap on gas and military base purchases, you’ll earn $150 in cash back. So if you need a card that earns generous cash back on gas with no annual fee, and you’re eligible to join USAA, the USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card is a good card for fueling up. USAA membership is open to U.S. military members and veterans, precommissioned officers, and spouses and children of military members and veterans.
Get 30 cents off every gallon of fuel for the first 2 months after account open date. Get 6 cents off every gallon, every day at more than 11,000 Exxon™ and Mobil™ stations. Plus, the annual fee is $0, so you don’t have to pay just to carry the card. But make sure to pay the card in full every billing cycle, because the APR is steep at 28.74% variable. And you should know that this is a store-branded card, so you won’t be able to use it outside of Exxon and Mobil gas stations. If you’re looking for a general-use card that rewards you for gas purchases, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express or the USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card might be a better option.
If you regularly fill up at Exxon or Mobil gas stations, you can receive savings at the pump with the ExxonMobil™ Smart Card. Plus, in addition to gas purchases, you can use the ExxonMobil™ Smart Card to buy snacks, beverages and other items inside of ExxonMobil™ convenience stores. Just know, the discounts only apply to fuel purchases.
Get 30 cents off every gallon of fuel for the first 2 months after account open date. Get 6 cents off every gallon, every day at more than 11,000 Exxon™ and Mobil™ stations. Plus, the annual fee is $0, so you don’t have to pay just to carry the card. But make sure to pay the card in full every billing cycle, because the APR is steep at 28.74% variable. And you should know that this is a store-branded card, so you won’t be able to use it outside of Exxon and Mobil gas stations. If you’re looking for a general-use card that rewards you for gas purchases, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express or the USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card might be a better option.
If you regularly fill up at Exxon or Mobil gas stations, you can receive savings at the pump with the ExxonMobil™ Smart Card. Plus, in addition to gas purchases, you can use the ExxonMobil™ Smart Card to buy snacks, beverages and other items inside of ExxonMobil™ convenience stores. Just know, the discounts only apply to fuel purchases.
Save 30¢/gal (up to 35 gallons*) on your first 5 Shell fuel purchases made by 6/30/2023. After that, save 10¢/gal every time you fill up. (New accounts only. Apply by 02/28/23.) And, you can Save 10 cents per gallon on up to 35 gallons of gas. Plus, earn 10% in Shell rebates on your first $1,200 in non-fuel purchases per year, 2% in Shell rebates on dining and grocery store purchases each year (up to $10,000 in combined spending per year) and 1% in Shell rebates on all other purchases. Discounts will be applied instantly at the pump at participating Shell locations. The annual fee for the Shell | Fuel Rewards® Mastercard® is $0. The APR is 27.24% variable, so make sure to pay your bill in full and don’t carry a balance, otherwise you could be hit with expensive interest charges. Since this is a Mastercard, you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted. There’s also a store-branded version you’ll be considered for if you don’t qualify for the Mastercard.
If you frequent Shell gas stations, and you’re looking for a no-annual-fee card offering a straightforward discount every time you fill your tank, the Shell | Fuel Rewards® Mastercard® could be a good fit.
Save 30¢/gal (up to 35 gallons*) on your first 5 Shell fuel purchases made by 6/30/2023. After that, save 10¢/gal every time you fill up. (New accounts only. Apply by 02/28/23.) And, you can Save 10 cents per gallon on up to 35 gallons of gas. Plus, earn 10% in Shell rebates on your first $1,200 in non-fuel purchases per year, 2% in Shell rebates on dining and grocery store purchases each year (up to $10,000 in combined spending per year) and 1% in Shell rebates on all other purchases. Discounts will be applied instantly at the pump at participating Shell locations. The annual fee for the Shell | Fuel Rewards® Mastercard® is $0. The APR is 27.24% variable, so make sure to pay your bill in full and don’t carry a balance, otherwise you could be hit with expensive interest charges. Since this is a Mastercard, you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted. There’s also a store-branded version you’ll be considered for if you don’t qualify for the Mastercard.
If you frequent Shell gas stations, and you’re looking for a no-annual-fee card offering a straightforward discount every time you fill your tank, the Shell | Fuel Rewards® Mastercard® could be a good fit.
When choosing a gas rewards credit card, ask yourself the following questions:
Doing your research ahead of time is important, especially if you’re considering a card that charges an annual fee. By answering the questions above, you’ll be able to identify which card on this list is best for your spending habits.
To see rates & fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express please click here.
The best gas credit card depends on where you buy gas and what memberships you might have. For example, if you frequently stop at Shell stations to fill up the tank, consider the Shell | Fuel Rewards® Mastercard®, which lets cardholders you can Save 10 cents per gallon on up to 35 gallons of gas. Plus, earn 10% in Shell rebates on your first $1,200 in non-fuel purchases per year, 2% in Shell rebates on dining and grocery store purchases each year (up to $10,000 in combined spending per year) and 1% in Shell rebates on all other purchases.. Or, if you have a Costco membership, consider the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi. With that card, you’ll earn 4% cash back on eligible gas for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter, 3% on restaurants & travel, 2% at Costco & Costco.com, 1% on all other purchases. That’s $280 in cash back on gas if you max out the $7,000 spending cap.
In short, it might make sense to get a credit card specific to a gas station brand such as Shell or ExxonMobil if you’re a regular customer. But if convenience matters more, getting a card that will reward you wherever you stop for gas is going to offer you more flexibility.
The best gas credit cards are likely to require good to excellent credit, which is typically considered a FICO Score of 670 to 850. However, if you have a poor or fair credit score, a better choice might be a secured credit card, which will require a security deposit in the amount of your desired credit limit, but can help you rebuild a poor credit score through responsible usage. For example, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card offers 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
Yes, getting a gas credit card can help you build credit as long as you use it responsibly. Most credit card issuers report your account and payment history to the three major consumer credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, which can positively impact your credit profile as long as you pay on time and keep your balance well below 30% of your credit limit.
The above offers and/or promotions may have since changed, expired, or is no longer available. Check the Issuers’ website for more details.
