26
Research Hours
371
Companies Reviewed
1,745
Cards Reviewed
- Best gas credit cards compared
- Methodology
- Sources
- Beginner’s guide to gas credit cards
- About the author
- User questions & answers
- Expert opinions
Best Gas Credit Cards Compared
| Credit Card | Best for | Gas Rewards |
| U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card | Best for Excellent Credit | 5 points / $1 |
| Citi Premier® Card | Best for Good Credit | 3 points / $1 |
| Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express | Best for U.S. Gas Stations | 3% Cash Back* |
| Citi Double Cash® Card | Best for Fair Credit | 2% Cash Back |
| Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card | Best for Rebuilding Credit | 3% Cash Back |
| U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard® | Best for Small Business | 4 points / $1 |
You need good or excellent credit to get the best of the best gas rewards cards. So if you don’t know how your score is doing these days, you can check it for free on WalletHub. We also recommend checking out the top cash back credit cards, which can save you a lot on gas and everything else.
Methodology for Selecting the Best Gas Credit Cards
To help people find the best gas rewards credit cards for their needs, WalletHub’s editors regularly compare more than 1,500 credit card offers, including the cards affiliated with major gas station chains. We compare the cards based on their expected gas rewards earnings after two years of use, with annual fees subtracted. This puts offers with introductory or annual benefits and fees on more of a level playing field.
To be eligible for consideration for WalletHub's best credit cards for gas, a card’s gas rewards must be at least 20% better than average. We base our calculations on two different consumer profiles. The first reflects the average American’s gas spending, while the second assumes three-times as much spent on gas. In both cases, we assume that someone looking for one of the best gas credit cards will employ the Island Approach, using the card only for gas purchases. That enables us to identify the credit cards with the best rewards on gas in particular, without earning rates for other spending categories distorting the rankings. Bonuses are considered if gas spending alone would put the cardholder within 10% of the spending threshold required to earn the bonus.
Sources
WalletHub actively maintains a database of 1,500+ credit card offers, from which we select the best gas credit cards for different applicants as well as derive market-wide takeaways and trends. The underlying data is compiled from credit card company websites or provided directly by the credit card issuers. We also leverage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to develop cardholder profiles, used to estimate cards’ potential savings.
Beginner’s Guide to Gas Credit Cards
What Is a Gas Credit Card?
A gas credit card is a card that gives extra rewards on gas purchases, either at any gas station or at a specific chain, depending on the card. Some of the best gas credit cards offer 5%+ back on gas and have annual fees as low as $0, so the right gas rewards credit card can definitely help you save a lot of money at the pump.
There are other types of gas cards, too. A “gas card” could also be a debit card or gift card that’s affiliated with a gas station chain.
Learn more about what a gas card is.
Types of Gas Credit Cards
The major types of gas credit cards are cards that can only be used at the station theyre affiliated with, cards that can be used anywhere but only offer the best rewards at affiliated stations, and cards that offer good gas rewards at any station.
- Gas station credit cards – These cards can only be used to make purchases at the stations they’re affiliated with. They tend to be the easiest to get and often have good rewards. Examples include the Shell Gas Card and the ExxonMobil Gas Card.
- Co-branded gas credit cards – These cards tend to be harder to get than gas station-only cards and can be used anywhere, but they offer similar gas rewards. Examples include the Shell Credit Card and the BP Credit Card.
- Gas rewards credit cards – These cards are harder to get than gas station cards in most cases, but they offer the most flexible rewards. You can save as much as 5% on any gas purchase with this type of card. Examples include the Citi Premier® Card and the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card.
How Much Can a Credit Card Save You on Gas?
A credit card can save you up to 5% on gas at any station, which adds up to about $156 over the course of a year for the average American. Some cards also offer hundreds of dollars in initial bonuses, and many won’t make you pay an annual fee.
The best gas station credit cards can save you up to 10-37 cents per gallon when you fill up with the chain your card is affiliated with. They can also save you as much as 10% on non-gas purchases at gas station convenience stores.
Learn more about saving money with a gas card.
Are Gas Cards Worth It?
Gas credit cards are worth it for people who drive regularly, if not every day, and need to fill up their tanks often. If you spend a lot of money on gas, you can save a lot of money with a gas rewards credit card.
If you don’t spend a lot on gas, you probably won’t save as much with a gas card as you would with another type of credit card with rewards. But gas cards generally won’t cost you any money if you pay your bill in full monthly and thus avoid interest charges.
Learn more about when gas cards are worth it.
Should I Get a Gas Station Credit Card?
You should get a gas station credit card if you always fill up at the same chain of gas stations. Having your preferred gas brand’s credit card can provide savings opportunities a card with general rewards might not offer, such as convenience store rebates and special cardholder promotions. Gas station credit cards usually have $0 annual fees, too.
There’s a flipside to that coin, obviously. You should not get a gas station credit card if you fill up wherever is most convenient or cheapest at the time. In that case, you should consider a credit card with general-purpose gas rewards so you can save at any station.
It’s also worth pointing out the possibility that no gas credit card is right for you. If you don’t commute to work daily, you’ll likely save more with a card that offers other bonus rewards categories or a high cash back rate on all purchases.
Learn more about how to choose a rewards card and the best credit cards for gas purchases only.
Pros and Cons of Gas Credit Cards
The main benefits of gas credit cards are rewards that save you money on fuel, the convenience of paying for gas with a card, and the chance to build credit over time. The biggest drawbacks are high interest rates and sometimes limited rewards on other types of purchases.
| Pros | Cons |
| Savings on gas | High interest rates |
| Savings on other gas-station purchases | Few options for bad credit |
| Conveience at the pump | Restrictions on where you get bonus rewards |
| Build credit | Savings aren’t as good when gas prices are high |
| Financing options |
Learn more about the benefits of gas credit cards and the pros and cons of credit cards generally.
How to Get a Gas Credit Card
To get a gas credit card, simply pick a card with rewards that suit your spending habits and approval requirements you can meet, fill out an application online and submit it. You should get a decision in moments, and if you get approved, your card will arrive in the mail in a matter of days.
You can also apply for most cards by phone, and some issuers will allow you to apply in person at a branch. You may even be able to apply at a gas station in some cases, but this is not common.
You need fair credit or better to get most gas credit cards, but options are sometimes available for beginners and people with damaged credit. You can check your latest credit score for free right here on WalletHub to see where you stand.
Learn more about how to get a credit card.
4 Tips for Picking the Best Gas Rewards Card
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Avoid Station-Specific Cards if You Can’t Commit
Station-affiliated gas credit cards have the potential to offer the most lucrative rewards, but they certainly aren’t for everyone. You’ll only get rewarded for gas purchased at affiliated stations, and in many cases, you’ll have to spend a lot just to qualify for the highest earning rates.
So you should only get a gas credit card that’s tied to a specific station if you already fill up at just one chain or could easily do so. After all, there are plenty of general-purpose credit cards offering great gas rewards. -
Decide How Many Credit Cards You Want to Use
Do you want a card with gas rewards to use just for gas purchases or for all of your everyday spending? Answering this question will tell you whether to focus solely on a card’s gas rewards or consider its complete rewards package. As a result, it will dictate how you should compare gas credit cards.
You can check out our article on the Island Approach to learn how to most effectively use multiple cards. -
Check the Gas-Price Forecast
Some gas rewards cards offer a certain number of points per $1 spent. Others give you a per-gallon discount or a percentage of your overall purchase in cash back. Converting everything into dollar terms based on the price of gas at the station you use is the best way to compare offers. You should also consider how attractive a given card’s terms will be if the price of gas rises. -
Save with a Big Initial Bonus
It’s easy to get so caught up in getting the best gas credit card that you neglect to consider other savings possibilities. For example, the best credit card deals offer people with good or excellent credit initial bonuses worth $400+ for spending $3,000+ within three months of account opening. Even the best gas credit cards require you to spend far more to earn $400 in rewards.
