Other Cards To Consider for Gas
An alternative worth exploring is the Discover it® Cash Back. It offers 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter up to a quarterly maximum when activated. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
For those who don’t mind being exclusively tied to a specific gas station brand, both the Shell Fuel Rewards® Mastercard®* and the bp rewards Visa®* are excellent options. Both will allow you to save at the pump while earning cash back or rebates for other purchases.
Methodology
Forbes Advisor looked at dozens of offers to find and rank the best gas cards by comparing them on a variety of factors, including:
- Earnings rates on gas: 40% of overall score
- Annual fees: 15% of overall score
- Membership criteria: 10% of overall score
- Cobrand: 5% of overall score
- Overall earning rates: 10% of overall score
- Rewards flexibility: 10% of overall score
- Welcome bonuses: 5% of overall score
- Card issuer brand score: 5% of overall score
Forbes Advisor rates cards both as stand-alone products (the card rating on the review) and compares them to others in a specific use case. Sometimes, cards with average stand-alone ratings may still rank highly on a particular list according to how a person looking for a card in that category may value certain card features.
For instance, a card that might be considered mediocre overall could be the top card on a list of rewards cards with no annual fee. That’s because the card might offer limited features compared to other rewards cards, but after we remove cards that charge an annual fee, it’s the best card that remains.
Forbes Advisor re-evaluates each credit card list at least every 12 months to determine if any cards need to be added and/or removed. However, a list could be updated sooner if significant changes are made to the mentioned cards or if a new credit card is announced that’s likely to impact the category.
To learn more about our rating and review methodology and editorial process, check out our guide on how Forbes Advisor rates credit cards.
Types of Gas Credit Cards
There are two types of gas credit cards: general gas credit cards and cobranded cards that are specific to a chain.
General Gas Credit Cards
Credit cards on a payment network like Visa or Mastercard are accepted virtually anywhere. They provide rewards for gas purchases regardless of the specific gas station, in addition to earning rewards for other types of purchases.
Chain-Specific Gas Credit Cards
Other cards earn rewards specific to branded loyalty programs. These rewards are often redeemed as a discount off your gas at the pump, merchandise at gas station convenience stores or toward additional fuel purchases.
Gas station credit cards without a payment network are store-only cards and are only accepted at the stations affiliated with the company offering the card. They may also provide rewards or discounts on gas or convenience store purchases.
Co-branded gas credit cards don’t make our list of the best credit cards for gas since being tied to a specific gas chain can limit your options. Plus, the rewards redemption limitations can’t compete with gas cards offering rewards on gas no matter where you fill up.
How Much Can I Save With a Gas Card?
Many of the best gas cards offer an additional 2% to 4% cash back on your gas purchases, with a few offering more than that with an annual spending cap.
For example, here’s what you could earn if you spent $3,000 per year on gas with some of the top gas credit cards.
| Credit Card | Gas Earnings Rate | Estimated Annual Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Citi Strata Premier® Card | 3X Citi ThankYou Points | 9,000 Citi ThankYou Points |
| Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card* | 6X Wyndham Rewards Points | 18,000 Wyndham Rewards Points |
| Sam’s Club® Business Mastercard®* | 5% (up to $6,000 Annually) | $150 in Sam’s Cash |
Pros and Cons of Gas Credit Cards
While gas credit cards certainly offer benefits, they often come with a cost.
Pros of Gas Credit Cards
- Rewards and discounts. Whether in the form of reward points or discounts on fuel, these rewards often stack up over time and can earn consumers major savings at the pump.
- Fraud prevention. In many places, gas pumps are entirely unattended, and this can pose a risk you’ll unwittingly have your card details skimmed while pumping gas. The $0 fraud protection benefits offered by most major credit cards can add peace of mind when you fill up somewhere new.
Cons of Gas Credit Cards
- High interest rates. For those at risk of carrying a balance—something we never recommend anyone do if it can be avoided—a higher purchase APR can easily wipe out any rewards earned using the card and cost account holders dearly.
- Limited rewards redemption options. With many gas stations or brand-specific reward and loyalty programs, redemption options are often extremely limited. Most of the time, we expect you’ll find a general-purpose gas credit card will be more rewarding because it will provide greater redemption options.
How To Choose a Gas Credit Card
Choosing a gas card will come down to what works best for your individual needs. Here’s what to consider:
- Do the card’s rewards match up with how you spend? A card that earns high rewards on gas but not in other areas where you spend might mean you’ll need another card to maximize your rewards potential.
- Will you use enough benefits to offset the annual fee? Annual fees eat into your rewards. Think about your annual spending to make sure you will earn enough rewards or cash back to offset the fee. If you won’t, it makes more sense to get a card with a lower or no annual fee.
- Is it easy to redeem the rewards? Some cards have less redemption flexibility than others. If the card’s rewards don’t offer a redemption option you want, you’d be better off with a cash-back card so you can use your earnings any way you’d like.
Ask an expert
What Should I Consider When Choosing a Gas Credit Card?
Paul Siegfried
Credit Card Expert
Toni Perkins-Southam
Credit Cards Lead Editor
Robin Frankel
Credit Cards Writer
When shopping for a gas credit card, I encourage consumers to pay attention to both rewards and costs.
There are credit cards oriented to gas brands that have generous rewards on fuel and some rewards provide a higher reward value to everyday spending such as gasoline.
I do also encourage consumers to understand if these cards have annual fees and competitive interest rates. If you do not pay your entire bill monthly, you may find that fees and interest may outweigh the benefit of a higher reward for fuel spending.
Credit Card Expert
When choosing a gas credit card, I look at how much cash back or rewards I’ll earn per gallon, but I also want to check for any limits or spending caps on those rewards. It’s also worth considering cards that offer rewards for other purchases I make regularly, like groceries or restaurants, so I can maximize my cash back beyond just fuel.
Credit Cards Lead Editor
If you’re looking for a gas credit card to help put money back into your pocket, think about where else your money goes and seek a card that offers rewards on both gas and another area where you spend the most.
Credit Cards Writer
Are Gas Cards Worth It?
Determining if any credit card is worth it for you depends on several factors. Evaluate whether the card charges an annual fee, the kind of rewards you can expect to earn and whether or not you want a card that only works at gas stations or one that offers rewards elsewhere. How much you spend on gas will largely determine whether having a separate credit card for gas purchases is worth it.
Find The Best Credit Cards For 2025
No single credit card is the best option for every family, every purchase or every budget. We've picked the best credit cards in a way designed to be the most helpful to the widest variety of readers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is a Gas Credit Card?
A gas credit card offers its cardholders specific benefits related to the purchase of gasoline, typically a high rewards rate on that spending. Some gas credit cards are co-branded with gas station brands and offer specific rewards connected to those brands’ loyalty programs. Others offer the same rewards and benefits regardless of where you buy your gas.
What credit score do I need for a gas card?
If you are looking for a gas card to be used at a specific station, a credit score in the fair range or above will likely qualify you. FICO defines fair credit as a credit score of 580 to 669. If you are looking for a credit card that gives you rewards on gas but is also accepted at other locations, you’ll likely need credit in the good to excellent range, which FICO defines as 670 or above.
Do gas credit cards help you build credit?
Yes, gas credit cards often report to at least one of the three main credit bureaus. Paying your bill on time every month will help you build credit and improve your credit score.
What are fleet gas cards?
Fleet cards offer businesses an alternative payment method for buying fuel in bulk for the operation of business-related vehicles. These cards typically unlock wholesale fuel prices for companies purchasing thousands of gallons of gas. Fleet cards are not typically available to most consumers, though small businesses with above-average fuel consumption may benefit.
Which gas card is easiest to get?
Gas cards that can only be used with one chain will be easier to get than cards issued on a major network. If you don’t have at least fair credit, you might want to consider a secured card so you can improve your credit score.
