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Compare gas rewards credit cards

Earn rewards when you use your card to fill up your car.

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Kevin Joey Chen

Updated

Fact checked

The best gas rewards credit cards offer the highest earning rate on gas purchases and solid rewards in other categories as well. The Finder credit cards experts spent over 200 hours reviewing available gas credit cards and ranked the best among them into several categories to help you choose the most valuable one for your needs.

We compared a few factors when selecting the best gas credit cards, including eligible gas stations, points or cash back earned per dollar spent, rewards point value when redeemed, annual fees, introductory APRs and other perks or features a consumer might look at when selecting a gas credit card. The cards that stood out were some of the top performers in one or several of these areas, earning spots on our list.

What are the best gas credit cards of 2024?

Best card for gas and dining

Sam's Club® Mastercard®

4
★★★★★

Finder score

Terms apply, see rates & fees.
Welcome Offer$30
RewardsUp to 5% cash back
Annual fee$0
Minimum credit score670

Best for gas and groceries

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

4.3
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site
Terms apply, see rates & fees.
Read review
Welcome Offer$250
RewardsUp to 6% cash back
Annual fee$95 after the first year intro
Minimum credit score670

Partner terms and conditions
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

Best for gas and travel

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

3.4
★★★★★

Finder score

Welcome Offern/a
RewardsUp to 4% cash back
Annual fee$0
Minimum credit score740

Best for earning flexibility

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

4.9
★★★★★

Finder score

Terms apply, see rates & fees.
Read review
Welcome Offer$200
RewardsUp to 5% cash back
Annual fee$0
Minimum credit score670

Best credit union gas card

PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card

Welcome Offer$150 points
RewardsUp to 5x points
Annual fee$0
Minimum credit score670

Best gas station card

Chevron and/or Texaco Techron Advantage Visa® Card

Terms apply, see rates & fees.
Welcome Offer$0.20
Rewards 20 cents off a gallon
Annual fee$0
Minimum credit score580

Best student card

Discover it® Chrome for Students

Welcome OfferOther
RewardsUp to 2% cash back
Annual fee$0
Minimum credit score580

Best secured card

Discover it® Secured

4.4
★★★★★

Finder score

Welcome OfferOther
RewardsUp to 2% cash back
Annual fee$0
Minimum credit score300

Best for reward flexibility

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards

4.6
★★★★★

Finder score

Welcome Offer$200
RewardsFrom 1% cash back
Annual fee$0
Minimum credit score670

What is a gas card?

A gas credit card offers rewards when you spend on fuel. These rewards can come in the form of discounts, cash back, points or miles. For example, a gas card might give you fuel credits that reimburse you after you fill up. Another gas card might offer bonus points as you fill up, which you can redeem for flights, hotel stays and more.

Your gas-station card may also give you larger discounts as you make a set amount of purchases each month. At the same time, it may limit the number of gallons on which you can receive a discount per fill-up. To understand exactly what you’re getting for rewards, check your card’s terms and conditions.

What makes a good gas card?

Generally, the higher the savings or better the rewards, the stronger the gas card. Whether you can use the gas card at all gas stations or select gas stations also plays an important role.

Examples of strong gas credit cards

  • One gas card might offer 3 cents off every gallon of gas, while another might offer 6 cents off every gallon of gas. Everything else being equal, the latter card is better.
  • Normally, the base rewards rate for general credit cards is 1 point earned for every dollar spent. However, a gas card might offer 5 points per dollar you spend on fuel.

Two types of credit cards with benefits on gas purchases

There are two major types of credit cards with gas rewards.

Gas station credit cards

These cards give you discounts or rebates for gas. Most major oil companies — Shell, BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil and the like — offer their own credit cards.

  • Here’s an example of a discount:
    When you use your card at the pump, you’ll automatically save 10 cents per gallon of gas you buy.
  • Here’s an example of a rebate:
    When you use your card for non-gas purchases, you’ll earn gas rebates at a 1% rate. After you use your card for eligible gas, your rebates will be redeemed automatically for statement credit.

General-rewards credit cards

These cards aren’t affiliated with specific gas companies, but they offer elevated rewards on general gas purchases.

  • For example: A card might offer 4% cash back on gas, which is an excellent rate. It might also offer elevated rewards in different categories, such as travel and dining.

Some rewards credit cards may limit the number of gas purchases you earn elevated rewards on, such as $6,000 annually. Once you’ve reached that threshold, your gas purchases will typically earn rewards at the base rewards rate — usually 1%.

After you accumulate rewards, you can often redeem them for statement credit, bank deposits, gift cards, travel, merchandise or other options your credit card issuer offers.

Some gas rewards restrict where you can earn rewards

Gas station cards may be closed-loop, meaning they can only be used at gas stations owned by the affiliated oil company. Alternatively, they may be cobranded with a major payment network such as Visa or Mastercard. These cards can be used with their affiliated gas companies and anywhere else that accepts cards in their payment networks.

Gas credit cards vs. general rewards credit cards

Gas credit cardRewards credit card
Can often only be used at gas stations affiliated with a single company.Can be used almost anywhere.
May offer instant discounts on gas purchases.Allows you to accumulate rewards that you can redeem later.
Typically has higher interest rates.May offer lower interest rates. May also offer promotional interest rates on purchases and balance transfers.
Potentially low credit limit.Chance for a higher starting credit limit.
Typically, no rewards on gas purchases with other gas stations.Earn rewards on all gas purchases.
Usually requires good to excellent credit.

How do I choose a gas credit card?

Gas benefits are likely most important to you, but other features of each card — such as fees and additional perks — might factor into your decision.
  • Decide whether you want to be tied to a specific gas-station brand. If you get fuel with one company, a gas-station card might offer attractive benefits. Otherwise, you might like a general-rewards card you can use at different gas stations.
  • Initial bonus. For a gas-station credit card, you might receive more fuel credits or a bigger discount on gas purchases during an initial period. For a general-rewards card, you might receive a welcome bonus for spending a set amount on your card within a specified period.
  • APR. Gas-station cards tend to have very high APRs. Consider paying off your balance in full each month to avoid expensive finance charges if you end up going with one.
  • Annual fee. If you want to save money, an annual fee might not be worth paying. Look for a card with a low or $0 annual fee. If a card has an annual fee, calculate if your potential for rewards earned will offset the card’s cost.
  • Other rewards and perks. While your primary goal is to find a credit card that will reward you for gas purchases, any other rewards you receive will only sweeten the deal. A general-rewards card is more likely to offer elevated rewards in additional categories.

How to maximize your gas rewards

  • Choose a gas card based on nearby gas stations. It may not be worth burning fuel to drive to a gas station that’s out of the way. If there are no credit cards affiliated with gas stations near you, choose a general-rewards product that pays rewards on all gas purchases, regardless of the brand.
  • Watch out for gas stations that charge more for credit-card purchases. Many gas stations charge different prices for cash and credit-card purchases. Cash purchases get a discount, while credit card purchases are charged a few cents more per gallon.
  • Buy all your fuel with your gas card. You’ll save the most money — and earn the most rewards — when you make your gas purchases exclusively with your gas card.
  • Combine credit cards. Those who spend on gas over the cashback limit could consider adding a second gas card. This way you could benefit from additional perks and you’ll make sure to always earn a top rewards rate on gas purchases.

Should I get a gas card?

Strongly consider getting a gas credit card if both of these apply to you:

  • You spend a lot on gas each month. A gas credit card will give you a big break on gas costs if you spend several hundred dollars or more each month on gas.
  • You pay your balance in full each month. Pay special attention if you have a gas-station card, as it likely has a very high APR. Paying your balance in full every month lets you avoid paying interest on your purchases. If you carry a balance from month to month, however, you’ll accrue finance charges that will offset your gas rewards.

How to choose the best gas credit card for bad credit

The available choices for gas cards are rather slim if you have bad credit. To make picking the right card easier, you’ll want to make your decision based on a few factors:

  • Can you afford an annual fee? An annual fee can eat into your rewards and can hurt if you have poor credit. If you decide to pay for a card, consider whether the rewards will outweigh the cost.
  • Do you want to redeem on travel? Though unusual for a secured card, the LATAM offering earns points you can redeem on travel through a variety of airlines. It can pay to go with the LATAM Visa Secured if you often fly with Oneworld Alliance airlines or plan on continuing to build LATAM points after you’ve rebuilt your credit score.
  • Are you spending on more than just gas? The cards from Discover and SunTrust each offer accelerated cash back on gas and one other category. Consider where you typically spend, and whether it’ll bring you bonus rewards. The SDFCU and LATAM cards don’t offer accelerated rewards, but you’ll earn at least 1 point per dollar you spend on all purchases.

Prioritize your credit score first and rewards second

Gas rewards should be lower on your priority list when it comes to picking a secured card. That goes for all rewards, in fact. If your main goal is to build your credit score, you should prioritize a card with the terms that fit your financial circumstances, even if it doesn’t offer gas rewards. For most consumers, this will include the following attributes.

  • A modest or achievable security deposit.
  • The card reports to all three major credit bureaus.
  • As few card fees as possible.
  • As few penalties as possible.
  • A path to a credit limit increase or card upgrade.

If a gas rewards secured card checks all of these boxes for you, or there are some features you don’t especially care about (such as card upgrades), then feel free to shoot for that card. Just remember: a non-secured gas card will earn you bigger rewards than a secured version, so getting your credit to a place where you can take your pick of powerful gas cards should be your top priority.

Compare rewards cards

Want a close look at your reward options? Select your credit score from the options below and hit “Show cards” to start comparing side-by-side.

1 - 5 of 17
Name Product USCCF Filter values Welcome Offer Rewards Annual fee
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card image
20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
Up to 5x miles
$0
Earn 20,000 bonus miles once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. See rates & fees
Go to siteView details
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card image
$200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Up to 1.5% cash back
$0
More than an unlimited 1.5% cash back card: you'll also earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). See rates & fees
Go to siteView details
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card image
N/A
Up to 5% cash back
$39
1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. Plus earn 5% on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). See rates & fees
Go to siteView details
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card image
Enjoy 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Up to 5x miles
$95
Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months ​from account opening, equal to $750 in travel. See rates & fees
Go to siteView details
Capital One VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit
Capital One VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit image
N/A
Up to 5x miles
$0
The same rewards and $0 annual fee as the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, but for those with good credit. See rates & fees
Go to siteView details
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Bottom line

A gas credit card is a smart choice if you’re constantly filling up. Consider a gas-station card if you buy fuel with one company. Otherwise, a general-rewards card may be a better pick.

If you’re not sure if a gas credit card is right for you, check out other rewards cards.

Kevin Joey Chen's headshot
Writer

Kevin Chen is a personal finance expert and a former writer at Finder. His expertise has been featured in CNN, U.S. News and World Report, Lifehacker and CreditCards.com, among other top media. See full bio

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