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The best gas credit cards are designed to help maximize your savings and lower the cost of trips to the gas pump. You may be considering a gas credit card if you have a long commute, a vehicle with a low miles per gallon (MPG) rating, or a family that treats you like a taxi.
Gas credit cards may reward you with cash back on gas purchases or offer a set discount per gallon of gas. This guide will explore some of the best-rated gas credit cards, so you can choose the one that works best for you.
Best gas credit cards: Summary
- Best for cash back: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Best for fair credit: Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best for families: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
- Best for rewards: Citi Premier® Card
- Best for Costco members: Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
- Best for discounted gas: BPme Rewards Visa®
- Best for no annual fee: PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card
Why we recommend these credit card for gas
Best for cash back: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Why we like it
This card is recommended for everyday use, whether for doctor copays or big box store purchases. It can be a large earner for cardmembers who want to get the most out of their everyday spending.
Welcome offer: Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
Rewards rate: When you open a Chase Freedom Unlimited®, you can earn between 1.5% and 6.5% cash back in several different categories as follows :
Up to $20,000 spent in the first year:
- 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants (takeout and delivery services included)
- 3% on all other purchases
Post $20,000 spent or first year:
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants (takeout and delivery services included)
- 1.5% on all other purchases
Our take: Additionally, new cardmembers will get a special offer of 5% cash back at gas and grocery stores on up to $12,000 worth of purchases in the first year. This offer excludes Walmart and Target. Cash back rewards on the Chase Freedom Unlimited® don’t expire, so you don’t need to worry about rushing to use them.
Other benefits of the Chase Freedom Unlimited® include a 0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months and 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 monthsand a $0 annual fee.
Best for fair credit: Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Welcome offer: N/A.
Rewards rate: You can earn a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases, including gas.
Our take: With a minimum credit requirement of 580, the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a good choice for those with fair credit. Capital One also provides access to CreditWise—a tool designed to help you monitor your credit health as you work to strengthen your credit history. Bonus: You don’t even need to have a Capital One product to use CreditWise.
Best for families: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Welcome offer: Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Rewards rate: The card pays 3% cash back in both categories, making it an ideal choice for those who frequently ferry kids around town or have a growing family to feed.
Our take: Families who spend a lot of money at gas stations and grocery stores will appreciate the cash back options with a Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. With a $0 annual fee (Rates & Fees), cardholders can rest assured that there won’t be any surprises with this card.
Best for rewards: Citi Premier® Card
Citi Premier® Card
Citi Premier® Card
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
Rewards rate: There’s a long list of rewards available for Citi Premier® Card holders, including 3% on gas that’s converted into ThankYou Points.
Our take: You can use your points to shop online with Amazon and Best Buy, or you can redeem them for gift cards to restaurants, home improvement stores, department stores, and more. There’s also an option to redeem your points for travel expenses on flights, hotels, and cruises. ThankYou Points don’t expire, and there’s no limit on the number of points you can earn.
Best for Costco members: Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Welcome offer: N/A.
Rewards rate: Costco members with excellent credit scores can take advantage of 4% cash back on gas purchases with a Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi.
Our take: There’s $0 annual fee (although you do need to be a Costco member to apply, so you’ll need to pay an annual membership fee). The 4% cash back on gas applies to the first $7,000 spent in this category each year—after that, it drops down to 1%. Cardholders can also get 3% cash back on travel and restaurant bills, 2% cash back on Costco or Costco.com purchases, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Best for discounted gas: BPme Rewards Visa®
BPme Rewards Visa®
BPme Rewards Visa®
Welcome offer: None.
Rewards rate: You’ll get 15 cents per gallon off at all BP and Amoco gas stations. In addition, you’ll earn 5% cash back on non-fuel purchases at BP or Amoco stations, 3% on groceries and dining, and 1% on all other qualifying purchases.
Our take: When you sign up for a BPme Rewards Visa, you’ll automatically receive a discount of 50 cents per gallon for the first 60 days after opening the account. In addition to the beneficial rewards structure, you can exchange your rewards for cash back, gift cards, account statement credit, or travel experiences.
Best for no annual fee: PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card
PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card
PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card
Welcome offer: 15,000 Bonus Points when you spend $1,500 in first 90 days.
Rewards rate: You can also earn 3x points on purchases at grocery stores, restaurants, and streaming services, and 1x points on all other purchases. For a driver who spends $500 per month, this would equal 2,500 points per month and 30,000 points per year.
Our take: In addition to a no annual fee and a generous rewards rate structure, this PenFed card offers 5x points earned on gas purchases or EV charging stations. Points can be redeemed for gift cards, travel, shopping, experiences—even charitable donations.
Best credit cards for gas comparison chart
| Card name | Annual fees | Credit score needed | Bonus rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
0 | Excellent, Good | Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) | |
39 | Average, Fair, Limited | N/A | |
0 | Good, Excellent | Earn a $200 statement credit | |
Excellent, Good | Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points | ||
0 | Excellent | N/A | |
0 | Fair,Average | N/A | |
No Annual Fee | Good, Excellent | 15,000 Bonus Points |
Our methodology
When researching the best gas credit cards, we compared some of the top-rated cards in several important categories. Like with any type of credit card, we looked at annual fees and annual percentage rate (APR) to determine the costs of owning each credit card. We also reviewed cash back amounts for purchases at gas stations and looked for any extra benefits, such as a set amount per gallon of gasoline. The resulting list offers a good mixture of options for a wide range of customers.
How to select the best gas credit card for you
When looking for the best gas credit card, there are several considerations you’ll want to keep in mind.
- Annual fees. Some gas credit cards have a $0 annual fee; others may require you to pay a small amount in exchange for keeping your credit card open.
- APR. In general, you can expect to get a lower APR if your credit score is in the “excellent” range.
- Cash back or rewards. One of the main perks of a gas credit card is the ability to earn points or cash back on gas purchases, which you can then exchange for gift cards or other benefits.
- Introductory offers. Depending on the card issuer, you may get a certain amount of cash back for making a minimum number of purchases within a set time period after opening a card, or you may get an introductory APR of 0%. Check to see what is on offer and choose based on what’s most appealing to you.
Alternatives to gas credit cards
If you want to save money on gas without taking out a new credit card, here are two options to consider.
- Gas station loyalty cards. These cards give you points whenever you make a purchase from the specific gas station they’re tied to. The more you fill up there (or the more coffee or fountain drinks you purchase at the attached convenience store), the more points you’ll earn. You can then redeem the points for discounts on future gas purchases.
- Grocery store loyalty cards. Many grocery stores have loyalty cards that give you points for spending money in the store. If it has an attached gas station, you may be able to redeem your points for discounted gas. For example, Kroger Plus cardholders can use their points to decrease the per-gallon cost of gas at Kroger gas stations.
TIME Stamp: The best gas credit cards help you save on more than just gas
By opening one of these gas credit cards, you can enjoy cash back and other rewards just for making purchases you would already be making. Before choosing a card, it’s important to consider annual fees, APR, introductory offers, and the rewards you can earn for purchasing gas and other essential items such as groceries.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How do gas credit cards work?
Gas credit cards work the same way traditional credit cards do; however, they tend to offer benefits tailored for cardholders who spend a lot of money on gas. For example, they may offer 4% or higher cash back for gas purchases, which can help you decrease your overall costs. Depending on the card, you may be able to redeem cash-back points for gift cards, travel expenses, or cash.
What are the different types of gas credit cards?
There are two main types of gas credit cards:
- Loyalty cards are not actually gas credit cards, though they can help you save money on gas. By using your loyalty card whenever you purchase gas, you can earn money off future gas purchases. These cards are designed to keep you coming back to the same gas station chain in order to maximize your savings while keeping a steady flow of business for the gas station.
- General purpose cards are the same as traditional credit cards, but they tend to have better cash-back opportunities for gas purchases. They may be issued in partnership with gas stations or independently through a bank or credit union. However, these cards can be used anywhere a regular card can be used—and they usually also offer cash back on groceries, travel, and other general expenses.
What are alternative credit cards that can still earn you points on gas?
Most credit cards offer some form of cash back or points. To earn the most back on gas purchases, look at the fine print of any credit card you’re considering to see how much you can earn back on purchases at gas stations.
What are fleet gas cards?
A fleet gas card is designed for business use. If the business has a fleet of commercial cars, the driver can use a fleet gas card to fill up at certain gas stations within a predetermined network. Fleet gas cards can also be used to pay for regular maintenance of fleet vehicles, so businesses can keep them running longer.
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