Best Credit Cards for Gas in December 2024

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.

TIME Stamped best gas credit cards

Best for cash back: card_name

Why we like it: When you open a card_name, you can earn between 1.5% and 5% cash back in several different categories as follows: 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Unlimited Rewards; 3% cash back on restaurants (including takeout) and drugstore purchases; and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. 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 card_name don’t expire, so you don’t need to worry about rushing to use them.

Other benefits of the card_name include a intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration and balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration and a annual_fees annual fee.

You can find more details on our full review.

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Best for fair credit: card_name

Why we like it: With a minimum credit requirement of 580, the card_name 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. In addition, you can earn a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases, including gas.

You can find more details on our full review.

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Best for families: card_name

Why we like it: Families who spend a lot of money at gas stations and grocery stores will appreciate the cash back options with a card_name. 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. With a annual_fees annual fee (Rates & Fees), cardholders can rest assured that there won’t be any surprises with this card.

More details can be found in our full review.

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Best for rewards: Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at Thankyou.com

Rewards rate: There’s a long list of rewards available for Citi Strata Premier℠ Card holders, including 3% on gas that’s converted into ThankYouPoints.

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, homeimprovement stores, department stores, and more. There’s also an option to redeem your points for travel expenses on flights, hotels, andcruises. ThankYou Points don’t expire, and there’s no limit on the number of points you can earn.

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Best for discounted gas: BPme Rewards Visa®

Why we like it: 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. After that, 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. You can exchange your rewards for cash back, gift cards, account statement credit, or travel experiences.

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Best for no annual fee: card_name

Why we like it: In addition to a $0 annual fee, PenFed offers numerous benefits for Platinum Rewards Visa Signature cardholders. This includes 5x points earned on gas purchases or EV charging stations. For a driver who spends $500 per month, this would equal 2,500 points per month and 30,000 points per year. You can also earn 3x points on purchases at grocery stores, restaurants, and streaming services, and 1x points on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for gift cards, travel, shopping, experiences—even charitable donations.

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Best credit cards for gas

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.

From Our Experts: ‘Which Card I Use’

We asked our experts, who write about hundreds of credit cards each year, to tell us which card they rely on for buying gas. Here’s what they said.

Stephanie Colestock: card_name

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is my absolute, hands-down favorite gas card. It offers an unlimited 3% back on all gas-station and transit purchases, which I typically just redeem for an easy statement credit. Even better, this card also offers a whopping 6% back on my first $6,000 in grocery store purchases, making it a true winner in terms of typical household expenditures. If you're not sure whether this is the right card for you, the $0 introductory annual fee lets you take it for a test drive (pun intended), so you can see how much you'll actually earn in gas rewards each year before paying anything.

Kevin Payne: Citi Custom Cash® Card

Cash-back cards haven't been part of my rewards strategy until recently. I decided to dive into cash back with the Citi Custom Cash® Card. Earning 5% cash back in our top eligible spending category each month has been incredible so far. Gas stations are one of the eligible categories.

Between my wife and me—and three out of four of our teens who drive—we spend considerable money at the gas pump each month. We also took full advantage of Custom Cash's extended 0% intro APR offer to finance home projects this year. It's not our primary card, and will probably never earn the top spot in my wallet, especially with a 3% foreign transaction fee. Still, it's been a valuable tool for statement credits on some of our biggest monthly expenses.

How to choose a gas credit card

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.

More about gas credit cards

Not sure whether a gas credit card is a good option for you? Learn more about this type of credit card, including how they work, the different types of cards, and the main pros and cons of a gas credit card.

How do gas credit cards work?

Gas credit cards are designed to help customers save money on gas while bringing return business to a specific gas station brand. Depending on the card, you could get discounts on gas and other purchases, cash back, or other rewards on gas purchases.

You use a gas credit card at the pump the same way you would use any other type of debit or credit card. Most pumps are pre-paid, so you must enter your card before filling up your car. Alternatively, many gas stations let you pay using your phone or smartwatch, so you don’t need your physical card. Depending on the gas station, you might get an instant discount on the per-gallon price or cash back on your monthly statement.

Some gas credit cards can be used for purchases other than gas, while others can only be used at a certain gas station brand.

Types of gas credit cards

There are several types of gas credit cards to choose from. Some provide savings on purchases at specific branded gas stations, while others can be used like a traditional credit card. Learn more about these types of cards to determine which is best for you.

• Traditional gas station credit cards can be used on a specific brand of gas only. For example, you could get a branded gas credit card from Shell or BP and use that card at any location for that specific gas station brand. This type of card is similar to a store credit card in that you can’t use it anywhere but that particular gas station chain. Generally, you can get a discount on gas by using your card, though the exact discount will vary by gas station.
• Gas station credit cards are also issued by a gas station brand but in partnership with a traditional credit card issuer like Visa or Mastercard. That means you can use the card at stores other than the gas station. You’ll still get a discount on gas (again, the precise discount will vary) and may also earn cash back or rewards for using your card at one of the gas station’s locations.
• General gas rewards credit cards aren’t issued by a gas station but offer rewards for spending money on gas. The exact rewards vary by the card provider, and not all rewards credit cards offer cash back or rewards on gas purchases, so make sure you check with the card issuer before signing up.

Pros and cons of gas credit cards

All credit cards have benefits and drawbacks, and gas credit cards are no exception. Here’s a breakdown of the biggest pros and cons of gas credit cards.

By far the biggest benefit of a gas credit card is the savings it offers on gas purchases. If you drive a lot for work (or ferrying your kids around to various activities), you might fill up with gas more than you’d like—and those purchases add up fast. A gas credit card helps you save money on an unavoidable expense. Depending on the card, you may also get savings on in-store purchases from your chosen gas station chain. Gas credit cards are also convenient, and many gas stations have apps that you can use to pay for your purchases without even needing your physical card.

Like other types of credit cards, gas cards often have sign-up bonuses as an added enticement. Often, you’ll be required to spend a certain amount of money on the card within an introductory period, but if you can swing it, you can maximize your rewards earnings in the first few months of using the card.

Finally, gas credit cards may be easier to qualify for. If you have a fair credit score and can qualify for a gas credit card, you can use the card to help boost your credit score.

The main drawback of a gas credit card is a potentially high interest rate compared to other types of credit cards. You can avoid accruing interest by paying off your balance in full each month, but if you’re not able to do that, you could end up paying a lot in interest charges. Gas credit cards often have annual fees, as well, which could negate your savings.

Gas credit cards may also have limited rewards compared to other types of cards. Depending on the card, you may only be offered rewards in the form of money off gas purchases. If you fill up a lot and have another rewards credit card for other purchases, this is probably fine—but if you want to use one card for multiple types of rewards you might be better off with a traditional rewards credit card. The card issuer may also limit where you can use your card.

Finally, a gas credit card may have caps on how much you can spend when it comes to getting rewards. If you spend more than a set amount in a year, you may no longer qualify for rewards (or the rewards you get may be limited).

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.