Best gas credit cards for August 2022

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Commuters, road-trippers and travelers know that fuel expenses can add up, but more people are cushioning the blow with gas credit cards to earn either cash back or points to fund their next trip. Since gas is a popular category on credit cards, finding the best gas credit card can be tough. Comparing credit cards for gas from our partners can help you decide how you want to earn more credit card rewards at the pumps in 2022.

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BEST FOR CUSTOMIZABLE REWARDS

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

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Reward rate
5

5% cash back on your first $2,000 in eligible net purchases each quarter on the combined two categories you choose.

3

5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Travel Center.

-1

1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.

1

1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.

Intro offer

$200 bonus

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

16.74% - 26.74% (Variable)

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 - 850)

The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card is packed full of bonus rewards categories. It will take more than a little effort to track them all, but people who don’t mind strategizing to earn high rewards for all their purchases will enjoy having this card in their collection.
Pros
  • Multiple rotating and fixed bonus categories, which can make it easier to earn rewards quickly
  • The $200 sign-up bonus (after spending $1,000 within the first 120 days of account opening) increases the card’s first-year value
Cons
  • The $2,000 combined spending cap each quarter for your chosen 5% categories limits your ability to rake in rewards
  • Having to track and enroll in rotating categories can be a hassle for some
  • New! $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
  • 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose
  • 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Travel Center
  • 2% cash back on one everyday category, like Gas Stations/EV Charging Stations, Grocery Stores or Restaurants
  • 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
  • 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 16.74% – 26.74%
  • No Annual Fee
  • Pay over time by splitting eligible purchases of $100+ into equal monthly payments with U.S. Bank ExtendPay™ Plan.
  • Terms and conditions apply.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Purchase intro APR
0% Intro APR on purchases for the first 15 billing cycles.

Balance transfer intro APR
0% Intro APR on balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles.

BEST FOR PERSONAL LOAN ALTERNATIVE

Upgrade Cash Rewards Elite Visa®

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Reward rate
2.2

Earn 2.2% unlimited cash back on card purchases every time you make a payment

Intro offer

$200

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

8.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 - 850)

If you value having an incentive for making your credit card payments, you will find a lot to love with this card option. You’ll earn a competitive rate of 2.2 percent cash back on your purchases each time you make a payment. The card is also fairly affordable, skipping the annual fee, foreign transaction fees and many other common maintenance fees.
Pros
  • You won’t need to use your reward earnings to offset any maintenance fees.
  • You’ll earn a bonus after you open a Rewards Checking account and make three purchases with the card in your first 60 days.
Cons
  • The high end APR range is well above average. That could prove costly if you don’t have the credit needed to qualify for the lower range and you end up carrying a balance.
  • You won’t get a break on interest if you carry a balance since there are no intro APR offers on purchases or balance transfers.
  • $200 bonus on your Upgrade Card after opening a Rewards Checking account and making 3 debit card transactions within 60 days.*
  • New Feature: Pay your balance in full early each month and avoid interest with EarlyPay.
  • Earn 2.2% unlimited cash back on card purchases every time you make a payment
  • See if you qualify in seconds with no impact to your credit score
  • No Fees – $0 annual fees, $0 activation fees, $0 maintenance fees
  • Combine the flexibility of a card with the low cost and predictability of a loan
  • Access to a virtual card, so you can start earning while you wait for your card to arrive in the mail.
  • Contactless payments with Apple Pay® and Google Pay™
  • Mobile app to access your account anytime, anywhere
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud liability
  • *To qualify for the $200 welcome bonus, you must open and fund a new Upgrade Rewards Checking Account and make 3 debit card transactions within 60 days of your Upgrade Card account opening. The bonus credit will be posted to your Upgrade Card as a rewards credit within 1-2 billing periods following the third debit transaction on your Rewards Checking account. Your Upgrade Card must be in good standing to receive the bonus.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Purchase intro APR
N/A

Balance transfer intro APR
N/A

BEST FOR GROCERIES

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

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Reward rate
6

6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).

1

6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.

3

3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations

0

3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations

1

1% Cash Back on other purchases

Intro offer

$350

Annual fee

$95

Regular APR

16.24%-26.24% Variable

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 - 850)

With generous rewards rates in family-friendly categories including purchases at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations, on-the-go families will have a hard time finding a more rewarding credit card.
Pros
  • The base reward program is uber-lucrative, making this card a good choice for people looking for long-term value.
  • You don’t have to keep track of rotating spending categories or enrollment deadlines.
Cons
  • There is no intro APR offer on balance transfers.
  • You won’t earn the extra rewards for grocery shopping at major superstores and wholesale clubs, as those don’t count as U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn a $350 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
  • Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months after account opening. Plans created after that will have a fixed monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
  • Low intro APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 16.24% to 26.24%.
  • 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
  • 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
  • 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
  • 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
  • Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
  • $95 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Purchase intro APR
0% on purchases for 12 months

Balance transfer intro APR
N/A

BEST FOR ROTATING CASH BACK CATEGORIES

Discover it® Cash Back

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Reward rate
5

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.

1

Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.

Intro offer

Cashback Match™

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

13.49% - 24.49% Variable

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 - 850)

The Discover it Cash Back is a popular choice for cash back rewards because of the rotating bonus categories. It’s an exciting way to earn cash back quarter by quarter and all year-round without committing to a set rewards category.
Pros
  • Discover will match the cash back you earn at the end of the first year.
  • There are a few cash back redemption options, including credit to your account and donations.
Cons
  • You must enroll to take advantage of the bonus categories each quarter.
  • There is a spending limit on your highest cash back category each quarter ($1,500 in combined purchases per quarter).
  • Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
  • New! Discover helps remove your personal information from select people-search websites. Activate by mobile app for free.
  • Every $1 you earn in cash back is $1 you can redeem.
  • New Intro APR: Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 13.49% to 24.49% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
  • No annual fee.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Purchase intro APR
0% for 15 months

Balance transfer intro APR
0% for 15 months

BEST FOR UP TO 2% CASH BACK

Citi® Double Cash Card

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Reward rate
2

Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.

Intro offer

$200 Cash Back

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

16.24% - 26.24% (Variable)

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 - 850)

If you make your payments on time each month, it’ll be tough to find a better cash back card than the Citi Double Cash Card. With healthy financial habits, this card effectively becomes a 2 percent flat-rate cash back card (1 percent when you make purchases and another 1 percent when you pay your bill), a rare find in the cash back market.
Pros
  • You can convert your cash back earnings to Citi ThankYou points when paired with a card like the Citi Premier® Card, which can be redeemed for travel, gift cards and more.
  • There are no spending category restrictions or rotating categories
Cons
  • Your rewards can expire with this card if you don’t use it for a year.
  • The sign-up bonus spending requirement is higher than you’ll find on many no-annual-fee cash back cards.
  • Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
  • For a limited time, earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.
  • Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 16.24% – 26.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
  • If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
  • There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Purchase intro APR
N/A

Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro for 18 months on Balance Transfers

A closer look at our best gas credit cards

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card: Best for sign-up bonus

  • What we love about the Customized Cash Rewards: The ability to choose and change your bonus cash back category allows for a flexible rewards strategy and room for your credit card portfolio to grow.
  • Who this card is good for: Cash back strategists who want high rewards rates in more than one category.
  • Alternatives: Spending caps are common on a card like this, but if you’re looking to avoid limits on the amount of cash back or points you can earn, consider a card with a fixed, flat rate rewards model like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card or another flat-rate cash back card. These cards earn flexibly across all of your spending and don’t require the same category enrollment the Customized Cash Rewards does to earn its best rate.

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express: Best for gas and groceries

  • What we love about the Blue Cash Preferred: Pairing 3 percent back at U.S. gas stations with 6 percent back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 in spending per year, then 1 percent) makes it one of the best cards for everyday purchases available.
  • Who this card is good for: People with a moderate to large grocery budget who spend a lot of time on the road.
  • Alternatives: Maybe your grocery budget is not substantial enough to offset the card’s recurring $95 annual fee but you still want to earn generously for purchases made at U.S. supermarkets and gas stations. The card’s predecessor, the Blue Cash Everyday, also earns modestly at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations. While rewards rates are not as high as those on the Blue Cash Preferred, the Everyday has the added advantage of no annual fee.

Citi Rewards+ Card: Best for everyday spending

  • What we love about the Citi Rewards+ Card: The rewards earned from every purchase will be rounded up to the nearest 10 points. So, a $12 lunch order would earn 20 ThankYou points. Plus, the card earns an annual 10 percent bonus points on the first 100,000 points you redeem.
  • Who this card is good for: Everyday shoppers who want to earn points for purchases they make that are redeemable for purchases, gift cards, statement credits, direct deposits or on Amazon.com.
  • Alternatives: Going with a card that earns a higher point value for the purchases you make the most could be more to your advantage. The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards and the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card cards provide the flexibility to plan a spending strategy that earns more across everyday spending.

Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card: Best credit union rewards card

  • What we love about the PenFed Platinum Rewards card: In addition to gas purchases, this card also offers bonus points at electric vehicle charging stations. Additionally, rewards are unlimited, and in the gas-at-the-pump category alone, spending $200 a month would earn 1,000 monthly reward points.
  • Who this card is good for: Frugal spenders who want to be rewarded for budget staples like gas, dining out and supermarket purchases.
  • Alternatives: Joining a credit union may push you away from a card like this despite its great rewards potential. If that’s the case, consider attempting to cover the rewards you would earn with the card with a spending strategy that includes multiple cards and earns at least 5 percent back on everything you purchase.

In the news

Gas prices surged following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as a result of supply chain imbalances and COVID cases decreasing, which prompted a return to offices and road trips. While commuters are bound for sticker shock at the pumps, Ted Rossman, Senior Industry Analyst, says the best way to save on gas is with a gas rewards credit card. Along with savvy tips like using grocery points to curb the cost and emptying your trunk, Rossman notes the best credit cards to save on gas are not co-branded gas station cards. Instead, general-purpose rewards or cash back cards are the best way to save on gas purchases because they offer lower APRs and percentage-based rewards rather than the cent-based discounts on co-branded gas station cards.

What is a gas credit card?

A gas credit card is a rewards card that earns points, cash back or miles when you spend at the pump. Just like other credit cards, these can either earn rewards at a flat-rate or have rotating bonus categories with elevated rewards rates.

Along with cards dedicated to gas rewards, some of the best grocery cards and travel cards also earn rewards for spending at the pump, so any card that offers customized rewards or includes gas purchases in a bonus category can be used as your “gas card.”

Cards with customizable rewards rates can be especially flexible. For example, the Citi Custom Cash earns 5 percent back in your top spending category, with gas just one of many eligible categories (on up to $500 in spending per billing cycle, then 1 percent back). This flexibility could be helpful if you’re juggling multiple cards or your gas spend varies from month to month.

Picking the card that’s best for you means determining where you spend the majority of your money and how exactly you want your gas credit card to fit into your rewards strategy.

Types of gas credit cards

The two main types of gas credit cards are co-branded and general-purpose. They both have their benefits, but general-purpose cards that include gas as a rewards category can be more versatile.

General-purpose gas credit cards

General-purpose gas cards are simply credit cards that offer bonus rewards at gas stations. These may come with rewards models that offer cash back or points earned per dollar spent. Typically the best general-purpose credit cards include a range of rewards categories and give you the flexibility to maintain your spending habits without thinking about how to maximize your rewards strategy.

A great general-purpose gas credit card might also earn generously at U.S. supermarkets or at wholesale clubs. However, it’s rare that gas will be included in the highest rewards tier, so to really maximize your rewards at the pumps you may opt for a card like the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card in order to earn 3 percent back in a category of your choice, like gas (on up to $2,500 of combined 3 and 2 percent category purchases each quarter, then 1 percent).

Loyalty gas cards

Loyalty gas cards, or cards distributed by specific gas stations to promote loyalty (such as BP, Speedway or Chevron), allow cardholders to earn credits for gas and receive discounts on fuel. While these cards can provide benefits in the form of discounts on gas, typically a certain number of cents off per gallon, they typically don’t offer rewards for purchases outside of those made at the gas stations they’re tied to. Even so, some of these options and the gas loyalty rewards programs they’re a part of can bring in a nice chunk of savings.
Creditcard's Insight

The average American spends $2,094 annually on gasoline, other fuels and motor oil, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ most recent Consumer Expenditures Report. Charged on a credit card that earns 3 percent cash back on gas, those expenses equal an annual rewards haul of $62.82. While that’s not a staggering sum, think of it as a free fill-up or two.

Pros and cons of gas rewards cards

Like any type of rewards credit card, gas cards have their perks and drawbacks. Consider the following before you apply:
  • Pros
  • Affordability: There are plenty of gas cards on the market that do not charge annual fees.
  • Additional rewards: Most gas cards offer rewards in other valuable categories like dining or groceries.
  • Accessibility: Gas cards are available to people with a wide range of credit scores, so you can find a gas credit card with bad credit.
  • cons
  • Loyalty cards lack flexibility: Gas rewards cards tied to a particular brand may be inconvenient if that gas station isn’t available everywhere you travel.
  • Not optimized for electric vehicles: There are few gas cards that earn rewards on electric vehicle charging.
  • Less utilized budget expense: Gas isn’t the largest component of most budgets, so getting a card solely for gas expenses could be pointless.

Who should get a gas credit card?

You might already have a good idea what type of spender you are and it may come as no surprise that gas credit cards are best suited for people who spend significantly at the pump. But not everyone can benefit from them—many people who work from home or don’t drive often might not find value in earning cash back for gas station purchases. However, the following people are most likely to earn the best bang for their buck with a gas card:
Traveling to and from work every day can definitely run up your gas bill, so using a gas card could help you earn a significant stash of rewards in no time. Save up your rewards and they may even cover the cost of your next fill-up.If you use the Citi Custom Cash card for all of your gas payments, you’ll earn 5 percent back if gas is your top spending category that billing cycle (up to $500 each billing cycle, then 1 percent), netting you an annual $104.70 if you spend $2,094 each year on gas and don’t exceed the monthly $500 cap on the 5 percent rate.
If your preferred method of travel is to head out on the open road, you may consider a gas card a helpful tool to cover travel costs. Unlike most traditional travel cards that offer rewards on flights and hotel purchases, you’ll earn most where you spend most and rack up cash back at the pump. For road-trip food stops, you should consider coupling gas rewards with rewards for restaurant purchases.A great option would be to grab a hotel loyalty rewards credit card like the Hilton Honors American Express Card. Not only will this reward you for hotel stays on the road at Hilton properties, but it also earns 5X points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, U.S. grocery stores and U.S. gas stations. The flexibility to use those rewards on Hilton hotel stays means that every dollar spent on the pump equates to less spent at the check-in counter.Want to learn more? Read our full round-up on best credit cards for road trips.
Quite a few gas cards on the market also offer rewards in other popular spending categories like dining and grocery store purchases. These kinds of reward structures make gas cards ideal for frequent travelers and on-the-go families who need to stock up often on gas and groceries. Travel cards with a gas rewards category can also be beneficial if you spend heavily on gas and want to earn rewards for your next trip or vacation. With the right travel card, you could stockpile a ton of points or miles for gas purchases that you can use to fund your next family trip.If you want to stick with a single card that earns consistent rewards across a range of categories like travel, groceries, gas and dining, consider the Citi Premier® Card, which earns 3X points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and hotels. This card can cover nearly every expense you’ll make on the road, in the air and at the hotel.
If you aren’t sure what type of spender you are, our Credit Card Spender Type Tool gives you personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.

How to choose the best gas credit card for you

There are a variety of options when choosing among the best gas credit cards. Consider these questions when shopping around for the best gas card for you.

Do you want a general-purpose or loyalty gas card?

If you spend most of your time at one specific gas station, consider choosing a loyalty card that offers discounts at that particular chain. By pairing a gas card with a brand’s loyalty program, you could potentially earn several cents back per gallon. However, if you want more flexible (and rewarding) options, a general-purpose rewards card can earn rewards at any station, potentially at a higher rate.

What perks and rewards do you need for non-gas purchases?

Outside of rewards on gas purchases, evaluate other major spending categories you’d like to earn in. Busy families with high grocery budgets or commuting professionals can apply for a gas credit card that also rewards these purchases.

How much are you willing to invest in your gas card?

While many gas cards don’t charge an annual fee, a few do. These annual fees often come with a higher rewards rate and extra perks that bring additional value to your card, though the rewards you earn on gas spending alone may not be enough to recoup them. Some gas cards may also require you to have a membership with a specialty store or organization to qualify. Take note of these extra investments when deciding which gas card best fits your needs. Paying an annual fee is often not worthwhile unless you can take full advantage of a card’s rewards rates and benefits. To give you a better idea of the potential value difference between a gas card with an annual fee and one without it, this chart breaks down the cost and total estimated rewards value of two similar cash back cards — the American Express Blue Cash Preferred and the Blue Cash Everyday, assuming you spend $2,000 on gas per year.

How we selected our list of top gas cards

Credit cards featured on Bankrate.com receive a score based on a 5-point scoring system. With individual categories such as gas credit cards, the analysis focuses on specific features relevant to that type of card, including:
Rewards rate

The highest-rated credit cards for gas purchases typically earn cash back or rewards points at a rate of 2 percent, 3 percent or even 4 percent for every dollar you spend on fuel purchases.

Versatility

The best gas cards offer rewards not just for filling up your vehicle but also for other types of everyday purchases, such as groceries.

Affordability

A truly outstanding gas credit card puts value front and center, meaning that it charges no annual fee (or a minimal fee).

Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email, find us on Facebook, or Tweet us @Credit Card.

Frequently asked questions about gas credit cards

Fleet gas cards are business credit cards specifically designed to provide rebates for company vehicle gas and maintenance spending.
If you’re looking to save money at the gas pump, a gas rewards card could definitely be an excellent addition to your wallet.
It depends on the gas card. If you’re considering a rewards credit card that earns points for more than just fuel purchases, you’ll most likely need good to excellent credit (about a 670 FICO score or higher).
Yes, when used responsibly. As with any credit card, make sure you pay your balance on time and in full to build positive credit history and avoid interest charges.

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