The Citi Custom Cash® Card is the best gas credit card because it offers 5% cash back on up to $500 in gas purchases each month when gas is your highest spending category. This is the highest rate on gas of all the cards on our list, and you won’t have to pay an annual fee.
Gas can be among a household’s biggest expenses each month, so it makes sense to do everything possible to lower the impact it has on your budget. A gas credit card can be one way to keep some extra money in your wallet. There are two major types of gas credit cards — one gives a discount on gas purchases (usually at a specific brand of gas station), and the other gives rewards on fuel purchases. While there are many different choices for gas credit cards, the best gas credit card will earn at least 2% back on your gas purchases.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Earning rate on gas: Up to 5% cash back
You can earn up to $300 cash back every year on gas with the Citi Custom Cash® Card. Instead of earning rewards in fixed categories, you’ll automatically earn 5% cash back on your highest category of spend each month from a list of categories (up to $500). So if gas is your biggest spending category, you’ll earn a whopping 5% cash back on up to $500 in gas each month.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Earning rate on gas: Up to 3% cash back
With the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card, you can earn up to 3% cash back on gas. If you use this card solely for gas purchases and hit the $2,500 quarterly maximum, you’ll get up to $300 cash back on gas purchases per year. Plus, you’ll earn cash rewards on every purchase.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Earning rate on gas: 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations (redeemable for statement credits)
Earn Earn 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. Terms apply.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns 3% cash back rewards at U.S. gas stations, while also earning one of the highest rates of cash back around for U.S. supermarket purchases (redeemable for statement credits). If you’re looking for the best cash back credit card for these two categories combined, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is the way to go.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Earning rate on gas: Up to 3% cash back
The Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card is best for small business owners who are looking for a flexible credit card that gives 3% cash back on gas as a reward option. You can select one category to earn the highest cash back rate each month (up to the yearly maximum), and you can change it once per calendar month.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Earning rate on gas: Up to 4% cash back
If you’re a frequent spender at both gas stations and restaurants, you should consider the PNC Cash Rewards® Visa® Credit Card. In addition to offering an excellent rewards rate on these two categories, the card offers cash back at grocery stores and on all other purchases — all for a $0 annual fee.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Earning rate on gas: Up to 15¢ off per gallon
Of all gas discount cards, the BPme Rewards Visa Signature® Card offers one of the best discounts on fuel: You’ll get 15 cents per gallon off all fuel purchases at BP. Plus, you can also earn cash back on groceries, dining and nonfuel BP purchases.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Earning rate on gas: 6X points at U.S. gas stations
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card earns a high rate of rewards at U.S. gas stations in the form of Hilton Honors hotel points. If you’re a frequent Hilton guest, you’ll enjoy earning travel rewards that you can turn into free nights.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Earning rate on gas: 3X points
The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is an outstanding travel rewards credit card that offers ThankYou® points at gas stations, as well as air travel and hotel stays. You can then transfer these points to Citi’s travel partners for maximum value.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Earning rate on gas: Up to 4% cash back
Get 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter. 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases. 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com. 1% cash back on all other purchases..
Buying gas at Costco does require a Costco membership (either $60 or $120 annually), but gas at Costco is often cheaper than at surrounding stations. And if you’re filling up at Costco, you’ll want the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Welcome Offer | Rewards Rate | Recommended Credit Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Citi Custom Cash® Card*
|
Winner
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Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back. | Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026. | Good / Excellent | |
|
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card*
|
Runner-up, best gas credit card
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$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening | 3% cash back in the category of your choice. 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs for the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases. 1% cash back on all other purchases. | Good / Excellent | |
|
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express*
|
Groceries
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Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. | Earn 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. Terms apply. | Good / Excellent | |
|
Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card*
|
Business
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Get a $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening. | Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice (for the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter), 2% cash back on dining purchases (for the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter) and 1% cash back on all other purchases | Excellent | |
|
PNC Cash Rewards® Visa® Credit Card*
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Restaurants
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$250 after you make $1,000 or more in purchases during the first three months | Earn 2% on grocery store purchases, 3% on dining purchases at restaurants and 4% on gas station purchases for the first $8,000 in combined purchases in these categories annually. 1% cash back on purchases everywhere, every time. | N/A | |
|
BPme Rewards Visa Signature® Card*
|
Gas discount card
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30¢ off per gallon on BP and Amoco fuel purchases in the first 60 days after account opening. | 15¢ off per gallon on fuel purchases at participating BP and Amoco stations. Earn 5% cash back on non-fuel BP and Amoco purchases, 3% cash back on grocery store and dining purchases and 1% cash back on other purchases. | N/A | |
|
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card*
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Hotels
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Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/8/2025. | Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Portfolio. Earn 6X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations. Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases. Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card. | Good / Excellent | |
|
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card*
|
Travel
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For a limited time, earn 75,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com. | 10x on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked through CitiTravel.com. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Restaurants. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Supermarkets. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Gas and EV Charging Stations. Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on All Other Purchases $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking. Travel insurance protection: Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption (Common Carrier), Trip Delay, Lost or Damaged Luggage, MasterRental Coverage (Car Rental). | Good / Excellent | |
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Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi*
|
Costco
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N/A | 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter. 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases. 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com. 1% cash back on all other purchases. | Excellent |
A gas card can mean a few different things, depending on the context. Some gas station brands offer gas cards that offer discounts on fuel purchases at their particular stations — these are generally referred to as gas discount cards. There are also traditional gas credit cards that are good anywhere the associated credit card processing network (Visa or Mastercard, for example) is accepted. They may or may not be co-branded with a gas station brand and usually offer rewards on gas purchases.
Gas discount cards
A gas discount card is a gas card that is specific to one particular brand of gas station. These cards usually offer a discount on specific types of gasoline, and may only be good for purchases at that particular brand. A couple of examples of gas discount cards include the Exxon Mobil Smart Card+™ and the Shell | Fuel Rewards® Mastercard®.
Credit cards with gas rewards
If you’re looking for a card that you can use for multiple types of purchases, you might opt instead for a credit card with gas rewards. These credit cards are usually issued by a major processing network, such as Visa or Mastercard, and good anywhere those networks are accepted. Rather than a discount, the card will offer points or cash back on your gas purchase.
Deciding whether a gas discount card will save you more than a credit card that pays cash rewards on gas purchases will depend on the price of gas in your area. The lower the price of gas, the more likely that a discount card will offer more savings than a cash back card. The table below shows how a gas card with a 10 cent discount compares to a credit card with 3% cash back rewards on gas. In this specific scenario, $3.50/gallon and higher is the tipping point where the 3% cash back card is better than the 10 cent/gallon discount card.
| Gas card with a 10 cent discount | Credit card with 3% cash back | |
|---|---|---|
| $3 per gallon | $1.50 | $1.35 |
| $4 per gallon | $1.50 | $1.80 |
| $5 per gallon | $1.50 | $2.25 |
If you’re ready to get a gas card, here are a few steps to follow:
Using a credit card that offers discounts and rewards can often be worth it, compared to paying with a debit card or cash. You can earn rewards or discounts on your fuel purchases — plus, most credit cards come with fraud protections that can protect you against theft and skimming at the pump. As long as you’re able to pay the charges off each month, a gas card is a good way to go.
Most gas stations now offer the ability to pay at the pump with an authorized debit or credit card. To use a credit card at the gas pump, insert your card when you pull up at the gas station. Some gas pumps still use the magnetic stripe to authorize your payment, but most have converted to using the EMV technology chip. Insert your chip card and leave it inserted into the pump until you’re told to remove your card. Then simply follow the prompts until you have completed your purchase.
While gas stations are a favorite spot for “skimming” (a type of credit card fraud that involves placing a device on top of a credit card machine to steal your card number), most gas stations offer protection against skimming. You should keep an eye out for a piece of anti-tampering tape around the credit card reader — if the tape is broken, the machine may have been tampered with, and you should inform the gas station attendant. Fortunately, EMV chip readers also offer strong protection against this type of fraud.Figure which stations you use the most
The first thing that you’ll want to do is determine which gas stations you use the most. A co-branded gas card is a good choice for those who are brand loyal, while a general credit card is better for those who use many different brands. If you live in a rural area that only has one or two stations, you might be more brand loyal than if you live in a more populated area with more choices.
Calculate the amount you spend on gas and the number of gallons you use
Next, you should estimate how much you spend on gas each month. This calculation will help you determine whether a discount card or a rewards card will be the better choice. Generally speaking, the more expensive the gas prices in your area, the more likely a gas rewards card will be a better choice.
Decide if you want to earn rewards in other categories
If you only want to carry one card, you may be better off with a gas rewards card. A card with multiple bonus categories will allow you to earn credit card rewards on all of your purchases, instead of only your gas purchases. A gas discount card can be a good option as a secondary card that is used only for gas.
Decide which type of rewards you prefer
There are many different options for credit card rewards — including airline miles, hotel points, bank points and cash back. Another step towards choosing a gas credit card is deciding which of these rewards will be most useful to you.
Look at the other benefits on the card
Many rewards credit cards also offer other perks or benefits that you might find useful. A credit card that offers travel protection or primary rental car insurance might be something that would provide real value to you. As you compare different gas credit card options, finding one with valuable benefits can help you decide which card is right for you.
Yes, getting a gas credit card can help you build credit — but you’ll need to use it responsibly. Most credit card issuers report your account and payment history to the three major consumer credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion), which can positively impact your credit profile — as long as you pay on time and keep your balance well below 30% of your credit limit.
If you have a poor or fair credit score, consider a secured credit card. This type of card will require a security deposit in the amount of your desired credit limit, but it can help you rebuild a poor credit score through responsible usage. For example, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card offers 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
Visa and Mastercard have different rules and also higher credit card processing fees for larger transactions. Because gas stations may not be reimbursed by Visa or Mastercard for fraudulent transactions above a certain amount, they may limit the total dollar amount for any gas purchases. The guidelines are different for in-store purchases, so if you want to make a gas purchase for more than the listed amount at the pump, you can go inside to pay at the register.
The best gas credit cards are likely to require good to excellent credit — typically considered to be a FICO Score of 670 to 850. If you have poor or fair credit, take a look at secured cards and credit cards for bad credit.
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card is our pick for easiest credit card to get for gas rewards, as it’s geared toward consumers with credit.
Nearly all gas stations take most major credit cards; this is especially true in urban and suburban areas. You may still find a rural gas station that doesn’t take credit cards — if that is the case, you’ll have to go into the building and pay with cash or another form of accepted payment.
Generally speaking, it’s as safe to use a credit card at the gas pump as it is to use a credit card anywhere. However, there is a known scam called credit card skimming, which sometimes affects gas station pumps. Gas pump credit card skimming is when a criminal uses an unauthorized device attached to the gas pump to collect your credit card information. Be vigilant when using any gas pump and be on the lookout for anything that looks out of place.
We selected the best gas cards through a review of cards available on LendingTree and from top issuers. The following factors influenced our top card picks:
The information related to the Citi Custom Cash® Card, Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card, Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card, PNC Cash Rewards® Visa® Credit Card, BPme Rewards Visa Signature® Card, Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi, Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card, Exxon Mobil Smart Card+™, Shell | Fuel Rewards® Mastercard® and Discover it® Secured Credit Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
