Best gas reward credit cards of January 2020
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- Chase Freedom Unlimited® - For Consumers
- Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card - For Businesses
If you're like most people in the U.S., hopping in your car to head to work, run errands or do your duty in the carpool lane is likely part of your everyday life. That means filling your tank up with gas probably is too. With that said, most of us could probably benefit from a credit card that specifically rewards gas station purchases, which is why we're bringing you our top picks for gas rewards credit cards from our partners.
Filling the tank isn't the most glamorous of jobs, but we're willing to bet that earning cash back with one of these top gas rewards credit cards will make the job slightly less tedious.
And, by the way, if your side hustle happens to be driving for Uber or Lyft, you really can't afford to not have one of these cards in your wallet.
Here are our top picks for the best gas rewards credit cards:
BEST GAS REWARD CREDIT CARDS
GAS CREDIT CARDS FOR CONSUMERS | GAS CREDIT CARDS FOR BUSINESSES
BEST GAS CREDIT CARDS FOR CONSUMERS
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Why We Like It: Sure, this is a "best credit cards for gas rewards" article, but gas isn't the ONLY thing you buy. That's why a solid flat-rate rewards card – especially one that offers 1.5% back on ALL your purchases – is worth a good look.
The Bonus: New cardholders can earn $150 cash back once spending $500 within the first three months of opening an account.
The Annual Fee: $0
Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
The Rewards: As we've mentioned, this is a flat-rate cash-back rewards card. It offers you an ongoing and unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase. Read our full Chase Freedom Unlimited® review.
Credit Needed: Excellent, Good
There's another no-annual-fee card in the Chase family that offers you up to 5% back on your gas purchases: Chase Freedom®. With Chase Freedom®, you earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent when you activate in categories that rotate each quarter and, traditionally, gas purchases have been among the 5% bonus categories at least once each year. Chase Freedom® doesn't charge an annual fee, but it does accumulate rewards as Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which means you can pool your points from this card and its flat-rate cousin above.
Like the sound of 5% back on your gas purchases? Well, you should also consider adding Discover it® Cash Back to your wallet. This is another rotating categories card with which you earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent when you activate in categories that rotate each quarter. And, once again, gas has traditionally been a bonus category at least once a year. Carry this card as well as Chase Freedom® and, assuming both feature gas as a bonus category in a given year, you could effectively earn 5% cash back on $3,000 in gas purchases annually. That adds up to a LOT of extra gas money. Take a look at the bonus categories for both cards.
Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card
Why We Like It: A credit card that offers strong rewards on gas station purchases means your day-to-day commute and running around town could bring in some nice rewards, but what if you're planning on doing some driving in a more exotic locale? Many of the cards on this list, especially those without an annual fee, charge foreign transaction fees if you use them while abroad, so filling up that rental car during your vacation in Europe could cost more than you planned. This card, however, is foreign-transaction-fee free and still offers solid rewards-earning opportunities all with no annual fee.
The Bonus: Earn a $150 cash back bonus after you spend just $500 on purchases within your first three months as a cardholder.
The Annual Fee: $0
Foreign Transaction Fee: None
The Rewards: Earn a flat 1.5% cash back on every purchase. There are no spending caps, categories or expiration dates to think about. Read our full Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card review.
Credit Needed: Excellent, Good
Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card
Why We Like It: A no-annual-fee credit card offering solid cash back for your gas purchases as well as the opportunity to change up your cash back earning structure if you need to earn more in a particular category (from a list of six) in a given month. Plus, if you are a Preferred Rewards client with the bank, you can boost your cash back by 25%-75% more on every purchase depending on your tier.
The Bonus: Earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after you spend at least $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening.
The Annual Fee: $0
Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%
The Rewards: Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice from this list: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings and 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, then earn 1%. Furthermore, if you are a Preferred Rewards client with the bank, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase depending on your tier. Read our full review of the Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card.
Credit Needed: Excellent/Good
PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card
(This card is not currently available on CardRatings)
Why We Like It: This is an easy choice with its top-tier rewards for gas station purchases. Add to that there's no annual fee and additional high rewards offered on your supermarket purchases and it's easy to see why we like this for a gas rewards card.
The Bonus: Earn a $100 bonus after you spend $1,500 in the first 90 days of account opening.
The Annual Fee: $0
Foreign Transaction Fee: None
The Rewards: Rake in five points per $1 spent (the equivalent of 5% back) on gas purchases paid at the pump as well as three points per $1 on supermarket purchases and one point per $1 on your other purchases. Read our full PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card review.
Credit Needed: Excellent
Editor's Note: Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) is fairly easy to join, so don't count this card out without reading the options for qualifying for membership.
U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card
Why We Like It: Gas rewards are great, but what about all your other spending? This card allows you to CHOOSE where you'll earn top rewards (5% back) while also allowing you earn as much as 2% back on your gas purchases.
The Bonus: Earn a $150 bonus after your spend $500 on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
The Annual Fee: $0*
Foreign Transaction Fee: 2% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in U.S. Dollars 3% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in a Foreign Currency
The Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on the first $2,000 combined spending each quarter in two categories of your choosing; earn 2% back on one everyday category (like purchases at gas stations, for instance); and earn 1% back on all your other purchases. Read our full U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card review.
Credit Needed: Good,Excellent
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Why We Like It: Once again, the opportunity to earn high rewards on your gas purchases plus earning rewards for other common everyday purchases make this card in a winner in our book. Plus, who doesn't like the idea of earning 4% back on your gas purchases (up to $7,000 spent annually) AND earning 2% cash back on your year's supply of ketchup.
The Bonus: There isn't a reward bonus.
The Annual Fee: $0
Foreign Transaction Fee: 0%
The Rewards: Earn 4% back on the first $7,000 spent on gas each year, 3% back on travel and dining at restaurants, 2% back on all your Costco and Costco.com purchases and 1% back on everything else. Read our full Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi review.
Credit Needed: Excellent
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card
Why We Like It: Solid rewards on your gas station purchases, but a number of other perks – including cellular phone insurance if you pay your cellular bill on the card – make this a good card for people who want to earn rewards on gas purchases, but are looking for a little more as well. Plus, there's no annual fee. There is also a nice 0% Intro APR intro APR for 12 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (fees apply), then a 15.49%-27.49% Variable APR; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee.
The Bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months which amounts to a $200 cash redemption value.
The Annual Fee: $0
Foreign Transaction Fee: None
The Rewards: Earn three times the points per $1 spent at gas stations, on rideshares and transit as well as three times the points for eating out and ordering in and for your travel purchases (including flights, hotels, homestays and car rentals), and on popular streaming services. Earn one point per $1 spent on everything else. Read our full Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card review.
Credit Needed: Excellent, Good
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Why We Like It: Like its no-annual-fee cousin mentioned elsewhere in this article, this card is a favorite for families thanks to its reward categories. In this case, you do have an annual fee to consider, BUT you can also earn an unlimited 3% back on your U.S. gas station purchases. That's in addition to 6% cash back on the first $6,000 spent annually at U.S. supermarkets and the rewards don't stop there. Keep reading! (Terms apply; American Express is a CardRatings advertiser)
The Bonus: Receive a $250 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in the first three months. Terms apply.
The Annual Fee: $95
Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
The Rewards: If you know you spend plenty at supermarkets and gas stations to offset an annual fee, this card is likely a better option than its no-annual-fee cousin. You earn 6% cash back on the first $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each year (then, 1%) and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions; 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit like taxis, bus fares, tolls, parking and more; and 1% back on all your other purchases. Terms apply. Read our full Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express review.
Credit Needed: Good, Excellent
Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card
Why We Like It: This is an easy-to-understand rewards card that offers some additional perks that help it stand out. The gas rewards aren't necessarily sky-high, but its other features make this a card to keep in mind just the same. In particular, you'll receive cellular phone protection against covered damage or theft when you pay your cellular bill on your card.
The Bonus: Earn a $150 cash-back bonus after spending $500 in the first three months. Furthermore, you'll earn 1.8% cash back on your qualifying digital wallet purchases for the first 12 months of card membership.
The Annual Fee: $0
Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%
The Rewards: Use your card for your everyday purchases and rake in 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. Remember, too, that new cardholders can earn 1.8% cash back on their qualifying digital wallet purchases for the first 12 months. Read our full Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card review.
Credit Needed: Excellent, Good
Chase Freedom®
Why We Like It: The opportunity for high cash-back rewards – to the tune of up to 5% cash back – in a variety of categories is the appeal of this card. And, it just so happens, that gas station purchases have traditionally been one of those categories at least once a year.
The Bonus: Earn a $150 cash-back bonus after spending just $500 on your new card in the first three months of card membership. You can also take advantage of an introductory period of 15 months no interest on purchases and balance transfers (then, 16.49% - 25.24% Variable).
The Annual Fee: $0
Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
The Rewards: Cardholders can earn 5% cash back on the first $1,500 in combined spending in categories that rotate quarterly (activation is required). You'll also earn an unlimited 1% cash back on all your other purchases and on the bonus category purchases once the spending cap is met. Read our full review of Chase Freedom®.
Credit Needed: Excellent, Good
Citi Premier℠ Card
(This card is not currently available on CardRatings)
Why We Like It: This is the uncommon travel rewards card that counts gas purchases as a "travel" purchase and rewards you accordingly. Yes, there is an annual fee to offset, but if your goal is making your commute help you pay for your next vacation, this card is an excellent choice. (Citi is a CardRatings advertiser)
The Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening. These 60,000 Points are redeemable for $750 in airfare on any airline, anytime--with no blackout dates, when booked through the ThankYou® Travel Center. Or, get $600 in gift cards when redeemed at thankyou.com.
The Annual Fee: $95
Foreign Transaction Fee: 0%
The Rewards: This is a top travel rewards card – it just so happens that it groups gas stations under "travel," so it's also a top gas rewards credit card. Earn three points per $1 spent on travel, including at gas stations; two points per $1 on dining out and entertainment; and one point per $1 on everything else. Read our full Citi Premier℠ Card review.
Credit Needed: Excellent
Discover it® chrome
Why We Like It: Simple to understand rewards combined with a stellar bonus opportunity during your first year as a cardholder make this a solid choice for gas rewards (and restaurant rewards, too, for that matter).
The Bonus: Discover will MATCH all the cash back you earn during your first year of card membership, which could add up to some substantial cash back.
The Annual Fee: $0
Foreign Transaction Fee: None
The Rewards: Earn 2% back on your purchases at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 spent quarterly). Earn 1% back on all your other purchases. And don't forget that your earnings will be matched at the end of your first year, effectively meaning $200 in cash back becomes $400. Read our full review of Discover it® chrome.
Credit Needed: Excellent, Good
BEST GAS CREDIT CARDS FOR BUSINESSES
Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card
Why We Like It: Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card is a great way to not only earn gas rewards but also cash back on all your other purchases. Designed for businesses, the card offers perks like free employee cards and travel and purchase services such as extended warranty protection and roadside dispatch.
The Bonus: Receive a $500 cash back bonus after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening an account.
The Annual Fee: $0
Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
The Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent each account anniversary year at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. All other purchases earn an unlimited 1% cash back. Read our full Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card review to learn more.
Credit Needed: Excellent, Good
Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business
Why We Like It: If you're seeking simplicity, this might be the card for you. It doesn't bother with categories, tiered rewards or capped earnings. Instead, you get a flat cash back rate for gas and all your other purchases. Plus, it comes with nice benefits such as no foreign transaction fees, quarterly and yearly spending summaries and extended purchase protection.
The Bonus: Limited time offer: Earn up to $2,000 in cash bonuses. Earn a $500 cash bonus when you spend $5,000 in the first three months and earn $1,500 when you spend $50,000 in the first six months of opening an account.
The Annual Fee: $0 intro for first year; $95 after that
Foreign Transaction Fee: None
The Rewards: Unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases, including fuel. Read our full Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business review.
Credit Needed: Excellent, Good
American Express® Blue Business Cash Card
Why We Like It: Small businesses need simplicity, and the American Express® Blue Business Cash Card offers it. Plus, it comes with a nice intro 0% APR period on purchases and balance transfers (then, 14.74% - 20.74% Variable), and it does all that without charging an annual fee. Terms apply.
The Bonus: Save on interest with 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months; after that your APR will be 14.74% - 20.74% Variable. Terms apply.
The Annual Fee: No annual fee
Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
The Rewards: Cash back rewards are offered at a flat 2% cash back on eligible purchases up to $50,000 spent in a calendar year, then 1%. Your cash-back earned is automatically credited to your statement. Terms apply. Read our full American Express® Blue Business Cash Card review.
Credit Needed: Good, Excellent
HOW TO COMPARE THE BEST CREDIT CARDS FOR GAS
It's easy to find gas credit cards. You probably see ads or applications at the pump every time you fill up. But don't apply for just any card. Be sure you are selecting one that will provide great rewards without high fees or restrictions.
When it comes to comparing the best credit cards for gas, ask yourself these questions:
- What are the credit score requirements? Some cards are open to most applicants while others are limited to only those with very good or excellent credit.
- Where can I earn rewards? You may need to fill up at specific gas stations to get rewards from a co-branded credit card. However, general purpose cash back cards typically provide rewards regardless of where you buy fuel.
- Are there restrictions on rewards? Scan the fine print to look for limitations. In particular, check whether rewards are capped and note if all purchases at a station, not just fuel, will earn rewards.
- What fees come with the card? The interest rate is most important if you plan to carry a balance. Otherwise, look for the annual fee, cash advance fee and balance transfer fee. If you plan to use the card while traveling, also check whether it has a foreign transaction fee.
HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR GAS CREDIT CARD
Once you have your gas credit card, it's time to maximize your rewards.
Start by signing up for your local gas stations' loyalty rewards programs. These include but are not limited to Fuel Rewards from Shell, Speedy Rewards from Speedway and Driver Rewards from BP. The details for every program vary, but they generally allow you to earn points or fuel discounts on top of what is offered by your gas credit card.
Then, make sure you are filling up at gas stations which are eligible for rewards. For instance, make sure purchases at stations attached as retailers such as Walmart and Costco will qualify as fuel, not grocery, purchases on your card.
Finally, if in-station purchases qualify for rewards, consider buying gift cards or other items there to make the most of your gas credit card.
To see the rates and fees for the cards featured in this post, please visit the following links: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (See Rates and Fees); American Express® Blue Business Cash Card (See Rates and Fees)
Disclaimer: The information in this article is believed to be accurate as of the date it was written. Please keep in mind that credit card offers change frequently. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this article. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. See the online credit card application for full terms and conditions on offers and rewards. Please verify all terms and conditions of any credit card prior to applying.
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