Best gas station cash back credit card

NextAdvisor Credit Cards Gas Prices Hit an All-Time High in March. These Credit Cards Can Help Offset the Cost

Staff Writer

Dashia Milden is a staff reporter for NextAdvisor based in North Carolina. She has previously written for…

November 9, 2022 | 8 Min Read

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Gas prices hit record highs in March, and some experts are predicting higher prices at the gas pump could be a lasting problem. 

If you’re a regular commuter, or just looking for a way to save while running daily errands, now is a great time to start earning rewards when you fuel up. Some credit cards offer up to 5% cash back on gas — which can add up quickly given the current average price per gallon. And many of the best gas credit cards are everyday cash back cards you may even already have in your wallet. 

But maximizing your gas station savings can depend on the type of card and how much you’re refilling your tank each month. These are our picks for the best credit cards for gas station rewards, and how a credit card can help you save on high prices at the pump. 

Best Cards for Gas Stations

Americans spend an average $1,568 on gas each year, according to the latest Consumer Expenditure Report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Using this average, we calculated how much you can save on gas each year using range of credit cards with gas rewards. The following cards are our picks for the best gas cards, based on these calculations as well as factors like annual fee, benefits, other rewards categories, and more. 

Editorial Independence

As with all of our credit card reviews, our analysis is not influenced by any partnerships or advertising relationships.

Citi Custom Cash Card 

The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card offers 5% back on up to $500 spent in your top eligible category each billing cycle, then 1% after that. If your top spend category is gas and you spend the national average, you’ll save $78.40 each year with this card. 

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

Among other rewards categories, you’ll earn 3% back at U.S. gas stations with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express — equal to $47.07 annually based on the national average. Unlike others on our list, this card does have a $95 annual fee ($0 intro annual fee for the first year)  (See rates & fees), but if you spend a lot across its everyday rewards categories, you can quickly recoup the cost.  

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Card

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Card offers 3% cash back on the category of your choice (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases), and gas stations are among the choice categories. If you select gas stations as your choice category each quarter, you’ll earn $47.07 annually based on the national average.  

Costco Anywhere Visa Card 

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is the only co-branded card on our list, but it offers great rewards at the fuel pump, especially if you’re already a Costco member. You’ll get 4% on eligible gas (including gas at Costco) and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year, then 1% after that. Based on national average spending, you can earn $62.72 each year on gas with this card. However, your redemption options are more limited, too — you can only redeem your rewards at Costco, in one single transaction per year.

U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards

Among other rewards categories, the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash offers 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations — making it a good no fee option for business owners who travel by car often for work. Based on average annual spending, you can get up to $47.07 back each year with this card on gas alone. 

What is a Gas Credit Card?

With a gas credit card, you’ll earn rewards at the fuel pump which you can redeem for cash back or other rewards. Many cash back and rewards cards that offer gas savings also have bonus categories that include other everyday purchases, too, like dining at restaurants or groceries. 

Some gas cards may be general rewards cards with gas as a bonus category, while others are co-branded cards that reward fueling up with certain brands.

A gas card is a good tool for building credit while earning rewards, especially if you’re a commuter or simply use your car to run errands regularly. Since the cost is already part of your budget, you can ensure you spend only what you can afford to pay off each month. That’ll help you build up a positive payment history and establish good credit habits you’ll use over time.

Types of Gas Credit Cards

There are a few common types of gas credit cards you can use to earn rewards when you fill up your tank. Consider your overall spending habits, where you tend to buy gas, and other financial goals before you apply. 

General Rewards Credit Cards

A general-purpose credit card is ideal if you want to earn rewards on more than just gas. Many cash back cards and rewards credit cards that offer gas rewards also earn rewards in categories like travel, groceries, dining, and more. You can compare different cards to find the right mix of rewards and benefits that best suits your budget and where you spend most.

A version of this type of card to consider is a card with flat cash rewards on every purchase. These cards typically only offer 1.5% or 2% cash back, but you’ll get the same rewards on every dollar you spend, including at gas stations. 

Co-Branded Gas Cards

Co-branded cards can be best if you usually stick to one gas brand or neighborhood gas station. Like more general cash back cards, you may also still earn rewards on other purchases, but at a lower rewards value. 

However, your rewards redemptions may be more limited with co-branded cards. For example, the Costco Anwhere Visa offers great rewards on gas, but you can only redeem them with Costco. Some cards also require a minimum spending amount to qualify for discounts on gas, such as spending a minimum of $100 within the month to qualify for 5 cents off each gallon. 

Business Gas Cards

If most of your commuting is for your small business, you may opt for a business card with gas rewards. Most business credit cards also offer rewards for other common business expenses, such as dining at restaurants or office supplies. Look for a gas card that helps you maximize rewards on all of your business expenses, including gas, to make the most of the card’s offers.    

How to Choose Between Gas Credit Cards

Rewards at the fuel pump can add up to big savings over time, but it’s important to think about a gas card in relation to your overall spending and the credit card rewards that are most complementary.

Pro Tip

If you sign up as a rewards member at gas stations, you can still take advantage of instant savings per gallon, and use your cash back or rewards credit card to earn rewards on your spending.

For example, a card that earns 5% back at gas stations, but only 1% in other categories may be a good choice if you’re a commuter who spends a large portion of your monthly budget at the pump. But a more modest 3% rewards on gas, plus 3% on dining or groceries may make a more well-rounded choice if your budget is more spread out. 

You should also consider whether you want a general cash back card or a co-branded card. 

For most people, percentage-based cash back rewards can be more rewarding than co-branded options that offer 5 or 10 cents off instantly, says Ted Rossman, senior industry analyst at CreditCards.com (which is owned by RedVentures, like NextAdvisor).

“That’s less and less meaningful the more prices rise,” he says. A cash back card that offers a 3% or 5% cash back on gas, though, can more directly keep up with higher prices, and may be more flexible. “You can use those cards pretty much anywhere. I like that it’s on a percentage basis. Not just a flat 5 or 10 cents. The higher the price, the more the percentage.

A general cash back card can also be more flexible, and help you earn rewards at whichever station has the best price per gallon wherever you are.

Regardless of which card you pick to save on gas, remember to practice good credit habits by paying your bill on time and in full each month. If you carry a balance, the interest you’ll take on can quickly outweigh any rewards.

Is a Gas Credit Card Right for You?

Before you choose any new credit card, think about how you can maximize rewards and savings based on your existing spending habits. Even though gas prices are high right now, for example, you may not drive enough to earn significant rewards from your cash purchases — compared to what you spend on groceries or in another category. 

Still, gas cards can be useful even if you’re not driving hundreds of miles regularly. If you plan to take a few road trips this summer, for example, a gas card may come in handy to save money while you’re on the road. Or if you make several trips around town each week — dropping your kids off at daycare, driving to work, and running errands — you’ll save a few cents on each trip to the pump, which adds up slowly over time. 

For rates and fees of Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here

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