Skip to Main Content

Best gas credit cards for October 2023

Updated September 27, 2023

Gas credit cards are a type of rewards card that can help you earn either cash back or points whenever you fill up at the pump. The best gas credit cards earn a higher rewards rate on gas purchases compared to other rewards cards, while also allowing for solid rewards in other common spending categories, such as groceries or dining. Here are seven of the best credit cards for gas from our partners to help you decide how you want to earn more credit card rewards at the pumps in 2023.

Image of Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Credit Card Best Choose your 3% category

Best for sign-up bonus

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

chance of approval
Info
Apply now Lock
on Bank of America's secure site
Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3 Bankrate review
Info

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
chance of approval
Info
Info
Image of Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
chance of approval
Info
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4 Bankrate review
Info
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
See if you're pre‐qualified for this card with Approval Odds

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
chance of approval
Info
Info
Image of Sam's Club® Mastercard®

Best wholesale club card

Sam's Club® Mastercard®

Apply now Lock
on Synchrony Bank's secure site
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
3.0 Bankrate review
Info

Intro offer

N/A

Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Image of My GM Rewards Card™

BEST FOR GM CAR OWNERS

My GM Rewards Card™

Apply now Lock
on Goldman Sachs Bank USA's secure site
Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
4.1 Bankrate review
Info

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Image of Citi Rewards+® Card

Best for everyday spending

Citi Rewards+® Card

Apply now Lock
on Citi's secure site
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
4.0 Bankrate review
Info

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Image of Discover it® Chrome

Best for first-year cash back match

Discover it® Chrome

Apply now Lock
on Discover's secure site
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
4.0 Bankrate review
Info

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Image of Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
chance of approval
Info
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6 Bankrate review
Info
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
See if you're pre‐qualified for this card with Approval Odds

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
chance of approval
Info
Info
On This Page

Compare Bankrate's top gas credit cards

Card Name Earns Best for Bankrate Review Score
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card 3 percent cash back on select category purchases of choice; 2 percent cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 of combined 3 and 2 percent category purchases each quarter, then 1 percent), plus 1 percent on all other purchases Sign-up bonus 4.3 / 5
(Read full card review)
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express 6 percent cash back on U.S. supermarket purchases (up to $6,000 per year, then 1 percent); 6 percent back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions; 3 percent back on U.S. gas station purchases; 3 percent cash back on transit; 1 percent back on all other purchases Gas and groceries 4.4 / 5
(Read full card review)
Sam's Club Mastercard 5 percent cash back on gas (up to $6,000 per year, then 1 percent), 3 percent back on dining ($5,000 cash rewards maximum per year), and 1 percent cash back on all other eligible purchases. Wholesale club card 3.2 / 5
(Read full card review)
My GM Rewards Card 7X points on eligible GM purchases, 4X points on all other purchases GM car owners 4.1 / 5
(Read full card review)
Citi Rewards+ Card 2X points at supermarkets and gas stations (on up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1X points); 1X points on all other purchases Everyday spending 3.9 / 5
(Read full card review)
Discover it® Chrome 2 percent cash back at gas stations and restaurants (on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1 percent) and 1 percent on all other purchases First-year cash back match 4.0 / 5
(Read full card review)
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express 3 percent cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and U.S. online retail purchases on up to $6,000 per calendar year in purchases in each category (then 1 percent), and 1 percent cash back on other purchases No annual fees 4.6 / 5
(Read full card review)
Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card 5X points on gas at the pump and electric vehicle charging stations; 3x points on supermarket, restaurants, TV, radio, cable and streaming services Credit union rewards N/A
Review Coming Soon

A closer look at our best gas credit cards

Image of

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Best for sign-up bonus

Caret Down

Choosing and changing your bonus cash back category allows for a flexible rewards strategy that maximizes your earnings.

Cash back strategists who want decent rewards rates in more than one category.

If you’re looking for a more streamlined experience, consider a card with a fixed, flat-rate rewards program. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card or another flat-rate cash back card could be a good choice (Wells Fargo Active Cash earns cash rewards). These cards earn rewards at an equal rate on all purchases and don’t require you to enroll in specific categories.

Image of

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Best for gas and groceries

Caret Down

It’s one of the best cards for everyday purchases available thanks to its solid cash back rate at U.S. gas stations and best-in-class rate on U.S supermarket purchases.

People with a moderate to large grocery budget who spend a lot of time on the road.

If you don’t spend heavily on groceries and worry you won’t earn enough cash back to offset this card’s annual fee, consider the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express instead. Though it carries a much lower cash back rate at U.S. supermarkets, its $0 annual fee and still-solid rewards rates could make it very lucrative.

Image of

Sam's Club® Mastercard®

Best wholesale club card

Caret Down

This card not only rewards Sam’s Club purchases, but also offers all cardholders (including non-members) one of the best rates available on purchases at gas stations and a generous rate on dining and takeout.

While Sam’s Club members may get the most value from this card, anyone eager to fill a hole in their rewards strategy with a card that earns cash back at gas stations can benefit.

If you aren’t—or don’t plan on becoming—a Sam’s Club member, then this card isn’t for you. However, if earning rewards on gas and wholesale club purchases is a priority, the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card could be a great option. It has elevated rewards for purchases at supermarkets, gas stations and wholesale clubs.

Read our Sam’s Club Mastercard review or jump back to offer details.

Image of

My GM Rewards Card™

Best for GM car owners

Caret Down

You can earn up to $100 back in statement credits on $1,500 in gas station fuel purchases per year — about a 6.7 percent return on spend. Even the best credit cards for gas earn a maximum of 5 percent back on gas, making this card a top pick for commuters.

GM car owners and lessees who don’t mind visiting a GM dealership for car parts, service and maintenance will get the most value out of this card. 

If you’re looking for a more flexible card that earns rewards on road travel, consider the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card. This card not only carries one of the most versatile and generous rewards rates out there on everyday travel (including 3X points at gas stations and on transit and travel), but also gives you the freedom to redeem points for travel bookings, cash back, online shopping and more without sacrificing point value.

Read our full My GM Rewards Card review or jump back to offer details.

Image of

Citi Rewards+® Card

Best for everyday spending

Caret Down

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.

Citi rewards cardholders looking to build out their credit card stack and earn rewards at supermarkets and gas stations while avoiding an annual fee.

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 rewards strategy that earns more across everyday spending.

Read our Citi Rewards+ Card review or jump back to offer details.

Image of

Discover it® Chrome

Best for first-year cash back match

Caret Down

Boosted rewards for gas purchases and Discover’s Cashback Match™ give this card high cash back potential, especially by the end of your first year.

People with good credit looking for a simple gas rewards card that comes with an introductory APR offer. 

Other no-annual-fee credit cards offer better year-round rewards rates for gas, but if Discover’s Cashback Match™ is intriguing, consider the Discover it® Cash Back. You’ll have to activate bonus categories each quarter to earn this card’s best rate, but gas has typically been an eligible category at least once a year. 

Read our Discover it® Chrome review or jump back to offer details.

Image of

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Best for no annual fee

Caret Down

It’s hard to find high cash back rates in several everyday rewards categories on a single no-annual-fee card. This could make the Blue Cash Everyday especially valuable as a standalone everyday rewards card.

Home and family shoppers who stick to a budget and want to earn rewards with a single card.

If you want to boost your rewards earning potential on gas, the Citi Custom Cash card could be a great option thanks to its best-in-class rewards rate in a variety of everyday bonus categories, including gas (5 percent back in your top spending category, on up to $500 per billing cycle, then 1 percent).

Image of

Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card

Best credit union rewards card

Caret Down

It earns unlimited rewards in several key everyday spending categories, including both gas stations and electric vehicle charging stations.

Anyone looking for a versatile everyday rewards card that offers a relatively low ongoing APR.

If you’d rather not join PenFed credit union, consider a spending strategy that includes multiple cards to earn at least 5 percent back in all of your major spending categories.

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 being 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.

Lightbulb

Bankrate Insight

The average American spends $3,120 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 $93.60. While that’s not a staggering sum, think of it as a couple of free tanks.

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 programs 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. If you want the flexibility to maximize your rewards at the pump while not missing any rewards at wholesale clubs or on groceries, you may opt for a card like the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card. With this customizable category card you can 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.

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

  • Checkmark

    Affordability: There are plenty of gas cards on the market that do not charge annual fees.

  • Checkmark

    Additional rewards: Most gas cards offer rewards in other valuable categories like dining or groceries.

  • Checkmark

    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.

 

How to choose the best gas credit card

There are a variety of options when choosing among the best gas credit cards. Before making a decision, follow these steps to get a sense of which card best suits your needs.

  1. Review your refueling habits

    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.

  2. Consider your overall spending needs

    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.

  3. Determine if a gas card is worth the investment

    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.

    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.

    Card Annual fee Gas rewards rate Rewards earned minus annual fee (gas spending only)
    Blue Cash Preferred $95 ($0 intro annual fee for the first year) 3 percent cash back -$35
    Blue Cash Everyday $0 3 percent cash back $60

    At this spending level and only accounting for purchases at U.S. gas stations, the no-annual-fee Blue Cash Everyday is a clear winner over the Blue Cash Preferred. Due to its annual fee, the Blue Cash Preferred would actually end up costing you more than you’d earn in rewards.

    However, both cards earn some of their highest rates for purchases at U.S. supermarkets, so you can’t make the most of them if you’re only using them for spending at U.S. gas stations. When you factor in U.S. supermarket purchases, the Blue Cash Preferred may be a much more attractive option, even with its annual fee. Check out this breakdown, which assumes you spend $4,000 per year at U.S. supermarkets and $2,000 per year at gas stations:

    Card Annual fee Rewards rate Rewards earned minus annual fee (gas and U.S. supermarket spending)
    Blue Cash Preferred $95 ($0 intro annual fee for the first year)
    • 6 percent back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 in spending per year, then 1 percent)
    • 3 percent cash back at U.S. gas stations
    $205
    Blue Cash Everyday $0
    • 3 percent back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 in spending per year, then 1 percent)
    • 3 percent cash back at U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 in spending per year, then 1 percent)
    $180

    As you can see, if a card offers a high enough rewards rate in your largest spending categories, including gas, it may be worth paying an annual fee. But if you’re a modest spender looking to add a gas card to your wallet and already earn rewards on other expenses with another card, a no-annual-fee card may be a better fit.

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:

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 we assess the best gas credit cards

Document
150+
cards rated
Congrats
50+
rewards programs valued
Search
1800
data points analyzed
Credit Card Reviews
40+
perks evaluated

When evaluating the best gas cards, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders, from earning rewards in popular categories to scoring a large sign-up bonus or high-value perks. Whenever possible, we also feature cards that are available at various credit levels and price points. 

We analyzed over 150 of the most popular cards and scored each based on its rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, welcome bonus value, APR, fees, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup of the best gas cards.

Here are some of the key factors that we considered:

Frequently asked questions about gas credit cards