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.
| 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:
| 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.
