Best Gas Credit Cards of 2020
Americans spend billions of dollars each year on gas, so we boiled down the best gas credit cards of 2020 that will save you money on filling your tank.
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any credit card issuer.
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Gas is a regular purchase for many consumers and is one of the best categories for earning credit card rewards. The average American consumer spends about $2,000 per year on gas, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. With some of the best gas credit cards offering 3% to 5% back on gas purchases, you can easily earn $100 or more in rewards just by fueling up with the right card.
We surveyed the cards available through ValuePenguin as well as top cards from major issuers to pick the best credit cards for gas purchases. Here are some of the most rewarding gas credit cards of 2020.
Best gas credit cards 2020
| Recommended cards | Best for | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | Gas and groceries | Read Review |
| Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer | Cash back without categories | |
| Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express | No annual fee cashback card | Read Review |
| Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card | Gas and travel | Read Review |
| Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card | Gas and hotels | Read Review |
| Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi | Costco shoppers | |
Continue reading for a detailed look at the benefits and features of each recommended credit card. You can also jump ahead to our comparison tool at the bottom of the page to see how each card performs for your budget.
Compare gas credit cards | How to choose a gas credit card | How to use a gas credit card | FAQs
Best credit card for gas and groceries
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- See Rates & Fees. Terms Apply.
- On American Express' Secure Website
$95
13.99%-23.99% Variable
Good/Excellent
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months.
- 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.
- Low intro APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, currently 13.99% to 23.99%.
- Plan It® gives the option to select purchases of $100 or more to split up into monthly payments with a fixed fee and no interest.
- Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
- $95 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
Earn unlimited 3% cash back on purchases at U.S. gas stations
Our thoughts
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a great product for consumers who fill up their car regularly. This card is also great for families, who are likely to spend heavily in its bonus categories, such as U.S. supermarkets and streaming services. The card has a $95 annual fee, which may be well worth it if you spend a lot on supermarkets and gas – you’ll be able to earn hundreds of dollars per year in valuable cash back.
Pros
- Excellent cashback categories, including unlimited 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations.
- Intro APR of 0% on purchases for 12 months (N/A thereafter).
- Great welcome offer — Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months.
- Secondary rental car insurance.
- Access to the American Express Global Assist Hotline.
Cons
- $95 annual fee.
- Gas stations must be located in the U.S. to qualify for the 3% cashback rate, and the card charges a foreign transaction fee. You might consider other cards if you drive and have to fuel up frequently while abroad.
- The 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 and 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
Best gas credit card for cash back without spending categories
Citi® Double Cash Card
- On Citi's Secure Website
No Annual Fee
13.99% - 23.99% Variable
Excellent
- Earn cash back twice. Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
- To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
- Balance Transfer Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 13.99% - 23.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 13.99% - 23.99% based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
Earn 2% cash back on purchases: 1% when you buy plus 1% as you pay.
Our thoughts
The Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer is one of the market-leading cashback credit cards available. It is a simple card that packs a punch with tangible cashback earning potential. The card lets you Earn 2% cash back on purchases: 1% when you buy plus 1% as you pay. This provides a no-hassle experience where you do not need to track spending categories like other cards. Simply swipe and earn your 2% cash back. On the downside, while the cashback potential is endless, the card lacks additional features and benefits.
Pros
- Earn 2% cash back on purchases: 1% when you buy plus 1% as you pay.
- 0% intro APR on balance transfer for 18 months. After that, the APR will be 13.99% - 23.99% (Variable).
Cons
- Few other notable features.
Best gas credit card with no annual fee
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
- See Rates & Fees. Terms Apply.
- On American Express' Secure Website
$0
13.99%-23.99% Variable
Good/Excellent
- Earn a $150 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%).
- 2% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and at select U.S. department stores.
- 1% back on other purchases.
- Low intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 13.99% to 23.99%.
- Plan It® gives the option to select purchases of $100 or more to split up into monthly payments with a fixed fee and no interest.
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits.
- No annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
Unlimited 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores
Our thoughts
If a no-annual-fee card with various spending categories is your preference, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a great product to choose. It is very similar to the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, without the annual fee. It offers a lower rate of 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases per year), 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores and 1% cash back on other purchases. If you are debating on either American Express Blue Cash cards, simply calculate your monthly expenses against the cashback earnings.
Pros
- Great cashback earning opportunities without an annual fee.
- Valuable welcome offer – Earn a $150 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months on balance transfers and purchases (then 13.99%-23.99% Variable).
- Secondary rental car insurance.
- Access to the American Express Global Assist Hotline.
Cons
- Only U.S. gas stations qualify for the 2% cashback bonus. Not to mention, the card charges a foreign transaction fee. If you're planning on driving frequently while abroad, you might consider other cards.
- 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets is capped at $6,000 in purchase per year (you only earn 1% cash back after that).
Best credit card for gas and travel
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card
Earn 3 points per dollar on gas purchases
Our thoughts
Earning travel rewards is a great way to leverage your purchases at the gas pump, and the Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card is one of the best products to do that. The card lets you Earn 3X points on eating out, ordering in and popular streaming services, 3X points on gas stations, rideshares and transit, and 3X points on travel including flights, hotels, homestays and car rentals. Earn 1X points on other purchases. Points are extremely flexible – you can redeem them in a number of ways, including for travel rewards and for general statement credits at a value of 1 cent per point.
In addition to outstanding earning options, the card has great consumer and travel insurance policies, including up to $600 in cellphone protection each year.
Pros
- Earn unlimited 3X points on a wide variety of purchases.
- Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – a $200 cash redemption value.
- Intro APR for new purchases of 0% for 12 months (14.49% to 24.99% (Variable) thereafter).
- Multiple consumer protections including cell phone protection.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- $0 annual fee.
Cons
- American Express isn’t as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard.
Best credit card for gas and hotels
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
- See Rates & Fees. Terms Apply.
- On American Express' Secure Website
$95
15.74%-24.74% Variable
Good/Excellent
- Earn 125,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card after you use your new Card to make $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
- Earn a Weekend Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
- 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 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
- Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year.
- $95 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
Earn 6 points per dollar on U.S. gas station purchases
Our thoughts
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is great for consumers interested in free hotel stays. It also happens to be a good choice for earning points on gas purchases — cardholders earn 6 points per dollar at U.S. gas stations. Hilton has more than 6,100 properties around the world, so finding a Hilton property to utilize your points will not likely be an issue.
And when you stay at Hilton hotels and book directly with Hilton, you can take advantage of your Hilton Honors Gold status. This Hilton Honors status level includes benefits like hotel room upgrades, free continental breakfast, fifth night free, bonus points on Hilton stays and more.
Pros
- Earn generous points on everyday purchases, including U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations.
- You can 50,000 points after you spent at least $4,500 on purchases within the first 90 days
- Earn free nights and elite status with qualified spending.
- Priority Pass Select membership.
- Rental car insurance.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- Hilton Honors points have a low value per point.
- Only U.S. gas stations qualify for the 6X bonus — you might pick another card for purchasing gas abroad.
- $95 annual fee
Best credit card for Costco gas
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
- On Citi's Secure Website
$0
15.24% (Variable)
Excellent
- Discover one of Citi’s best cash back rewards cards designed exclusively for Costco members
- 4% cash back on eligible gas 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
- No annual fee with your paid Costco membership and enjoy no foreign transaction fees on purchases
- Receive an annual credit card reward certificate, which is redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses, including Puerto Rico
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 15.24%. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
Earn 4% cash back at Costco or any other gas station worldwide (up to $7,000 in purchases per year)
Our thoughts
If you frequently visit your local Costco, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is a must have. While it is a Costco-branded card, you can use this credit card at any vendor that accepts Visa.
The most significant feature of the card is the 4% cash back on up to $7,000 in gas purchases each year (1% cash back thereafter). If maximized, that is $280 per year back in your pocket. And with the additional savings by filling up at Costco, this can amount to a great amount of savings.
Pros
- 4% cash back on eligible gas for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter, 3% on restaurants & travel, 2% at Costco & Costco.com, 1% on all other purchases.
- Bonus cash back on large purchase categories like restaurants and Costco.
- $0 annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- No sign-up bonus.
- You must have a Costco membership to have this card. If your Costco membership is canceled, your card will become inactive a few months later. If this occurs, any remaining cash back will be forfeited.
- Your cash back comes in the form of a certificate once per year. If you cancel your Costco membership before you receive your certificate, you forfeit all your cash back.
Compare gas credit cards
Use our comparison tool below to find out which gas credit card is likely to rewards you the most on your spending:
What's a gas credit card?
A gas credit card gives consumers rewards (in the form of cash back or points) for their gas purchases. A gas credit card is essential to have if you regularly visit gas stations.
Types of gas credit cards
There are several types of gas credit cards. They include:
- Gas credit cards that earn points such as the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
- Gas credit cards that earn cash back such as the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi.
- Co-branded gas credit cards such as the BP Visa® Credit Card. Some co-branded cards can only be used for gas purchases at that vendor.
Each earns different rewards based on each purchase, but the cards listed above give bonus points for gas purchases. Keep in mind that some cards distinguish between U.S. gas stations and gas stations worldwide. So if you travel often and fuel up on gas in other countries, it is important to find a card that will give you rewards on those purchases.
How to choose a gas credit card
Choosing a gas credit card can be difficult. There are several gas credit cards, like the BP Visa® Credit Card, that only earn cash back at their respective gas stations. This product may work for consumers who live or travel near BP gas stations. But many consumers simply want to save money on gas and visit the cheapest station around. These consumers are likely better off with a general rewards card that offers a bonus on gas purchases.
In addition, it is best to choose a gas credit card that rewards you for your other purchases. It’s likely that gas isn’t your only expense, so searching for a credit card that awards a bonus on both groceries and gas or on restaurants and gas purchases can be a valuable strategy.
How to use a gas credit card
Using a gas credit card is quite simple. Next time you visit the pump, just swipe and fill your tank.
But long before you hit the road, research which gas credit card will benefit you most. Using a gas credit card is ideal to reach a specific goal like saving money or earning travel rewards to take a vacation.
Some of the cards above have limits on how many rewards you can earn at gas stations. If you spend a significant amount of money on gas each year, it may be best to avoid those cards.
Frequently asked questions
Below are some of the most common questions our readers have when applying for a new credit card. Check back often, as we're continually adding and updating our FAQs.
What is the best gas credit card?
There are several great gas credit cards, so the best gas credit card depends on how much you spend on gas.
What gas stations take credit cards?
All of the major gas stations take credit cards, including Shell, Texaco, Chevron and more.
What is the best gas credit card for bad credit?
Among cards available to consumers with bad credit, the Discover it® Secured offers one of the highest rewards rates on gas. You will earn 2% cash back, on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.
Does Costco gas take credit cards?
Yes, Costco gas takes credit cards. However, only Visa and Mastercard.
Do gas stations take credit cards?
Yes, most gas stations take credit cards.
Is it safe to use a credit card at the gas pump?
There is a risk that your card could be skimmed by thieves when you use it at the pump. Fortunately, most credit cards come with fraud alerts and $0 fraud liability that protect you from fraudulent charges in case your card number is stolen. You can further reduce your risk by watching out for signs of skimming or even paying for your gas in the store (though your card can also be skimmed there).
Can I buy gas with just my credit card number?
There are a number of mobile apps, such as the Shell app, that will allow you to pay without a physical card.
How hard is it to get a gas credit card?
Most of the cards on this list require excellent credit. However, you can find gas cards such as the Discover it® Secured that are targeted to consumers with low credit scores.
Do gas cards help build credit?
Many gas cards, including all the cards on this list, report to all three major credit bureaus, and so can help you build credit, provided you pay your card on time.
Do gas stations charge more for credit cards?
Some merchants may charge a processing fee for using a credit card. You should keep a close eye on your credit card statement for the terms "fee" or "surcharge."
Is there a credit card for gas only?
Yes, many major gas station chains – including Chevron, Shell and Texaco – have co-branded cards that can only be used at their gas stations (along with regular credit cards).
Should I use my credit card for gas?
As long as you pay off your bill at the end of the month, credit cards can be a secure and rewarding way to pay for gas purchases.
The information related to the Citi® Double Cash Card, Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card, BP Visa® Credit Card and Discover it® Secured has been collected by ValuePenguin and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
Brett Holzhauer is ValuePenguin’s travel rewards expert, focusing on credit card rewards maximization, consumer travel trends, and personal finance news. He has earned and burned over 5 million points and miles throughout his travels, saving him roughly $75,000 in travel expenses.
These responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Advertiser Disclosure: The products that appear on this site may be from companies from which ValuePenguin receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). ValuePenguin does not include all financial institutions or all products offered available in the marketplace.
How We Calculate Rewards: ValuePenguin calculates the value of rewards by estimating the dollar value of any points, miles or bonuses earned using the card less any associated annual fees. These estimates here are ValuePenguin's alone, not those of the card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer.
Example of how we calculate the rewards rates: When redeemed for travel through Ultimate Rewards, Chase Sapphire Preferred points are worth $0.0125 each. The card awards 2 points on travel and dining and 1 point on everything else. Therefore, we say the card has a 2.5% rewards rate on dining and travel (2 x $0.0125) and a 1.25% rewards rate on everything else (1 x $0.0125).