Whether you’re commuting to work or taking a summer road trip, using a gas credit card is a good way to put rewards back in your pocket with every purchase.
These cards typically offer higher rewards on gas and gas station purchases, giving you an opportunity to earn up to 5% back on gas expenses. Plus, some offer perks like a welcome bonus, grocery rewards and an introductory APR.
- Intro Offer
-
$200 Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Annual fee
- $0
- APR
- 18.49% – 28.49% (Variable)
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
-
670 – 850
Good – Excellent
- Rewards rate
-
1% – 5% Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter.; Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card allows cardholders to earn 5% cash back on their highest eligible spending category, on up to $500 of expenditure within a billing cycle, then 1%. Gas stations are an eligible category. This 5% gets applied automatically depending on your spending within the billing cycle, so be sure to use this card primarily for gas. For most commuters, this card will maximize your cash-back earnings on gas savings over all others.
Other eligible spending categories include restaurants, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs and live entertainment.
Check out our full review of the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% for 15 months on balance transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% for 15 months on purchases
- Regular APR
- 18.49% – 28.49% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card allows cardholders to earn 5% cash back on their highest eligible spending category, on up to $500 of expenditure within a billing cycle, then 1%. Gas stations are an eligible category. This 5% gets applied automatically depending on your spending within the billing cycle, so be sure to use this card primarily for gas. For most commuters, this card will maximize your cash-back earnings on gas savings over all others.
Other eligible spending categories include restaurants, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs and live entertainment.
Check out our full review of the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% for 15 months on balance transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% for 15 months on purchases
- Regular APR
- 18.49% – 28.49% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
- Intro Offer
-
60,000 points Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
- Annual fee
- $95
- APR
- 20.49% – 28.49% (Variable)
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
-
670 – 850
Good – Excellent
- Rewards rate
-
1x – 3x Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets; Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Hotels; Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
The Citi Premier Card is a great option for anyone who does most of their spending at gas stations (and supermarkets, restaurants, hotels or air travel). When you spend in those categories, you’ll earn 3x points for every dollar you spend, compared with just 1x points per dollar in all other spending categories. And you can earn points at gas stations worldwide.
These points can be redeemed for 1 cent each as a statement credit -- essentially netting you 3% return on gas station purchases. Plus, there’s no cap on the amount you can earn the 3x points on. The only downside is its $95 annual fee, so make sure you’re earning enough in rewards to make up for it. Check out our full review of the Citi Premier Card for more details on its other benefits.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 20.49% – 28.49% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
The Citi Premier Card is a great option for anyone who does most of their spending at gas stations (and supermarkets, restaurants, hotels or air travel). When you spend in those categories, you’ll earn 3x points for every dollar you spend, compared with just 1x points per dollar in all other spending categories. And you can earn points at gas stations worldwide.
These points can be redeemed for 1 cent each as a statement credit -- essentially netting you 3% return on gas station purchases. Plus, there’s no cap on the amount you can earn the 3x points on. The only downside is its $95 annual fee, so make sure you’re earning enough in rewards to make up for it. Check out our full review of the Citi Premier Card for more details on its other benefits.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 20.49% – 28.49% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
- Intro Offer
-
$250 Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- Annual fee
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- APR
- 18.74%-29.74% Variable
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
-
670 – 850
Good – Excellent
- Rewards rate
-
1% – 6% 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 on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more; 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations; 1% Cash Back on other purchases
The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express offers high cash-back rates for U.S. gas stations at 3%. But if you don’t drive, or commute via public transit or ride-share often, you also get 3% back on those purchases (and parking, tolls, buses, trains and more). In addition to these great transit rewards, you can also earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 of spending per year, then 1%, and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% on balance transfers for 12 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% on purchases for 12 months
- Regular APR
- 18.74%-29.74% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express offers high cash-back rates for U.S. gas stations at 3%. But if you don’t drive, or commute via public transit or ride-share often, you also get 3% back on those purchases (and parking, tolls, buses, trains and more). In addition to these great transit rewards, you can also earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 of spending per year, then 1%, and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% on balance transfers for 12 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% on purchases for 12 months
- Regular APR
- 18.74%-29.74% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- Intro Offer
-
Cashback Match™ Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Annual fee
- $0
- APR
- 17.49% – 26.49% Variable APR
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
- No Credit History
- Rewards rate
-
1% – 2% Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.; Earn 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
The Discover it® Student chrome* is designed to help make credit more accessible for students and to help them build credit, but it still has surprisingly good rewards. You’ll earn 2% on gas station and restaurant spending (on up to $1,000 in combined purchases per quarter, then 1%). You’ll also earn 1% cash back on all other purchases, as well as an Unlimited Cashback Match at the end of your first year, as is tradition with Discover cards. Because it’s a student card, it doesn’t come with some of the other perks you might expect.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 10.99% for 6 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% for 6 months
- Regular APR
- 17.49% – 26.49% Variable APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
The Discover it® Student chrome* is designed to help make credit more accessible for students and to help them build credit, but it still has surprisingly good rewards. You’ll earn 2% on gas station and restaurant spending (on up to $1,000 in combined purchases per quarter, then 1%). You’ll also earn 1% cash back on all other purchases, as well as an Unlimited Cashback Match at the end of your first year, as is tradition with Discover cards. Because it’s a student card, it doesn’t come with some of the other perks you might expect.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 10.99% for 6 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% for 6 months
- Regular APR
- 17.49% – 26.49% Variable APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
- Intro Offer
-
$750 Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Annual fee
- $0
- APR
- 17.74% – 23.74% Variable
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
-
670 – 850
Good – Excellent
- Rewards rate
-
1% – 5% Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year; Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year; Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn
If you need a gas credit card for your small business, consider the Chase Ink Business Cash card. It’s one of the best business credit cards on the market right now. Not only does it offer cash-back rewards on categories that businesses often need like office supplies and telecommunications, but it also offers 2% cash back on gas station purchases (on up to $25,000 in combined gas station and restaurant purchases each year) -- netting you up to $500 in cash back per year just on gas station purchases. And despite the business perks and great welcome bonus, it has no annual fee and a 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 months (17.74% to 23.74% variable APR thereafter).
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months
- Regular APR
- 17.74% – 23.74% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
If you need a gas credit card for your small business, consider the Chase Ink Business Cash card. It’s one of the best business credit cards on the market right now. Not only does it offer cash-back rewards on categories that businesses often need like office supplies and telecommunications, but it also offers 2% cash back on gas station purchases (on up to $25,000 in combined gas station and restaurant purchases each year) -- netting you up to $500 in cash back per year just on gas station purchases. And despite the business perks and great welcome bonus, it has no annual fee and a 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 months (17.74% to 23.74% variable APR thereafter).
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months
- Regular APR
- 17.74% – 23.74% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- Intro Offer
-
No current offer
- Annual fee
- $0
- APR
- 19.90% or 27.90% Variable
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
-
670 – 850
Good – Excellent
- Rewards rate
-
1% – 5% 5% cash back on gas (on the first $6,000 per year, then 1% after); Plus members earn 3% back on eligible purchases when shopping in-club or digitally through Sam’s Club when they use their Sam’s Club Mastercard and another 2% back from their Plus membership, for a total of up to 5% rewards on eligible purchases.; 3% cash back on dining and takeout; 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
If you’re a Sam’s Club member, then this Mastercard might be a good option for a gas credit card. With the Sam’s Club Mastercard*, not only do you earn 5% cash back on gas purchases at Sam’s Club, but you earn the same 5% back at all other gas stations (on the first $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1%). It’s an especially attractive card if you’re a Sam’s Club Plus member and can take advantage of the higher cash back at the store. However, this card doesn’t come with many of the perks you’d expect of another rewards credit card, such as a large welcome bonus or 0% introductory APR.
Check out our full review of the Sam’s Club Mastercard for more details.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 19.90% or 27.90% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
If you’re a Sam’s Club member, then this Mastercard might be a good option for a gas credit card. With the Sam’s Club Mastercard*, not only do you earn 5% cash back on gas purchases at Sam’s Club, but you earn the same 5% back at all other gas stations (on the first $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1%). It’s an especially attractive card if you’re a Sam’s Club Plus member and can take advantage of the higher cash back at the store. However, this card doesn’t come with many of the perks you’d expect of another rewards credit card, such as a large welcome bonus or 0% introductory APR.
Check out our full review of the Sam’s Club Mastercard for more details.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 19.90% or 27.90% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
- Intro Offer
-
No current offer
- Annual fee
- $0
- APR
- 19.74% (Variable)
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
-
800 – 850
Excellent
- Rewards rate
-
1% – 4% 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases 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
If you’re a Costco member -- or willing to become one -- the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi* offers 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for up to $7,000 per year (then 1%). Technically there isn’t an annual fee to maintain an account, but you’ll need to pay $60 annually for a Costco membership. If you’re averaging around $135 per week or less in gas, the 4% cash-back rate can cover your gas bill for the year. The catch is that you can only redeem your rewards on an annual basis.
For more details on how to redeem these rewards and other features, check out our full review of the Costco Anywhere Visa Card.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 19.74% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
If you’re a Costco member -- or willing to become one -- the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi* offers 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for up to $7,000 per year (then 1%). Technically there isn’t an annual fee to maintain an account, but you’ll need to pay $60 annually for a Costco membership. If you’re averaging around $135 per week or less in gas, the 4% cash-back rate can cover your gas bill for the year. The catch is that you can only redeem your rewards on an annual basis.
For more details on how to redeem these rewards and other features, check out our full review of the Costco Anywhere Visa Card.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 19.74% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
Who should get a gas card?
Anyone who regularly spends money on gas can benefit from a credit card that provides rewards.
General purpose gas cards vs. loyalty gas cards
Most gas stations offer loyalty programs that offer points for purchases that can then be used for merchandise or discounted gas. Some programs let you connect an existing debit or credit card with an account to earn rewards. However, gas credit cards are typically more rewarding and flexible.
In most cases, you can enhance the impact by using a credit card that offers rewards on gas station purchases with a loyalty program.
How to choose the best gas credit card
Here’s what to think about when trying to find the right gas credit card for you.
Annual fee
With any reward card, the annual fee can erode your earnings -- or, in a worst-case scenario, exceed them. So it’s key to feel confident that you can earn enough rewards to at least cover the fee through your normal spending. You don’t want to get into a situation where you’re spending more in order to justify the cost. That noted, there are plenty of cards that have no annual fee, though the cards that do often offer higher reward rates, larger welcome bonuses and better card perks.
Rewards
Rewards generally come in two different forms, cash back or points. Cash back cards are more usually straightforward, earning 1 point or cent for every dollar spent and letting you redeem rewards for a statement credit or as cash deposited directly into your bank account. If your card offers points, you may have additional redemption options or a different valuation depending on how they’re redeemed.
Additional benefits
Some cards offer additional protections like purchase protection, which offers up to 90 days of coverage against damage or theft for your new purchase, and cell phone insurance, which protects your phone against damage or theft. Travel cards sometimes offer insurance for rental cars or other travel-related expenses. Travel cards with annual fees typically offer better perks and may include an annual credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
How to apply for a gas credit card
Follow these steps to apply for a gas credit card:
1. Choose the card that best fits your budget.
2. Apply securely by following one of the links above.
3. Supply the issuer with the required financial and personal information.
4. Use your card responsibly and pay the statement balance in full and on time each month.
FAQs
The credit score you need to qualify for a gas credit card depends on the specific card you apply for. Most credit cards on this list require a good credit score of 670 or higher. That being said, some may have stricter requirements.
On the other hand, cards like the Discover it Student chrome are designed for lower-credit borrowers and may require only average credit.
A cash-back credit card offers you a percentage of cash back on your spending -- either overall at a flat rate or on certain spending categories. A gas credit card is a type of cash-back card that specifically rewards you when you spend money at gas stations.
One of the benefits of the credit cards on our list is that they don’t just reward you for your gas purchases. Instead, they’re general cash-back credit cards that happen to include gas as one of their bonus categories. As a result, you can earn higher cash back for your gas purchases (and other spending categories) while still earning baseline rewards for all of your spending.
They do. So long as you’re paying your monthly bill on time, you’ll build a history of positive payments, which can contribute to a better credit score.
Our top choice for a gas credit card is the Citi Custom Cash Card. Its cash-back rate is much higher than competitors and it offers a degree of flexibility most cards can’t compete with.
Our methodology
CNET reviews credit cards by exhaustively comparing them across set criteria developed for each major category, including cash-back, welcome bonus, travel rewards and balance transfer. We take into consideration the typical spending behavior of a range of consumer profiles -- with the understanding that everyone’s financial situation is different -- and the designated function of a card.
For cash-back credit cards, for example, key factors include the annual fee, the “welcome bonus” and the cash-back rate (or rates, if they differ by spending category). For rewards and miles cards, we calculate and weigh the net monetary value of a card’s respective perks. And with balance transfer credit cards, we analyze specs such as the duration of the introductory 0% APR period and the balance transfer fee, while acknowledging secondary factors such as the standard APR and the length of time you have to make a balance transfer after you open the account.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express, click here.
*All information about the Discover it Student chrome, Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi, and Sam’s Club Mastercard was collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.
