Best gas credit cards for December 2024

Like other rewards credit cards, gas cards can earn cash back or points at gas stations. But 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 serve as your gas card.

How can gas credit cards be beneficial?

Gas credit cards can offer several benefits, including sizable welcome bonuses and rewards at gas and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, potentially helping you save on travel and commuting costs. Some gas credit cards feature additional perks, such as roadside assistance or car rental insurance, which can be beneficial if you’re regularly on the road. 

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 tend to be more versatile.

Discussions about gas credit cards online typically revolve around which cards earn the most cash back or points. The Citi Custom Cash® Card, Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express and Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card are some of the most popular gas cards. Some users also note that paying for gas with a rewards card can be worth it even if a station offers a discount for cash transactions.

For example, one Reddit user in the r/CreditCards community compares how much you can earn with a credit card to what you can save by paying with cash:

“A nearby gas station that has a ‘cash discount’ is $4.799 with a card, and $4.699 with cash. I'm getting almost $0.10 back with a basic 2% cash back card. Paying almost nothing to not have to carry around a bunch of cash and wait in line at the register is totally worth it for me. I'd come out slightly ahead using my Autograph, and even better with a Custom Cash.

[Even if] I lived in nearby Arizona, where prices are maybe $1.40 less. If the gas station is the type that offers a cash discount and I have a 2% cash back card, I'm getting back about 7 cents per gallon. If the cash discount is 10 cents, I'd rather pay that additional 3 cents or so per gallon to avoid carrying a bunch of cash around, and avoid waiting in line at the register.”

— r/CreditCards Reddit user*

But the conversation isn’t limited to rewards and savings. Many people also discuss the enhanced security of credit cards, particularly as it relates to card skimmers. 

Skimming devices closely resemble point-of-sale card readers and can collect card numbers, allowing thieves to steal your information to make fraudulent purchases. These devices pose a security threat when you use either chip or mag-strip payment methods on credit and debit cards. One user in the same r/CreditCards thread notes* that “gas stations seem to be a popular location for skimmers” and that debit cards are typically less secure than credit cards. Other users argue debit cards are just as secure.

To protect yourself from fraud, it’s important to keep an eye out for reports of card skimming at gas stations in your area. That said, credit cards are one of the most secure payment methods available and many come with fraud protection, so you shouldn’t let worries over card skimming prevent you from earning rewards at gas stations.

*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Be sure to check the issuer's website/terms and conditions for all up-to-date content. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.

We’ve asked our experts which credit card they use to earn rewards on gas and how they maximize their earnings on these purchases.

Ask our experts: What is your favorite credit card to use for gas?

Some of the most lucrative rewards cards for gas purchases are often tiered, category rewards cards that also cover other common daily spending, such as grocery or online retail. Here's what Bankrate editor Nouri Zarrugh says about his top gas-rewards cards:

“I use the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express for gas at least nine months out of the year. It offers a solid gas rewards rate, plus rewards in other key categories like U.S. online retail purchases. If the Chase Freedom Flex® is offering gas stations as a bonus cash back category one quarter (which it often does), I’ll use that card instead.

There are plenty of cards out there that offer higher gas rewards rates, but I’ve found gas isn’t a huge spending category for me these days — especially since I started working remotely. While I can get a higher gas rewards rate with a dedicated gas card, I just don't spend enough in that category to add yet another card to my wallet. I’m fine trading a bit of rewards potential for the ease of sticking with cards I already keep for other categories.”

— Nouri Zarrugh, Senior Editor, Bankrate

Ask our experts: How do you strategize earning rewards on gas spending?

Gas isn’t the largest spending category for many people, because grocery, travel and dining spending largely outpace it. But that doesn’t mean gas rewards cards can’t be a valuable addition to your card strategy. Here’s how Bankrate writer Brendan Dyer uses his gas rewards to maximize his earnings:

“I spend roughly $50 each month on gas so I never set out to open a credit card solely for gas purchases. But of my three cards, two have boosted rewards for gas purchases and I use one at the pumps because it earns a very generous rewards rate. I know I won’t earn a lot of cash back from my gas purchases, but I’m satisfied knowing I’m doing everything I can to maximize rewards in that area of my spending. Every bit adds up.”

— Brendan Dyer, Writer, Bankrate

Check out our expert advice on filling up the tank and rewards with a gas credit card to help you maximize your earnings.

Review current spending: Determine where gas fits in your budget

Gas credit cards are best for people who spend significantly at the pump. People who work from home or don’t drive often might not find much value in earning cash back on gas station purchases. Using a gas card could help you earn some of the most significant rewards if you’re a commuter or take frequent road trips.

Outside of rewards for gas purchases, consider 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.

Read the fine print on the card’s gas category to make sure that you can earn on all gas station purchases everywhere — and not just those made at the pump. While you may spend the most when filling the tank, make sure you also get cash back when you run in to grab a snack or buy an energy drink.

It’s important to check the fine print before applying for a credit card to fully understand how you can earn rewards on your gas purchases and read up on merchant category codes that qualify for cash back.

For example, the Discover it® Chrome’s fine print states:

“Gas station purchases include those made at merchants classified as places that sell automotive gasoline that can be bought at the pump or inside the station, and some public electric vehicle charging stations. Gas stations affiliated with supermarkets, supercenters, and wholesale clubs may not be eligible.”

Bank of America’s terms state that the gas category for its Customized Cash Rewards credit card could include automated fuel dispensers, electric vehicle charging stations, fuel dealers for coal, fuel oil, liquefied petroleum and wood, marinas, marine service and supplies, and service stations with or without ancillary services.

If you notice that your gas card isn’t earning rewards when you stop by the attached convenience store for a snack or fill up at a wholesale club’s gas station, check the fine print for the card’s rewards program or call the issuer for clarification.

While many gas cards don’t charge an annual fee, a few do. Cards with annual fees usually have better perks and benefits, but no-annual-fee cards are more accessible.

Here’s how much cash back two similar cards earn after annual fees, assuming you spend $2,000 per year on gas and remain below any spending cap for boosted rewards rates.

When 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. But the Blue Cash Preferred earns much more on U.S. supermarket purchases than the Blue Cash Everyday. 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.

What type of spender are you? Our Credit Card Spender Type Tool gives you personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.

When evaluating the best gas rewards 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. While a card’s gas rewards rate is important, we also take into account how its other bonus categories impact its ongoing value, the quality of its sign-up bonus, and whether it’s available at various credit levels and price points. 

We analyzed over 150 of the most popular rewards cards and scored each based on its rewards rate, restimated 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’s a quick breakdown of the key factors in our rewards card scoring methodology and details we considered when putting together our list of the best rewards cards.