How can I get a gas card?

The first step in getting a gas card is to check your credit score because it will tell you what types of gas cards you are likely to qualify for. People with good or excellent credit can pick from the best overall credit cards with gas rewards, including cards that work anywhere Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover is accepted. People with lower credit scores may be limited to gas cards that work only at one chain of gas stations.

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of possibilities, you can compare their rewards and fees to find the best deal. When you find the right gas card for you, you can apply for it online, over the phone, or by mailing an application. You can usually apply at the gas station, too.

Here’s how to get a gas card:

1. Check your credit score. Your score will give you a general idea of which gas cards offer high odds of approval.
2. Consider committing to a specific gas-station chain. If always getting the same brand of gas is convenient for you, using that gas station’s credit card could provide extra savings.
3. Compare cards based on estimated earnings. Calculate how much each card would save you, based on the rewards it provides on the types of purchases you plan to make as well as any fees you’re likely to incur.
4. Apply. You can apply online, by phone or with a paper application. In some cases, you can apply inside the gas station.

It’s important to take personal preference into account when shopping for a gas card. For example, do you always fill up at the same station? Could you easily commit to a single chain? The answers to those questions will help lead you to the right type of gas card for your needs.

Co-branded gas credit cards partnered with a certain chain can be used anywhere if they are on one of the major credit card networks: Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express. But they will only provide maximum rewards on fuel purchases at affiliated gas stations. Many gas stations also offer cards that are not on a major network and can only be used at chain they’re affiliated with. Plus, plenty of credit cards that are not tied to any gas station chain still offer good rewards on gas.

The best way to get a gas card is to apply for your favorite gas station’s credit card online. My favorite gas station is Shell, so I applied for and got the Shell Credit Card. It gives 30 cents off every gallon, up to 20 gallons, on the first five fuel purchases. After that, it’s 10 cents off per gallon. It also gives 10% back in Shell rebates on the first $1,200 spent on non-fuel Shell purchases per year.

The card is on the Mastercard network, so it can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted. You get rewarded on those purchases too. There’s 2% back on the first $10,000 spent each year on dining and grocery purchases, plus 1% on other purchases. The annual fee is $0. The Shell Credit Card requires good credit for approval. But there’s also a version for people with fair credit, called the Shell Gas Card. It can only be used at Shell.