Best Gas Credit Cards

Yes, gas cards are worth it because the best gas credit cards provide rewards or discounts on fuel purchases and usually have $0 fees. It makes sense to consider a gas credit card if you drive a lot or commute to work regularly, especially if you always get gas from the same gas-station chain.

There are several different types of gas cards to choose from. Some, like the Shell Gas Card, can be used only for purchases at certain gas stations. Others are co-branded gas credit cards, which offer special perks at partner stations but are accepted by any merchant that takes cards from the affiliated network (e.g. Visa or Mastercard). There are also general rewards credit cards that give extra rewards on gas purchased anywhere.

Popular Gas Credit Cards That Might Be Worth It for You

It's also worth noting that most gas stations have evolved into convenience stores. This allows people to use their gas credit card not only for fuel but other necessities as well, such as groceries and other small household goods.

Lastly, store-only gas cards are often easier to qualify for than other types of gas credit cards. This can allow people with poor or no credit to establish a good credit history.

One of the best credit cards for gas purchases only is the Shell Gas Card. This card offers 10 ¢ per gallon. Plus, it comes with a $0 annual fee. 

It is worth noting that these credit cards can only be used at the gas stations they're affiliated with. But they're still worth applying for if you frequently use a certain gas station, as you'll generally receive discounts on fuel in exchange.

Some of the Best Credit Cards for Gas Purchases Only

Keep in mind that you can usually use these cards inside the gas station as well, so they are not exclusively for gas purchases. You just can't use them anywhere else.

Some of these specialized store credit cards also have counterpart Visa or Mastercard credit cards that are accepted everywhere – not just at gas stations. Some of their applications will actually consider you for the Visa or Mastercard version first– such as the Chevron and Texaco Gas Card. So, be sure to read the fine print before you apply.

One of the best easy approval gas credit cards is the Discover it® Secured Credit Card. It's relatively easy to get approved for this card even if you have bad credit, and you will enjoy a $0 annual fee as well as 2% cash back on up to $1,000 spent at gas stations and restaurants (combined) each quarter. There are no restrictions on what gas stations are eligible for rewards, so it's one of the most flexible options.

Best Gas Credit Cards

Here are some of the best easy approval gas credit cards:

Ongoing Rewards: 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 spent each quarter combined), and 1% back on all other purchases

Annual Fee: $0

Min. Credit Required: Bad

Ongoing Rewards: 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, as well as 1.5% cash back on all other purchases

Annual Fee: $0

Min. Credit Required: Bad

Ongoing Rewards: 1% cash back on all purchases

Annual Fee: $0 - $39

Min. Credit Required: Bad

Ongoing Rewards: 1% cash back on all eligible purchases, up to 1.25% back after 6 months of on-time payments, and 1.5% cash back after 12 consecutive months of paying on time

Annual Fee: $0

Min. Credit Required: Limited History

Ongoing Rewards: 30¢ per gallon (up to 35 gallons) on your first 5 Shell fuel purchases made by 6/30/2023, savings of 10¢ per gallon (up to 20 gallons) each fill up after that, and 10% Shell rebates on $1,200 in non-fuel Shell purchases per year

Annual Fee: $0

Min. Credit Required: Fair

Ongoing Rewards: 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and grocery store purchases, along with 1% back on all other purchases (except for 8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and 10% back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats)

Annual Fee: $0

Min. Credit Required: Limited History

The best easy approval gas card for you will depend on where you fill up and how good your credit is. But no matter what card you get, make sure to pay your bill on time every month. That will help you build credit and qualify for one of the best gas rewards credit cards.

The first step in getting a gas card is to check your credit score. This 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 are affiliated with a particular network (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express, for instance). 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 via mail, depending on the card. 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 you're loyal to a particular brand, 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. You should also take into consideration the fees you're likely to incur.
4. Apply. You can usually apply online, by phone, or via mail. 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 instance, if you're loyal to a certain gas station, make sure to apply for a card affiliated with that particular chain. Taking these factors into consideration will help you find the right type of gas card for your needs.

Gas credit cards partnered with a certain chain can be used anywhere if they are on one of the major credit card networks. But they will only provide maximum rewards on fuel purchases at the 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, too.

The best cash back credit card for gas is the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card because it offers $200 for spending $1,500 in the first 6 months. This card also gives 5% cash back in your top eligible category (up to $500 each billing cycle) and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Citi Custom Cash has a $0 annual fee, too.

Another great option is the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card. The card gives 3% spent in a category of your choice (including gas stations). The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card has a $0 annual fee.

Best Gas Cash Back Credit Cards

You need good/excellent credit to get most cash back gas credit cards, but there are a few options for people with fair, limited or bad credit. You can take a look at our editors' latest picks for the best gas credit cards on the market to weigh your options.

One of the best gas credit cards for bad credit is the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card, which gives cardholders 3% cash back in the category of their choice, including gas. Bank of America Custom Cash Secured Card has a $0 annual fee, but you need to place a security deposit of at least $200.

Gas credit cards for bad credit are hard to come by because fair credit or better is usually required. So, the best choice for you will depend on whether you're willing to compromise on a security deposit or an annual fee.

Some of the Best Gas Credit Cards for Bad Credit

The Bank of America Custom Cash Secured Card offers 3% cash back in the category of your choice, including gas. A $200+ security deposit is required, and your credit limit will equal the amount you put down. The card has a $0 annual fee.

The Fortiva Cash Card offers 3% on eligible gas purchases, among other bonus categories. This card also comes with a credit limit of up to $1,000. The card's annual fee is: $49 - $175 1st yr, $0 - $49 after. There's also a monthly fee of $0 1st yr, $5 - $12.50 after.

The Aspire Card offers 3% on eligible gas purchases, among other bonus categories. The card's annual fee is: $49-$175 1st yr, $0-$49 after. There's also a monthly fee of $0 1st yr, $5-$12.50 after.

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa® Secured Card offers 2 points per $1 spent at gas stations, among other bonus rewards categories. A $300+ security deposit is required, and your credit limit will equal the amount you put down. The card has a $0 annual fee.

The biggest things to watch out for on these gas credit cards for bad credit are high interest rates and annual fees. That's just the price of bad credit. But you can minimize the cost, and your credit can get better by paying on time and in full each month.

Gas cards can be a great way to build credit history since they are easy to get approved for. Plus, the best part of a routine purchase like gas is that you can pump your credit report full of on-time payments. Once you improve your credit score, feel free to also take a look at some of the best gas credit cards on the market.

The best fuel card for small business is the U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard®. It offers 4 points per $1 spent on fuel purchases at any station, as well as on travel expenses and purchases from EV charging stations, up to $150,000 spent per year across these bonus categories. New cardholders also get an initial bonus of 60,000 points for spending $6,000 in the first 180 days.

U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect has a $95 annual fee starting the second year your account is open. It requires at least good credit for approval.

Best Fuel Cards for Small Businesses in 2023

Some people might assume that the best fuel cards for small businesses are just those partnered with a certain gas station chain. But those cards restrict fuel purchases that earn rewards to affiliated stations. Many general-purpose business credit cards offer gas rewards that are at least as good, while letting you make purchases anywhere.

Just about all gas station credit cards can offer instant approval (or denial), especially when you apply online. But issuers never guarantee an instant decision. You're likely to receive one if you apply for one of the easiest gas cards to get. In general, your chances for instant approval are high if you apply for a card where your credit score exceeds the minimum required.

But issuers consider many factors on an application, such as income, number of recent credit inquiries, past bankruptcies, and more. So, it's always possible an issuer will need more time to come to a decision. Also, the approval process may take longer if the issuer cannot immediately verify the personal information on the application.

Best Gas Credit Cards for Instant Approval:

You can also check out our editors' latest picks for the best gas credit cards on the market to weigh your options.

Again, just about any gas credit card offers instant approval. But that doesn't necessarily mean you'll get it. Factors that will increase your likelihood of getting instant approval for any credit card include: a high credit score, a high income, and completely correct and up-to-date information on your credit card application.

The best fleet fuel card is the Sunoco Fleet Card because it has a $0 annual fee, works at more than 5,000 Sunoco gas stations, allows you to set spending limits for individual drivers, and offers discounts on fuel. It can save you up to 1 - 6 ¢ per gallon.

Best Fleet Fuel Cards

Discounts on gas purchases are one of a fleet fuel card's most attractive features, along with the ability to add lots of authorized users. This makes fleet cards an ideal choice for businesses with a large number of company-owned vehicles. The drawback is that branded fleet fuel cards such as the Sunoco Fleet Card can only be used for fuel purchases at affiliated stations.

If you want a card with more flexibility, consider a small business card like the U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard®. This card gives 1 - 5 points per $1 spent on purchases, including bonus rewards on gas purchases. Keep in mind that the rewards come with certain spending limits.

For more options, you can check out our editors' latest picks for the best gas credit cards on the market right now.

You'll need a 640 credit score or higher for most gas cards. This means at least fair credit is required for approval. 

Gas Cards Credit Score Requirements 

• If you have fair credit, you may qualify for gas cards from specific stations such as the Phillips 66 Credit Card or the ExxonMobil Gas Card. These can only be used to make purchases at the affiliated gas stations. 
• Good credit or better (a score of 700+) is required to get most gas rewards credit cards. A decent credit card example for Good credit is the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, which offers extra cash back on all gas purchases made at U.S. gas stations.
• There are also gas cards that are affiliated with a gas station but can be used anywhere, such as the Shell Credit Card. This type of cards also require good credit or better.

If you have less than fair credit, consider getting a secured credit card to pay for your gas purchases. The odds of approval are higher because you'll have to put up a security deposit to set your credit limit. The deposit is fully refundable when you close the account without an outstanding balance. 

In addition, secured cards work like regular credit cards, which means you can use them anywhere credit cards are accepted. An ideal secured card for gas purchases is the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card. It offers 3% cash back in a category of your choice, 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 spent quarterly in the 3% and 2% categories combined), and 1% back on all other purchases. And you can choose gas as your category for the supplemented 3% cash back rate.