Best Gas Credit Cards of 2023
- See what cards give you the best gas rewards
- Find out how gas credit cards work
- Discover the difference between gas rewards cards and gas loyalty cards
- Get advice from our experts on how to choose a card
The best gas credit cards aren’t necessarily co-branded with specific gas stations or fuel brands. Instead, these cards are issued by major institutions like Chase, Citi, and American Express, and they offer rewards for each dollar you spend — and not just on gas station purchases.
If you are eager to earn rewards with a gas card, you should know that the best options in this niche also offer generous sign-up bonuses and valuable cardholder benefits. As you compare all your options, read on to learn about the top cards that made our ranking and all they have to offer.
Our picks for the best gas credit cards
Best Gas Credit Cards of 2023
Advertiser Disclosure
LA Times Compare is committed to helping you compare products and services in a safe and helpful manner. It’s our goal to help you make sound financial decisions and choose financial products with confidence. Although we don’t feature all of the products and services available on the market, we are confident in our ability to offer sound advice and guidance.
We work to ensure that the information and advice we offer on our website is objective, unbiased, verifiable, easy to understand for all audiences and free of charge to our users.
We are able to offer this and our services thanks to partners that compensate us. This may affect which products we write about as well as where and how product offers appear on our website – such as the order in which they appear. This does not affect our ability to offer unbiased reviews and information about these products and all partner offers are clearly marked.
It is against the law to receive compensation in exchange for providing favorable reviews. As such, our reviews are solely based on unbiased research done by our expert writers and fact checked by our editors at the time of writing. LA Times Compare is committed to helping its users meet their financial goals through independent and unbiased reviews and comparisons.
How we make our money
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Best for Gas Stations and Supermarkets
Rates & FeesWhy we like it
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is exceptional due to its rewards percentage for U.S. supermarket spending, gas purchases, and transit. Cardholders have the chance to earn up to $360 per year in rewards at U.S. supermarkets each year if they max that category out, and $300 in monthly spending at U.S. gas stations each year would net the average person another $108 in rewards.
This card doesn’t charge an annual fee the first year, which sweetens the pot even further. You also get an intro APR offer for purchases, which can help you save money as you pay down your balance the first year.
PROS
- Excellent rewards on spending at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, transit and more
- No annual fee the first year
- 0% APR on purchases for a limited time
CONS
- Rewards can only be redeemed for a statement credit
- Earns cash back instead of American Express Membership Rewards
- Charges foreign transaction fees
Earning rewards
This rewards credit card offers lucrative rewards at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations, among other categories. Cardholders earn 6% back on up to $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each year (then 1% back), 6% back on select U.S. streaming services, 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit, and 1% back on all other purchases.
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
Best for Earning Cash Back
Why we like it
We like the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card due to the fact it lets you earn 5% back in a number of popular categories every billing cycle, including gas stations. That makes this card incredibly advantageous for someone who spends a lot on gas each month and wants to maximize their rewards.
This card’s introductory APR and lack of annual fee also help it stand out. Also note that you can redeem your rewards for a statement credit, direct deposit, a check, gift cards, travel, Amazon.com purchases, and more.
PROS
- Earn 5% back in your highest spending category each billing cycle
- Earn a generous bonus offer of $200
- No annual fee
- Save money with an intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
CONS
- Only earns 1% back on all other purchases
- Charges foreign transaction fees
Earning rewards
The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is unique because it lets you earn 5% back on up to $500 in spending in whatever category you spend the most in each billing cycle, then 1% back on all other purchases. Eligible categories that qualify for 5% back include restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment.
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Best for Flexibility
Why We Like It
We love the Chase Freedom Flex℠ due to the fact you can earn exceptional rewards in so many categories throughout the year. You’ll typically earn 5% back at gas stations for at least one quarter, yet you can benefit from this earning rate in other everyday spending categories throughout the year.
This card’s introductory APR for purchases and balance transfers makes it a good option for debt consolidation or paying down large purchases. The Chase Freedom Flex℠ also comes with more than its share of perks for a cash back credit card with no annual fee.
Finally, it’s worth noting that you can redeem your rewards for cash back, a statement credit, gift cards, travel through Chase, and more.
PROS
- Earn 5% back in categories that rotate throughout the year
- Generous rewards on dining and drugstore purchases, as well as grocery store purchases the first year
- Introductory APR offer
- No annual fee
CONS
- You only earn 1% back on non-bonus spending
- Charges foreign transaction fees
Earning rewards
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is unique because it lets you earn 5% back on up to $1,500 in spending in rotating categories each quarter, then 1% back. Throughout the year, gas station purchases typically qualify at least once, yet you can also earn this bonus rate in categories like dining and wholesale clubs.
Amazingly, this card also offers 5% back on travel booked through Chase and up to $12,000 in grocery spending the first year, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases and 1% back on other purchases.
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Best for Costco Members
Why we like it
We like the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi as a gas rewards card due to the fact you earn a high rate of gas rewards at Costco and all other major gas stations. Other rewards categories, including restaurants and eligible travel purchases, can also help you rack up cash back quickly.
This card doesn’t charge an annual fee, which is another major plus. Your card also doubles as your membership card for added convenience. If you have the Costco app, you can link your Costco Anywhere Citi Visa® Card to your digital membership which allows for contactless payment in-store. If you’re already a Costco member or plan on signing up for a membership, this could be the card for you.
PROS
- Earn generous gas rewards, as well as bonus cash back on dining, travel purchases, and more
- Doubles as your membership card at the gas pump to simplify checkout
- No foreign transaction fees
CONS
- No sign-up bonus
- Higher APR than some other cards
Earning rewards
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi offers generous gas rewards at Costco, where gas tends to be cheaper, but you also earn the same 4% rate at other gas stations worldwide. This rate is applied for the first $7,000 per year, then 1% back afterwards. In addition to 4% back in gas rewards, cardholders can earn 3% on restaurants and eligible travel purchases worldwide, 2% on all other in-club purchases from Costco and Costco.com, and 1% on all other purchases.
Citi Premier® Card
Best Sign Up Bonus
Why we like it
This rewards credit card offers 3x points on all kinds of eligible purchases, including select travel purchases, gas purchases, supermarkets, and dining. Also note that rewards earned with this card fall within the Citi ThankYou program. This means you can redeem your rewards for gift cards, merchandise, payments to a mortgage or a student loan, or travel through the Citi portal.
You can also transfer your points to Citi airline and hotel partners if you prefer.
PROS
- Generous rewards on eligible purchases including gas
- Lucrative welcome offer worth $800 in gift cards
- Flexible redemption options
- No foreign transaction fees
CONS
- $95 annual fee required
Earning rewards
The Citi Premier® Card makes it possible to earn extraordinary rewards on gas purchases and other spending. Specifically, cardholders get the chance to earn 3x points at restaurants, gas stations and supermarkets, 3x points on air travel and hotels, and 1x points on other eligible purchases.
Compare the Best Gas Credit Cards
How do gas credit cards work?
Gas rewards credit cards work like other credit cards in the fact they let you charge purchases and repay the money you borrow later on.
While you can carry a balance on your gas credit card if you prefer, you’ll be charged credit card interest if you do.
The best gas credit cards offer generous rewards on gas as well as non-gas purchases you make, and some offer consumer protections and perks that make them even more valuable.
Note that some gas credit cards are affiliated with gas stations or global gas brands, but that these cards are generally limited in scope and overall value. If you want to earn rewards on gas and all your other bills, your best bet is to pick a gas card from a major issuer.
Types of gas credit cards
There are several types of gas credit cards, but they don’t all work the same.
Cards in this niche tend to fall into one of three categories:
Gas rewards cards
Gas rewards cards include the type of cards we recommend in this ranking. With this type of card, you can earn rewards on gas and everything else you buy.
Gas loyalty cards
Gas loyalty cards are affiliated with specific gas brands, and they may offer per-gallon discounts on gas as well as in-store perks. Note that these cards are typically store-branded, so you can’t use them for regular spending and bills.
Fleet fuel cards
Fleet fuel cards are for businesses that spend a lot of money on gas. These cards are often store-branded, meaning you can only use them within a brand of gas stations nationwide. Some fleet fuel cards are for gas only, but others let users charge on other items as well.
Choosing the best gas credit card for you
As you compare gas cards, you’ll want to look at all the factors that matter the most to you.
The following tips can help you pick the best credit card for your needs:
- Consider the approval odds.
The best credit cards for gas typically require good, very good, or excellent credit to qualify. If you have bad credit, you should strive to improve your score before you apply. - Look for rewards that align with your spending.
Consider cards that offer generous gas rewards as well as bonus points in other categories you spend a lot in. - Consider cards with a big sign-up bonus.
Also look for credit cards that reward you with bonus cash within the first few months. However, you should also make sure you can meet the minimum spending requirement to qualify. - Look at how you can redeem your rewards.
Find out if you can redeem your rewards for a statement credit only, or if you can redeem for other options like gift cards, travel, merchandise, and more. - Look beyond the intro APR.
If your card offers an intro APR, make sure you are happy with the regular APR as well. After all, balances you carry after the promotional period will be charged interest at this rate.
Does a gas credit card help build credit?
All gas credit cards help you build credit, even store-branded credit cards. This is due to the fact that they report your balances and payments to the three credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
How we selected the best gas rewards cards
The best gas rewards cards that made our ranking offer exceptional bonus rewards on gas as well as other types of spending. We looked for cards with the highest rewards rate on gas purchases specifically, but we also compared hundreds of cards to look for bonus category rewards, intro APR offers, and other cardholder perks.
Best gas credit cards FAQ
Holly D. Johnson is an award-winning personal finance writer who covers topics like insurance, investing, credit and family finance. As a leading voice in the travel and loyalty space, Johnson has traveled with her family to more than 50 countries over the last decade.
The author has also written extensively on the power of household budgeting, and she even co-authored a book on the topic. Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You’ll Love was originally published in 2017, and it teaches families how to use zero-sum budgeting to reach their financial goals. She is also the co-owner and founder of the family finance and travel website, ClubThrifty.com.
Johnson’s 10+ years of writing have focused on helping families make important financial decisions at each stage of their lives. The author also applies the financial principles she teaches to her own life, and she is currently on track to retire in her late 40’s with her partner. She currently lives in Central Indiana with her husband and children, and she is a regular contributor for Bankrate, CNN, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report Travel and many other notable publications.
What is a Good APR for a Credit Card?
A good APR can make a difference in your monthly credit card payments, but how can you tell good from bad? We've taken a look at average APR across the industry to help you compare.
What is a Bad Credit Score?
A bad credit score includes any FICO score below 580. Find out which factors lead to bad credit and what you can do about it.
Does Closing a Credit Card Hurt Your Credit?
Closing a credit card can hurt your credit score in several ways. Find out when you should close a card anyway, as well as alternatives to consider.
How Do Credit Cards Work? Understanding the Basics of Credit Cards
Understanding credit cards can be difficult, and mistakes can be damaging. Our experts explain everything you need to know to understand how your credit card works and how to use it responsibly.
Charge Cards vs. Credit Cards: What’s the Difference?
Charge cards make you pay off the balance each month but lack a spending limit. Credit cards typically have limits, but you can carry a running balance...
How to Get Cash from a Credit Card: ATMs and Other Options
Insert credit card into ATM · Enter credit card PIN · Choose cash advance or withdrawal · Select amount to withdraw · Accept fees · Complete transaction
How to Build Credit: Expert Steps to Build & Improve Your Credit Score
Start by getting a secured credit card, use it wisely & pay on time, build a positive history, keep balances low, apply for a regular card, repeat good habits.
How Does Credit Card Interest Work? Understanding APR
Credit card interest refers to the extra cost you are charged for unpaid balances on your account, as determined by your annual percentage rate (APR).
What Is a Charge-off & How Can I Remove One from My Credit?
A charge-off is an unpaid debt that your creditor gave up on. It stays on your credit report for 7 years & is very damaging. Paying it off reduces its impact.
How to Increase Your Credit Card Limit Without Hurting Your Credit Score
Increasing your credit limit can be a smart money move. Learn how to easily increase your credit card limit without hurting your credit score.