Just Got a Deal on a Car? Save on Fuel With These Credit Cards

Driving home a new car — or new-to-you car — can be exciting, especially when you feel you've scored a good deal on the purchase price. To drive home even more savings long after the new-car thrill subsides, use the right credit cards to buy gasoline.

Here are rewards credit cards that can be ideal for purchases at the pump.

» MORE: NerdWallet’s best gas credit cards

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express not only offers 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including such things as taxis, rideshares, parking, tolls, trains and buses), it also offers a huge 6% back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%)*. Additionally, it offers 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. Terms apply (see rates and fees). It has a fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. Welcome bonus: Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply.

Good option for: Larger households that spend heavily at supermarkets.

» MORE: How to choose a gas credit card

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card offers 3% cash back on a category of your choice. One category you can choose is gas, which also includes EV stations. You'll also earn 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. You'll earn these elevated rewards on up to $2,500 in combined quarterly spending. It also offers 1% cash back on all other purchases. If you're a Bank of America® banking customer, you'll have the opportunity to earn more through the bank’s Preferred Rewards program. It charges an annual fee of $0. Sign-up bonus: $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening..

Good option for: Bank of America® banking customers.

Sam's Club® Mastercard®

Earn 5% cash back at eligible gas stations worldwide, including gas stations at Sam’s Club (on up to $6,000 spent per year, then 1%), 3% cash back on dining, 1% cash back on all other purchases. For Sam’s Club Plus members only: Up to 5% back on eligible Sam’s Club purchases (an unlimited 3% back with the credit card; and up to 2% back with the membership, though there is a yearly cap on that portion of your rewards). Terms apply. The annual fee is $0, but you must be a Sam’s Club member. The baseline Club membership costs $45 per year and the Plus membership costs $100 per year. Sign-up bonus: N/A A major drawback: Rewards are issued only once a year. If you’re already a Costco member, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is also a fine choice. Among other rewards, it offers 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year, then 1% thereafter.

Good option for: Sam’s Club members who can wait for their rewards.

Another option

Rotating category cards can be lucrative options for part of the year when gasoline is a bonus category. One example is the Chase Freedom Flex®. It earns 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate (1% back on everything else), 5% on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining at restaurants and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases. Bonus categories in the past have included gas stations, as well as department stores, wholesale clubs, grocery stores and more. (Current bonus categories are here.) Sign-up bonus: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

Good option for: Cardholders who will use category cards strategically, usually in conjunction with another rewards card.