The Shell credit card has found a higher gear.
Previous versions, issued by Citi, earned a paltry cents-per-gallon discount off each fill-up at Shell-branded stations. But the higher that gas prices get, the worse such discounts become: They're fixed to the number of gallons you pump, rather than the amount you're actually paying for gas.
The new Shell credit card, which debuted in May 2026, has a much improved rewards structure. Now called the Shell Performance World Elite Mastercard, and issued by First Bank & Trust, it earns robust rewards as a percentage of your purchase price, even outside of the Shell brand.
It still has some drawbacks, most notably in terms of redemption options. For most drivers, a general rewards credit card that's not tied to a specific brand will be a more valuable and flexible choice. But for those who fill up at Shell exclusively and regularly, this card could be the right fit.
Here are five things to know about the Shell Performance credit card.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
Holders of the old Citi-issued Shell credit cards were moved to the new Shell Performance credit card by May 2026. Rewards earned with those older cards were to be transferred to the new card's rewards program, which is managed by financial technology company Imprint. 1. It earns solid rewards
The Shell Performance card boasts rewards rates that are competitive with the best rewards credit cards. For no annual fee, Shell cardholders can earn the following unlimited rewards:
- 4% back at Shell on gas, EV charging, and in-store purchases.
- 3% back on dining and groceries.
- 2% back on everything else.
With those rates in big spending areas for many households, the Shell card is clearly angling to be a top-of-wallet card. If only the reward redemption options were better.
» MORE: How to choose a gas credit card
2. Redemption options are very limited
Unfortunately, rewards earned with the Shell credit card can be redeemed for just one thing: a statement credit that only applies toward Shell purchases. General rewards cards typically offer a menu of options that include statement credits, yes, but also true cash back, gift cards and even travel.
Say there’s a billing cycle in which your rewards earned are greater than the amount you spent at Shell. You can’t redeem the excess rewards for anything else. Instead, the remaining rewards stay in your rewards account until you’ve made enough Shell purchases.
Rewards also expire after 13 months of account inactivity from the day when they were earned.
3. Credit card rewards stack with other discounts
Anyone — regardless of whether they have the Shell Performance credit card — can sign up for Fuel Rewards, Shell’s loyalty program. Members can save up to 10 cents per gallon depending on their status within Fuel Rewards. That per-gallon discount stacks on top of whatever rewards you earn by paying for each fill-up with the Shell Performance card.
4. The welcome bonus is stingy
As of this writing, Shell Performance cardholders can get a $50 bonus after spending $500 in the first 60 days after opening a new account. Compared to other rewards cards where a $200 cash bonus is pretty standard, the Shell card simply can’t compete.
5. Another credit card is still a better choice for gas
The Shell Performance card is a good card for Shell loyalists, but it’s probably not the best for most people considering its limited redemption options.
The $0-annual-fee Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a solid alternative (terms apply; see rates and fees). It earns the following:
- 3% cash back* at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 spent per year.
- 3% back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 spent per year.
- 3% back on U.S. online retail purchases on up to $6,000 spent per year.
- 1% back on other purchases.
- Terms apply.
The Shell card will out-earn it at Shell-branded stations, but the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express will be more useful in more places, and you won't be limited to redeeming your rewards solely toward purchases with one single brand. Moreover, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express features other perks and incentives, including a potentially much richer welcome offer: You may be eligible for as high as $200 cash back after spending $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.
To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, see this page.
*Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
