Best of
Best Gas Credit Cards of August 2019
NerdWalletAugust 20, 2019
At NerdWallet, we strive to help you make financial decisions with confidence. To do this, many or all of the products featured here are from our partners. However, this doesn’t influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own.
Show summary
Our pick for
Overall spending
on Wells Fargo's website
on Wells Fargo's website
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
15.99% - 27.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% APR for 12 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Recommended Credit Score
The Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card lacks some of the premium perks that other travel credit cards offer. But it pays great rewards on gas while giving you a reason to use it on other spending, too.
Pros
This card offers 3 points per dollar in a slew of popular categories, including gas stations, restaurants, travel and popular streaming services. All other spending earns 1 point per dollar. Points are worth a penny apiece and are redeemable for cash, travel and more. There's a rich welcome offer for new cardholders, and you even get a 0% introductory APR period, all with an annual fee of $0.Cons
There are some limitations on redemption. For cash back, the minimum redemption amount is $25, or $20 when redeeming at a Wells Fargo ATM. Travel redemptions are available only by booking through Wells Fargo.- Earn 30,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months that's a $300 cash redemption value
- $0 annual fee and no foreign currency conversion fee
- Earn 3X points on eating out and ordering in
- Earn 3X points on travel including flights, hotels, homestays and car rentals
- Earn 3X points on gas stations, rideshares and transit
- Earn 3X points on popular streaming services
- Earn 1X points on other purchases
- Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
- View Rates and Fees
Our pick for
Families
on American Express's website
on American Express's website
Annual Fee
$95
Regular APR
14.99% - 25.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 12 months
Recommended Credit Score
The rewards structure of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is unusually generous to people who spend a lot on gas, transit and groceries, such as those with families and long commutes. No cap on gas rewards means that even if you’re a salesperson with a multistate territory, you'll be able to fill your tank all year long without getting bumped to a lower rewards rate.
Pros
Earning 3% back on U.S. gas station purchases year-round is excellent when there are other lucrative bonus categories, too. Large households especially will appreciate what the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express can earn on other expenses: 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 a year in spending (then 1%); 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions; 3% cash back on transit (including such things as taxis, rideshares, parking, tolls, trains and buses); and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Terms apply.Cons
Make sure what you'll earn in rewards will outstrip the card's $95 annual fee — grocery shopping can likely get you there faster than gas guzzling.- Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months.
- NEW 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- NEW 3% Cash Back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more.
- 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations. 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
- You spoke, we listened. Over 1.6 million more places in the U.S. started accepting American Express® Cards in 2018.
- Low intro APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable rate, currently 14.99% to 25.99%
- $95 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- View Rates and Fees
Our pick for
Credit union fans
on Pentagon Federal Credit Union's website
on Pentagon Federal Credit Union's website
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
11.99% - 17.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% promotional rate for 12 months on transfers made now through September 30, 2019
Recommended Credit Score
For some, the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card won’t be an easy card to apply for, and redeeming points might be a hassle. But if you need a sky-high return on your gas spending, it may be the card for you.
Pros
If you’re willing to endure a little hassle in joining this credit union and using its points, it’s hard to beat the return in points on the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card, which has an annual fee of $0. Each $1 spent on gas earns the equivalent of 4.25 cents when redeemed for gift cards, which is a superb return. It also helps at the supermarket. The card is also our only choice that isn’t issued by a megabank, if that appeals to you.Cons
To apply, you need to become a member of Pentagon Federal Credit Union, an organization that caters to military and government employees. Everyone is eligible to join. There is no cash-back option; just merchandise, gift cards and travel. Also, points aren’t worth the traditional penny per point. You'll typically get a value of 0.85 cents each, although they can be worth more than a penny when used for travel. Finally, gas rewards are for pay-at-the-pump purchases only, so snacks, wiper fluid and car washes bought at the service station checkout counter won’t count for bonus rewards.- $100 bonus after spending $1,500 in purchase transactions within the first 90 days of account opening.
- 0% APR promo balance transfer rate for 12 months now through September 30, 2019. After that, the APR for the unpaid balance and any new balance transfers will be 11.99% to 17.99%. APR will vary w/the market based on Prime Rate. 3% balance transfer fee per transaction. Subject to credit approval. If you take advantage of this balance transfer, you will immediately be charged interest on all purchases made with your credit card unless you pay the entire account balance, including balance transfers, in full each month by the payment due date.
- Rate and offers current as of August 1, 2019 and subject to change.
- Earn 5 points on gas purchases at the pump. Fuel purchases for airplanes and boats do not receive cash back rewards.
- Earn 3 points on supermarket purchases
- Earn 1 point on all other purchases
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- No cash advance fee
- Chip enabled for added security
- Federally insured by NCUA
- Variable rate as low As 11.99% APR
Our pick for
Smaller spenders
on Bank of America's website, or call (877) 754-6706
on Bank of America's website, or call (877) 754-6706
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
16.24% - 26.24% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Recommended Credit Score
The Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card is already a good card for certain purchases, but if you’re a Bank of America® customer and can qualify for Preferred Rewards, this card becomes exceptional for use at the pump. But mind the quarterly spending cap.
Pros
You earn 3% cash back on your chosen spending category, which can be gas, and 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs for the first $2,500 in combined spending each quarter. Earn 1% cash back on other purchases. (Other 3% choices: online shopping, dining, travel, drugstores or home improvement and furniture stores. You can update your choice category once each calendar month.) If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can get bonuses of 25% to 75% of the rewards you earn.Cons
The spending cap on the 3% and 2% rewards can be complicated to manage and might be too low for larger households. Earning more than 3% back on purchases requires a high loyalty to Bank of America®.- No annual fee
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
- Earn 3% cash back on gas or your choice of one of five other popular categories, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases
- 0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 16.24% - 26.24% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee (min $10) applies to all balance transfers
- No expiration on rewards
- If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25% - 75% more cash back on every purchase
Our pick for
Strategic quarterly use
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
17.24% - 25.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months
Recommended Credit Score
The Chase Freedom® has traditionally offered gas purchases as a bonus category at least one quarter a year, and earning 5% back at the pump with an annual fee of $0 is hard to beat. Still, this card does require some maintenance.
Pros
You earn 5% back on rotating bonus categories that you activate, on up to $1,500 in spending per quarter, and 1% back on all other purchases. Gas has traditionally been among the 5% categories. Discover's cash-back cards have a similar rewards structure, and they, too, commonly include gas stations. The Chase Freedom® gets the nod here because in 2018, it had gas as a bonus category in two quarters — or six months of the year. (Current bonus categories are here.)Cons
The card is great for using on bonus-category spending but earns a low 1% back on everything else. You have to keep track of the bonus categories and activate them each quarter, which some consider a hassle. Bonus earnings are capped.- Earn a $150 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
- Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - it's automatic
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 17.24-25.99%.
- 3% intro balance transfer fee when you transfer a balance during the first 60 days your account is open, with a minimum of $5.
- No annual fee
- Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back.
- Free credit score, updated weekly with Credit Journey℠
Our pick for
Wholesale club members
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
17.15% - 25.15% Variable APR
Intro APR
N/A
Recommended Credit Score
If you’re a Costco member, that store's co-branded credit card is a fine choice with a robust rewards rate on gas purchases. But if you don’t already have a wholesale club membership, the Sam's Club Mastercard offers more as a gas credit card, and a basic membership to Sam's Club costs less, too, at $45 a year.
Pros
The Sam's Club Mastercard offers 5% cash back on up to $6,000 a year in spending at eligible gas stations worldwide. Based on average household gas spending, those rewards would total about $100 per year, enough to pay for the $45 Sam’s Club membership and still return 2.75% on gas spending for the average household. The card also offers 3% cash back on dining and travel, and 1% cash back on all other purchasesCons
The cap on bonus rewards for gas is generous considering the average household spends about one-third of that per year on gas — but it’s still a cap. And a big downer: You can redeem rewards only once a year, in person at a Sam's Club store.- Earn 5% cash back on gas (on first $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%)
- Earn 3% cash back on dining and travel
- Earn 1% on other purchases.
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Doubles as your membership card
Our pick for
Outdoors and sports enthusiasts
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
21.24% Variable
Intro APR
N/A
Recommended Credit Score
The Ducks Unlimited Rewards Platinum Edition® Visa® Card may be the most generous gas card on the market. You get unlimited 5% cash back on gas, as well as on purchases at sporting goods stores. All other purchases earn 1%.
Pros
Unlike other cards with 5% rewards on gas, the Ducks Unlimited Rewards Platinum Edition® Visa® Card doesn't limit the amount of spending eligible for that great rate. Plus, a portion of the proceeds from every purchase goes toward wetlands conservation, the core mission of the card's sponsor, Ducks Unlimited. You can choose from four card designs, and you don't have to be a member of Ducks Unlimited to apply.Cons
Gas and sporting goods may seem an odd combination of bonus categories, but it makes sense for Ducks Unlimited, whose members are primarily hunters. Still, if you aren't much into sports — outdoors or otherwise — you might not want to carry a card just for gas. The 1% rewards elsewhere are meh at best.- No Annual Fee
- Unlimited 5% cash back on Gas purchases & Sporting Goods Store purchases
- Unlimited 1% cash back on other purchases everywhere Visa is accepted
- A portion of every purchase you make with the Ducks Unlimited Rewards Visa® Card helps fund wetlands conversation efforts
Last updated on August 20, 2019
Methodology
NerdWallet's credit cards team selects the best cards in each category based on overall consumer value. Factors in our evaluation include fees, promotional and ongoing APRs, and sign-up bonuses; for rewards cards, we consider earning and redemption rates, redemption options and redemption difficulty. A single card is eligible to be chosen in multiple categories.
