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Filling up your gas tank is not only an inconvenience — but in these tough economic times — a serious strain on your wallet. Gas is the average U.S. family’s second-largest monthly expense. But what if you could turn those trips to the pump into a rewarding experience?
Some credit cards come with bonus rewards on gas, saving you money when filling up your tank. Perks and rewards for gas-related spending vary from card to card, so comparing different cards is important to find one that fits your needs. Here are some of the best credit cards for gas spending.
Best credit cards for gas
- Citi Custom Cash® Card
- Sam’s Club® Mastercard
- Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
- PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card
- Chase Freedom Flex℠
- PNC Cash Rewards® Visa® Credit Card
1. Citi Custom Cash
The Custom Cash card has a unique rewards structure, allowing you to maximize rewards specifically on gas expenses.
With this card, you can earn 5% cash back on your top eligible spending category (up to $500 each billing cycle, then 1%). Categories include gas stations, restaurants, grocery stores, drugstores, and more. The card also offers 1% cash back on all other purchases, providing added value beyond gas.
The average American spends between $150-$200 each month on gas — so you could earn $7.5-$10 in cash back each month, or $90-$120 each year.
If gas is regularly your top spending category month after month, the Custom Cash Card can be a good choice. But if your spending patterns fluctuate, you may earn just 1% cash back on gas during some months.
It also depends on where you fill up your tank. The Custom Cash card excludes warehouse clubs, discount stores, and convenience stores from higher cash back. So, if you frequent these locations, you may not get the most value from this card.
Pros
- 5% cash back for the top spending category
- No annual fee
- Variety of ways to redeem points
Cons
- Excludes gas purchases at warehouse clubs, discount stores, and convenience stores
- Rewards capped at $500 in spending per billing cycle
- Elevated cash back limited to top spending category
2. Sam’s Club Mastercard
The Sam’s Club Mastercard is another credit card offering a valuable 5% cash back on gas spending. This provides a significant opportunity to save money on your fuel costs.
Those 5% gas rewards are capped at $6,000 in gas purchases per year, after which you’ll earn 1%. You’ll also get 3% cash back on dining (capped at $5,000 annually) and 1% on all other purchases.
Unlike the Costco credit card, you can earn cash back at any gas station, including other store-branded gas stations. The Sam’s Club Mastercard has no annual fee, but you must have a Sam’s Club membership to apply. Membership costs $45 annually.
For those who already shop at Sam’s Club to buy groceries or gas, paying for a membership to apply for this card isn’t an issue. But this card may not be the right fit if you’re not already a Sam’s Club member and don’t shop at the superstore.
Pros
- High cash back rewards on gas
- Doesn’t exclude store-branded gas stations from rewards
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- Sam’s Club membership required
- $6,000 annual cap on elevated gas rewards
3. Costco Anywhere Visa Card
While not quite as lucrative as the Citi Custom Cash Card or the Sam’s Club Mastercard, Costco’s Anywhere Visa has some of the best gas rewards available.
You can earn 4% cash back on eligible gas spending (up to $7,000 per year, then 1%). Unlike many gas-centric cards, you can earn 4% cash back on electric vehicle charging purchases. Plus, earn 3% cash back on eligible restaurant and travel purchases and 1% on all other purchases.
Remember that you won’t earn 4% cash back at store-branded gas stations (like Walmart or Sam’s Club). You also need a Costco membership — which costs $60 per year — to apply. Costco membership gives you access to their warehouse club benefits and exclusive discounts.
The ability to redeem rewards is a bit inflexible. Rewards are mailed to you annually and you can only redeem rewards for Costco merchandise or cash. The Costco Anywhere Card is a solid option if you frequently spend on gas and are a Costco member.
Pros
- 4% cash back on gas and EV charging
- Additional elevated cash back rewards
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- Costco membership required
- Can’t earn 4% cash back at store-brand gas stations
- $7,000 annual cap on elevated gas
- Inflexible redemptions
4. PenFed Platinum Rewards
PenFed’s Platinum Rewards card offers 5X points on gas purchases and electric vehicle charging stations. This translates to a high earning potential, allowing you to accumulate points quickly on fuel expenses.
You can earn 3X points on spending at supermarkets, restaurants, TV, radio, cable, and streaming. Plus, earn 1X points on any other type of spending. The card also has added benefits such as no foreign transaction fees and no annual fee.
Cardholders can redeem rewards for gift cards, travel, or merchandise. Keep in mind that you can’t get actual cash back, which limits how you can use rewards to offset gas spending.
You must be a PenFed credit union member to use the Platinum Rewards card. Membership is open to anyone but requires opening and maintaining a savings account.
Pros
- 5X points spent on gas with no spending limits
- Elevated points at supermarkets, restaurants, and streaming
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- Must be a PenFed member
- No cash back redemption
5. Chase Freedom Flex
The Chase Freedom Flex’s cash back program includes attractive benefits for fuel expenses — though it may depend on the time of year.
With this card, you can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases in rotating quarterly categories, which often include gas stations. This allows you to earn solid cash back on gas purchases during the eligible quarters. Additionally, the card offers 5% on Lyft rides (through March 2025), 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
The Chase Freedom Flex card also has no annual fee and usually offers a solid welcome bonus. But remember that if gas isn’t one of Chase’s rotating quarterly categories, you’ll only earn 1% cash back at the pump.
This card is a good option if you spend in different categories and want flexibility in redeeming your rewards. If you’re looking for a credit card geared towards grocery shopping, consider these top credit cards.
Pros
- 5% cash back for the first year on combined gas and grocery
- Welcome offer is easy to reach for most
- No annual fee
- No minimum to redeem cash back
Cons
- Spending cap on bonus category rewards
- You have to manually enroll in rotating categories each quarter
6. PNC Cash Rewards Visa
With the PNC Cash Rewards Visa, you can earn 4% cash back on eligible gas station purchases. Additionally, the card provides 3% cash back on dining purchases, 2% on grocery store purchases, and 1% on all other purchases.
There’s an $8,000 annual spending limit on earning elevated cash back on gas, groceries, and dining, and then you’ll earn 1%. You also won’t earn elevated cash back when you fill up your tank at superstores like Walmart or Target.
You can redeem cash back as a statement credit or deposit it into your PNC checking or savings account. The card also offers a solid introductory APR and no annual fee, providing added financial flexibility.
Pros
- 4% cash back on gas
- No annual fee
- Solid cash back rates on groceries and dining
Cons
- Annual spending cap
- Elevated cash back excludes gas purchases at superstores, supermarkets, or warehouse clubs
The bottom line
If you spend a lot of time behind the wheel, a credit card with gas rewards can be a useful addition to your wallet. If you’re searching for the best gas cards, review each card’s benefits to find one that matches your spending patterns.
Sometimes, it makes more sense to get a card that offers rewards on most daily expenses, not just gas. Here are some of the best card options for everyday purchases.
Opinions expressed are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.