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With fuel prices as high as they are, it makes more sense than ever to use one of the best credit cards that include gas stations as a bonus category. The very best of these gas credit cards also earn extra points, miles, or cash back in other popular categories, like travel or dining.

Here are our top credit card picks to make the most of your spending at the pump.

Compare the Best Gas Credit Cards

The Best Gas Credit Cards of 2023

Best Gas Credit Cards Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do you need to get a gas credit card?

Most of the gas credit cards on our list require a good credit score to excellent credit score to be eligible to apply. This translates to a FICO score of at least 670.

However, some gas station chains have their own proprietary gas cards that you can use only at gas stations. These cards tend to be easier to get approved for, but keep in mind that you'll have very little flexibility in how you earn and redeem rewards.

Are gas credit cards worth it?

Opening a credit card specifically for gas is worth it for those who drive a lot, especially now that gas prices are through the roof. Earning rewards for these purchases can make the price increases a little easier to bear.

It's even better if you pick a card that also earns bonus rewards in other categories where you spend a lot of money. For instance, road warriors who spend a lot of overnights away from home might consider a card like the US Bank Altitude Connect, which earns 4x on gas and travel (including hotels).

Alternately, if your family spends a lot on groceries and dining out as well as gas, the Citi Premier® Card can help you maximize these expenses with its 3x earning on gas stations, restaurants, and supermarkets (as well as air travel and hotels).

What's the best gas credit card with no annual fee?

Several no-annual-fee credit cards offer bonus points or cash back on gas purchases and EV charging. The right one for you depends on what other categories you spend in and the rewards you prefer to earn.

If you're a Costco member, it's hard to beat the earning rate on the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi. Otherwise, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card, Chase Freedom Unlimited®, Citi Custom Cash℠ Card, and U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card are all solid options.

Does Costco gas take credit cards? 

You can only use Visa credit cards (like the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi, PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card, and the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card) at US Costco gas stations. 

Methodology: How We Chose the Best Gas Credit Cards

We considered rewards cards that are currently available to new applicants in deciding on the top credit cards for gas purchases, along with these factors:

  • Simplicity — Does the card make it easy to redeem rewards, and have a program that's easy to understand? 
  • Earning potential — Does the card earn generous rewards on gas, and are there other bonus categories that line up with everyday spending habits?
  • Welcome bonus — Credit cards that offer a sign-up bonus or other incentives are more appealing, especially if they don't charge an annual fee.
  • Options for different types of consumers — We included cards that are geared to all kinds of users, from products that earn travel points and cash-back to credit cards that earn rewards for electric vehicle charging.

View our page on how we rate credit cards to learn more about how we rate and review products. 

Why You Should Trust Our Recommendations

Insider's credit cards division works independently of Insider's business division to scrutinize and compare credit cards that are targeted for various demographics. We will tell you honestly which credit card is most likely to suit your financial goals — and the pitfalls you may encounter.

Best Gas Card if You Shop at Costco

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi - Product Name Only

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi offers 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases worldwide (not just at Costco gas stations) on up to $7,000 in purchases per year (then 1%). Plus, you'll earn 3% back on restaurant and eligible travel purchases worldwide, 2% back on all other purchases from Costco and costco.com, and 1% back on everything else.

There's no annual fee, but you need a Costco membership to earn rewards. While gas station earnings on the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is excellent, the card doesn't issue cash-back the same way other cards do. You'll only receive your rewards once per year, in the form of a certificate you can redeem for cash back or merchandise at Costco. However, if your annual reward amount is greater than $10,000 you'll receive an alternative form of payment such as a check or electronic transfer.

Costco Anywhere Visa Card Review

Best Flexible Points Earning Rate, Including EV Charging Stations

U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card - Product Name Only

The US Bank Altitude Connect has a great 4x earning rate at gas stations and on travel, and it's not capped like on some other cards. The gas station category includes EV charging stations, so this is card a good choice for all types of vehicle owners. 

Cardholders also earn 2x points at grocery stores and on grocery delivery, dining, and streaming services, and 1 point per dollar on everything else.

Each point is worth 1 cent toward cash back, travel, gift cards, or merchandise, so the US Bank Altitude Connect effectively earns 4% back at gas stations. The annual fee is U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card, and you'll get other perks like a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit, streaming credits, cell phone protection, Priority Pass airport lounge access with four free visits per year, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay insurance, and SmartDelay coverage that gets you airport lounge access when your flight is delayed.

US Bank Altitude Connect Card Review

Best if Gas is Your Top Spending Category

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card - Product Name Only

The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is unique in that cardholders earn 5% cash back on up to $500 in purchases in the eligible category they spend the most in each billing cycle (then 1%), and 1% on all other purchases.

Gas stations are one of the eligible categories — along with restaurants, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment. If gas is a big expense for you, using the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card for your purchases could earn you up to $25 in bonus cash back per month ($500 x 5% back).

The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is also offering a welcome bonus of Citi Custom Cash℠ Card. For a card with a Citi Custom Cash℠ Card annual fee, this is a solid deal. Just remember it only earns 1% back outside of your highest spending category each month, so other cards — like the Citi Premier® Card — may be a better fit if you want to earn strong rewards in multiple categories.

Citi Custom Cash Card Review

Best for Earning Citi Points

Citi Premier® Card - Product Name Only

The Citi Premier® Card is a terrific all-around pick if you like earning flexible Citi ThankYou points and spend a lot in popular everyday categories. You'll earn 3x points at gas stations, restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, and on air travel, and 1 point per dollar on everything else.

New cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of Citi Premier® Card, and you can use points for travel through the Citi ThankYou portal, transfer them to airline and hotel partners, or redeem them for gift cards, merchandise, cash back, and more.

Citi Premier Card Review

Best for Earning Amex Points

Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card - Product Name Only

If you prefer transferable Amex Membership Rewards points, the Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card is a good option, especially if you make a lot of purchases overall each month.

The card earns 2x points at US gas stations and 3x points at US supermarkets (on up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1%), but if you make 30 or more purchases in a billing cycle, you'll receive 50% more points on purchases that period. Effectively, if you reach the purchase threshold, you could earn 3x points when you fuel up.

Amex Everyday Preferred Card Review

Best Amex Card for Cash Back on Gas Purchases

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express - Product Name Only

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a great card for those who spend a lot on gas, groceries, and commuting. Right now, it's offering a great welcome bonus too — Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express.

It earns 3% cash back at US gas stations and on transit (including taxis, rideshares, parking, tolls, trains, and buses), 6% cash back on select US streaming services, 6% back on the first $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each year, then 1%, and 1% back on all other eligible purchases (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as statement credits).

American Express Blue Cash Preferred Review

Best Business Gas Credit Card

American Express® Business Gold Card - Product Name Only

If you qualify for a small-business credit card and spend a lot on gas, the American Express® Business Gold Card could earn you a lot of Membership Rewards points. It's got a unique earning structure — cardholders earn 4x points on the two categories where their business spends the most each billing cycle, up to $150,000 per calendar year (then 1x), and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

The list includes:

  • Airfare purchased directly from airlines
  • U.S. gas stations
  • U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery)
  • U.S. shipping providers
  • U.S. computer hardware, software, and cloud systems from select technology providers
  • U.S. purchases for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio)

Amex Business Gold Card Review

Best for Gas and EV Charging, if You're Willing to Join PenFed Credit Union

PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card - Product Name Only

To qualify for the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card, you'll need to be a member of the PenFed (Pentagon Federal) Credit Union. You don't need a military affiliation to join — all that's required is that you fund a savings account with a minimum of $5 — and you can do so when you apply for the card.

The PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card earns a whopping 5x points on gas purchases at the pump and at EV charging stations. It also earns 3x points on groceries, and 1 point per dollar on everything else with no caps. Keep in mind redeeming rewards isn't straightforward — the value of your points varies depending on what you use them for (travel, gift cards, or merchandise) and there's no option to use points for cash back.

PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card Review

Best for Choosing Gas as a 3% Bonus Category

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card - Product Name Only

If your spending habits change from time to time, having a card that allows you to customize your bonus categories can be a real plus. The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card gives you the option to choose one 3% bonus category each month, from a list:

  • Gas 
  • Online shopping
  • Dining
  • Travel
  • Drug stores
  • Home improvement/furnishings

Along with earning 3% back in the category you choose, you'll also earn 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, up to a combined maximum of $2,500 in spending each quarter between the 3% and 2% categories (then you'll earn 1%).

If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards customer, the card gets even more compelling. Depending on how much you have on deposit with Bank of America and/or Merrill, you could earn 25% to 75% more rewards — so, at the top tier, you could earn 5.25% back on gas purchases instead of 3%.

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card Review

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The Best Gas Credit Cards of May 2023