The best gas credit cards to add to your wallet

Unless you primarily commute via public transit, chances are you’ve recently stopped to gas up. Whether you spent a few dollars topping off your tank or paid triple digits for a fill-up, if you didn’t use a gas credit card, you missed out on rewards.

My partner drives 76 miles round-trip to work every weekday, so gas is one of our largest recurring expenses. That’s why I added him as an authorized user on my Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi (see rates and fees).

The card earns 5% cash back at Costco gas stations and 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle charging purchases (on the first $7,000 in combined annual spending, then 1%).

One of my recent Costco reward certificates totaled $226.73, thanks largely to spending on Costco grocery and gas purchases.

Whether you’re a road warrior, an occasional driver or fall somewhere in the middle, here’s why you need a gas credit card in your wallet — plus our top picks for the best gas cards.

The best gas credit cards

• Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
• Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
• Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi
• Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees)
• Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card
• Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card

The information for the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card, the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card and the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Comparing the best gas credit cards

Here are TPG’s top recommendations for the best gas credit cards.

The information for the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business, Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus and U.S. Bank Altitude Connect has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

Welcome offer: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as $300 cash back after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at amazon.com checkout.

Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.

THE POINTS GUYStandout benefits: The Blue Cash Preferred is a fantastic starter card for those just getting into credit card rewards. It offers simple earning and redemption options, but it’s also great for the more seasoned credit card veteran seeking to maximize their spending across multiple categories.

I’ve had this card for 11 years, and every single year I’ve held it, it has more than paid for itself thanks to the hundreds of dollars I’ve earned in cash-back rewards. I’m not a huge Amazon shopper, but when I do have a couple of items in my cart, I’ll put my Blue Cash Preferred Reward Dollars toward those online purchases.

Usually, though, I redeem my cash back for statement credits that help offset some of my spending on this card. In May 2024, I reserved a private room at a Manhattan karaoke bar for a birthday celebration for around $300; more than half that figure was covered by the cash back I had earned on my Blue Cash Preferred.

This card is ideal for those who prioritize earning cash back over other currencies, though keep in mind that redemption options are limited compared to other cash-back cards that let you pocket rewards by adding them to a bank account or receiving a check for your rewards balance.

Although I’ve graduated to other cards that earn valuable travel points and miles instead of cash back, I still have the Blue Cash Preferred in my wallet for two main reasons:

• The up to $120 annual Disney streaming statement credit (up to $10 back per month, valid at disneyplus.com, hulu.com or stream.espn.com U.S. websites; subject to auto-renewal; enrollment required)
• The 3% cash-back rate on transit (paying for metered parking hurts a tiny bit less when I’m earning rewards on these charges)

Before I made the Costco Anywhere Visa my primary gas credit card, the Blue Cash Preferred was my go-to card for these purchases thanks to earning a decent rate of 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations.

This, coupled with the card’s crown jewel reward category — 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%) — has earned the Blue Cash Preferred a well-deserved spot in my wallet year after year for over a decade.

Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at amazon.com checkout.

For more details, see our full review of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred.

Apply here: Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Welcome offer: Earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening.

Annual fee: $0.

Standout benefits: The Bank of America Customized Cash card doesn’t charge an annual fee, so you can keep it year after year without worrying about that additional expense. Each month, you get to select which category you want to earn 6% cash back in (for the first year, then 3%) from the following options:

• Gas and EV charging stations
• Online shopping (which includes cable, streaming, internet and phone service charges)
• Dining
• Travel
• Drugstores
• Home improvement/furnishings

Cardholders also earn 2% cash back on grocery store and wholesale club purchases (which is great, considering you usually need a wholesale club cobranded card to earn rewards at these stores).

Both of the elevated categories noted above are capped at $2,500 per quarter — once you hit that limit, you’ll earn 1% cash back on purchases.

If you’re prioritizing earning cash back and looking for flexibility — or if your spending varies between a couple of different categories month to month — the Customized Cash Rewards is a great card to add to your wallet.

Another bonus? If you already have a relationship with Bank of America, you may qualify for BofA Rewards™, which could net you bonuses ranging between 10% and 75%, depending on which tier you’re in.

For more details, see our full review of the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card.

Apply here: Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi

Welcome offer: None.

Annual fee: $0, though a Costco membership is required to get this card.

Standout benefits: Costco fans can easily benefit from holding the Costco Anywhere Visa. If you have a Costco membership, getting (and keeping) this card costs nothing thanks to its lack of an annual fee. This card offers strong gas-earning rates and even covers EV charging, making it versatile.

Costco Anywhere Visa Card holders can earn 5% cash back on gas at Costco and 4% cash back on other eligible gas and EV charging purchases (up to $7,000 in combined spending per year, then 1%). This means you’re earning rewards every time you fill up your tank or charge your EV, which is especially useful for households that use both types of vehicles.

Another perk of having the open-loop Costco Anywhere Visa is that you can earn solid cash-back rates in other popular categories, like 3% at restaurants and on eligible travel purchases. Better yet, the travel rate can be stacked on top of the 2% cash back Executive members get with their premium membership for a combined 5% cash back on travel purchases. This additional 2% rate applies to the first $50,000 spent each year at Costco, costco.com and Costco Travel but does not apply to the gas category. Even so, you’re still earning between 4% and 5% on filling your tank or charging your EV.

Though I love shopping at Costco and being a Costco Anywhere Visa Card holder and personally don’t mind waiting a year to get my reward certificate each February, I can see how this calendar may be off-putting to some. If you prefer to earn your credit card rewards on a rolling monthly basis, this card may not be for you.

The good news is that there are plenty of other cards that earn elevated reward rates on gas purchases and offer reward access more frequently.

For more details, see our full review of the Costco Anywhere Visa.

Apply here: Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi

Chase Freedom Flex

Welcome offer: Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $0.

Standout benefits: The Freedom Flex is among the best cash-back cards on the market. It earns generous rates in key spend categories, including 5% cash back in rotating bonus categories (on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter you activate) and at least 1% cash back across all other purchases that don’t fit into any of its other reward categories.

Since TPG began tracking the Freedom Flex’s rotating categories in 2014, gas has appeared as a bonus category at least once per year. Though these categories fluctuate, chances are you’ll be able to take advantage of earning 5% cash back on gas expenses three months out of the year as a Freedom Flex cardholder.

The Freedom Flex lets you earn rewards every time you pay, no matter the purchase. This card also features some impressive perks for a no-annual-fee card, such as cellphone protection, shopping protections and trip cancellation and interruption insurance.

Whether you’re getting gas on a cross-country road trip or just filling up for your daily commute, you’re earning — at minimum — 1% cash back each time you hit the pump. Plus, when you pair this card with another Chase card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points — like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) or the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees) — you can convert your cash back to this valuable currency.

For more details, see our full review of the Chase Freedom Flex.

Apply here: Chase Freedom Flex

Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card

Welcome offer: Earn 45,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full within 90 days from account opening.

Annual fee: $95.

Standout benefits: In addition to being a solid earner on gas purchases — netting a generous 8 points per dollar spent — this card offers cardholders a reward balance boost of 15,000 bonus points each anniversary year.

This product makes the most sense for small-business owners who are also Wyndham loyalists, as it earns 8 points per dollar spent on purchases made at Wyndham properties. Others are better off with a general rewards or travel card.

In addition to a decent welcome bonus, cardholders can maximize their business expenses by earning 5 points per dollar spent on marketing, advertising and utilities.

The cherries on top are the automatic Diamond elite status in the Wyndham Rewards program that confers perks like suite upgrades and a welcome amenity at check-in, the ability to get complimentary employee cards for easier expense tracking and the absence of foreign transaction fees — ideal for business travelers.

Related: How to pick a strategy for your small-business credit cards

Learn more: Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card review

Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card

Welcome offer: Earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening.

Annual fee: $75.

Standout benefits: The consumer Wyndham Rewards Earner card features a smaller annual fee ($75) than its business counterpart and still comes loaded with perks.

If you frequent Wyndham properties, you’ll enjoy earning 6 points per dollar spent at Wyndham properties and on gas purchases, making this card another sleeper hit when it comes to earning gas rewards.

This card also comes with automatic Platinum elite status and 7,500 bonus points each anniversary year.

Learn more: Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card review

U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card

Welcome offer: Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on net purchases in the first 90 days from account opening.

Annual fee: $0.

Standout benefits: For a no-annual-fee card, the Altitude Connect Visa offers some pretty stellar perks and earning rates where you want them — especially if you’re a traveler, commuter or foodie:

• 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center
• 4 points per dollar spent at gas and EV charging stations (up to your first $1,000 each quarter; excludes discount stores, supercenters and wholesale clubs)
• 4 points per dollar spent on travel purchases made directly with airlines, hotels and rental car companies
• 2 points per dollar spent on dining, on streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding discount stores, supercenters and wholesale clubs)

Cardholders can also enjoy up to $100 in statement credits toward their TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee (every four years) and a complimentary Priority Pass membership that allows four no-cost visits to over 1,800 airport lounges all over the world.

When it comes to earning points, don’t discount the Altitude Connect Visa. There are other cards that earn more flexible or valuable rewards currencies than the points issued by U.S. Bank, but if these bonus categories align with your spending, this card can be a solid choice.

Learn more: U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card review

What to consider when choosing a gas card

The best gas credit card depends on how often you fuel up and where else you spend. Frequent drivers may benefit from cards with elevated gas rewards, while occasional drivers may get more value from cards that also reward spending on groceries, dining or travel. It’s also worth considering annual fees, welcome bonuses and whether you prefer cash back, or points or miles.

How we chose the best gas credit cards

To choose the best gas credit cards, we selected options suitable for different types of budgets and spenders.

We also took care to choose versatile cards that earn rewards in popular spending categories like streaming, groceries and transit, as well as cards from various issuers that offer hidden gems like purchase protection and even trip delay insurance. For a deeper dive into our selection process, check out our methodology.

Bottom line

If you drive a gas-powered vehicle or own an EV, using the right credit card can help you earn rewards on an expense you’re already paying for. Whether you prefer cash back, hotel points or a card that rewards spending across multiple categories, there are plenty of options that can help offset the cost of fueling up or charging your vehicle.

The best gas credit card for you ultimately depends on your spending habits, preferred rewards currency and willingness to pay an annual fee. Choose a card that aligns with your overall spending patterns, and you’ll be able to earn rewards both at the pump and beyond.

For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred, click here.

Related: Top tips for how to save on gas