Comparing gas station credit cards to see what they offer
It's no secret that people are looking for ways to save money at the pump given how expensive gas is lately. According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of unleaded fuel was $4.655 as of July 12, 2022. Thankfully, there are some credit cards that are great for your gas purchases, helping you earn cash back or extra points on each purchase.
But what about cards from the gas station brands? Are these worth considering as part of your credit card strategy? Do they merit a place in your plan to save at the pump?
Today, let's compare the credit cards offered by gas station brands to see what they offer to consumers and what you should consider before applying.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
Gas station credit cards
BPme Rewards Visa Credit Card
Sign-up bonus: Get 30 cents off per gallon of gas purchased at BP and Amoco gas stations in the first 60 days from account opening.
Annual fee: $0.
Gas discount for cardmembers: 15 cents per gallon after the introductory period ends.
Earning structure: Cardholders earn 5% cash back on non-fuel purchases at BP and Amoco stores (including convenience store and car wash purchases), 3% back on grocery and dining purchases, and 1% back on all other purchases. (There are no rewards earned on fuel purchases at BP or Amoco, because of the discount received.)
Other cardmember perks: Cardmembers can enjoy benefits like free access to their FICO credit score, zero liability for fraud on the account, roadside dispatch through Visa and multiple ways in which to redeem rewards. Options include cash back, statement credits, gift cards from major retailers and travel experiences. There are no limits to rewards earning and the card has no annual fee.
However, there is a 3% foreign transaction fee for purchases made outside the U.S.
Issuing bank: First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO).
Apply here: BPme Rewards Visa Credit Card
The information for the BPme Visa 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.
CITGO Rewards® Card
Sign-up bonus: Receive a discount of 10 cents per gallon in fuel statement credits during the first three months of cardmembership.
Annual fee: $0.
Gas discount for cardmembers: 5 cents per gallon in fuel statement credits.
Earning structure: The fuel discount is the only earning benefit.
Other cardmember perks: Enjoy $0 fraud liability, free authorized user cards and six months of promotional financing on purchases of $199 or more at auto merchants (other than gas purchases). However, this is not a credit card and can't be used anywhere other than Citgo stations.
Issuing bank: Synchrony.
Apply here: CITGO Rewards® Card
The information for the CITGO 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.
Exxon Mobil Smart Card+™
Sign-up bonus: Get a discount of 30 cents per gallon on fuel purchases during your first two months of cardmembership, which can be combined with the 10 cents per gallon on regular gas and 12 cents per gallon on supreme fuel purchases for a total of up to 42 cents per gallon in discounts during the introductory period.
Annual fee: $0.
Gas discount for cardmembers: Save 12 cents per gallon on Supreme+ premium gas and 10 cents per gallon on other fuel types at Exxon and Mobil gas stations.
Earning structure: Get 5% back on in-store purchases (except for lottery tickets, money orders and gift cards) and car washes for the first $1,200 in non-fuel purchases each year.
Other cardmember perks: $0 fraud liability. Also, note that cardmember perks and spending cannot be combined with the Exxon Mobil Rewards+™ program. Moreover, this is not a credit card and can't be used anywhere other than Exxon and Mobil stations.
Issuing bank: Citi.
Apply here: Exxon Mobil Smart Card+™
The information for the Exxon Mobil 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.
Related: Save 10 cents per gallon at Mobil and Exxon with Walmart+, included with the Amex Platinum
Shell Fuel Rewards® Mastercard®
Sign-up bonus: Save 30 cents per gallon (up to 35 gallons) on your first five Shell fuel purchases made by June 30, 2023.
Annual fee: $0.
Gas discount for cardmembers: Save 10 cents per gallon (up to 35 gallons) on purchases of fuel at Shell stations. This comes as a combined discount of 5 cents per gallon for paying with your card and 5 cents per gallon for being a Shell Fuel Rewards Gold member (automatic with cardmembership).
Earning structure: 10% Shell rebates from your first $1,200 in non-fuel purchases each year, 2% Shell rebates on your first $10,000 in dining and grocery purchases per year and 1% Shell rebates on all other purchases.
Other cardmember perks: Benefits can be combined with Shell Fuel Rewards program to add additional savings per gallon, but rewards discounts applied above your cardmember perks are limited to 20 gallons of fuel per purchase.
Issuing bank: Citi.
Apply here: Shell Fuel Rewards® Mastercard®
The information for the Shell 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.
Speedy Rewards® Mastercard®
Sign-up bonus: Earn 25,000 bonus points when you spend at least $500 in the first three billing cycles from account opening.
Annual fee: $0.
Gas discount for cardmembers: None.
Earning structure: Earn 50 points per dollar spent on fuel and in-store purchases at Speedway gas stations. Earn 10 points per dollar on all other purchases. Redeem rewards in-store or online for items like food, discounts or gift cards.
Other cardmember perks: Earn additional rewards as a Speedy Rewards member, on top of what you earn with your card, and access your FICO credit score for free.
Issuing bank: First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO).
Apply here: Speedy Rewards® Mastercard®
The information for the Speedy Rewards® Mastercard® has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Sunoco Rewards Credit Card
Sign-up bonus: Save 25 cents per gallon in the first 60 days after account opening, issued as a statement credit of 20 cents per gallon and a 5-cent discount at the pump when paying with your card.
Annual fee: $0.
Gas discount for cardmembers: 5 cents per gallon. Earn an additional 3 cents per gallon in discounts by purchasing at least five gallons of fuel on two separate occasions each month.
Earning structure: The fuel discount is the only earning benefit.
Other cardmember perks: $0 fraud liability and free authorized user cards. Note that this is not a credit card and cannot be used at any merchants other than Sunoco.
Issuing bank: Citi.
Apply here: Sunoco Rewards Credit Card
The information for the Sunoco Rewards 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.
Techron Advantage® Visa® Credit Card
Sign-up bonus: Earn up to 37 cents per gallon in fuel credits for Chevron and Texaco gas purchases during the first 90 days of account membership.
Annual fee: $0.
Gas discount for cardmembers: 3 cents per gallon on regular or diesel gas, 6 cents per gallon on plus fuel and 8 cents per gallon on supreme or premium fuel. Earn up to 10 cents per gallon in additional fuel credits through qualifying purchases at other merchants each month, up to $300 in fuel discounts per year. This is valid through March 31, 2023; then, the earning structure will default to 3 cents per gallon on all fuel types.
Earning structure: Earn an additional 2 cents per gallon in fuel credits each month for each $100 spent at non-gas station merchants. The maximum monthly earning is 10 cents per gallon in fuel credits, with a maximum of $300 in fuel credits per calendar year.
Other cardmember perks: Enjoy $0 fraud liability, cellphone protection of $300 per claim and six months of promotional financing on purchases of $199 or more at auto merchants (other than gas purchases).
Issuing bank: Synchrony.
Apply here: Techron Advantage® Visa® Credit Card
The information for the Techron Visa 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.
Things to consider before you apply
Before you apply for a gas station credit card, there are a few important things to consider. First, remember that any fuel discounts will only apply on fuel purchases from that specific brand. Thus, you will not receive your gas discounts at every gas station, which can be inconvenient if you're out of town or hunting for a gas station in an unfamiliar area.
Second, consider whether you might earn rewards that are worth more than the discount a gas station credit card can offer. Let's look at the math.
Imagine you purchase 20 gallons of gas, and the price of a gallon is $5. If you use a gas station card that provides a discount of 10 cents per gallon, you would pay $98 for your fuel — a savings of $2 total. However, that discount only applies at the gas stations affiliated with your card.
Related: Gas prices continue to surge as summer travel begins: 5 ways to save at the pump
Alternatively, you could pay with the Citi Premier® Card, which earns 3 ThankYou Points per dollar on fuel purchases worldwide. You wouldn't receive the "per gallon" discount, but you would earn 300 points on this purchase of 20 gallons at $5 per gallon. TPG values these points at 1.7cents apiece, meaning you would earn $5.40 worth of rewards on the purchase.
In this example, the rewards are worth more than the discount from a fuel card.
Not only that, but the Citi Premier Card is currently offering a sign-up bonus of 60,000 ThankYou points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. This is notably higher than any of the welcome offers detailed above.
Additionally, if you have The Platinum Card® from American Express, you can enroll for a Walmart+ membership. From this, you can receive a 10-cents-per-gallon discount at Exxon, Mobil and Murphy's gas stations. You could pay with your Platinum Card and earn 1 Membership Rewards point per dollar, but you can link any card to your Walmart+ app, meaning you could pay with a card with high earning rates on gas purchases while still receiving a discount — the best of both worlds.
You should also consider what gas station loyalty programs can do for you, along with considering the merits of GasBuddy or using Amex Offers, Chase Offers, Citi Merchant Offers and Capital One Offers to provide discounts or statement credits on your credit card. Using your preferred credit card and earning loyalty perks may be a better combination for you in the long. Do the math to see what works for your situation.
Of course, you should also review the application rules of the issuing bank before you apply for any new credit card.
Bottom line
Drivers are feeling the pinch of high gas prices, but there are many approaches to lessen the hit on your wallet. Opening a credit card from your preferred gas station can provide a discount at the pump or statement credits from fuel purchases. Depending on how much gas you buy, these savings can certainly add up.
However, it's important to consider other factors when choosing the right way to pay at the pump. Remember that these cards will only work with a particular fuel company. Additionally, you may be able to earn rewards or cash back at a higher rate by forgoing the discount and using other credit cards instead.
No two people have the same circumstances, so evaluate all of the available options and then choose the path that is best for you.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro Offer
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.60,000 bonus pointsAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees