We don't have to tell you that gas prices are up – way up.
Gas prices are hovering around all-time highs across the country, according to AAA, hitting the highest-recorded national average we've ever seen earlier this month. And Americans are feeling the pain every time they go to fill up.
It may not solve the problem, but a handful of credit cards can take the sting out of those higher prices with extra cash back or earning additional travel rewards points.
Whether you've already got one of the cards in your wallet or are in the market for a new one, these are the best credit cards to use for gas station purchases to maximize your spending at the pump.
Best Gas Station Credit Cards
Citi Premier® Card
If earning more points for travel is your goal, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better gas station credit card than the *citi premier*.
In addition to the current 60,000 point bonus you'll earn after spending $4,000 in the first three months of card membership, you'll also earn 3x points per dollar spent at gas stations – plus 3x points on air travel, hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets.
The card also offers a $100 annual hotel credit when you book it through the Citi ThankYou Travel Portal and has an annual fee of just $95. If you spend a lot at the pump, the 3x points per dollar you spend can easily offset that.
Much like Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, and Capital One Venture Miles, Citi ThankYou points are some of the most valuable transferrable credit card points you can earn.
Read More: 6 Great Ways to Use Citi ThankYou Points
Learn more about the *citi premier*.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
Launched last year, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card is another great option to use at the gas pump.
First and foremost, you’ll earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases in the first 120 days of card membership (four months). Those points will be redeemable through U.S. Bank at 1 cent apiece (for $500 total) for travel, cash back, gift cards, merchandise, and more (terms and conditions apply).
But you will earn 4x points for every dollar they spend on both travel purchases and at gas stations. Eligible travel expenses include flights, hotels, rideshare, cruises, and much more.
Since these points are worth 1 cent each when it comes time to redeem them, that’s effectively a 4% return on purchases in both categories.
You will also earn 2x points for purchases at grocery stores (including grocery delivery), dining at restaurants, and on streaming services. All other eligible purchases on the card will earn 1x point for every dollar you spend.
Finally, each year you hold the card, you’ll receive a $30 credit for streaming purchases like Netflix and Spotify®. Simply use your card to pay for a streaming service of your choice and U.S. Bank will automatically reimburse you up to $30 each year.
Click Here to learn more about the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card.
Chase Freedom Flex℠
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is a great no annual fee cash back card that can be a great option at the gas pump – especially this summer.
The card earns 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent on a rotating set of quarterly bonus categories. From July through September 2022, the 5% back categories are gas stations, car rental agencies, movie theaters, and select live entertainment.
But the cash back you earn from the Chase Freedom Flex gets even more valuable if you pair it with a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. That's because you can then turn that cash back into valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points to redeem towards travel.
Maximize the 5% back categories each quarter and you'll get $75 back, or 7,500 Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Right now, you'll also earn $200 cash back after spending $500 in the first three months of card membership.
Click Here to learn more about the Chase Freedom Flex℠. (for full disclosure, this is our personal referral link).
Capital One Venture or Venture X Rewards Credit Cards
Capital One's flagship cards are some of the best for your everyday spending, and that includes gas.
Whether you hold the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card or the regular Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, you'll earn an unlimited 2x Venture Miles on every dollar you spend with either card – making them great options at the gas station, or on just about any other purchase where you wouldn't otherwise earn a bigger category spending bonus by using a different credit card.
What you get with each card differs, so make sure to read our full comparison of the Venture X vs the regular Venture Card. But no matter which version you choose, you'll also earn a welcome offer bonus of 75,000 Venture Miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months of card membership.
Click Here to learn more about the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
Click Here to learn more about the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
Citi Custom Cash® Card
The *citi custom cash* is a no annual fee credit card that earns 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, on up to the first $500 spent. After that, it earns 1% cash back.
That means if you use the Custom Cash card for your gas station purchases – and you're spending a fair amount – you would earn 5% back on those each month (up to $500 spent). If you also hold the *citi premier*, you can turn that cash back into Citi ThankYou points to redeem towards travel.
Right now, you can also earn $200 in cash back after you spend $750 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.
Learn more about the *citi custom cash*.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has long been considered one of the best cashback credit cards out there. And for good reason.
You can earn 6% cashback at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 spent each year (then 1% back), 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, and 3% back on taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, and at U.S. gas stations. There is no limit to the amount of cash back that can be earned in these spending categories.
You can also earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months of card membership.
The card has a $0 intro annual fee, then $95 (see rates & fees).
One thing to note: Unlike Citi and Chase, American Express does not allow you to combine the cash back earned from the Blue Cash Preferred Card into Membership Rewards points if you have a card that earns them.
Click Here to learn more about the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express.
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
If you’re a Costco member and spend a lot at the gas pump, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi might be a good option for your wallet – it’s one of our favorite cashback credit cards.
That’s because the card earns 4% cash back per dollar sent on up to $7,000 each calendar year at gas stations (1% thereafter) and EV charging purchases. You’ll also earn an unlimited 3% cash back at restaurants and on travel – making it a great cashback option for travelers.
It also earns 2% cash back on all purchases from Costco or Costco.com, and 1% back on all other purchases.
While the card doesn’t technically have an annual fee, it requires that you hold a Costco membership. Costco offers two levels of membership: Gold Star which costs $60 each year, and Gold Star Executive, which costs $120 each year. Executive members earn 2% back on up to $50,000 of spending each year, which can be combined with the 2% cashback earned from the Costco cashback credit card (4% total).
Click Here to learn more about the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi.
Best Gas Station Credit Cards for Businesses
American Express® Business Gold Card
The American Express® Business Gold Card earns 4x points per dollar spent on the two categories where your business spent the most each month (up to $150,000 spent in combined purchases in a calendar year). Those categories include:
- Airfare purchased directly from airlines
- U.S. purchases for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio)
- U.S. purchases made directly from select technology providers of computer hardware, software, and cloud solutions
- U.S. purchases at gas stations
- U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
- U.S. purchases for shipping
If gas is one of your top business expenses, you won't find a better return than 4x per dollar spent at the pump. You'll also earn a welcome offer bonus of 70,000 points after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.
The card has a $375 annual fee (see rates & fees).
Learn more about the *biz gold*.
Chase Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card
The *Ink Cash* earns 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each year. You'll also earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent at gas stations and restaurants each year, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Better yet, the card has no annual fee!
And the cash back you earn from the Ink Business Cash card gets even more valuable if you pair it with a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. That's because you can then turn that cash back into valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points to redeem towards travel.
Here's the current bonus offer: *ink cash bonus*
Learn more about the *Ink Cash*.
Bottom Line
If you spend a lot of money at the gas pump, you'll want to make sure you have one of the best credit cards for gas in your wallet. With high gas prices right now, the travel points or cash back you can earn will add up even fast.
No Wyndham Rewards Earner Business card? Yes Costco Anywhere Visa but no Sam’s Club Mastercard?