Get More Back at the Pump: The 5 Best Credit Cards for Gas

The average American spends almost $4,000 on gas each year. Did your eyes just bug out of your head? Mine did when I looked at the numbers. With gas prices inching their way up each year, you can’t afford to buy gas without carefully analyzing your budget. Since most Americans rely on gas in their daily lives, we’ve searched for the best ways to get more for your money at the gas pump.

Now, let’s get one thing straight. Unless you’re a super loyal customer to a certain gas brand, getting a station specific card just isn’t worth it. It’s more likely you’re someone who gets the cheapest gas when you need it and if that’s the case it makes much more sense to go with a general card where you can earn rewards on your gas purchases. Here are our picks for the best credit cards for gas.

American Express Blue Cash Preferred

The problem with American Express cards is they are hard to obtain unless you have great or excellent credit, so they’re not for everyone. On the flip side, they offer some of the greatest rewards, like this one. Also, if you can’t quite swing the annual fee for the Preferred card, sign up for the Everyday version of this card. It’s almost as good with 2% back on gas and department stores, 3% back on groceries, and 1% elsewhere. This card features:

• Unlimited 3% back on gas (that’s over $0.10 per gallon when gas is $3.50 per gallon!)
• 6% back on groceries, 3% back on department stores, and 1% back on everything else
• 1% back on everything else
• No annual fee
• 0% APR for 12 months
• $150 sign-up bonus
• $75 annual fee

Chase Freedom

This very popular rewards card is much easier to get than an American Express and has no annual fee. Arguably this card is actually only good for gas at certain times of the year with Chase’s rotating rewards program. You’ll get 5% cash back on the rotating rewards category (ie. gas, travel, groceries, etc) per quarter. So, for example, in 2012 you got 5% cash back on gas in quarter’s 1 and 3. Other features include:

• 5% back on rotating categories
• 1% back elsewhere
• Bonus rewards capped at $1500 per quarter
• $100 sign-up bonus
• 0% APR for 15 months on balance transfers and purchases

Pentagon Federal Platinum Rewards

This is a great credit card for gas, but there are a few caveats. PenFed’s a credit union, so you’ll have to donate $15 to Voices for America’s Troops or the National Military Family Association to join. The next is that you must have near perfect credit. If you have it though, this truly could be the best card for gas, especially with no rewards caps.

• Unlimited 5% back on gas
• Only 0.25% back on everything else
• $250 sign-up bonus
• No annual fee
• 9.99% APR

Costco True Earnings card from American Express

If you’re Costco loyal, this card’s for you. They’ve got great rewards and if you’re already a member, it’s free.

• 3% back on gas up to $4,000 and 1% after that
• 2% back on restaurants and travel
• 1% back on everything else
• No annual fee
• 0% APR for 6 months

Discover Open Road

This card is very similar to the Chase Freedom card, but there is a $250 limit on rewards earning per billing period.

• 2% back on gas
• 2% back at restaurants
• 0.25% back on everything else
• No annual free
• 0% APR for 15 months for both balance transfers and purchases

What’s your favorite credit card to use when buying gas? Let us know in the comments below!

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About the Author: Tessa McLean