Best Gas Rewards Credit Cards of 2023

With the average price of gas now above $3.40 a gallon, cash back at the pump has never been more important. For those who drive a lot of miles, a gas rewards credit card can help you save money in the form of cash back or rewards.

We’ve selected some of the best gas credit cards based on the rewards rate on gas purchases, the rewards rate on other purchases, the signup bonus, if any, and the card's annual fee.

The Best Gas Credit Cards

There are several cards available today that pay elevated cash back rewards at the pump. Here are the best gas rewards credit cards of 2023.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is one of the most popular gas rewards card. Its headline cash back rate goes to groceries and streaming services (both 6%, although groceries are capped at $6,000 a year). The card also pays 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations.

The card offers a welcome bonus and a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 19.24% - 29.99%. The card does have an annual fee of $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95..

So how much can this card generate in cash back on gas? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average household spends $250 a month on gas. This would generate $90 in cash back per year just on fuel purchases. That just about takes care of the annual fee. If you also max out the 6% cash back rewards, you'll earn an additional $360 in cash back.

Rewards:

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
3% cash back
Gas
3% cash back at U.S. gas stations
3% cash back
Transit
3% cash back on transit, such as taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains and buses
6% cash back
U.S. supermarkets
6% cash back on groceries up to $6,000 per year in purchases at U.S. supermarkets, then 1%
6% cash back
Streaming services
6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions

Highlights:

  • Welcome Bonus: Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
  • Gas Rewards Rate: 3%
  • 0% Intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 19.24% - 29.99%
  • Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

*Terms Apply

Credit Score of Approved and Denied Applications

Read more in our Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Review.


Citi Custom Cash® Card

The Citi Custom Cash® Card offers a unique rewards structure with no annual fee. You get 5% cash back on up to $500 in monthly purchases in the eligible category in which you spent the most. It's similar to the 5% rotating category cards, but better.

You don't have to signup each quarter and you don't have to worry about which category is active. Just use the card as you normally would, and Citi applies the 5% to the eligible category in which you spent the most (up to $500 a month). And gas is an eligible category.

The card also offers a signup bonus and if you max out the 5% reward each month on gas, you can earn $300 a year on cash back on gas purchases alone.

Rewards Recap:

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
5% cash back
Select Categories
Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter.

Highlights:

  • Signup Bonus: Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
  • Gas Rewards Rate: Up to 5%
  • Annual Fee: $0

Credit Score of Approved and Denied Applications

Read our Citi Custom Cash® Card Review.


Abound Platinum Visa® Credit Card

Abound Platinum Visa® Credit Card offers 5% cash back on gas purchases made at the pump, with no cap. There's also 5% rotating categories: for October through December, you get 5% cash back at Amazon. You are capped at $100 in rewards per statement cycle on the rotating category. Abound is based in Kentucky, but anyone who opens an account can join the credit union.

Rewards Recap:

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
5% cash back
Rotating Categories
Get 5% cash back on Amazon purchases October through December 31--new categories for 2024
5% cash back
Gas
5% cash back on fuel purchases paid at the pump

Highlights:

  • Signup Bonus: None
  • Gas Rewards Rate: 5% on purchases made at the pump
  • Annual Fee: $0

Credit Score of Approved and Denied Applications


Sam's Club Mastercard

The Sam's Club Mastercard offers 5% cash back on gas up to $6,000 per year. That's a max of $300 cash back per year in this category. This is a great card to get if you already have a Sam's Club membership as you'll need one to qualify for this credit card. You can also get a small welcome bonus.

Rewards Recap:

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
Earn 1% back in Sam’s Cash on other purchases.
3% cash back
All eligible purchases
Earn 3% back in Sam’s Cash on Sam’s Club purchases for Plus members. Club members earn 1% cash back.
3% cash back
Dining
Earn 3% back in Sam’s Cash on dining and takeout.
5% cash back
All eligible purchases
Earn 5% back in Sam’s Cash on Sam’s Club purchases for Plus members
5% cash back
Gas
Earn 5% back in Sam’s Cash on gas anywhere Mastercard is accepted (on first $6,000 per year, then 1%).

Highlights:

  • Signup Bonus: Get a $30 statement credit when you open a new account and make $30 in Sam’s Club purchases within 30 days.
  • Gas Rewards Rate: Up to 5%
  • Annual Fee: $0, but you'll need a Sam's Club membership

Credit Score of Approved and Denied Applications


Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi offers 4% cash back on gas purchases up to $7,000 per year and at EV charging stations, then you'll earn 1%. If you're already a Costco member, this is a great card to have. If your Costco has gas stations, you'll get wholesale gas prices and 4% cash back on top of that.

There's no annual fee, but you'll need a Costco membership to qualify for this card.

If you max out the 4% reward, you can earn $280 a year in cash back on gas alone.

Rewards Recap:

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
1% cash back on all other purchases.
2% cash back
All eligible purchases
2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com.
3% cash back
Travel
3% cash back on eligible travel purchases.
3% cash back
Dining
3% cash back on restaurants.
4% cash back
Gas
4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter.

Highlights:

  • Signup Bonus: N/A
  • Gas Rewards Rate: Up to 4%
  • Annual Fee: $0, but you'll need a Costco membership

Read our Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi Review.


USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Credit Card

The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Credit Card offers 5% cash back on gas station and military base purchases up to $3,000 per year. If you max out the 5% rewards, you can earn $150 cash back per year with gas purchases alone.

There's no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. This card also offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months when the balance transfer is made within the first 90 days.

Rewards Recap:

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
Earn unlimited 1% cash back on other purchases
2% cash back
U.S. supermarkets
Earn 2% cash back on your first $3,000 in grocery purchases yearly
5% cash back
Gas
Earn 5% cash back on your first $3,000 in combined gas station and military base purchases yearly

Highlights:

  • Welcome Bonus: None
  • Gas Rewards Rate: Up to 5%
  • 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers: 15 months
  • Annual Fee: $0

Credit Score of Approved and Denied Applications


Citi Premier® Card

The Citi Premier® Card offers 3x points at gas stations, supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, and air travel.

There is an annual fee but there are no foreign transaction fees and there's a signup bonus. Points are redeemable for travel rewards, gift cards, and purchases online at Amazon and BestBuy.

Rewards Recap:

1x points
On all other eligible purchases
Earn 1X points on all other purchases
3x points
U.S. supermarkets
Earn 3X per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets
3x points
Airfare
Earn 3X per dollar spent on air travel
3x points
Hotels
Earn 3X per dollar spent at hotels
3x points
Dining
Earn 3X per dollar spent at restaurants
3x points
Gas
Earn 3X per dollar spent at gas stations
10x points
Select Categories
Earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel(SM) portal through June 30, 2024.

Highlights:

  • Signup Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
  • Gas Rewards Rate: 3x points
  • Annual Fee: $95

Credit Score of Approved and Denied Applications

Read our Citi Premier® Card Review.


PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card

The PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card offers 5x points on gas and EV charging stations and 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 months months.

There's no annual fee and this card also offers a welcome bonus.

You will need to be a member of the PenFed Credit Union, but membership is easily attainable by opening a PenFed savings account with a $5 minimum deposit. The savings account APY is competitive if you don't already have a high-yield savings account elsewhere.

Rewards Recap: 

1x points
On all other eligible purchases
1x Points on all other purchases
3x points
U.S. supermarkets
3x Points at the supermarket (including most Target and Walmart locations)
3x points
Streaming services
3x Points on TV, radio, cable, streaming services
3x points
Dining
3x Points at restaurants
5x points
Gas
5x points on gas paid at the pump and EV charging stations

Highlights:

  • Signup Bonus: 15,000 Bonus Points when you spend $1,500 in first 90 days
  • Gas Rewards Rate: 5x points
  • Annual Fee: No Annual Fee

Credit Score of Approved and Denied Applications


Complete List of Gas Rewards Credit Cards

Here are the cards in our database that offer enhanced rewards (more than 1%) on gas purchases:

Rewards
1x - 5x points
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1% - 5%
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1.5% - 10% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1% to 3% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1%
Annual Fee
$39
Rewards
1% to 5%
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards
1% to 4% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1% to 3% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1% to 3%
Annual Fee
$0 to $39
Rewards
1% - 2%
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1% to 4% cash back
Annual Fee
$0 (requires Costco membership)
Rewards
1% to 5% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1% - 10%
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1% - 3%
Annual Fee
No annual fee
Rewards
1% to 3% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1% to 5%
Annual Fee
No annual fee
Rewards
1x - 8x points
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards
2x to 6x points
Annual Fee
$125
Rewards
1%-6%
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Rewards
1x to 3x points
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1x to 2x miles
Annual Fee
$99, waived for first 12 months
Rewards
1x to 2x Miles
Annual Fee
$99, waived for first 12 months
Rewards
1x-4x
Annual Fee
$250
Rewards
2x to 6x points
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards
1X to 5X points
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1x to 3x points
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1x - 2x Miles
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
3x to 26x points
Annual Fee
$99
Rewards
3x to 12x points
Annual Fee
$150
Rewards
1x to 3x Points
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
3x - 26x points
Annual Fee
$99
Rewards
3x to 12x points
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards
3x to 7x points
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
2x to 17x points
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1x - 2x miles
Annual Fee
$99
Rewards
1% - 3% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1% - 5%
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1%-4%
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1x to 5x points
Annual Fee
$0 for the first year, $95 per year thereafter
Rewards
1x - 9x points
Annual Fee
$199
Rewards
1x to 3x miles
Annual Fee
$70 per company, $25 per card
Rewards
1x - 4x points
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1x to 3x points
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards
1x to 5x points
Annual Fee
No Annual Fee
Rewards
1% to 5% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1% - 5% Cash Back
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1% - 3% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1.5% to 6% cash back
Annual Fee
$0 for the first year, then $95
Rewards
1% to 3% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1% - 5%
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1% - 4%
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1% to 3%
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1% - 4%
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1% to 3%
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1% to 5%
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1% - 5%
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards
1 stamp
Annual Fee
$0

Methodology

This isn't rocket science. We searched for the credit cards that pay the highest cash back rewards for gas purchases. Most of the cards listed here do not have an annual fee. The cards with annual fees make it easy to earn back the fee and more with the amount of cash back you can get from regular gas and grocery spending.

You shouldn't have to jump through hoops to use a great credit card so we also made sure credit cards from credit unions offer easily attainable membership.

How to Pick a Gas Rewards Credit Card

The first step is to determine how many credit cards you want to use on a regularly basis. If it's just one, you'll likely do better with a 2% cash back card on all purchases. You won't earn as much on gas as you would with many of the cards above, but your overall cash back will likely be higher.

If you are willing to carry more than one card, the next step is to evaluate what spending categories generate the most spend. It's these categories that should determine your second, third or even fourth cards. And if one of those categories is gas, then one of the cards on this page is likely to be a solid option.

Final Thoughts

Finding a card that pays a lot on gas is the easy part. Unless you spend a truckload on gas, you'll likely spend a lot more in other categories. So it's important to look beyond the gas rewards rate and evaluate your overall credit card rewards strategy.