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Credit Cards

Now is the best time to open a gas credit card: Earn up to 15 cents off per gallon or 3X rewards on fuel

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Citi is no longer accepting applications for the Citi Custom Cash® Card product as of May 28, 2026. 

Around late February, the average price for a gallon of gas was $2.98, according to AAA. Now, less than 90 days later, the national average is $4.56 per gallon.

With Americans now paying over 50% more per gallon than they did less than three months ago, largely due to the ongoing conflict in Iran, you may be looking for additional ways to save on fill-ups.

Many gas stations are offering temporary discounts or credits, and some, like Shell, are launching new co-branded cards amid rising prices. With no hard stop to the Iran war in sight, CNBC Select takes a look at some co-branded gas cards for loyalists, plus some that earn rewards at any station.

What we'll cover

If you're loyal to a specific gas station

If you frequent the same brand of gas station, either out of convenience or maybe for its superior snack choices, using a co-branded card typically offers the highest rates of rewards.

Shell

On May 18, Shell launched the Shell Performance Elite World Mastercard®, offering 4% back on Shell gas, EV charging and in-store purchases. You'll also earn 3% back on dining and groceries and 2% back on all other purchases. While these are pretty strong earnings rates, your rewards can only be redeemed for statement credits for Shell purchases, not for cash or any other options.

You can also stack your credit card savings with the Shell Fuel Rewards® program, where Platinum Status members can save up to 10 cents off per gallon.

Bank of America cards are currently not available on CNBC Select. Click "Learn More" to review other credit card offers.

CNBC Select Rating
4.0

Bank of America cards are currently not available on CNBC Select. Click "Learn More" to review other credit card offers.

Spotlight

With the Shell Performance Elite World Mastercard®, cardholders can earn up to 4% back on Shell purchases, including gas, EV, and in-store purchases.

Credit score

N/A

Regular APR

12.99% - 35.99%

Annual fee

$0

Welcome bonus

Get a $50 bonus

Terms apply.

  • Strong earning categories
  • Earns up to 4% back on gas/EV charging purchases
  • No annual fee
  • Rewards are only redeemable on Shell purchases
  • Lacks additional perks

Rewards

  • 4% in rewards on Shell purchases
  • 3% in rewards on dining & groceries
  • 2% back on everywhere else

*Rewards are earned in the form of Shell purchase credit Rewards

bp

With the bp rewards Visa®, users can consistently get 15 cents off per gallon, but bp is upping that offer for a limited time. Now through Sept. 30, 2026, new accounts opened can save 50 cents per gallon at bp and Amoco stations for the first 60 days. The card's rewards are slightly more flexible; you can redeem them for gift cards, cash back, merchandise and even travel.

Since the card offers a flat discount on your gas purchases, you'll likely need to use it beyond bp purchases to earn a meaningful amount of rewards. Earnify™, bp's gas rewards program, also stacks with the card, so you can earn extra savings. Members get 5 cents off every gallon of gas and earn 1 point for every dollar spent on gas.

bp rewards Visa®

CNBC Select Rating
4.0

Bank of America cards are currently not available on CNBC Select. Click "Learn More" to review other credit card offers.

CNBC Select Rating
4.0

Bank of America cards are currently not available on CNBC Select. Click "Learn More" to review other credit card offers.

Spotlight

Users of the bp rewards Visa® can save 15¢ per gallon at bp and Amoco stations, on top of the 5X points you earn on non-fuel purchases.

Credit score

N/A

Regular APR

32.24%, varying with the Prime rate

Annual fee

$0

Welcome bonus

Save 50¢ on every gallon

Terms apply. *Offers may vary depending on where you apply

  • Several reward redemption options
  • Offers flat cents back on gas purchases
  • No annual fee
  • Doesn't earn rewards on gas purchases
  • Lacks additional perks

Rewards

  • 15¢ off per gallon after your first 60 days
  • 5X points on non-fuel purchases at bp and Amoco stations
  • 3X points on dining and food delivery purchases, 3X points on grocery purchases
  • 1X on all other purchases

Exxon

The Exxon Mobil Smart Card+™ Credit Card is a little different from the two other co-branded cards on this list, as it's a closed-loop credit card and can only be used at participating Exxon™ and Mobil™ branded stations. You'll save 10 cents per gallon on most fuel types and a higher 12 cents per gallon on Exxon Supreme+™ Premium gas.

You can stack your credit card savings with savings from the Exxon Mobil Rewards+™ program. All program members earn at least 3 cents in points per gallon of gas and 2 cents in points for every $1 spent on convenience store purchases or car washes.

Exxon Mobil Smart Card+

CNBC Select Rating
3.5

Information about the Exxon Mobil Smart Card+ has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.

CNBC Select Rating
3.5

Information about the Exxon Mobil Smart Card+ has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.

Spotlight

If you have the Exxon Mobil Smart Card+, you can save up to 12 cents per gallon on gas, and earn 5% back on select Exxon store purchases.

Credit score

N/A

Regular APR

Variable 33.24%

Annual fee

$0

Welcome bonus

N/A

*See rates and fees, terms apply.

  • Offers flat cents back on gas purchases
  • No annual fee
  • Lacks additional perks
  • 5% rewards is capped at $1,200 per year

If you prioritize convenience

If you don't have a favorite gas station brand and simply fill up wherever it's easiest, we recommend a rewards credit card that prioritizes gas as a category.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

If saving on gas is a focus for you but you'd also appreciate rewards on other categories, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express could be a good fit.

You'll earn 3% back on all your U.S. gas station purchases (up to $6,000 per year, the.1%). Plus, the card earns rewards at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. online retail purchases (with the same $6,000 yearly spending cap per category, then 1% back). While it does place caps on cash-back earnings, the $0 annual fee is a great perk of a fairly rewarding card.

The Blue Cash Everyday can also help with at-home entertainment costs, featuring an $84 Disney streaming statement credit, split into $7 monthly chunks (subject to auto-renewal). This statement credit applies to subscriptions and bundle subscriptions at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites.

On the American Express site

CNBC Select Rating
5

On the American Express site

Credit score

Good to Excellent

Regular APR

19.49% to 28.49% Variable

Annual fee

$0

Welcome bonus

You may be eligible for as high as $200 cash back

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express has no annual fee and you may be eligible for bonus rewards on a wide range of common expenditures.

  • Up to $264 in streaming service and meal kit credits every year (subject to auto renewal)
  • High cash-back rates in popular spending categories
  • No annual fee
  • The best bonus cash-back categories are capped
  • Has a foreign transaction fee

Highlights

Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.

  • Apply and find out your welcome offer. As High As $200 cash back* after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply, and if approved: 1. Find out your offer amount 2. Accept the Card with your offer 3. Spend $2,000 in 6 months 4. Receive the cash back. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. 
  • No Annual Fee. 
  • Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.49%-28.49%.
  • Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don't have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options. Plus, you'll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do. 
  • Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on eligible purchases for each category on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
  • Get up to a $7 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal. 
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees

Balance transfer fee

Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Foreign transaction fee

2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars

Citi Strata Premier® Card

For those looking for a gas credit card that can also double as a travel card, the Citi Strata Premier® Card earns 3X ThankYou® Points on gas and EV charging stations, with no spending limits.

You'll pay a $95 annual fee, but in exchange, you'll get a solid rewards rate on various travel-related purchases, access to a list of airline and hotel transfer partners and a $100 Annual Hotel Benefit once per calendar year that can be applied to a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) booked through CitiTravel.com.

The card earns 3X points on air travel and other hotel purchases and a whopping 10X points on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com. All rewards are earned in the form of ThankYou® Points, which you can redeem in several ways, including the exclusive option of transferring them at a 1:1 rate to American Airlines.

Citi Strata Premier® Card

CNBC Select Rating
4.8

On Citi's site

CNBC Select Rating
4.8

On Citi's site

Credit score

Good to Excellent670–850

Regular APR

19.49% - 27.49% variable

Annual fee

$95

Welcome bonus

Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points

See rates and fees. Terms apply.

The Citi Strata Premier® Card has competitive rewards rates and unlocks access to all of the Citi ThankYou® transfer partners, which boosts the value of your points.

  • Unlocks point transfers to all of the Citi ThankYou® partners, including Emirates Skywards, Choice Privileges, Flying Blue and more
  • Generous bonus spending categories include dining, supermarkets, hotels and flights
  • Valuable welcome bonus
  • Has an annual fee
  • Car rental coverage is secondary, not primary

Highlights

Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.

  • Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® 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.
  • Earn 10 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
  • Earn 3 Points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
  • Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
  • No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases

Balance transfer fee

Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.

Wells Fargo Autograph® Card

A third option could be the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card, as it earns an unlimited 3X points on six different categories, one of which is gas and vehicle charging stations. If you opt to take a different mode of transportation one day, you'll still earn 3X points on transit, including subways, ride shares, parking, tolls and more.

The Wells Fargo Autograph comes with an intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases, which could also be a good option if you're thinking of making a larger purchase in the near future. It can also be helpful in the case of a few emergencies, as it comes with Roadside Dispatch® and up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft if you pay your phone bill with the card (subject to a $25 deductible).

Wells Fargo Autograph® Card

CNBC Select Rating
5

On Wells Fargo's site

CNBC Select Rating
5

On Wells Fargo's site

Credit score

Good to Excellent670–850

Regular APR

18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR

Annual fee

$0

Welcome bonus

Earn 20,000 bonus points

See rates and fees. Terms apply.

The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card offers generous bonus spending categories and lets you transfer points to airline and hotel partners, which is rare for a credit card with no annual fee.

  • Access to all of the Wells Fargo transfer partners including Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) and Virgin Red
  • No annual fee
  • Excellent bonus spending categories
  • Intro-APR for purchases
  • No travel credits or other valuable travel perks
  • Lacks key travel protections such as trip delay reimbursement and trip cancellation/interruption coverage

Highlights

Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.

  • Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
  • Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
  • Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
  • $0 annual fee.
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% variable APR thereafter.
  • Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
  • Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
  • Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.

Balance transfer fee

3% intro for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%, min: $5

Foreign transaction fee

None

FAQs

There are a few cards that can earn you up to 5% back at gas stations, some for a limited time due to rotating categories. The Citi Custom Cash® Card earns 5% cash back on your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to $500 spent (then 1% back).

The best card for gas is going to be subjective, as it depends on your location and finances. If you almost always visit the same gas station chain, see if they offer a co-branded card that earns rewards on gas purchases or offers a set number of cents off each gallon of gas.

While need is a strong word, with the average price per gallon of gas exceeding $4.50 (as of May 21, 2026), a gas-specific credit card could be worthwhile. Many of the best gas rewards credit cards feature no annual fee, so there's no extra cost to own them.

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Why trust CNBC Select?

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of credit cardsbanking and money, and follow us on TikTokFacebookInstagram and X to stay up to date.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, click here.

Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.

Why Now is the Best Time to Open a Gas Credit Card

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