
Except you primarily commute by way of public transit, likelihood is you have just lately stopped to fuel up. Whether or not your whole was a few {dollars} otherwise you ended up paying triple digits to fill your tank, if you happen to did not use a fuel bank card, you are lacking out on incomes rewards.
At TPG, we’re all about maximizing spending wherever attainable, whether or not meaning maximizing the bonus classes on a cash-back card or transferring your rewards factors to leverage a killer switch bonus.
My family contains my associate, a each day commuter who drives 76 miles round-trip to and from work each weekday. That mileage provides up, which is why I added him as an authorized user on my Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi (see rates and fees).
Out of all of the playing cards I at present maintain, my Costco Wherever Visa affords the best reward fee on this class — 5% money again on fuel at Costco and 4% money again on different eligible fuel and electrical car charging purchases for the primary $7,000 in mixed spend per yr, then 1% thereafter. Due to these charges, utilizing it to refill is a no brainer.
In actual fact, my February 2025 Costco reward certificates (for all of my 2024 spending) got here in at $226.73. A big portion of that spending fell into two fundamental classes: Costco groceries and Costco and non-Costco fuel fill-ups.
Whether or not you are a street warrior, an occasional driver or fall someplace within the center, this is why you want a fuel bank card in your pockets — plus our prime picks for the perfect fuel playing cards.
The perfect fuel bank cards
*The knowledge for the Wyndham Rewards Earner Enterprise Card, the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card and the U.S. Financial institution Altitude Join Visa Signature Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Evaluating the perfect fuel bank cards
Listed here are TPG’s prime suggestions for the perfect fuel bank cards.
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Card | Greatest for | Welcome provide | Incomes charges | Annual payment |
---|---|---|---|---|
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express | Households | Earn $250 within the type of an announcement credit score after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases throughout the first six months of account opening. |
Money again is obtained within the type of Reward {Dollars} that may be redeemed as an announcement credit score or at amazon.com checkout. |
$0 introductory annual payment for the primary yr, then $95 (see rates and fees) |
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card | Custom-made spending | Earn a $200 on-line money rewards bonus after spending $1,000 on purchases throughout the first 90 days of account opening. |
|
$0 |
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card | Straight-forward money again | Earn a $200 money bonus after spending $500 on purchases throughout the first three months of account opening. |
|
$0 |
Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi | Costco consumers | None |
|
$0, although a Costco membership is required to get this card |
Chase Freedom Flex | Rotating classes | Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. |
|
$0 |
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card | Inexperienced persons | Earn 60,000 factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. |
|
$95 |
Chase Freedom Unlimited | Versatile money rewards | Earn a $250 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in your first three months of account opening |
|
$0 |
Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card | Enterprise homeowners loyal to Wyndham | Earn as much as 75,000 bonus factors: 50,000 factors after spending $4,000 on purchases and paying the annual payment in full inside 90 days of account opening and earn one other 25,000 factors after spending $12,000 on purchases inside three hundred and sixty five days of account opening |
|
$95 |
Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card | Frequent Wyndham friends | Earn 45,000 bonus factors after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 90days of account opening. |
|
$75 |
U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card | No-annual-fee journey | Earn 20,000 bonus factors after spending $1,000 on web purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. |
|
$0 |
Blue Money Most popular Card from American Categorical
Welcome provide: Earn $250 money again after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases throughout the first six months of account opening. Money again is obtained within the type of Reward {Dollars} that may be redeemed as an announcement credit score or at amazon.com checkout.
Annual payment: $0 intro annual payment for the primary yr, then $95 (see rates and fees).
Standout advantages: The Blue Money Most popular is a unbelievable starter card for these simply moving into bank card rewards. It affords easy incomes and redeeming choices, but it surely’s additionally nice for the extra seasoned bank card veteran searching for to maximise their spending throughout a number of classes.
I’ve had this card for 11 years, and each single yr I’ve held it, it has greater than paid for itself because of the tons of of {dollars} I’ve earned in cash-back rewards. I am not an enormous Amazon shopper, however after I do have a few gadgets in my cart, I am going to put my Blue Money Most popular Reward {Dollars} towards these on-line purchases.
Normally, although, I redeem my money again for assertion credit, which offset a few of my spending on this card. In Could 2024, I reserved a personal room at a Manhattan karaoke bar for a birthday celebration for round $300; greater than half that determine was lined by the money again I had earned on my Blue Money Most popular.
This card is right for individuals who prioritize incomes money again above different currencies, though needless to say redemption choices are restricted in comparison with different cash-back playing cards that allow you to pocket rewards by including them to a checking account or opting to obtain a test to your rewards stability.
Although I’ve graduated to different playing cards that earn invaluable journey factors as a substitute of money again, I nonetheless have the Blue Money Most popular in my pockets for 2 fundamental causes:
- The as much as $7 month-to-month Disney Bundle assertion credit score (as much as $84 again per calendar yr, topic to auto-renewal; enrollment required, and phrases apply)
- The three% cash-back fee on transit (paying for metered parking hurts a tiny bit much less after I’m incomes rewards on these costs)
Earlier than I made the Costco Anywhere Visa my main fuel bank card, the Blue Money Most popular was my go-to because of incomes a good fee of three% money again at U.S. fuel stations.
This, coupled with the crown jewel reward class on this card — 6% money again at U.S. supermarkets (on as much as $6,000 per yr, then 1%) — has earned the Blue Money Most popular a well-deserved spot in my pockets yr after yr for over a decade.
For extra particulars, see our full review of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred.
Apply right here: Blue Cash Preferred
Financial institution of America Custom-made Money Rewards bank card
Welcome provide: Earn a $200 on-line money rewards bonus after spending $1,000 on purchases throughout the first 90 days of account opening.
Annual payment: $0.
Standout advantages: The Financial institution of America Custom-made Money card does not cost an annual payment, so you’ll be able to hold it yr after yr with out worrying about that extra expense. Every month you get to pick out which class you wish to earn 3% money again in from the next choices:
- Gasoline and EV charging stations
- On-line buying (which incorporates cable, streaming, web and telephone service costs)
- Eating
- Journey
- Drugstores
- Dwelling enchancment/furnishings
Cardholders additionally earn 2% money again on grocery retailer and wholesale membership purchases (which is nice contemplating you normally have to get a wholesale membership cobranded card to earn rewards at these shops).
Each the two% and three% classes famous above are restricted to a $2,500 most every quarter — when you hit it, you may earn 1% money again on purchases.
For those who’re prioritizing incomes money again and searching for flexibility — or in case your spending varies between a few completely different classes month to month — the Custom-made Money Rewards is a superb card so as to add to your pockets.
One other bonus? If you have already got a relationship with Financial institution of America, it’s possible you’ll qualify for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® Program, which may web you bonuses ranging between 25% and 75% relying on which tier you are in.
For instance, if you happen to’re a Most popular Rewards Program member on the Gold tier (which nets you a 25% bonus), as a substitute of incomes 3% on fuel purchases, you may earn 3.75% money again on every fill-up. Platinum tier members will take pleasure in a 50% bonus and earn 4.5% money again, whereas Platinum Honors, Diamond and Diamond Honors members will every obtain a 75% bonus for a complete of 5.25% money again.
For extra particulars, see our full review of the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card.
Apply right here: Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards
Capital One Quicksilver Money Rewards Credit score Card
Welcome provide: Earn a $200 money bonus after spending $500 on purchases throughout the first three months of account opening.
Annual payment: $0.
Standout advantages: The Capital One Quicksilver Money Rewards is a strong card for the cash-back fan who often travels however continues to be getting their footing beneath them relating to bank card rewards.
Although this card does not earn an elevated reward fee within the fuel class, it does earn limitless 1.5% money again throughout all purchases. For those who do not care to trace particular spend classes and need a (principally) flat-rate earner, the Quicksilver Money Rewards could also be a very good match.
This card additionally provides you entry to Capital One Journey, the place you may earn a standout 5% money again on motels and rental automobiles booked with the Quicksilver Money Rewards card. Keep in mind how I stated that is additionally a good journey card? Cardholders take pleasure in no international transaction charges when utilizing their card overseas, which is good for a product that does not cost an annual payment.
Plus, there is not any minimal redemption quantity, and you’ve got choices relating to redeeming your money again. You may decide to obtain an announcement credit score, test or reward card or use your reward stability on amazon.com purchases and thru PayPal.
Be taught extra: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards review
Costco Wherever Visa Card by Citi
Welcome provide: None.
Annual payment: $0, although a Costco membership is required to get this card.
Standout advantages: Costco followers can simply profit from holding the Costco Wherever Visa. If in case you have a Costco membership, getting — and conserving — this card prices nothing because of its lack of an annual payment (see rates and fees). This card options strong fuel incomes charges and even covers EV charging, making it versatile as properly.
Costco Wherever Visa Card holders can earn 5% cash-back rewards on fuel at Costco and 4% money again on different eligible fuel and EV charging purchases (as much as $7,000 in mixed spend per yr; then 1%). This implies you are incomes rewards each time you refill your tank or cost your EV, which is particularly helpful for households that use each varieties of autos.
One other perk of getting the open-loop Costco Wherever Visa is that you would be able to earn strong cash-back charges in different widespread classes, like 3% at eating places and on eligible journey purchases. Higher but, the journey fee might be stacked on prime of the two% money again Govt members get with their premium membership for a mixed 5% money again on journey purchases. This extra 2% fee applies to the primary $50,000 spent annually at Costco, costco.com and Costco Journey however doesn’t apply to the fuel class. Even so, you are still incomes between 4% and 5% on filling your tank or charging your EV.
Although I really like buying at Costco and being a Costco Wherever Visa Card holder, and I personally do not thoughts ready a yr to get my reward certificates every February, I can see how this calendar could also be off-putting to some. For those who favor to earn your bank card rewards on a rolling month-to-month foundation, this card will not be for you.
The excellent news is that there are many different playing cards to select from that earn elevated reward charges on fuel purchases and provide reward entry extra steadily.
For extra particulars, see our full review of the Costco Anywhere Visa.
Apply right here: Costco Anywhere Visa
Chase Freedom Flex
Welcome provide: Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Annual payment: $0.
Standout advantages: The Freedom Flex is definitely probably the greatest cash-back playing cards available on the market. It earns beneficiant charges in key spend classes, together with 5% money again in rotating bonus classes (on as much as $1,500 in mixed purchases every quarter you activate) and not less than 1% money again throughout all different purchases that do not match into any of its different reward classes.
Gasoline has been included as a bonus class one quarter per yr since TPG started tracking the bonus categories for this card in 2014. Although these classes fluctuate, likelihood is that you’ll make the most of incomes 5% on fuel bills three months out of the yr as a Freedom Flex cardholder.
The Freedom Flex makes it so that you simply’re incomes rewards each time you pay, regardless of the acquisition. This card additionally options some spectacular perks for a no-annual-fee card, corresponding to cellphone safety, buying protections and journey cancellation and interruption insurance coverage.
Whether or not you are getting fuel on a cross-country street journey or simply filling up to your each day commute, you are incomes — at minimal — 1% money again every time you hit the pump. Plus, if you pair this card with one other Chase card that earns Final Rewards factors — just like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card — you’ll be able to convert your money again to this invaluable level foreign money.
For extra particulars, see our full review of the Chase Freedom Flex.
Apply right here: Chase Freedom Flex
Chase Sapphire Most popular Card
Welcome provide: Earn 60,000 factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Annual payment: $95.
Standout advantages: This card is a workers favourite at TPG because of stellar journey protections and strong incomes charges in widespread classes. The Sapphire Most popular can be a wonderful card for individuals who are prepared so as to add one other card to their roster that earns invaluable transferable factors.
Gasoline is just not a selected bonus class on this card, however you’ll earn a flat fee of 1 level per greenback spent if you pay with this card on the pump. That won’t sound like a lot, however each level you earn on this card is efficacious since Chase has a number of nice airline and lodge switch companions — and there are sometimes a number of alternatives to make the most of switch bonuses all year long.
The Sapphire Most popular is a chameleon, incomes beneficiant reward charges throughout widespread spending classes, although it actually shines as a journey rewards card.
Cardholders earn 5 factors per greenback spent on journey booked by way of Chase Journey, plus an as much as $50 annual lodge assertion credit score on motels booked by way of this portal. My associate has this card, and we be sure to make use of this lodge credit score yearly (which is straightforward to do because the credit score is utilized mechanically with out the necessity for activation).
Cardholders additionally take pleasure in 3 factors per greenback spent on eating, choose streaming companies and on-line groceries and a couple of factors per greenback spent on all different journey purchases.
As a result of this card does not cost international transaction charges, you may benefit from the beforehand talked about incomes charges all through the U.S. and overseas, making the Sapphire Most popular the proper journey companion.
For extra particulars, see our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Freedom Limitless
Welcome provide: Earn a $250 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in your first three months of account opening.
Annual payment: $0.
Standout advantages: Chase Freedom Limitless cardholders will take pleasure in incomes not less than 1.5% money again throughout all purchases exterior of the bonus classes featured on this card.
For those who select this as your main fuel rewards card, you additionally take pleasure in the next incomes charges:
- 5% money again on journey bought by way of Chase Journey
- 3% money again on drugstore purchases
- 3% money again on eating at eating places — together with takeout and eligible supply companies
A flat cash-back fee in all nonbonus classes means fueling up will mechanically earn you 1.5% again on each greenback you spend, and since this card does not include an annual payment, getting and conserving it’s a web optimistic yr after yr assuming accountable card utilization.
This card is a superb choice for card novices and execs alike as a result of it helps fill in any gaps in your reward-earning technique.
Just like the Freedom Flex, the Freedom Limitless lets you switch your money rewards into Chase Final Rewards factors if you happen to maintain one other Chase card just like the Sapphire Preferred, the Sapphire Reserve or the Ink Business Preferred.
For extra particulars, see our full review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Apply right here: Chase Freedom Unlimited
Wyndham Rewards Earner Enterprise Card
Welcome provide: Earn as much as 75,000 bonus factors: 50,000 factors after spending $4,000 on purchases and paying the annual payment in full inside 90 days of account opening and earn one other 25,000 factors after spending $12,000 on purchases inside three hundred and sixty five days of account opening.
Annual payment: $95.
Standout advantages: Along with being a strong earner on fuel purchases — netting a beneficiant 8 factors per greenback spent — this card affords cardholders a reward stability increase of 15,000 bonus factors every anniversary yr.
This product makes probably the most sense for small-business homeowners who’re additionally Wyndham loyalists, because it earns 8 factors per greenback spent on Inns by Wyndham. Others are higher off with a normal rewards or journey card.
Along with a good welcome bonus of as much as 75,000 factors, cardholders can maximize their enterprise bills by incomes 5 factors per greenback spent on advertising, promoting and utilities.
The cherries on prime are the automated Diamond elite standing that confers perks like suite upgrades and a welcome amenity at check-in, the power to get complimentary worker playing cards for simpler expense monitoring and the absence of international transaction charges — splendid for the enterprise traveler.
The knowledge for the Wyndham Rewards Earner Enterprise Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Associated: How to pick a strategy for your small-business credit cards
Be taught extra: Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card review
Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card
Welcome provide: Earn 45,000 bonus factors after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
Annual payment: $75.
Standout advantages: The patron Wyndham Rewards Earner card includes a smaller annual payment ($75) than its enterprise counterpart and nonetheless comes loaded with perks.
For those who frequent Wyndham properties, you may take pleasure in incomes 6 factors per greenback spent at Inns by Wyndham and on fuel purchases, making this card one other sleeper hit relating to incomes fuel rewards.
This card additionally comes with automated Platinum elite standing and seven,500 bonus factors every anniversary yr.
The knowledge for the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Be taught extra: Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card review
U.S. Financial institution Altitude Join Visa Signature Card
Welcome provide: Earn 20,000 bonus factors after spending $1,000 on web purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
Annual payment: $0.
Standout advantages: For a no-annual-fee card, the Altitude Join Visa affords some fairly stellar perks and incomes charges the place you need them — particularly if you happen to’re a traveler, commuter or foodie:
- 5 factors per greenback spent on pay as you go motels and automobile leases booked straight within the Altitude Rewards Heart
- 4 factors per greenback spent at fuel and EV charging stations (as much as your first $1,000 every quarter; excludes low cost shops, supercenters and wholesale golf equipment)
- 4 factors per greenback spent on journey purchases made straight with airways, motels and rental automobile firms
- 2 factors per greenback spent on eating, on streaming companies and at grocery shops (excluding low cost shops, supercenters and wholesale golf equipment)
Cardholders may take pleasure in as much as $100 in assertion credit towards their TSA PreCheck or International Entry software payment (each 4 years) and a complimentary Precedence Cross membership that enables 4 no-cost visits to over 1,600 airport lounges all around the world.
In relation to incomes factors, do not low cost the Altitude Join Visa. There are different playing cards that earn a extra invaluable reward foreign money than the factors issued by U.S. Financial institution, but when these bonus classes align together with your spending, this card generally is a strong alternative.
The knowledge for the U.S. Financial institution Altitude Join Visa Signature Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Be taught extra: U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card review
What to contemplate when selecting a fuel card
You’ve tons of choices if you happen to’re wanting to decide on a fuel bank card. The excellent news is that we have finished numerous the heavy lifting for you. If you would like a card that earns money again or favor one which earns journey rewards factors, you may discover an choice for you on this record. Here is what else it’s best to take into consideration earlier than making use of.
Most popular rewards
For those who’re into transferable bank card factors and need a multipurpose product that earns strong rewards throughout a number of classes, a card just like the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a superb choice. For those who’re a cash-back fanatic, take into account an choice just like the Amex Blue Cash Preferred or the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards.
For those who’re nonetheless comparatively new to bank card rewards, a cash-back card might provide a extra comfy introduction to incomes and redeeming this particular reward foreign money. For those who’re keen to start out incomes invaluable factors you’ll be able to switch to associate applications, a product just like the Chase Sapphire Most popular could also be extra your velocity because it includes a wholesome welcome bonus and strong switch companions like World of Hyatt, Air Canada Aeroplan and Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership. Simply be sure you prioritize a card that is properly suited to your wants.
Associated: Who are the Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners? Everything to know
Welcome bonus
A welcome bonus presents a stellar alternative to earn a stash of money again, factors or miles relying on the cardboard you select. In relation to making use of for a gas-specific bank card, think about whether or not the welcome bonus affords you first rate worth along with the primary reward classes featured on the cardboard you are contemplating.
For me, getting the Costco Anywhere Visa made sense since I already had a Costco membership and was searching for methods to maximise my reward-earning technique throughout my fundamental spending classes.
Spending habits
The perfect reward technique is one which covers the classes you spend probably the most cash in; for me, groceries, journey, eating, streaming and fuel are large ones.
I’ve arrange my pockets to incorporate playing cards that cowl all these bases. When selecting your fuel bank card, take into account which card will earn you elevated reward charges every time you gas up and throughout different classes, too.
Annual payment
Annual charges run the gamut from $0 to sky-high. Whether or not you are prepared to pay an annual payment — or wish to keep away from them altogether — our picks for finest fuel playing cards provide one thing for each finances.
How we selected the perfect fuel bank cards
To decide on the perfect fuel bank cards, we chosen choices appropriate for several types of budgets and spenders.
We additionally took care to decide on versatile playing cards that earn rewards in widespread spending classes like streaming, groceries and transit, in addition to playing cards from varied issuers that provide hidden gems like buy safety and even journey delay insurance coverage. For a deeper dive into our choice course of, take a look at our methodology here.
Redemption choices for fuel bank cards
A lot of the fuel playing cards on this record earn money again, although the Chase Sapphire Preferred earns invaluable Final Rewards factors that may be transferred to a number of airline and lodge companions.
The perfect fuel bank card is the one that’s going to construct up your reward foreign money stash and work to your particular wants.
Backside line
For those who drive a car that runs on fuel or must be charged, you want a fuel bank card. In any other case, you are leaving cash on the desk — particularly when there are such a lot of versatile choices relating to playing cards that earn elevated charges on this class.
If you have already got a Costco membership, take into account the Costco Anywhere Visa. If you would like a no-annual-fee fuel card, take into account the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card. For those who’re prepared to pay a sub-$100 annual payment and spend quite a bit on groceries along with fuel, you’ll be able to’t go unsuitable with the Amex Blue Cash Preferred. You’ve choices, and when you determine what kind of rewards you’d prefer to earn and what your hottest spending classes are, you’ll be able to slim down your choice from there.
For charges and charges of the Amex Blue Money Most popular, click on here.
Associated: The best no-foreign-transaction-fee credit cards
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