Gas is a regular, unavoidable cost. A small rewards rate difference — 2% vs 5% — quickly adds up if you drive often. Choosing one of the best gas credit cards can turn routine fill-ups into steady cash back, points, or travel perks. This guide focuses on cards from the reference list with the exact earning rates and fees included, so you can match a card to how you actually drive and spend.
Quick checklist before you pick a card
Track monthly gas spend for 3 months.- Note where you usually buy gas (Costco, chain stations, local pumps).
- Decide if you want no-fee options or if you will pay an annual fee for higher rewards.
- Check acceptance (AmEx vs Visa/Mastercard/Discover).
Top picks from the reference data snapshot table
| Card (Issuer) | Gas Reward | Annual Fee | Key perk/bonus |
| Costco Anywhere Visa (Citi) | 5% at Costco gas; 4% on other gas/EV charging (first $7,000) | $0 (Costco membership req.) | Annual reward certificate |
| Hilton Honors AmEx | 5X points at U.S. gas stations | $0 | 100k Hilton pts after $2,000 in 6 months |
| Discover it Chrome | 2% at gas stations (up to $1k combined gas+restaurants quarterly) | $0 | Cashback Match first year |
| Blue Cash Everyday(AmEx) | 3% at U.S. gas stations (up to $6k/yr) | $0 | $200 after $2k in 6 months |
| Ink Business Cash (Chase) | 2% back on gas (first $25k combined) | $0 | $900 after $6k in 3 months |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | 1.5% base (bonuses elsewhere) | $0 | $200 after $500 in 3 months |
| Discover it® Secured | 2% at gas stations (up to $1k combined quarterly) | $0 (refundable deposit) | Cashback Match (1st year) |
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How these cards differ: plain language breakdown
- Co-branded / warehouse cards (Costco Anywhere Visa) pay the most at a specific chain. If you shop at Costco often, that card can top the list. This is your classic Costco gas credit card scenario.
- Points cards (Hilton Honors AmEx) reward gas with points you can convert to hotel stays, not straight cash. Good if you travel.
- Flat-rate cash back cards (Chase Freedom Unlimited, Blue Cash Everyday) are simple and reliable across stations.
- Quarterly caps and rotating categories (Discover it cards) can pay more, but need activation and tracking. That’s where you treat the card like a tool you turn on each quarter.
Side-by-side math: how much you actually earn
Assume $200/month on gas ($2,400/yr). Here’s the annual return on gas alone:
| Card | Rate on gas | Annual gas reward of $2,400 |
| Costco Anywhere Visa | 5% (at Costco) | $120 |
| Hilton Honors AmEx | 5X points (≈1¢/pt value) | ≈ $120 value |
| Blue Cash Everyday | 3% | $72 |
| Discover it® Chrome | 2% | $48 |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | 1.5% | $36 |
| Ink Business Cash | 2% | $48 |
If you fill up at Costco and qualify for 5% there, you’d earn $120 per year on $2,400, not huge, but meaningful when added to other rewards and bonuses.
Best picks by driver profile
- If you shop at Costco and fill up there regularly, you can use the Costco Anywhere Visa (Citi). It’s the clear winner for warehouse shoppers because it offers 5% back at Costco gas and 4% on other gas/EV charging up to $7,000 per year. No card annual fee, but you do need a Costco membership.
- Suppose you want high points + hotel perks: Hilton Honors American Express Card. Earns 5X points at gas stations and a large welcome offer (100k Hilton points after $2,000 spend). Good for drivers who also travel and use Hilton.
- If you prefer no annual fee and set-it-and-forget simplicity: Blue Cash Everyday or Chase Freedom Unlimited®. Both have no fee and steady returns; Blue Cash pays 3% at gas stations (up to a cap) and Chase Freedom Unlimited gives 1.5% base plus higher rates in other categories.
- If you’re rebuilding credit: Discover it® Secured and Discover it® Chrome offer gas rewards and are accessible to people working on credit. That’s your option for gas cards for bad credit.
- If you run a small fleet or need business spend tracking: Ink Business Cash is a business credit card for gas that earns 2% back on gas and has strong bonuses for business categories.
Tables: features and caps that matter
Annual caps & limits what to watch
| Card | Gas cap/notes |
| Costco Anywhere Visa | 5% at Costco; 4% other gas/EV charging first $7,000/yr |
| Blue Cash Everyday | 3% at U.S. gas (up to $6k/yr combined categories) |
| Discover it Chrome | 2% at gas/restaurants up to $1k quarterly combined |
| Ink Business Cash | 2% on first $25k combined gas/office supplies per year |
| Discover it Secured | 2% at gas/restaurants up to $1k quarterly combined |
Acceptance and network
| Card | Network | Best for |
| Costco Anywhere Visa® | Visa | Costco shoppers |
| Hilton Honors AmEx | AmEx | Travelers, Hilton stays |
| Blue Cash Everyday | AmEx | AmEx-accepting stations |
| Discover it® Chrome / Secured | Discover | Stations that accept Discover |
| Chase / Ink | Visa/Chase | Wide acceptance |
How to use cards smartly (practical playbook)
- Map stations you use. If half your fill-ups are at Costco, your best yield may come from a Costco gas credit card. (related keyword ‘Costco gas credit card’ used earlier)
- Combine cards: One card for Costco or 5% gas, plus a general flat-rate card (1.5–2%) for everywhere else.
- Watch caps and activation: If you use Discover rotating or capped offers, set calendar reminders.
- Avoid interest: Rewards vanish if you carry a balance. Always pay in full each month.
- Use business cards for work miles: If you drive for work, a business card with gas rewards can separate expenses and provide better tracking and bonuses.
Common questions drivers ask (short answers inside the flow)
- Are co-branded gas cards worth it? Yes, if you fill at the same chain often, closed-loop and co-branded cards can give higher per-gallon savings.
- What about gas cards for bad credit? Secured cards like Discover it Secured let you earn gas rewards while rebuilding credit. (related keyword used earlier)
- How to save money on gas beyond rewards? Use apps to find the cheapest local prices, combine rewards with gas station loyalty programs, and drive efficiently. (related keyword ‘how to save money on gas’ used once)
Visual summary quick decision chart (text version)
- You mainly use Costco gas → pick Costco Anywhere Visa (Citi).
- You want hotel points + gas rewards → pick Hilton Honors AmEx.
- You want no fee, steady cash back → pick Blue Cash Everyday or Chase Freedom Unlimited.
- You rebuild credit → pick Discover it Secured.
- You run a small business → pick Ink Business Cash.
Final example (real math)
Alex drives 15,000 miles/year, spends $200/month on gas ($2,400/yr). He fills 50% at Costco and 50% elsewhere:
- With Costco Anywhere Visa, his Costco gas ($1,200) earns 5% = $60; other gas ($1,200) at 1% = $12; total = $72.
- With Blue Cash Everyday at 3% across all gas, he’d earn $72 as well (3% of $2,400 = $72). But the Costco card adds other Costco benefits and an annual certificate.
Both approaches can be right depending on how you value perks.
Conclusion
The best gas credit cards for you depend on where you fill up, how much you drive, and whether you value cash back, points, or business tracking. Use the tables above, match a card to your station mix, and do the simple math: annual gas spend × reward rate − fees = net return. For many drivers, a warehouse card like Costco’s or a flexible no-fee card like Blue Cash Everyday or Chase Freedom Unlimited will be the smartest pick.