When it comes to buying pets, you want to do everything you can to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible. Unfortunately, this means weighing the pros and cons of each credit card before making a purchase.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the best credit cards for buying pets in petstores. From cards that offer rewards for spending money at petstores to those that have low APR rates, read on to find the perfect card for your needs.
There are a number of great credit cards that offer discounts on pet supplies, including the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and the Citi Double Cash card. Both cards give members 15% off their total purchase at participating pet stores.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred also gives cardholders 1 free year of membership to a special rewards club for frequent travelers, which can add even more savings when traveling to pet-friendly destinations.
| Rewards Credit Cards for Gas Purchases |
| Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi Gas Rewards: 4% cash back up to $7,000 in annual gas and EV charging purchases (and then 1% after) Annual Fee: $0† |
| Citi Premier® Card Gas Rewards: 3X ThankYou Points per $1 spent at gas stations Annual Fee: $95 |
| Citi Rewards+® Card Gas Rewards: 2X ThankYou Points per $1 spent at gas stations up to $6,000 in annual purchases then 1X points after Annual Fee: $0 |
| Citi® Double Cash Card Gas Rewards: 2% cash back on purchases, including gas stations Annual Fee: $0 |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Gas Rewards: Earn 3% cash back on gas from U.S. gas stations Annual Fee: $95 |
| Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express Gas Rewards: Earn 3% cash back on gas from U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1% Annual Fee: $0 |
| Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card Gas Rewards: 2% cash rewards on purchases, including gas stations Annual Fee: $0 | Rates and Fees |
| IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card Gas Rewards: 5X IHG points per $1 spent on on travel, gas stations, and restaurants Annual Fee: $99 |
| Ink Business Cash® Credit Card Gas Rewards: 2% cash back on your first $25,000 spent in combined annual purchases at gas stations and restaurants Annual Fee: $0 |
† Active Costco membership required
>>Review the methodology our credit card experts use to evaluate credit products and determine the best-in-class cards from our credit card partners, or skip to the most frequently asked questions about gas rewards.
Best Credit Cards for Gas Station Purchases From Our Partners
Depending on what else you spend your money on, these top rewards credit cards for gas station purchases will do a lot more than that. With all that in mind, here are our top choices from our partners.
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Offer Details
Why We Like It
Secure application on issuer’s website.
Annual Fee: $0 (active Costco membership required)
Bonus: None
APR: Variable APR of 18.24%
Rewards Rate: 1%-4% Cash Back ⓘ
Terms and restrictions apply
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi, one of our partners, is a credit card made exclusively for Costco members. It comes with 4% cash back on up to $7,000 in annual gas purchases and EV charging purchases (and then 1% after), 3% back on restaurant and travel purchases, 2% back at Costco and Costco.com and 1% on other purchases.
One unique feature of the Costco Anywhere Visa Card is how you get your cash back. While most credit cards give you a monthly credit or a credit when you hit a certain rewards level, the Costco Anywhere Visa Card offers an annual rewards credit for all of your cash back earned. Also, this co-branded Citi credit card doesn’t have an annual fee, but you will need to be an active Costco member to enjoy its benefits.
Citi Premier® Card
Offer Details
Why We Like It
Secure application on issuer’s website.
Annual Fee: $95
Bonus: 80,000 ThankYou Points ⓘ
APR: Variable APR Between 18.99% – 26.99%
Rewards Rate: 1X-3X ThankYou Points ⓘ
Terms and restrictions apply
More Details: The Citi Premier Card, from our partner Citi, is worth considering if you’re looking for a travel credit card, but don’t want to pay a huge annual fee. The Citi Premier Card offers new cardholders a sign-up bonus of 80,000 ThankYou Points after spending $4,000 during the first three months of account opening.
Additionally, this Citi credit card offers a range of incentives, such as bonus points, gift cards and deals with retail partners. Best of all, you’ll get more value when you redeem points for flights, and potentially even better value when you transfer points to Citi’s travel partners.
Read our full review of the Citi Premier Card.
Citi Rewards+® Card
Offer Details
Why We Like It
Secure application on issuer’s website.
Annual Fee: $0
Bonus: 20,000 ThankYou Points ⓘ
APR: Variable APR Between 16.49% – 26.49% After Intro 0% APR Period ⓘ
Rewards Rate: 1X-5X ThankYou Points ⓘ
Terms and restrictions apply
Citi Rewards+ Card, from our partner Citi, is a cash-back rewards credit card with no annual fee. The card includes unique features, including a round-up to the next 10 Thank You Points on any purchase and 10% back on redemptions. New cardholders can earn 20,000 bonus ThankYou Points after spending $1,500 in the first three months of the account opening date for a limited time. Additionally, new cardholders earn 5x ThankYou points per dollar spent at restaurants up to $6,000 in the first 12 months (then the points-per-dollar ratio becomes 1:1 thereafter).
When shopping with the Citi Rewards+ Card, you’ll earn 2x ThankYou Points per dollar spent at supermarkets and gas stations up to $6,000 in annual purchases. That means you can earn up to 12,000 points per year from these bonus category purchases. Any other purchases beyond $6,000 earn the card’s regular rewards rate of 1x point per dollar. Read our full review of the Citi Rewards+ Card.
Citi® Double Cash Card
Offer Details
Why We Like It
Secure application on issuer’s website.
Annual Fee: $0
Bonus: $200 ⓘ
APR: Variable APR Between 16.99% – 26.99% After Intro 0% APR Period ⓘ
Rewards Rate: 2% Cash Back
Terms and restrictions apply
More Details: For a limited time, the Citi Double Cash Card is offering a $200 cash bonus after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months of opening the account. This cash-back card also comes with a competitive 18-month, 0% APR introductory balance transfer offer for new cardholders. After which, you’ll pay a variable APR based on your creditworthiness on any unpaid balances.
Read our full review of the Citi Double Cash Card.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Offer Details
Why We Like It
Secure application on issuer’s website.
Annual Fee: $0
Bonus: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus ⓘ
APR: 17.99%, 22.99%, or 27.99% variable APR after low intro APR period.
Rewards Rate: 2% cash rewards on purchases
More Details: Many rewards credit cards tempt you with bonus rewards for specific purchases, but with the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (Rates and Fees), you simply receive a 2% cash rewards on purchases. There’s no need to register for anything, and there is no annual fee to carry this credit card in your wallet.
Plus, you now get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card. (subject to a $25 deductible).
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card applicants can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 on the card within the first three months of account opening. Additionally, new accounts receive a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (17.99%, 22.99%, or 27.99% variable APR after low intro APR period). Qualifying balance transfers must be made within 120 days of account opening. Read our full review of the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card.
IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card
Offer Details
Why We Like It
Secure application on issuer’s website.
Annual Fee: $99
Bonus: 140,000 Bonus Points
APR: Variable APR
Rewards Rate: 1X-26X Points
Terms and restrictions apply
The IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card is a traveler’s dream, especially if you’re already a loyal IHG customer. The perks accompanying this co-branded Chase credit card are worth way more than the $99 annual fee. The IHG Rewards Premier Card comes with Platinum Elite Status, a free anniversary night every year and a free rewards night for reward stays three nights or longer. It’s great for international travel because there are no foreign transaction fees.
This hotel credit card comes with an attractive offer — new cardholders can earn a sign-up bonus of 140,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months of account opening. A sign-up bonus like this can go a long way towards free reward nights at participating IHG hotels around the world, including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Kimpton, EVEN Hotels, Indigo Hotels and Holiday Inn. Read our full review of the IHG Rewards Premier card.
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Offer Details
Why We Like It
Secure application on issuer’s website.
Annual Fee: $0
Bonus: $750
APR: Variable APR After Intro 0% APR Period
Rewards Rate: 1%-5% Cash Back
Terms and restrictions apply
More Details: The Ink Business Cash Card is a valuable business cash-back card for entrepreneurs of all types. Earn an impressive rewards rate of 5% cash back on select business purchases. These include the first $25,000 you spend each account anniversary year at office supply stores and on phone, cable and internet services. Ink Business Cash also offers 2% cash back on up to $25,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and gas stations. You’ll earn 1% cash back on virtually all other purchases.
As a new cardholder, get $750 in bonus cash back when you make $7,500 worth of purchases within the first three months of account opening. Additionally, this no-annual-fee card offers an introductory 0% APR during the first 12 months of account opening on new purchases (balance transfers are excluded from this intro APR offer). Read our full review of the Ink Business Cash.
Best American Express Credit Cards for Gas Station Purchases
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Offer Details
Why We Like It
Secure application on issuer’s website.
Annual Fee: $0 Intro Annual Fee for the first year, then $95
Welcome Bonus: $250 ⓘ
Intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months ⓘ
APR: 16.99% – 27.99% Variable
Rewards Rate: 1%-6% Cash Back ⓘ
Terms and restrictions apply
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is designed to help on-the-go households maximize cash-back earnings. While this card carries an annual fee after the first year, which is rare for a cash-back product, large families that spend heavily on gas and groceries will most likely spend enough to offset the $95 annual fee.
The card earns 6% back at U.S. supermarkets, up to $6,000 each calendar year (then 1%) and 6% back on select U.S. streaming services. You’ll also earn 3% back on fuel purchases at U.S. gas stations and 3% on transit expenses, including parking, tolls, bus fare and more. All other eligible spending earns 1% cash back.
New cardholders have the opportunity to earn a welcome bonus of $250 once they spend $3,000 with the card during their first six months of card membership. Learn more with our full review of the The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Offer Details
Why We Like It
Secure application on issuer’s website.
Annual Fee: $0
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to $250 ⓘ
Intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 15 months ⓘ
APR: Variable APR
Rewards Rate: 1%-3% Cash Back ⓘ
Terms and restrictions apply
For a card with no annual fee, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers an impressive amount of value. Right off the bat, new cardmembers can earn up to $250 Welcome Bonus after spending $2,000 on purchases during the first six months of Card Membership.
This card earns 3% cash back per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. online retail purchases, and at U.S. gas stations, up to $6,000 each calendar year (then 1%). All other eligible purchases earn 1% back.
If you’re looking for a simple card to get cash back and earn a bonus on the popular groceries and gas categories, this card could fit your spending needs. Check out our full review of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express.
Rewards Credit Cards for Gas Versus Oil-Company Gas Cards
So, you know you want to be rewarded at the pump, but you still aren’t sure if you should go for a rewards card with gas perks or an oil-company card? We’ll help you do the math.
Many rewards cards will allow you to earn points or cash back on the amount you spend on fuel. You will earn the same percentage back on any U.S. gas station you use, so you don’t have to be a company loyalist. Even better, cash rewards credit cards come with other perks, as well as more opportunities to earn points or cash back on other spending. You can choose a card based on your spending habits to reap the most rewards.
Co-branded oil-company cards typically offer cents off per gallon or cents per gallon rebates. Gas credit cards that are more than just loyalty rewards credit cards tied specifically to the gas station will allow cardholders to earn cents per gallon per dollar spent elsewhere. For example, the Techron Advantage Visa card allows cardholders to earn 20 cents per gallon at Chevron and Texaco for the 90 days after opening an account.
There are pros and cons to both cards and the right card depends on your unique spending situation and credit score.
Gas Card Pros:
- Better chance of approval: Individuals who are working to rebuild their credit or who have been rejected from popular rewards credit cards are more likely to be approved for a gas card.
- Card limit: If you are afraid of overspending, gas cards come with smaller credit limits, so there is a less likely chance you will get yourself into unbearable debt.
- Comes with limited protection: Most gas cards come with some level of fraud protection which makes it a better choice than using a debit card at the pump.
- Cents off each gallon: Gas cards give you the opportunity to save money on what you are already spending. You might only earn an additional $50 to $100 per year, but that is more than if you were to pay with your debit card.
Gas Card Cons:
- High APRs (interest rates): You don’t want to hold a balance on these cards because the interest rates are high and will cost you more than any cents per gallon saved or earned.
- Limited rewards
- Reward caps
Cash Rewards Credit Cards Pros:
- Earn more back on a variety of spending
- Redeem rewards on what you want, not just gas
- Better APRs (interest rates)
Cash Rewards Credit Cards Reward Card Cons:
- Stricter credit approval
- Many cards come with an annual fee
How to Choose a Credit Card for Gas Rewards
When choosing the right card for your gas rewards, don’t just look at how much you earn for spending. You want to compare these important factors too:
- Rewards cap: Is there a limit to how much you can earn on your annual gas spending? Some cards might offer 5% cash back on gas for one quarter’s spending (usually three months) and then drop it down to 1%.
- Annual fee: Annual fees are not an automatic deal-breaker, but you need to weigh the card’s perks against the fee.
- Redemption value: How can you spend your gas rewards? Cards with redemption flexibility will allow you to use your rewards to benefit your budget rather than being wasted on programs that use points for magazine subscriptions.
- Membership requirements: Some credit cards have warehouse membership fees and rules attached to it. For example, the Costco Citi card requires a $60 annual Costco membership, but you can earn 4% on gas purchases at other fuel stations.
How Much Money Can a Gas Credit Card Save You?
On average, Americans spend $2,109 per year on gas. Your number might be higher if you are a regular commuter or drive a large vehicle. With an average gas price of $2.50 per gallon, that comes out to almost 844 gallons per year. Using those stats, here’s how much you would save with a gas credit card versus a rewards credit card:
- A gas card that saves 5 cents per gallon: $42.20
- A rewards card that earns 2% back: $42.18
- A rewards card that earns 3% back: $63.27
- A rewards card that earns 5% back: $105.45
Choosing a cash rewards credit card that earns 2% or more cash back on gas will save you more on your gas purchases. While gas spending is pricey, there is probably another spending category (such as groceries or dining out) that you spend more on. Look for a card that will reward you both for gas purchases and your other frequent purchases.
Methodology
There are a lot of credit cards out there that offer bonus rewards on gas purchases or simply high rewards rates on every purchase you make. We picked our top five based on the overall value they can provide. We looked at the other bonus rewards rates the cards offer and focused on cards that provide extra cash back or points on purchases you’re likely going to make regularly.
In general, we focused on credit cards with no annual fee, so you don’t have to worry about figuring out how to make the card worth it every year. But in the case of the The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, we chose it because it makes it easy to recoup the annual fee every year.
Frequently Asked Questions on Gas Cards
Which Credit Card Earns the Most Points for Gas Station Purchases?
The PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature is the highest-earning card for gas purchases — it earns 5x points per dollar on gas at the pump, 3x points per dollar on groceries and 1x point per dollar spent everywhere else. Points are worth 1 cent apiece, so you’re getting about as high of a rewards rate on gas as possible. We like the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card because it focuses on giving you the best value at the pump. The only thing to keep in mind is that you need to join PenFed Credit Union in order to apply for the PenFed Platinum Card.
What gas stations take credit cards?
Nearly all gas stations accept most major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card and others. The biggest gas station brands such as Shell, Chevron, Texaco, QuikTrip, Love’s and more take credit cards. Some gas stations might charge a fee for paying with a credit card.
Are gas credit cards a good idea?
Gas credit cards can be a good idea for people who have a long, daily commute or live in communities where gas prices are above the national average. When you drive a lot, you’ll earn points every time you fill your tank. Additionally, a gas credit card can be a valuable option for those who live far from work, shuttle kids to school and other other activities, drive trucks or SUVs, or travel by car for trips and leisure.
What Is a Gas Credit Card?
A gas-branded credit card is one issued by the oil companies, usually in partnership with a bank. Many gas-branded cards can only be used at that fuel station, but research each fuel companies’ offerings for exact rules. For example, Shell offers a Fuel Rewards Credit Card and a Fuel Rewards Mastercard. The latter can be used on non-Shell purchases and earns rebates on dining and select expenditures. Gas credit cards usually do not have any fees and allow you to save a set amount of cents off of each gallon of gas purchased. Some cards come with rewards on non-fuel purchases made at the fuel station too.
How to choose a gas credit card?
You can start by looking for a gas card that is accepted at services stations near you. Some options earn rewards regardless of which gas station you frequent, while others earn accelerated rewards for spending at specific brands. Consider credit cards that also earn rewards for non-gas purchases. Additionally, you can increase your fuel rewards by opening a gas card without an annual fee.
How Do Gas Credit Cards Work?
Gas credit cards work similarly to a store credit card. For example, if you have a Kohl’s or JCPenney credit card, you know that your card is only useful at those stores. Like all other credit cards, you will be required to pay a monthly minimum and any amount that is carried over to the next month will earn interest. Gas credit cards generally have a higher interest rate than average rewards cards. Since oil-company cards are limited, individuals with fair credit have an easier time being approved. Gas cards are a good option for those who have fair credit or those who are looking to rebuild their credit. Since you can only use the card for gas, it will be harder to rack up the bill, making it easier to keep track of.
Who should not consider a gas card?
If you don’t drive often or work from home, then a gas card may not be for you. Also, anyone who drives a hybrid, fuel-efficient, or eco-friendly vehicle might not spend enough on gasoline to justify a gas credit card.
What Is a Statement Credit?
A statement credit is money paid to your account by your card issuer. It essentially works the same as a cash payment to your account. Some rewards card issuers like American Express often offer statement credits as a payout for cash rewards or other point redemption. Statement credit can be used to pay down your card balance or they can remain on your statement as a positive account balance for future purchases.