Prepaid gas cards, as well as gas credit cards, have long fascinated me. I love to read the signs above the fuel pumps touting all the free gallons I’ll earn by signing up for the latest gas card. And so do millions of others, judging by the popularity of fuel card ownership throughout the United States.
In this article, we’ll clarify the different types of gas cards and help you choose the one that suits you best.
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Best Prepaid Cards For Gas Purchases
These prepaid debit cards help reduce the money you spend at the pump. They do so through cash back rewards or immediate discounts that can add up to significant coinage over the course of a year.
You don’t need a bank account or credit score to get these, and you’ll never have to worry about a late or overdraft fee. You don’t have to provide much personal information to apply for these cards.
- Waive your monthly fee when you direct deposit $500+ in previous monthly period. Otherwise, $5.94 a month.*
- Earn 3% cash back at Walmart.com, 2% cash back at Walmart fuel stations, & 1% cash back at Walmart stores, up to $75 each year.*
- Earn 2% interest rate on up to $1,000 balance in your savings account. Plus, get chances to win cash prizes each month!*
- Get peace of mind with three coverage levels, up to $200, for purchase transactions with opt-in & eligible direct deposit.*
*Please see site for full terms and conditions.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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Additional Disclosure: Walmart MoneyCard® is a debit card offer.
The Walmart MoneyCard® offers cash back rewards on fuel purchases at Walmart gas stations. The rewards on this card have an annual cap, and you receive them at the end of 12 monthly periods in which you paid your monthly fee or had it waived.
The monthly fee is low, and the card allows you to cash checks and make withdrawals at Walmart stores for free. This card carries the Mastercard International Incorporated logo and is accepted everywhere debit Mastercard is welcome.
- Brink’s knows Security! 24/7 access to a suite of security benefits to help keep your account armored.
- Get access to over 100,000 Brink’s Money ATMs.
- Get paid faster than a paper check with direct deposit.
- Add funds to your Brink’s Armored Account and use Brinks Armored debit card anywhere Debit Mastercard is accepted.
- Account opening is subject to registration and ID verification. Terms & fees Apply. Deposit Account is established by Pathward®, N.A., Member FDIC.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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Variable Monthly Fees
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Not applicable
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The Brink’s Armored™ Account is a top-rated, general-purpose prepaid card that provides cash back rewards through Payback Points. The card awards one point per dollar spent on signature purchase transactions.
When paying at the pump, the merchant may preauthorize a purchase of $100 or more (thanks to rising gas prices). If Brinks declines the card, even though you have sufficient funds available, you can pay for your purchase with the cashier inside the station.
- Help manage your family budget with the Shell Refillable Gift Card. Choose your style and amount, and go!
- Shell Gift Cards can be used to purchase gasoline, auto supplies, food/snacks, a car wash, and other items at more than 14,000 Shell stations nationwide.
- Load up to $300 in value instantly online
- Control and manage fuel purchases
- No Expiration dates or dormancy fees
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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None
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Not applicable
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The Shell Refillable Card allows you to instantly load a card balance of up to $300 online without supplying much personal information. You can use this debit card to buy goods and services at any Shell location in the United States, excluding territories. That comes in handy during this era of erratic gas prices.
For pay at the pump rewards redemption, insert the card and follow the instructions. Pay at the pump may not be possible if your card balance is less than one dollar. If you are having difficulty, present the card inside the Shell store for payment.
- Get rewarded with unlimited 1% Cash Back when you spend money in stores or online. The funds are available to add to your account as soon as the transaction settles with us, so you don’t have to wait to enjoy the rewards.
- Get your tax refund and direct deposits up to 2 days faster than standard electronic deposits.
- You can withdraw your money without a fee at over 37,000 MoneyPass® ATM locations nationwide.
- Can’t find your Serve card? No need to worry – you can quickly freeze it while you look for it and unfreeze it when you find it. And for extra reassurance, know you won’t be held responsible for fraudulent charges.
- With Emergency Assistance, you can get select access to select emergency coordination and assistance services when you’re traveling more than 100 miles from home.
- Amex Offers provides a range of offers – shopping, dining, and more – from places you love. It’s easy and free.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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Not applicable
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The Serve® American Express® Prepaid Debit Account pays unlimited cash back rewards when you spend money in stores, online, and at the pump. The funds are available to add to your account as soon as the transaction settles, so you don’t have to wait to enjoy the rewards.
You can log in to the website to redeem your earnings for your next purchase. This prepaid card provides valuable benefits, including purchase and fraud protection, roadside assistance, and a range of Amex shopping and dining offers.
- Move money from your PayPal account to fund your prepaid card account.
- Earn cash back and personalized offers, just for using your card.
- With Direct Deposit, you can get paid faster than a paper check.
- Card issued by The Bancorp Bank, Member FDIC. Card may be used everywhere Debit Mastercard is accepted.
- Click PayPal Prepaid Mastercard® for additional features & program details, and to request a Card.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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Variable Monthly Fee
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Not applicable
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The PayPal Prepaid Mastercard® is another great option to use for gas purchases because you’ll earn customized Payback Rewards on some of your everyday purchases. Rewards will be redeemed as cash back to your card account at the end of the following month.
Payback Rewards are customized to your spending. The more you use Payback Rewards, the more personalized offers you’ll receive, which means more chances to earn cash back. You can waive the monthly fee by setting up direct deposit to the account.
Best Credit Cards For Gas Purchases
These credit cards reduce your cost at the pump or earn cash back rewards that help take the sting out of gas prices. They’re a good alternative to prepaid debit cards for consumers with bank accounts. You can get them in two types: secured and unsecured.
Secured Cards Can Pay Rewards & Build Credit
These cards prove you don’t need good credit to earn valuable credit card rewards. Unlike prepaid debit cards, secured credit cards let you build credit through timely payments. In return for a cash deposit, you get hassle-free access to credit cards that may be superior to the unsecured cards available for your credit rating.
- No annual or hidden fees, and you can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. See if you’re approved in seconds
- Put down a refundable $200 security deposit to get a $200 initial credit line
- Building your credit? Using a card like this responsibly could help
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
- You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
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N/A
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29.99% (Variable)
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$0
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Limited, Bad
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The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card provides tiered unlimited cash back on eligible purchases (including fuel purchases at the pump), with a high bonus rate on the hotels and rental cars you book through Capital One Travel.
Your rewards don’t expire for the life of the account, and you can access them through a check, statement credit, gift card, or credits for previous purchases. You can also use your rewards to pay for flights, car rentals, and hotels.
- No credit score required to apply.
- No Annual Fee, earn cash back, and build your credit history.
- Your secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit, and your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit.
- Automatic reviews starting at 7 months to see if we can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites. Activate for free.
- Terms and conditions apply.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
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10.99% Intro APR for 6 months
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28.24% Variable APR
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$0
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New/Rebuilding
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You don’t need a credit score to get the Discover it® Secured Credit Card, which provides bonus cash back rewards for purchases at gas stations and restaurants (capped quarterly) and a flat, everyday rate on all others. New cardmembers get a Cashback Match on all rewards posted during the first 12 billing cycles.
Gas station purchases include those made at merchants selling automotive gasoline you buy at the pump or inside the station. Gas stations affiliated with supermarkets, supercenters, and wholesale clubs may not be eligible for the bonus rate.
- Earn unlimited cash back while building credit for the future. Start with a security deposit of $300 to $5,000.
- Earn 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter in two categories you choose, 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel, and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Travel Center, 2% back on eligible purchases in your choice of one everyday category (like gas stations and EV charging stations, grocery stores and restaurants), and 1% back on all other eligible purchases.
- Use your card everywhere Visa is accepted. Your secured card works and looks like any other credit card.
- Choose your payment due date and enjoy zero fraud liability for unauthorized transactions.
- No annual fee
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
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N/A
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29.49% Variable
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$0
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None/Bad
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You can get the U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa® Card with bad credit and still earn cash back rewards on all your gas purchases. There is no limit to the amount of rewards you can earn as long as your account is open and in good standing.
Despite the high rewards, this card doesn’t charge an annual fee. But the APR is high for a secured card, so be sure to pay your balance in full each month to avoid hefty interest charges.
Unsecured Credit Cards Pay the Best Gas Rewards
You can use some unsecured gas credit cards everywhere, not just at the gas pump. Others are closed-loop fuel cards that can only be used at the issuing gas station network. None of these cards require a security deposit, but they will check your credit when you apply.
- Discover one of Citi’s best cash back rewards cards designed exclusively for Costco members
- 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter
- 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases
- 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- No annual fee with your paid Costco membership and enjoy no foreign transaction fees on purchases
- Receive an annual credit card reward certificate, which is redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses, including Puerto Rico
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
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N/A
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20.49% (Variable)
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$0
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Excellent
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Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is only available to Costco members and pays a high cash back rate on gas purchases made at Costco. You can earn up to $280 cash back per year on gas purchases before your reward rate goes down to 1%, but there is no earnings cap at the 1% rate.
Costco distributes reward certificates annually after February billing statements close. You can redeem the certificate for cash back or merchandise before the year’s end at any Costco warehouse.
- Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024. - Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
- 60,000 ThankYou® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
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N/A
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21.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
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$95
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Excellent, Good
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Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.
The Citi Premier® Card offers bonus rewards on several categories of spending, including purchases at gas stations. The rewards take the form of Thank You Points you can redeem for a direct deposit to your bank account or a credit to your statement balance.
You can also use your points for shopping, travel, gift cards, and charitable contributions or transfer them to participating loyalty programs.
- Earn up to 42¢ off per gallon for your first two months after account opening
- Apply for an Exxon Mobil Smart Card today, and if approved, enjoy two months of bonus savings after your account open date: Get 30¢ off every gallon of fuel at Exxon™ and Mobil™ stations
- Save 12¢ per gallon on premium fuel, 10¢ per gallon on other fuel grades every day
- Plus, get 5% back on the first $1,200 spent on non-fuel purchases per year, earned as a statement credit
- Feel secure with $0 liability on unauthorized charges.
- Access your funds at 200,000+ Cirrus ATMs. Cash advance fees apply.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
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N/A
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30.99% (Variable)
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$0
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Average, Fair, Limited
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Additional Disclosure: The information related to ExxonMobil™ Smart Card has been collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
The closed-loop Exxon Mobil Smart Card+™ saves you money at Exxon and Mobil gas stations. The signup bonus provides extra discounts during the introductory period.
You also earn cash back on in-store purchases and car washes as a statement credit. The card provides $0 fraud liability on unauthorized charges and online account management to review costs and make or schedule payments.
- Fuel savings is just the beginning with the flagship Sunoco Rewards credit card. For a limited time only, save 50¢ on every gallon for 30 days after the account open date when you purchase at Sunoco stations.
- After the first 30 days, save 5¢ off every gallon, every day
- No limits or restrictions on the number of discounted gallons you buy
- 24/7 online account management
- Additional family cards at no extra cost
- $0 Liability on unauthorized charges
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
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N/A
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30.99% (Variable)
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$0
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Average, Fair, Limited
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Additional Disclosure: (The information related to SUNOCO Rewards Credit Card has been collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.)
The Sunoco Rewards Credit Card provides a discount on every gallon of fuel you purchase from a Sunoco gas station. This closed-loop gas credit card may offer a signup bonus that increases the savings for the introductory period.
You increase your discount by using Sunoco’s Go Rewards app to purchase fuel. You can add family members to the account for free. This gas credit card provides nationwide ATM access, online account management, and $0 liability for unauthorized purchases.
What Is a Gas Card?
Gas cards provide benefits when you purchase fuel and other gas station products. They can be:
- Cards that save money at the pump
- Cards that give reward points or cash back for gas purchases
- Cards that do both
The open-loop variety may be debit or credit cards that you can use for any type of purchase. Closed-loop cards are good only at the card-branded gas station and usually provide the steepest discounts per gallon.
Closed-loop cards are neither Visa debit cards nor carry the Mastercard International Incorporated logo because they use smaller payment networks.
What Is the Easiest Gas Card to Be Approved For?
Prepaid debit cards are the easiest to obtain, as you don’t need a bank account or credit score to get one. Three reviewed debit cards are open-loop and usable for any purchase. But the Shell Refillable Card is a closed-loop gift card that works only at Shell stations.
Secured gas cards are also easily acquired. These are general-purpose credit cards that offer rewards for all types of purchases, including gas. Your security deposit is usually all you need to qualify for one of these cards.
Can You Gift Someone a Prepaid Gas Card?
Yes, several oil companies sell gift cards that recipients can use to pay for fuel and related purchases. You can get a Visa gift card from some sources and a Mastercard gift card from others. A gas gift card may be refillable, which would enable it to function similarly to a closed-loop prepaid debit card.
Shell, Exxon Mobil, Sunoco, and other oil companies have developed gas gift card offerings for consumers looking for the perfect gift. Some corporations sponsor gas gift card programs (in addition to ones for transit cards) for employees to manage fuel expenses.
The popularity of gas gift cards is growing. For example, in 2022, some Chicago residents could apply for the city’s prepaid gas and public transit card lottery. The program gifted 50,000 prepaid gas cards that were preloaded with $150 each and 100,000 transit cards with $50 each to Chicago residents who won the lottery.
Fill Your Tank, Save Money, Earn Rewards
If you drive a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, prepaid gas cards and gas credit cards offer you convenience, cost savings, and benefits. We imagine the next-generation fuel card will extend its reach to commercial electric recharging stations.
You can get more information about any of the reviewed gas cards by clicking on the APPLY NOW links above, where you will be directed to the issuer’s official website. Be sure you understand each card’s costs and limitations before signing up for a gas card. Happy motoring!
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Editorial Note: Our site content is not provided or commissioned by any credit card issuer(s). Opinions expressed on CardRates.com are the author's alone, not those of any credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by credit card issuers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information; however, all credit card offer details, including information about rewards, signup bonuses, introductory offers, and other terms and conditions, is presented without warranty. Clicking on any offer on CardRates.com will direct you to the issuer's website, where you can review the current terms and conditions of the offer.
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