Though originally short for British Petroleum, the multinational oil and gas company simply operates under its initials now, known as BP worldwide. BP can trace its roots back to 1908 and the original discovery of oil in what is now the country of Iran. Today's BP operates a large number of oilfields around the world, including in the US, as well as other similar drilling and mining operations, all in addition to the thousands of familiar BP consumer-focused gas stations.
For those who regularly fill up at one of those BP gas stations, the BP Credit Card offers a way to save at the pump on the occasional gas purchase, but the card's high APR, lackluster (and convoluted) rewards system, and lack of usability anywhere but BP all make the card a less-than-awesome option.
BP Card Overall Rating: 2.0/5.0
The most immediately noticeable aspect of the BP Credit Card is its astronomical 28.49% APR, which is high even in comparison to other store cards. An APR like that can make an already-costly fill up even more expensive.
And don't expect much help from the rewards. The BP Credit Card's rewards system is not only limited and convoluted, it's also not all that rewarding. According to the advertising, the BP Credit Card ostensibly earns 10¢ off per gallon for every $100 you spend with your card at BP gas stations, with new cardholders earning 25¢ off per gallon for every $100 during the first 90 days.
BP Credit Card
- APR: 28.49% as of Sep 2023
- Annual Fee: $0
- Rewards: Earn 10¢ off per gallon for every $100 spent
So, what does that really mean? In actuality, you earn a credit for 0.1¢ — or $0.001 — off per gallon on a future gas purchase for every $1 in qualifying purchases ($0.0025-per-dollar during the first 90 days).
Once you've earned at least 1¢ off per gallon worth of rewards, you'll get the option to redeem your rewards when you swipe your card at the pump. You can only redeem your rewards on up to 20 gallons per redemption.
Looking at the numbers, if you're earning 10¢ off per gallon on 20 gallons for every $100 you spend, you're effectively earning 2% cash back rewards with the BP Credit Card on BP-branded gas purchases (5% during the first 90 days).
Of course, that's assuming you pump 20 gallons every time you redeem your rewards. With a smaller car sporting a 10-gallon tank, you'll likely only get half the value.
You do have the option to skip the pump and redeem your rewards for a statement credit, but that's not exactly straight-forward, either. Essentially, if you choose to redeem for cash back, you'll get the cash equivalent of your cents-per-gallon for a 15-gallon fill up, which amounts to 1.5% cash back on BP gas purchases.
Furthermore, although there's no cap on how many rewards you can earn, there is a maximum cents-per-gallon you can redeem for a single transaction. In other words, no matter how many rewards you accumulate, you'll never get free gas at the pump. Instead, the minimum amount you can pay with rewards is 10.9¢ per gallon.
Approval Requirements & Application
The only thing that would really make this card worthwhile to anyone is if it was available to those with bad credit. Fortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case. You'll likely need at least fair credit to qualify.
While some gas stations may accept applications, the easiest way to apply for the BP Credit Card is through the online application found through the link below.
Better Cards to Use at BP
The BP Credit Card is a poor value for most people. Indeed, unless you exclusively purchase BP gas and have a vehicle with a gas tank large enough to utilize the full value of your redemption, you'll be unlikely to get even 1% cash back from your BP Credit Card.
This means nearly any other rewards card on the market will probably give you a better rewards rate. And that's before you consider the giant APR, which is barely competitive even in the subprime credit card market, let alone for anyone with a decent credit history. The vast majority of consumers are better off with a card that has more oomph — and less complexity — instead.
Cash Back
Not only will most rewards credit cards offer you at least the same 1% cash back you'd likely get from your BP Credit Card with a smaller vehicle, but many rewards cards will provide bonus cash back rewards for gas station purchases — any gas station, not just BP. So you can potentially earn up to 5% cash back anywhere you fill up.
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice - now with expanded categories, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
- Newly expanded categories based on Bank of America customer feedback! 3% cash back on Gas (to now include Electric Vehicle Charging (EVC) Stations) and Online Shopping (to now include Cable, Streaming, Internet and Phone Services).
- If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
- No annual fee and no expiration on rewards.
- 0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
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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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|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
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0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
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18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
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$0
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Excellent/Good
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Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.
0% APR
With an APR over 28%, the BP Credit Card isn't winning any low-interest-rate contests, except maybe with the worst of the subprime credit cards. And it certainly can't compete with the awesome 0% APR offers available from a number of quality credit cards.
- Start off strong with 0% Intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers. A variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24% on balance transfers and purchases after the introductory period ends.
- Lower your interest rate by 2% each year. Automatically be considered for an APR reduction when you pay on time, and spend at least $1000 on your card by your next account anniversary.
- Raise your credit limit. Get an automatic, one-time review for a higher credit limit when you pay on time, and spend $500 in your first six months.
- All for no annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Slate Edge℠ card
- Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more
- 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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|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR on Purchases 18 months
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0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 18 months
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20.49% - 29.24% Variable
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$0
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Good/Excellent
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Travel Rewards
Filling up your gas tank to carry on with the same old daily commute can make anyone yearn for a little vacation. Using a travel rewards credit card to make your gas purchases can turn a regular chore into a way to save on your next great trip.
- UNLIMITED BONUS: Only Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. For example, if you earn 35,000 Miles, you get 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.
- Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase - with no annual fee.
- Redeem Miles to pay any part of your monthly bill, including your minimum payment.
- Turn Miles into cash in any amount, any time. Or redeem as a statement credit for travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more with no blackout dates. However you redeem, Miles keep the same value. And Miles never expire.
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.24% - 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.
- 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.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
|
Regular APR
|
Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR for 15 months
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0% Intro APR for 15 months
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17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
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$0
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Excellent/Good
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Pairing a sky-high APR with a sub-par rewards program, the BP Credit Card is unlikely to hold much appeal to many people. Especially in the face of the wide range of better credit cards that are out there. Instead of limiting yourself, choose a card with better rewards, a better APR, and more flexibility.
What Others Say About the BP Credit Card
Customer service seems to be at the heart of many complaints about BP's credit cards, though the so-so rewards are also a point of contention for many reviewers. And the card's high interest rate is definitely a topic of interest in a number of consumer reviews.
I've had this card for years. Always paid it on time and have always used it. I get a credit update notifying me that Synchrony closed my account. Prior to this they constantly dropped the credit limit down to $230. I had not used the card in a month and soon as I get to the pump it's closed. I called and they will not reopen. I will never do business with Synchrony again. I have two other cards from them I am closing today. — CreditKarma.com
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This is the biggest rip off of a card I've seen in a while, My credit is good, I've never missed a payment. I had a small balance going forward through the winter that I just paid a huge chunk of. Why? Because, for absolutely NO reason, my interest rate went from 14% to 27%. I called customer service, they say "we are competitive and we don't have an annual fee." LOLL. Really? I've never missed a payment, and I'm paying 2% less than the MAXIMUM interest rate allowed by law. Put me in the same category as people that miss payments? I'm paying this card off this month and burning it in the wood pile. For the CEO of Synchrony bank, you obviously think we are too stupid to know what a high interest rate is. You may make a quick buck right now, jacking people around overnight, until they figure it out. And, when they do, they are going to leave this rip-off scam of a card as soon as possible. Take your greed and apply it to the lemonade stand you probably couldn't run after all the card holders are done here. — WalletHub.com
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The BP Credit Card is a pretty decent and good gas station card that will allow you to save money if you fill up your gasoline exclusively at BP stations. What I like about the card is that there are no spending tiers to meet to earn that 10¢ per gallon (unlike some other cards). Based on current gas prices, 10¢ per gallon is also pretty competitive with cards that give a rebate on a percentage basis. If you use BP exclusively, then this card will suit you. If you use other stations but mainly use BP, you might want to supplement this with another gas card that will allow you to earn cash back at all gas stations. — AskMrCreditCard.com
”Is the BP Card Right for You?
Given the seemingly constant increase in gas prices, it makes perfect sense to use a good rewards credit card to take the edge off of the high cost of filling up your tank. Unfortunately, the BP Credit Card isn't the right choice for the vast majority of people.
Almost any cardholder should be able to find a better alternative for gas rewards among the all-purpose rewards credit cards on the market.
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