Best Gas Cards With Fair Credit

Comparing the best fair credit gas cards:

A closer look at the best gas credit cards for fair credit:

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Rewards rate: 1.5% cash back on every purchase.

Annual fee: $39

Intro APR: N/A

Regular APR: 30.49%

Signup bonus: N/A

Our verdict: The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards credit card offers a flat, 1.5% cash back rate on all eligible purchases, including gas, putting money back in your pocket each time you fuel up. While there is a small annual fee, this card is relatively easy to get as it’s designed for those with average credit (as low as 580). This gives you an opportunity to build your credit while also earning rewards, and you’ll also get access to CreditWise, a tool designed to help you monitor your credit health as you work to build and improve your credit.

Pros:

• Automatic credit line review in as little as six months.
• Redeem cash back as a check, statement credit, gift card, or apply directly to cover a recent purchase.
• Other cardholder benefits include $0 fraud liability, virtual card numbers, and access to Capital One Travel, Capital One Dining, and Capital One Entertainment.
• Get up to six months of complimentary Uber One membership (through 11/14/2024).
• No foreign transaction fees.
• No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn, and cash back doesn’t expire.
• Monitor your credit for free with CreditWise from Capital One.

Cons:

• $39 annual fee.
• High regular APR.

Apply now: Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Exxon Mobil Smart Card+

Rewards rate:

• Save $0.12 per gallon on premium gasoline.
• Save $0.10 per gallon on other Synergy fuel grades.
• Earn 5% back on convenience store purchases.

Annual fee: $0

Intro APR: N/A

Regular APR: 30.99% variable

Signup bonus: Earn $0.30 or more off per gallon for your first two months after account opening.

Our verdict: While you can only use this credit card at participating Exxon and Mobil gas stations, you can save money on fuel and earn 5% back on car washes, snacks, drinks, and other items at most locations. Those with fair credit (580 or above) can apply for this card with a good chance of approval, and because account activity is reported to the credit bureaus, you can use it to improve your score.

Pros:

• Save money on gas and get 5% cash back on certain purchases at participating locations.
• Additional perks include $0 fraud liability and online account management tools.
• Fuel savings combine with Albertsons for U, Safeway for U, ACME for U, Shaw’s for U, and Star Market for U discounts where available.

Cons:

• Savings do not combine with the Exxon Mobil Rewards+ points program.
• Can only be used at participating Exxon and Mobil gas stations.
• 5% back only earned on the first $1,200 of non-fuel purchases per year.
• Rewards only paid as a credit on your monthly Citi statement.
• Lottery tickets, money orders, and gift cards excluded from qualifying in-store purchases.

Apply now: Exxon Mobil Smart Card+

Sunoco Rewards Credit Card

Rewards rate:

• Save $0.05 on every gallon purchased.
• Save additional $0.03 per gallon when you use the Go Rewards App to purchase fuel.

Annual fee: $0

Intro APR: N/A

Regular APR: 30.99% variable

Signup bonus: $0.50 per gallon for 30 days after account open date, and get $5 statement credit after making three purchases using the Sunoco Go Rewards App in the first 60 days of account open date.

Our verdict: With no annual fee and a great welcome bonus,, the Sunoco gas card can help you earn a small discount at the pump while also allowing you to build and improve credit. The pump discount is smaller than other gas cards, but this card doesn’t have a limit to how much money you can save or how much you spend on gas. Plus, you can get cards for your family at no extra cost and discounts are automatic, meaning you don’t have to redeem rewards or wait for discounts to be applied.

Pros:

• Touch-free fueling at the pump and in-store.
• Get additional gas cards for each driver in your household.
• Pay monthly or in full (flexible payment options).
• Access to thousands of ATMs nationwide.
• More than 5,000 locations to fuel up.
• View, manage, and pay your fuel rewards credit card balance online.
• Earn discounts on gas when you use certain grocery store loyalty cards at the pump (Weis Markets, Shop ‘n Save, Price Chopper, Redner’s).
• Reports to all three credit bureaus.

Cons:

• Ongoing gas savings is lower than other cards.
• High regular APR.
• No additional rewards to earn and redeem for cash back.

Apply now: Sunoco Rewards Credit Card

Shell Fuel Rewards Credit Card

Rewards rate:

• Save $0.10 per gallon every time you fill up.
• Earn 10% Shell rebates on your first $1,20 Shell non-fuel purchases per year.
• Earn 2% Shell rebates on your first $10,000 dining and groceries purchases per year.
• Earn 1% Shell rebates on other qualifying purchases.
• Earn $0.05 per gallon for every $50 spent on gift cards (at Shell).
• Earn $0.10 per gallon for every $50 spent at participating restaurants with a linked credit or debit card.
• Earn rewards for every $50 spent shopping at fuelrewards.com/shopping.

Annual fee: $0

Intro APR: N/A

Regular APR: 31.74% variable

Signup bonus: Save $0.30 per gallon (up to 35 gallons) on your first 5 Shell fuel purchases.

Our verdict: The Shell Fuel Rewards Mastercard is worth it for individuals who spend a lot of money at Shell stations each year, including on fuel and non-fuel purchases. This simple card offers discounts on fuel and rebates on non-fuel purchases, but can’t be used anywhere else so if you want to earn rewards on fuel anywhere, consider a different card. That said, rebates are applied automatically as a statement credit in future billing cycles, helping to keep your card’s balance low.

Pros:

• Earn rewards on gas and other bonus category purchases, including dining, groceries, and more.
• No annual fee.
• Easy-to-redeem gas rebate rewards.

Cons:

• High regular APR.
• Can only be used at Shell locations.
• Some limits on rewards earned.

Apply now: Shell Fuel Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Walmart Rewards Card

Rewards rate:

• 5% cash back at Walmart.com.
• 2% cash back in Walmart stores, at restaurants, and on travel (including gas).
• 2% cash back on the purchase of gift cards at Walmart.
• 1% cash back everywhere else Mastercard is accepted.

Annual fee: $0

Intro APR: N/A

Regular APR: 17.99% – 29.74%

Signup bonus: 5% cash back in Walmart stores for the first 12 months after approval when you use your Capital One Walmart Rewards Card with Walmart Pay.

Our verdict: If you’re a regular Walmart shopper and have access to Walmart or Murphy USA gas stations, the Capital One Walmart Rewards Card allows you to earn up to 5% cash back on qualifying purchases. One of the most popular store credit cards on the market, you have flexible rewards redemption options and no limit on how much you can earn. While you need “good” credit, Capital One defines good credit differently and you may still qualify with fair credit.

Pros:

• Redeem rewards for a check, statement credit, gift card, to cover a purchase, or for travel purchases.
• $0 fraud liability coverage.
• $0 annual fee.
• No limit on the amount of rewards you can earn and rewards do not expire.

Cons:

• Requires “good” credit, but defines good credit as not having declared bankruptcy or defaulted on a loan in the past five years, and/or have a credit card or loan and have not been more than 30 days late on any payment in the last year.
• 2% cash back for gas only earned at Walmart and Murphy USA gas stations.

Apply now: Capital One Walmart Rewards Card

Upgrade Cash Rewards card

Rewards rate:

• Earn up to 10% extra cash back with Upgrade Shopping.
• Unlimited 1.5% cash back rewards on every purchase.

Annual fee: $0

Intro APR: N/A

Regular APR: 14.99% – 29.99%

Signup bonus: $200 bonus when you open a Rewards Checking Plus account and make three debit card transactions.

Our verdict: The Upgrade card delivers a relatively impressive cash back rate for a low-fee card available for cardholders with fair credit (580+). Get an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, including gas, when your card is paid on time. (Otherwise, rewards get applied as a statement credit.) Credit lines can go up to $50,000 (depending on your credit) and you can earn even more when you use Upgrade Shopping online. This card is a solid option for those with less than ideal credit looking to earn decent cash back on fuel and travel purchases.

Pros:

• Credit lines from $500 to $50,000.
• Use wherever Visa is accepted.
• Earn up to 10% extra cash back with Upgrade Shopping online through Dosh (statement credit).
• No annual or late fees.

Cons:

• Cash back rewards only applied as statement credit unless you do not have a balance, in which you can have cash back applied as a deposit to your bank account.
• Upgrade card cannot be used at an ATM.

Apply now: Upgrade Cash Rewards card

BPme Rewards Visa

Rewards rate:

• Unlimited 5% cash back on non-fuel purchases at BP and Amoco.
• Unlimited 3% cash back on groceries and dining.
• Unlimited 1% cash back on other qualifying purchases.
• $0.15 off per gallon (after first 60 days).

Annual fee: $0

Intro APR: N/A

Regular APR: 30.99%

Signup bonus: $0.30 off per gallon for the first 60 days after account opening.

Our verdict: The BPme Rewards Visa is a good rewards credit card on the market for consumers with fair credit, allowing you to earn up to 5% cash back on purchases and discounts at the pump on fuel. The discount on gas is better than some other cards, though the cash back redemption rates are relatively low (2,500 points = $25). And, the card has a high APR and doesn’t report to credit bureaus, so you can’t use it to improve your score. That said, there’s no limit to how many points you can earn and they have flexible redemption options.

Pros:

• Earn unlimited rewards with high rewards rates.
• Redeem points for cash back, as a statement credit, a check, gift cards, merchandise, travel, and other goods and services.

Cons:

• High APR.
• Points expire on or after the fifth anniversary of when they were awarded.
• Does not include many other perks/benefits other credit cards may offer.
• Does not report to credit bureaus.

Apply now: BPme Rewards Visa

How to choose the best gas credit card?

The best gas credit card is the one that works the most for you. For example, consider:

1. How much you drive. If you drive relatively few miles and/or have a low-mpg vehicle, you may want to consider a general-purpose credit card with gas rewards vs. a fuel-only card. On the other hand, if you drive regularly and spend a lot of money on gas, a fuel-only card may provide the best savings.
2. Your loyalty to fuel brands. Some co-branded credit cards have the best fuel-related rewards, but also usually have the highest interest rates, fewer rewards, and lower credit limits. Make sure you weigh the downsides of a co-branded card with those of other cards.
3. How rewards are redeemed. Some cards give you rewards for purchasing gas, but they may simply be credits on your next statement. Others offer immediate discounts at the pump, or the ability to get rewards such as cash back. Choose a card with redemption options that work for you.
4. Whether the card reports to the credit bureaus. If you have fair credit, you may be looking for a way to help build and improve your credit and history. A credit card can be a great way to do this, but only if it reports your activity to the credit bureaus. Not all cards do, so if this is important to you, make sure it’s an option.
5. Sign-up bonuses. Most cards offer a sign-up bonus to new cardholders, but some bonuses are better than others. Read the fine print carefully to learn about how much extra you can earn for how long, and whether you must meet any additional requirements.

Finally, you’ll want to know your own credit score and history to understand what cards you qualify for. Applying for a credit card triggers a hard credit inquiry, which can decrease your score by a few points, so you should only apply to cards you know you can be approved for. If you can, get prequalified online (which won’t impact your credit). Otherwise, only compare cards that you meet the requirements for.

How to apply for a gas credit card?

Applying for a gas credit card isn’t really any different than applying for a regular credit card.

• Fill out an application online. You’ll likely be approved (or denied) within a few seconds.
• When approved, the card will automatically be mailed to you within a couple of weeks.
• Apply for gas station fuel cards by filling out and mailing in a paper form that’s available at the pump.
• It can take several weeks for your application to be processed and the card to be mailed.

What is the minimum credit score required for a gas credit card?

You can get a student or secured gas card with just about any credit score, or even with no score at all. You may qualify for other unsecured fuel-only and general-purpose cards with a “fair” FICO score of 580 or more.

That said, the better your score, the more likely it is that your application will be approved. And, you’ll be able to qualify for cards with higher and better rewards and a higher credit limit.

Methodology

The methodology for choosing the best gas credit cards involves evaluating factors such as security features, ease of use, rewards programs, customer reviews, and fees. Financial experts and analysts assess these aspects to provide rankings and recommendations. The goal is to identify credit cards for consumers with poor credit that offer strong security measures, user-friendly interfaces, attractive rewards programs, positive customer feedback, and reasonable fees. By considering these factors, users can make informed decisions and select credit cards that align with their needs and preferences.

The product information provided here is based on research conducted up to a specific date and may have changed. For the latest and most accurate information, we recommend you visit the respective card’s website before proceeding.

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