Considering its $95 annual fee, cardholders will need to spend at least $2,500 on gas to cover it. However, the card has other bonus categories as well, so it won’t depend entirely on your gas spending. If that number seems daunting, keep in mind that gas prices reached an average of $5 in June. It’s expected that the average US household will spend upwards of $5,000 on gas this year, which would equate to $200 back in your pocket. That’s essentially a few free tanks of gas, so long as you utilize the US Bank card. In addition to its strong rewards, it comes with some useful Visa Signature perks, an annual $30 streaming credit, and an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Pros
4x points per dollar for gasVisa Signature protectionsCell Phone Protection$30 streaming creditGlobal Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee creditNo foreign transaction fee
Cons
Annual fee$25 minimum redemption
In addition to its simple rewards program, the card comes equipped with a solid selection of Visa Signature protections including Roadside Dispatch, Visa Signature Concierge, and Luxury Hotel Collection. It offers cardholders a good deal of value while asking little in return. It’s simple to use, and features a welcome bonus as well as an intro 0% APR for 15 months from account opening on both purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24%). Pros
2% cash rewards on purchaseCell Phone Protection (subject to a $25 deductible0% intro APR offerNo annual fee
Cons
No shopping or travel protections
3% category choices include gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings. However, rewards are limited to $2,500 in combined 3% and 2% category purchases each quarter, then rewards fall to 1%. If you spend more than $2,500 in gas and other purchases each quarter, you may want to consider another card. But for consumers who spend less than that, this card presents an inexpensive and lucrative option to earn some cash back as you fill up your gas tank. In addition to offering a flexible rewards program, it comes with an easy-to-obtain welcome bonus plus an intro 0% APR for purchases (then 14.74% to 24.74% variable). However, it doesn’t offer much in the way of other benefits, like shopping or travel protections, outside of standard fraud protection. Pros
Your choice of 3% cash back categoryIntro 0% APR offerEasy welcome bonus
Cons
$2,500 quarterly spending limit in combined 3% and 2% categoriesFew benefits
For that fee, cardholders can earn an impressive 4% cash back (on the first $7,000 annually) on eligible gas and EV charging purchases. However, there is a way to push that 4% rate to 6% at Costco gas stations. Executive Costco members ($120 per year) earn an additional 2% cash back (on $1,000 spent annually) for Costco purchases, which means if you’re willing to pay extra, you can earn even more cash back at Costco gas pumps. While that is an impressive rate, you do have to spend extra to reach it, which might not be for everyone. Otherwise, 4% is still a nice return on gas spending. There aren’t many perks outside of the card’s rewards, however. But if you shop at Costco, this could be a lucrative choice for a gas card. Pros
4% cash back on gas and EV charging purchases2% more cash back for Executive members
Cons
Few other perksMembership fee required
If you need a credit card that covers necessary purchases, this is the one to choose. However, if you’re just looking for a gas credit card, there are more rewarding options available. It has an annual fee of $95 ($0 intro annual fee for the first year), but its cash back rate is so high that consumers shouldn’t even notice the fee. You could pair it with other cards here, such as the Wells Fargo Active Cash. Use the Amex card for gas and groceries, and the Wells Fargo Active Cash for everything else. Pros
6% cash back (up to $6,000 spent, then 1%) at U.S. supermarkets3% cash back at U.S. gas stationsPurchase protection
Cons
Ongoing Annual fee$25 minimum redemption
For example, a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit. That can make getting to your gate much easier. There’s also an annual $30 streaming credit to take advantage of, Cell Phone Protection, and a number of other Visa Signature protections. It does have a $95 annual fee, but with all of the bonus categories it offers, consumers should have little issue covering the fee with the card’s rewards. Take a look at the table below to see how each card compares: The cards represent some of the most lucrative options available to consumers. Each one offers a good deal of versatility in terms of rewards, valuable benefits, and useful features such as intro 0% APR offers to best help consumers save money during difficult economic conditions. The Active Cash card doesn’t require an annual fee, and covers every purchase the US Bank card and the Blue Cash Preferred card doesn’t. You can pair the Active Cash card with any card on this list to ensure you’re earning rewards for every purchase. Avoid pairing cards with two annual fees, or that overlap in their rewards, like the US Bank card, the Blue Cash Preferred, and the Costco card.
Citi® Double Cash Card: Similar to the Cash Wise, the Double Cash card has no annual fee and earns 2% cash back for every purchase. You get 1% when you make the purchase, and 1% when it’s paid off. Rewards are earned as points, but you can redeem them for statement credits and are worth one cent. It features a long 0% intro APR for balance transfers (then 18.24% to 28.24% variable). However, the benefits aren’t as impressive, and it doesn’t feature an intro 0% APR for purchases.Discover it® Cash Back: Earn 5% cash back (on up to $1,500 spent each quarter, then 1%. Activation required) for bonus categories that rotate each quarter. Occasionally one of the bonus categories is gas purchases. But it’s not every month, and the $1,500 spending limit is fairly low. However, it can be very rewarding for the first year with the card, as Discover will double the cash back you earn. Though there aren’t many perks other than that.Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: As the non-annual fee version of the Blue Cash Preferred ®, it earns rewards for purchases made at US supermarkets and US gas stations, only it’s half as rewarding. It has a generous intro APR for purchases and balance transfers and a few travel protections. However, it lacks the streaming and transit rewards that the Blue Cash Preferred® features. And more often than not, the Blue Cash Preferred will provide the greater return on spend, despite carrying an annual fee. But for consumers who are fee adverse, this could be an option to consider.
