How to Use Credit Cards to Save on Gas

The cost of almost everything has increased significantly in recent years, and the rising cost of gas is just another thing most people can’t afford. You’re not alone in looking for ways to stretch your dollar further, and Fetch is here to help. Learning how to use credit cards to save on gas, groceries and other essentials is one of the easiest ways to take some stress off of your budget. Keep reading for our tips on using your credit card to earn gas rewards and how to choose the best credit card for gas.

If you’re looking to earn rewards on your everyday purchases (including gas!) and save money, be sure to download the Fetch app.

How to use credit cards to help you save on gas

Most people pay for gas using a credit or debit card anyway, and most credit cards have some kind of rewards available to their users. You might earn a point cashback for every dollar spent anywhere and two or three points in specific places. The secret to how to use credit cards to save on gas is in finding the right credit card benefits:

• Higher cashback percentages at gas stations 
• Cards offering exclusive fuel discounts at specific gas station brands
• General rewards cards with higher cashback rates

How to choose the best credit card for gas

Choosing the best credit card for gas means doing a bit of research and comparing your potential gas rewards cards with each other and what you currently have in your wallet. Here’s what you need to look out for:

• Where can you use it? There’s a difference between the Shell Fuel Rewards card and the Shell Fuel Rewards Mastercard. The Mastercard can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted while the regular Shell Fuel Rewards card is usable only at Shell stations.
• What other rewards does it offer? The Costco Anywhere Visa rewards you 5% cashback on gas at Costco (vs. 4% at other locations). The best credit cards for gas often offer 1% cashback on every purchase and then 2% or 3% on groceries or travel.
• What reward cards do you already have? If you have a Chase Freedom Flex Visa, you might not need other rewards from your prospective gas credit card. Or you might find a gas credit card offering better overall rewards.
• Are there any fees? Most people would do well to avoid credit cards with fees, but there are exceptions. If you have a firm handle on your budget and see a card with an annual fee, see if your savings would justify the fee.

You’re not the first person who wants to know how to choose the best credit card for gas, and some folks have already done a lot of work for you. Finance experts at sites like Nerdwallet and U.S. News & World Report weigh the pluses and minuses of most popular gas credit cards.

How to use a credit card to buy gas effectively

Now that you know how to choose the best credit card for gas, we need to talk about how you’re going to use that card: to buy gas at the gas station and maybe other places. Here our tips for how to use a credit card to buy gas and maximize your benefits:

1. Always pay off the balance. If you pay it off every month, you won’t need to pay interest.
2. Combine credit card rewards with loyalty programs and other rewards programs (like Fetch).
3. Be strategic about using your credit card benefits. Many cards have rotating discounts, and it’s to your benefit to keep an eye out for those to take advantage.
4. Take advantage of referral bonuses for friends or family.
5. Switch to a different card if you’re going to hit a maximum cashback limit on your card.

When using cards at the pump, it’s important to protect yourself from fraud. Look for any sign of tampering around the credit card swipe to ensure no one is skimming credit card numbers from the machine (and when in doubt, prepay inside).

Gas rewards: maximizing your savings

Knowledge is power, and the best way to maximize your savings is to know how gas rewards work:

• Your cashback comes to you in points. Almost every gas rewards credit card grants your awards in points. If you earn 5% back on gas, you’ll earn 5 points on the dollar.
• Know your cashback percentages. It’s smart to have a credit card for gas, one for groceries and then maybe one for travel or an additional business you frequently shop at.
• Know your cashback limits. Most credit cards have a limit on the number of points you can earn in special tiers. The limit is rarely reached through everyday shopping, but if you hit the limit, it’s smart to switch cards.
• Watch for rewards “sales.” Many cards let you apply your points as a statement credit, but it’s often better to spend them in exchange for gift cards. Your card will often have sales, giving you a 5-15% discount when redeeming points.
• Take advantage of discounts. Many gas rewards credit cards or loyalty programs offer discounted car washes or a discount on soda and snacks.
• Stack rewards. Loyalty programs can often be stacked with credit card benefits, and so can rewards programs like Fetch.

How fueling up using Fetch can help you save on gas

Your gas rewards card is just one way to save on gas; Fetch is another. If you’re new to Fetch, here’s how it works:

1. Check the app for offers near you, including fuel offers.
2. Snap a picture of your receipt in the Fetch app.
3. Earn points on every receipt, including gas station receipts.
4. Redeem those points for gift cards.

You have quite a few gift cards to choose from when redeeming Fetch Points, but if you’re looking for gas rewards, your best bet is a Visa gift card (usable anywhere). There are also Sam’s Club gift cards that can be used for gas at any Sam’s Club with a gas station.

Earn gift cards faster by taking advantage of personalized offers and boosted brands, doing your shopping in Fetch Shop and playing mobile games with Fetch Play.

Tips for combining credit card rewards and Fetch

Wouldn’t it be great if you could combine what you know about how to use credit cards to save on gas with the rewards from Fetch? We want you to get the most out of Fetch, and that includes tips on how to combine gas rewards (and other credit card rewards) with Fetch.

• Do your grocery shopping with a gas rewards credit card, then snap those receipts in the Fetch app.
• Plan your purchases to maximize points and gift card redemptions by using your Fetch rewards and/or credit card points on other expenses (or a nice treat for yourself).
• Use an app to track the price of gas around your home or work and use those rewards at the station with the lowest price.
• Set a savings goal. A good starter: earn enough Fetch Points for a gift card that pays for a tank of gas.

Start saving on gas today with Fetch

Start making your daily commute work for you, then help your family and friends learn how to use credit cards to save on gas and reap those referral rewards. It’s smart to have multiple savings streams working for you, so open the Fetch app and see how easy it is to rake in the points when you shop your featured offers. Don’t forget to check your points, too! Redeem your points for a Visa or Sam’s Club gift card and you can gas up for free with Fetch.