Gas prices are up roughly 40% from just a year ago. So you may want to try this method to get ‘basically free money’ for gas — but there’s a catch

Amid high inflation, rising prices of crude oil and the war in Ukraine, gas prices have jumped from an average of about $2.88 per gallon a year ago, to more than $4.18 per gallon, according to AAA. That makes a gas station card tempting, but pros say many of the credit cards offered by the major gas station brands aren’t actually the best deals. “The typical discount is just 5 to 10 cents off per gallon,” says Ted Rossman, senior industry analyst at Bankrate. And these cards may “limit you to earning money back on fuel and redeeming fuel points at their own brand of gas stations,” says money saving expert Andrea Woroch.

Everyday consumers will most likely do much better when it comes to earning credit card rewards by finding one that gives the most back for what you regularly spend on, says Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree. So if you spend a lot more dining out or traveling than you do driving, it may make more sense to get one that rewards those purchases. You can use the below tool to find a credit card that best meets your needs and spending habits. 

That said, “gas rewards cards can be a good option for folks who typically spend a lot of money on filling up the tank each month,” says Schulz.  “It depends on how much you spend, where you fill up most often and what other things you spend on,” says Schulz. Rossman recommends the Sam’s Club Mastercard, as it gives 5% back on gas purchased almost anywhere, not just at Sam’s Club — up to $6,000 annually. And the Costco Anywhere Visa gives 4% cashback on up to $7,000 in annual gas purchases. 

But the actual value of these cards depends on whether or not you carry a balance. “If you’re able to pay your credit card bills in full and avoid interest, the rewards you earn are basically free money. The average credit card charges 16.43% and the average gas card charges 25.8%, so you can see how paying interest can quickly outweigh the value of your rewards,” says Rossman.

How to stack rewards

If you pay your balance in full and on-time and have a gas card, you may also want to stack rewards. Woroch says cashback apps like Fetch Rewards or GetUpside, which give you money back for each receipt you upload to your account. “With Fetch Rewards, you will earn rewards points towards free gift cards to stores like Walmart, Target, Amazon and even Sam’s Club. Since both Walmart and Sam’s Club have their own gas stations, use those free gift cards to save when fueling up,” says Woroch. 

And Rossman says using a good gas rewards card paired with a gas station’s app can offer another 5 to 10 cents off per gallon. “If you load one of those 5% cashback cards into the app, you can get that benefit plus an additional 5 to 10 cent per gallon discount,” says Rossman.

When choosing a rewards credit card, a good rule of thumb is to take a comprehensive look at your spending and travel patterns. “Figure out how and where you spend most of your money and then pick a card that rewards you for your lifestyle,” says Gabrielle Mizerak, manager of credit card products at Navy Federal Credit Union. Many cards come with some type of incentive or sign-up bonus, but Mizerak says, “Find a sign-up promotion that fits within how you currently spend and don’t charge any more than you normally would just to earn the bonus. Also, be sure to track your reward points and their expiration as some credit cards may require you to use your points by a certain date.”