Gas Credit Cards to Use Elsewhere
I enjoy cobranded cards as much as any bank point products. Of course, which is more lucrative depends on the situation. But personally, I have just as much fun, and sometimes more, using the former over the latter. This can involve straightforward use tied to the brand, but it also can be about spending in other categories you wouldn’t necessarily expect from certain cards. I’m talking about two such gas credit cards today.
Two Gas Credit Cards About More Than Gas
Shell Performance Elite World Mastercard
I can’t remember the last time I bought gas at Shell. I purposely avoid filling up at these stations because I’ve found its prices consistently higher than the competition’s. Yet I may still pick up this card, one I touched on recently. Issued by Imprint, this no-fee card earns 4% back in rewards on Shell purchases. It also earns uncapped 3% back on dining and grocery store purchases, plus 2% back everywhere else. The card currently comes with a small $50 welcome offer after spending $500 within the first 60 days.
But there’s a slight catch in using the rewards. They only appear to be good on Shell redemptions. According to the card’s terms:
Rewards from your Rewards Balance will be automatically redeemed at the conclusion of the Eligible Cycle by applying them as a statement credit against Shell Transactions that appear on your Statement for that Eligible Cycle. Rewards will not be applied as statement credit (1) in any monthly billing cycle in which no Shell Transactions post to your Program Card account; or (2) against Eligible Transactions that are not Shell Transactions.
Unused rewards in a given statement period carry over. And the rewards expiration policy is fairly forgiving. Rewards only expire if a cardholder doesn’t have qualifying activity (card spend, earning rewards, or redeeming them) within 13 months.
For anyone who can regularly make Shell purchases, this card’s essentially in the neighborhood of a 2% cash back everywhere card also sporting a couple attractive 3% categories. I partly say “neighborhood” because Shell gas prices, again, are a bit higher in my experience. But for a no-fee card, this one’s fairly attractive.
BP Rewards Visa
I’ve filled up at BP occasionally over the years, but it’s not a gas station I seek out. That doesn’t matter with this card (more on that in the next paragraph). A card that’s been around much longer, the no-fee BP Rewards Visa from FNBO continues to bring solid rewards for everyday spenders. Cardholders obtain a flat 50 cents off per gallon for the first 60 days, and 15 cents off thereafter. This card earns 5x points on non-fuel purchases at BP and Amoco. Plus, cardholders earn an uncapped 3x points on dining and grocery store purchases. The BP Rewards Visa earns 1x everywhere else.
Cardholders aren’t stuck redeeming at BP gas stations. Points are redeemable at one penny each for true cash back via statement credit, deposit to a bank account, or check by mail. The terms list gift cards, merchandise, and travel among other redemption options, but I see no incentive to do so at the same one cent per point redemption rate. For many, this card may be more attractive than the Shell card.
Conclusion
Certain hobbyists might find both of these options interesting. Which to go after first depends on your other goals with Imprint and FNBO. My priorities with these issuers have been Rakuten with Imprint and Amtrak with FNBO. Definitely consider your options with each. Make an extra effort to investigate your possibilities with FNBO, as those ones aren’t as obvious, including some which are limited to certain regions. Regardless, I’m heartened to see two products, one newer than the other, from less-than-obvious issuers that can compete with the bigger banks’ options.
Do you currently hold or plan to apply for either of these cards? Why or why not?
