Top 3 Credit Cards for Gas Stations

Filling up the gas tank these days is getting more and more expensive, and for most of us, it’s an unavoidable cost.

Each trip to the gas station takes a notable toll on our wallet as we use our cars to get to and from work, to get the family to appointments and lessons, and maybe even to get out of town for the weekend.

Luckily, whether you gas up weekly or just once in a while, there’s a way to extract extra value from this expense by using the right credit card and the right gas station.

In this article, we share the best credit cards to use at gas stations to earn you rewards towards travel, statement credits, and more.

The Players and The Programs

In Canada, there are a handful of popular gas station brands that make up most of the market share. These brands are Shell, Esso, Petro-Canada, Ultramar, and Costco Gas.

You may also be familiar with smaller brands, private gas companies, and the sister brands of these bigger names.

Many gas stations offer rewards programs to entice brand loyalty, and while we don’t have the space to go over every single brand in Canada, let’s explore the five main gas station brands and their rewards programs.

Shell

Shell gas stations participate in the Air Miles rewards program, which allows you to earn Air Miles Dream Miles or Cash Miles.

Air Miles Dream Miles can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, and more, while Cash Miles can be redeemed at retailers for money off your purchases at a rate of 95 Cash Miles = $10 (all figures in CAD).

At Shell gas stations, you earn 1 Air Mile per 20 litres of regular fuel (or per 10 litres of Shell V-Power Fuels) purchased, and for every $5 you spend on car washes and eligible non-fuel products.

Additionally, if you choose to collect Cash Miles, you can redeem these for at Shell for fuel, car washes, and more.

Esso

Esso gas stations (and its sister brand Mobil) use the PC Optimum rewards program, offering customers the chance to earn PC Optimum points.

With the PC Optimum program, you can earn 10 points per litre purchased and 10 points per dollar spent at the gas station convenience store.

PC Optimum points can also be earned at Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaws brand grocery stores (including No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, value-mart, Zehrs, The Independent Grocer, Fortinos, and Wholesale Club).

The points can be redeemed for credit at participating stores, and online at beatyboutique.ca,…