Finding the best fuel rewards credit card for truckers has never been easier. The following list has been compiled to feature the best fuel reward cards for truckers. We have taken care of the leg work for you. This list provides you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.
Quicklook: Best fuel rewards credit cards
- Best for overall benefits card: Blue Cash Preferred by American Express -Match Now
- Best for unlimited cash back rewards: Citi Double Cash Card -Match Now
- Best for small- to medium-sized businesses: Ink Business Cash -Match Now
- Best for quarterly category bonuses: Discover it® Cash Back -Match Now
- Best for hotel and travel rewards: Hilton Honors American Express Card -Match Now
5 best fuel rewards credit card options
With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to spot the best fuel rewards credit cards. Here is our curated list of the top five fuel rewards credit card options. Each card has specific advantages and benefits. Check each one out to make an informed decision regarding the best card for you.
Blue Cash Preferred from American Express
Best for: Overall Benefits Card
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card stands out as an exceptional choice for truckers seeking comprehensive benefits. Not only does it excel as a top-tier fuel card, but it also extends its perks to encompass savings on supermarket purchases, travel expenses, and discounts on streaming services. Truckers can anticipate a range of advantages, spanning from fuel-related benefits to everyday shopping and entertainment, making it a versatile and valuable choice for their diverse needs.
Special features: Earn up to 6% cashback at select supermarkets
Rewards rate: Up to 6%
Annual fee: $0 for the first year. $95 annually after that
Intro APR: 0% on purchases for the first 12 months
Regular APR: 17.74%-28.74%
Foreign transaction fee: 2.7%
Credit score requirements: Good (700-749)
Balance transfer fee: $5 or 3% of the balance
Benefits:
- Welcome bonus of up to $300
- High cashback rewards
- Automatic cashback (No enrollment required)
Disadvantages:
- For 6% cashback, spending capped at $6,000
- High cash advance and foreign transaction fees
Estimated cash back earnings: >$360 per year
Citi Double Cash Card
Best for: Unlimited Cash Back Rewards
The Citi® Double Cash Card is a reputable choice for fuel with a remarkable 0% APR on balance transfers for 18 months. It also boasts no annual fees upon enrollment. If seeking a card for consistent benefits, the Citi Double Cash card is the ultimate fuel rewards credit card.
Special features: Solid cashback rate on all purchases
Rewards rate: 2% (1% cashback and 1% during payment)
Annual fee: $0
Intro APR: 0%
Regular APR: 16.99%-26.99%
Foreign transaction fee: 3%
Credit score requirements: Good (700-749)
Balance transfer fee: 3%
Benefits:
- No limit on expenditure for the cashback
- No annual or balance transfer fees for the introductory period
Disadvantages:
- High foreign transaction fee
- No introductory 0% APR on purchases
Estimated cash back earnings: >$ 250 per year
Ink Business Cash
Best for: Small-to Medium-Sized Businesses
Businesses of smaller and medium scales find a compelling choice in the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, offering a below-average APR and unmatched security through its industry-leading fraud protection features, ensuring heightened peace of mind in financial transactions.
Special features: Up to 5% cashback on the first $25,000 spent at office supply stores, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
Rewards rate: 2% for the first $25,000 spent on gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Get 1% after $25,000.
Annual fee: $0
Intro APR: 0% for the first 12 months
Regular APR: 13.24%-19.24%
Foreign transaction fee: 3%
Credit score requirements: Good (700-749)
Balance transfer fee: $5 or 5%
Benefits:
- Up to $750 bonus cash back welcome bonus
- No additional fees on employee cards
Disadvantages:
- High fee on balance transfers and cash advances
- Spending caps, especially on the bonus categories
Estimated cash back earnings: >$1,250 per year
Discover it ® Cash Back
Best for: Quarterly Category Bonuses
Discover it ® Cash Back stands out as the prime choice for category rewards, particularly suitable for moderate spenders seeking top-notch gas and grocery benefits. This exceptional fuel rewards card rolls out distinct bonuses and promotions every quarter, allowing you to seize tailored offers precisely when they’re most advantageous for you.
Special features: Up to 5% cashback on everyday purchases each quarter at places such as Amazon, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when using PayPal.
Rewards rate: 5% on rotating categories, 1% automatic earning rate on every other category
Annual fee: $0
Intro APR: 0% for 15 months
Regular APR: 14.99%-25.99%
Foreign transaction fee: 3%
Credit score requirements: Good (700-749)
Balance transfer fee: 3% for the intro year (until Feb 2023), 5% after
Benefits:
- No minimum cashback redemption
- Automatically matches the cashback you have earned.
Disadvantages:
- High balance transfer fee
- 5% bonus cash back limits to $1,500 quarterly spending
Estimated cash back earnings: $145 per quarter
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Best for: Hotel and Travel Rewards
Score big with the Hilton Honors American Express Card, delivering incredible benefits for travelers while also offering fuel rewards. Accumulate points while indulging in premium entertainment, hotels, dining, and travel adventures.
Special features: Up to 7X Hilton Honors Bonus points on hotels within the Hilton portfolio
Rewards rate: 5X reward points on gas, dining and groceries
Annual fee: $0 on base cards
Intro APR: 0% for the first 15 months
Regular APR: 19.49%-28.49%
Foreign transaction fee: No fee
Credit score requirements: Good (700-749)
Balance transfer fee: N/A
Benefits:
- Introductory 80,000 points reward points
- Higher reward rate points
- No blackout dates or foreign transaction fee
Disadvantages:
- Low point redemption value
- For airline partners, poor transfer rate
Estimated cash back earnings: >$480 per year
How does a fuel rewards credit card work?
A fuel rewards card allows you to accumulate points and earn cashback bonuses based on purchases made throughout the promotional period (monthly, quarterly or annually). The cashback option allows you to discount cash value from your card’s value or redeem points for other products and services.
Please note that most credit cards with rewards are affiliated with specific brands and companies. This feature means that you get specific deals and promotions with these brands. Ultimately, choosing a card affiliated with a specific brand can help you get the rewards you want and need.
What to look for with fuel rewards credit cards
Amid a sea of options, choosing the right fuel card for your business and personal use boils down to the following criteria:
Regular APR
An annual percentage rate (APR) is the interest you pay on the balance you carry on your card. Technically, you can avoid paying interest on your fuel card if you don’t carry a monthly balance. APR is calculated on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. APR varies across card issuers. A ballpark figure is 15% to 25%. Your credit score also influences your APR. In short, the better your credit score, the lower your APR.
Annual fees
Some cards charge annual fees such as membership payments. Because of competition, most cards offer no annual fees as an introductory offer. However, they charge these fees after the first or second year. Some cards offer no annual fees for the lifetime of your membership. It’s worth reading the fine print to ensure your chosen card does not come with annual fees following the introductory period.
Rewards rate
The rewards rate refers to the percentage or fixed dollar amount you can earn for purchases and transactions. These rates vary across card issuers and brands. Reward rates for fuel cards should be higher at gas stations and associated businesses (tires, maintenance, parts). It’s also worth noting that some cards cap your rewards rate. For instance, some cards cap your earnings at $1,000 a month. Similarly, some cards may have a minimum monthly spending budget. For example, you might need to spend $5,000 monthly to qualify for rewards and bonuses.
Required credit score
Your credit score plays a huge role in qualifying for a fuel rewards credit card. Minimum credit scores depend on the card issuer. Please remember that cards requiring a lower credit score to qualify generally come with a higher APR or annual fees. Additionally, a higher credit score can get you a lower APR and further benefits such as no annual fees, higher rewards rates or zero percent balance transfer.
Welcome offer
The best fuel rewards credit cards offer great welcome offers. These offers include zero APR for a limited time, no balance transfer fees, an increased rewards rate or a bulk bonus point deposit. It’s worth shopping around to find the fuel cards that deliver the best welcome offers.
How to sign up for a fuel rewards credit card
Applying for a fuel rewards credit card is a straightforward process. You can apply online or over the phone. You can also visit a local branch of the bank or card issuer.
Card issuers will always ask you to provide the following:
- Legal name
- Social Security number
- Address
- Date of birth
- Annual income
Once you have furnished the required information, the card issuer will check your credit score and history with bureaus such as Equifax. The verification process should take no more than one business day.
If approved, your physical card can take anywhere from 5 to 10 business days to arrive. Still, sometimes, a digital card may be provided to you immediately. A digital card can be used for mobile phone payments and online payments where accepted. With every complete transaction, the rewards that you have earned will automatically be added to your account.
To access or monitor your account, you can log in to it using the links or apps provided by the fuel card provider.
If you have not already signed up for a fuel rewards credit card, review the best fuel rewards card options discussed throughout this article.
Choosing the right fuel rewards credit card for you
Ultimately, choosing the right fuel card for you depends on your specific needs. Checking out the five cards on our list is a great place to start. Asking questions and getting as much information as possible helps you make an informed decision. Taking advantage of introductory offers is a great way to hit the ground running with your chosen fuel rewards card.
Check out our list of top reward cards. They are the best option for earning rewards for regular business and personal purchases.
FAQ
A fuel rewards credit card offers promotions and deals on fuel purchases at participating gas stations. You can earn cash or bonus points for every purchase and transaction.
Most cashback promotions automatically deduct cashback value from your balance. Bonus points may be redeemed online or over the phone for items such as flights and hotel booking.
Yes. Fuel cards apply to both personal and business use. However, some businesses may restrict fuel cards for business expenses only.
Sign up for a FreightWaves e-newsletter to stay informed of all news and trends impacting supply chain careers and operations.
