I have been researching credit cards and gas cards for the last couple years now. One of the cards that has the best returns is a Shell card. What comes in second is Chase. Given that RVing requires a lot of gas and utilities (lp tanks) that get purchased at gas stations. What do you use for a CC? There isn't one universal card for Coast to Coast use because most gas stations are typically grouped into regions. What I have found, for myself, is my REI credit card. The 2% I will get back is used for camping gear replacement every year. I will probably average into the 100s to a 1000 as I already get back about 250$ each year with normal use. So what do you use for coast to coast use?

I have a Visa CC that gives cash back on fuel and propane. 5% comes off the monthly bill every month for fuel and propane. It's a generic CC card and hence the discount applies nation wide. At Cosco fuel for example I swipe my Am Ex Cosco card and then my Visa card to pay 5% less.This card is no longer available but others have posted various cards.Cards like Shell genearlly mean you will pay a higher Shell price for fuel than the station across the street IMHO. Hence that card actually costs more.

I’ve never spent too much time on this and just use my Wells Fargo credit card on pumps that don’t charge extra for using credit, Wells Fargo debit for those that do. I’ll use my Good Sam membership card at pilot/flying J to get their discount assuming it’s less than the local competition. My credit card gives me points and at the end of the year I cash them in and share the monies with the wait staff at my golf course.

Good point about the Shell card. I am locked into them and not their neighbor who might be competitively lower. I won't do costco because 1. I'm not going to wait in line for an hour with my truck running or drive out of my way. You are right, it seems that yours, and my, generic cards give us the best options universally.

Counter-point to the above - you don't have to use Costco gas stations to get cash back on their credit card. Although Costco gas stations are cheaper than anything else around here, at least. However, there are some gas locations that are disqualified from the 4% reward.see here https://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/gas-stations-included-citi-costco-card/

The CC for us is convenience and used 90% of the time unless it's an out of way little gas station, then we use cash for security purposes. We use a Chevron or a Sinclair card. We pay them off in full each month so interest rate isn't an issue.

Gas Credit Cards | Good Sam Community

61 Replies

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Feb 22, 2021
"LOL. Somehow you're 50 points better than a perfect score?"

Sorry I miss spoke. I now remember one being 809 so that's where the confusion was. thanks for the correction.

Bottom line pay your bills and DON'T have too many CC's.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Feb 22, 2021
"Never miss an opportunity for a good pic....
And never assume your situation is the same as someone else’s who is providing you advice.
If I have something a long as a semi truck, I would expect to need to fuel it somewhere that has access for a semi truck.... "

All points so true!
mich800
Explorer
Feb 22, 2021
Grit dog wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
20 points means nothing.

My score is 900 and never carry a balance. Use other people’s money!!!

LOL. Somehow you're 50 points better than a perfect score?
Extra credit, for driving a Dodge Cummins probably...I should check mine!
Hope they didn't deduct any points because I got a new Chevy...I can prove that I don't own it so it shouldn't go against my credit score! Hahaha

I am thinking hyperbole. Or a mix up with SAT scores. :B
Grit_dog
Navigator
Feb 22, 2021
dedmiston wrote:
Grit dog wrote:
If I have something a long as a semi truck, I would expect to need to fuel it somewhere that has access for a semi truck....

I filled up at a truck stop on our way home from camp last night. It sure feels good to just pull straight in and straight out when we're done. Plus I don't have to look up at the canopy and wonder if we're going to clear it.

We had a real attention-getter in Utah last year. It was the only station for miles around and I didn't feel like dropping the trailer just to fuel up, so I pulled into the pumps knowing I'd have to back out. The store clerks both had heart attacks when they saw me pull in.

We had most of the town's attention already before my wife walked out into the street and stopped traffic so I could back out.

There's almost always a way to get in and out, but I'll take the truck stops when I can.

Like button!
Grit_dog
Navigator
Feb 22, 2021
Cummins12V98 wrote:
20 points means nothing.

My score is 900 and never carry a balance. Use other people’s money!!!

LOL. Somehow you're 50 points better than a perfect score?
Extra credit, for driving a Dodge Cummins probably...I should check mine!
Hope they didn't deduct any points because I got a new Chevy...I can prove that I don't own it so it shouldn't go against my credit score! Hahaha
dedmiston
Moderator
Feb 22, 2021
Grit dog wrote:
If I have something a long as a semi truck, I would expect to need to fuel it somewhere that has access for a semi truck....

I filled up at a truck stop on our way home from camp last night. It sure feels good to just pull straight in and straight out when we're done. Plus I don't have to look up at the canopy and wonder if we're going to clear it.

We had a real attention-getter in Utah last year. It was the only station for miles around and I didn't feel like dropping the trailer just to fuel up, so I pulled into the pumps knowing I'd have to back out. The store clerks both had heart attacks when they saw me pull in.

We had most of the town's attention already before my wife walked out into the street and stopped traffic so I could back out.

There's almost always a way to get in and out, but I'll take the truck stops when I can.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Feb 21, 2021
20 points means nothing.

My score is 900 and never carry a balance. Use other people’s money!!!

Biggie is to have only a couple cArds as too many does effect rating even if paid off. Auto ins rates are tied to this.
philh
Explorer II
Feb 21, 2021
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Many Years ago....Service Station Credit Cards were the thing to have/use for fuel purchases.
Dad had a Texaco, Shell and Conoco

NOW ---any Visa, Mastercard, Discovery etc CC can be used and get CASH BACK
Easy-peasy ---no need to try find a specific service station just to use their CC
Pull up, pay will Cash Back CC, fill up and continue trip.

1 CC is set up for 3% Cash Back on Fuel
1 CC is set up for 3% Cash Back on Grocery
1 CC is set up for 3% Cash Back for On-line purchases

2 other CCs are set up for all around use....just as backups

SWMBO is a master at playing credit card giveback. Anytime we go somewhere together, I have to ask her which credit card. I can't keep track of the changing programs. We pay off the credit cards every month, so interest rates don't bother me, and none of our cards have a fee except AMEX.

Bad side to paying everything off every month, we just sold our house, and my credit rating dropped 20 points :(
Grit_dog
Navigator
Feb 21, 2021
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Not worth a few cents a gallon when you are towing something like this. Fuel at Major Truck stops with no issues. That's well worth a few cents per gallon IMHO!

Never miss an opportunity for a good pic....
And never assume your situation is the same as someone else’s who is providing you advice.
If I have something a long as a semi truck, I would expect to need to fuel it somewhere that has access for a semi truck....
2oldman
Explorer II
Feb 21, 2021
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Not worth a few cents a gallon when you are towing something like this.
Yep. I fuel where it's convenient, not for the lowest price or when I'm running on fumes. My money works for me now.