Guide
Which credit card should you use at gas stations? (2026)
Blue Cash Preferred earns 3% at U.S. gas stations. Warehouse and grocery-store gas pumps may code differently. A flat 2% card is the safe fallback when bonus categories don't apply.
Quick comparison
| Card | Best for | Earn rate | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cash Preferred | Branded gas stations | 3% cash back | $95 |
| Citi Double Cash | Any pump | 2% cash back | $0 |
| Costco Anywhere Visa | Costco gas | 4% at Costco gas | $0 |
Why most people pick the wrong card
Most people default to the same card at checkout — usually the one on top in their wallet. That habit quietly costs hundreds of dollars a year when another card in your stack earns 3×, 4×, or even 6× on the same purchase.
How Pikt routes smarter than guesswork
Pikt links the cards you already carry, weighs your offers and category earn rates, and tells you the best card to use — with a plain-English explanation and dollar estimate for every purchase. Online, the Pikt Checkout extension auto-fills that card at checkout; in-store, Pikt Nearby names it on your lock screen. Pikt identifies whether a pump codes as gas station or grocery/warehouse before picking your card.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Sheetz or Wawa count as gas?
- Convenience stores with gas often code as gas stations — but some code as convenience stores without the bonus.
$62 at Shell → Blue Cash Preferred earns $1.86 (+$1.24 vs default card)
See your personal best cards
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