“Steep” indeed. By the end of March 2026, the national average price of a gallon of gas in the United States had surpassed $4, according to AAA.
However, I refuse to accept these price hikes without a fight. As a professional in the realms of credit cards and personal finance, I have been utilizing credit cards to mitigate the impact of rising gas prices, ensuring that each fill-up is a bit less painful.
Here are some strategies to assist you in doing the same.
1. Opt for the appropriate credit card
An exception where a co-branded card might be advantageous is for cards affiliated with wholesalers such as Costco and Sam’s Club, whose gas prices are typically below the average. By fueling up at these retailers and utilizing the rewards earned on their co-branded credit card, substantial savings can be achieved. While these cards usually do not have annual fees, membership in the wholesaler or warehouse club is typically required. Before enrolling, ensure that the credit card’s rewards offset the membership fee.
-
Card-linked offers. Numerous rewards credit cards collaborate with various merchants to offer cash back for shopping with their brand. My Chase credit card frequently features offers for gas stations ranging from 3%-5% cash back. Simply click on an offer to activate it. Savings typically manifest as a statement credit or additional rewards.
-
Grocery rewards. Some grocery stores have partnered with gas companies to provide extra savings. By spending at a specific grocery chain, you can earn discounts at the pump. The more you spend at the grocery store, the greater your gas discount will be.
-
Gas station loyalty programs. Most gas companies offer these programs for free. Remember to enter your loyalty number or scan your rewards card to access the savings, usually in the form of a cents-per-gallon discount.
-
Upside app. Among the various cash-back apps available, Upside is recommended by BW for gas station savings. I recently spotted an offer for 15 cents back per gallon at multiple gas stations near me on the Upside app. To avail of the discount, claim an offer within the app, make a purchase, and upload your receipt before the offer expires.
-
Other money-saving apps. Apps like Fetch Rewards and Ibotta function similarly to Upside. After snapping a picture of your receipt to verify a purchase, you will earn rewards that can be redeemed for cash or gift cards. GasBuddy and similar apps can help you locate the most affordable gas prices in your area.
3. Recognize when credit cards are not financially advantageous
For instance, if your local gas station offers a 20-cents-per-gallon discount for cash transactions, paying with cash for a 10-gallon fill-up at $4 per gallon would save you $2. In contrast, using a credit card that earns 2% back on gas would only result in savings of 80 cents for the same fill-up. Performing some quick calculations at the pump can put a few extra dollars back in your wallet.
Furthermore, if you tend to carry a balance on your credit card, using cash or a debit card is always the wiser choice. The average APR for credit card accounts accruing interest was 22.3% as of November 2025 according to the Federal Reserve. Cards that earn rewards typically carry even higher interest rates. If you maintain a balance at these rates, any rewards earned by using your card for payments would likely be overshadowed by the interest accrued in a single billing cycle.
sentence: The cat chased the mouse.
The mouse was chased by the cat.