According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the average American drives 13,476 miles a year. There are a lot of costs attached to driving yourself around from place to place, including the vehicle itself, maintenance, and gasoline.
How much you spend on gas a year has to do with a number of different factors. However, according to some estimates, Americans spend an average of $3,000 on gas every year.
If you do a lot of driving, you might be looking into your options when it comes to gas rewards cards.
One contender is the Shell Fuel Rewards Card. Let’s take a look at what you need to know to help you decide whether or not it’s the right fuel rewards card for you.
The Shell Fuel Rewards Card is a way you can get immediate savings at the pump if you’re a regular at Shell stations. However, there are a few things you’ll want to know before you apply.
First of all, there is no annual fee for this card. In order to qualify, it is recommended that you have a credit score
The regular APR of this Shell gas rewards card is 26.49% APR. The rewards include saving on each gallon of gas up to 20 gallons per fill-up. You save 5 cents from automatic enrollment in the fuel rewards program and 5 cents from the card.
Additionally, you earn 10% back in rebates for non-fuel Shell purchases up to $1,200 each year.
While this isn’t the best gas card out there, it does have some perks. Let’s explore some of its advantages.
Rather than having to wait for cashback or points to accumulated, branded gas cards like Shell Fuel Rewards means that you save money immediately. You’ll be charged less money for gas right at the pump.
This is a good card for people who have a thin credit file or a fair credit score. It can be used to help build up your credit history and establish a good track record as long as you pay your monthly bill on time.
(Learn more about why you should use credit cards here.)
If you commonly buy non-fuel products from Shell, you’ll save some money with this card. As mentioned above, for up to $1,200 a year of purchases you can get 10% of your money back.
This Shell gas rewards card might not be for everyone. Let’s look at some of the downsides to this card.
If you are planning on carrying a balance on this card, it will quickly negate the money you save on gas. It’s common for gas cards to have high-interest rates. If you’re planning on getting a gas card for the savings, you’ll want to make sure you pay your balance in full each month.
This fuel rewards card cannot be used anywhere but at Shell stations. That means that if you don’t frequent Shell gas stations, this card won’t be worth the trouble.
Another downside is that your per-gallon discount only goes towards the first twenty gallons of gas you get every time you fill up. If you’ve got a big pick-up or SUV, you might not get as much discount as you expected.
The Shell Fuel Rewards Mastercard might be a good choice for some people. For example, if you typically fill up at a Shell station every time you get gas, the instant 10-cent per-gallon discount can really add up. Plus, if you end up spending money on non-fuel purchases, you’ll get some money back, too.
It’s also a reasonable choice if you’re looking to improve or build your credit. This is because it’s normally a bit easier for people with imperfect or limited credit to gain approval for branded gas cards than major credit cards.
Getting a gas card, in general, isn’t a bad idea if you do a lot of driving. Gas expenses can add up, and if you typically frequent one brand of gas station over others, a branded card could make sense.
The Shell Fuel Rewards Mastercard isn’t your only choice if it doesn’t seem like the right fit for you. Many other gas station brands have their own closed-loop credit cards as well.
Additionally, there are cards that don’t limit you to shopping at one brand. Some popular and well-reviewed choices include:
Whether you’re a road-tripper or a commuter, finding the right card could end up saving you quite a bit of money at the pump.
(Are you a credit card rewards pro? Learn about credit card churning and whether or not it’s right for you.)
Overall, the Shell Fuel Rewards Card isn’t likely the best option out there for gas rewards cards. However, it could be the right choice depending on your particular circumstances. If you’re a frequent Shell customer or you’re looking for a gas rewards card to help you improve or build your credit, this is a reasonable option to consider.
Looking for more information about credit cards and everything personal finance? Check out our library of articles here.
Which gas rewards card do you think offers the best value? Let us know in the comments!
The Shell Fuel Rewards Card is worth it for those who purchase 90% of their gasoline at Shell Stations and drive back and forth to work daily.
In order to get Shell Fuel Rewards simply stop by a Shell Station and swipe your Fuel Rewards member card before making a gas purchase. You'll save 5¢/gal with Gold Status in addition to any other rewards in your Fuel Rewards account
You can pay your Shell Fuel Rewards card balance by phone or online. To pay your Shell Fuel Rewards card balance online please visit shell.accountonline.com. To pay by phone please dial toll-free 800-331-3703.
The Shell Rewards Card is and always will be free to obtain.
