If you’re tired of getting frustrated at the fuel pump, you may want to look into a gas credit card that helps you save money at the pump.
Shell offers two credit cards – the store-branded card and a Shell Mastercard. Both have benefits at the pump, but you won’t know which one you qualify for until you apply. Either way, you can save between three cents and five cents at the pump.
We’ve broken down both cards below to help you determine if either is right for you and to help you decide if the Shell Fuel Rewards credit card is worth it.
What is the Shell Fuel Rewards Card?
The Shell Fuel Rewards card is a store-branded credit card that saves you money at the pump. You can only use the card at Shell, but you don’t need perfect credit to get it either. This is often a good option for consumers who are trying to build credit or improve their credit.
To increase your savings at the pump, you can link a debit or credit card (even multiple cards) to your Fuel Rewards account and earn money toward your fuel purchases. You can combine
What is the Shell Fuel Rewards Mastercard?
The Shell Fuel Rewards Mastercard is also a Shell credit card but you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted. Not only will you earn rewards for gas purchases, but you can also earn Shell rebates to save more money at the pump from other purchases you made with your Mastercard.
How Do the Cards Work?
The Shell Fuel Rewards Card and Shell Fuel Mastercard offer savings at the pump but give you multiple ways to earn them. Here’s how they work.
Shell Fuel Rewards Card
With the Shell Fuel Rewards card, you earn 30 cents off a gallon for the first five fill-ups with a maximum of 35 gallons. After your first five fill-ups, you earn 10 cents off each gallon. The savings are applied at the pump, you don’t have to do anything extra.
You can also earn Fuel Rewards by linking your most used debit or credit cards to the following activities:
- Earn 10 cents off a gallon for every $50 spent on dining at participating restaurants
- Earn more Fuel Rewards for every $50 spent at participating retailers
- Earn 10 cents off a gallon for every $50 spent on tickets for live events
Shell Fuel Rewards Mastercard
The Shell Fuel Rewards Mastercard works almost the same way except you don’t have to link a credit card to earn more rewards (but you can). You get rewarded each time you use your Mastercard and any linked card.
Like the Fuel Rewards Card, you can earn 30 cents off a gallon for the first five fill-ups with a maximum of 35 gallons. After your initial savings, you can earn 10 cents off each gallon when you use your Mastercard.
You can also earn Shell Fuel Rewards on everyday purchases including:
- 10% back on all Shell non-fuel purchases up to $1,200
- 2% back on all dining and grocery for the year up to $10,000
- 1% back on all other purchases
- 5 cents per gallon for every $50 spent on gift cards
- 10 cents per gallon for every $50 spent at restaurants with a linked debit or credit card
- Earn Fuel Rewards for every $50 spent at participating retailers
What are the Rewards?
Redeeming your rewards is one area that the Shell Fuel Rewards credit card differs from most other rewards credit cards. Instead of a statement credit or points to buy gift cards or merchandise, your credits are instantly converted to savings at the pump.
Once the rebates clear your account and you identify yourself at the pump, you can use the savings immediately reducing the cost of price per gallon.
What is Gold Status?
Shell Fuel Rewards has two statutes – Gold and Silver. All new Fuel Rewards members have a Gold status for the first 6 months they are a member. During the first three months, you get all benefits and don’t have to do anything special.
The next three months are your trial period. During this time, you must fill up at least 6 times to keep your Gold status. If you qualify, you’ll have a Gold status for another 3 months. This comes out to filling up twice a month at Shell to maintain your status.
While you are Gold status, you’ll save five cents per gallon with no maximum. If you lose your Gold status by not filling up at least 6 times during your qualification period, you default to Silver status. At Silver status, you still receive 3 cents off per gallon plus any rewards you earn for ‘other spending.’
How Much Does it Cost?
Knowing how much the Shell Fuel Rewards credit card costs can play an important role in whether the Shell Fuel Rewards credit card is worth it.
Neither card has an annual fee which makes it a lot easier to choose the card. All credit cards charge an APR if you carry a balance and the Shell Fuel Rewards credit cards are no exception. They charge up to 29% interest on balances, so it’s best to not carry a balance on the card if you can help it.
Pros and Cons
Looking at the pros and cons of the Shell Fuel Rewards credit cards can help you decide if they are worth it.
Pros:
- You get instant savings at the pump if you’re a Shell Fuel Rewards member
- You can earn money off your gas purchases by shopping and dining out
- Everyone gets Gold Status for six months
- No annual fee
- Easy to qualify for the store-branded Shell Fuel Rewards credit card
Cons:
- Both cards have a high APR
- You need great credit to qualify for the Shell Fuel Rewards Mastercard
- You only get credit if you fill up on gas at Shell
- You have to re-qualify for Gold Status every 3 months
Shell Fuel Rewards Card FAQs
How do you use the Shell Fuel Rewards credit card at the pump?
You don’t have to do anything special to get your fuel rewards when you pay with your Shell Fuel Rewards credit card. When you swipe your Fuel Rewards credit card at the pump, it recognizes your membership and you automatically earn the cents of the gallon based on your status.
If you have accumulated rewards from other activities, you will be given the option to use them at the pump or you can save them.
Where can I use my Shell Fuel Rewards credit card?
You can only use your store-branded Shell Fuel Rewards credit card at Shell (inside or at the pump). However, if you qualify for the Shell Fuel Rewards Mastercard, you can use it anywhere that Mastercard is accepted.
If you have a standard Fuel Rewards credit card, you can link a Visa or Mastercard to your account to earn more rewards, but if you qualify for the Mastercard, you can use it anywhere, not just Shell.
Does a Shell gas card help you build credit?
If you have bad credit or no credit, the store-branded Shell gas card can be a great way to build credit. You don’t need great credit to get approved and if you use it wisely by paying your bill on time each month and paying your balance off in full, it can help you build a good credit history.
The Shell Mastercard is harder to get, so keep that in mind if you have bad credit or short credit history.
Is the Shell Fuel Rewards card free?
The Shell Fuel Rewards card is free in the sense that there’s no annual fee. However, like any credit card, there are interest charges if you don’t pay the balance in full by your due date. The credit card gives a grace period, usually 25 days. If you don’t pay the balance off in full by then, they will charge you interest on any outstanding balances.
Final Thoughts – Is the Shell Fuel Rewards Mastercard Worth It?
The Shell Fuel Rewards card might be worth it if you only get gas at Shell and if you have a Shell gas station local to you. Saving between three and ten cents a gallon can be worth it, but you don’t need a credit card to do so.
You can be a Fuel Rewards member and link any credit card to your account and save three to five cents per gallon. But, you can earn rewards on other purchases that help lower your gas prices too. But, some people don’t like that the rewards are just on gas.
Unless you drive a lot, it might not be worth it or you might get more rewards by choosing another credit card that pays rewards on gas plus other purchases and lets you choose how you receive the rewards.
