Highest earning gas card? Out of options..

[Rockysocks]

Hello, ficoforums! Newbie member, long time lurker.

I just bought a house with my other person, and we're currently closing on the place. Afterwards, I'm going to go on an app spree, then garden for a while. My *credit card* history will be a year old in about a month (had a personal loan with my bank before that to get me a credit score), starting with a Capital One Platinum (which is now upgraded to a C1 Quicksilver) and then a Walmart MasterCard. I have a car loan as well, and my Fico 8 scores range from roughly 705-725.

At this point in my life, the cards that interest me the most are ones that provide cash rewards and (not-intro) interest free periods. I've decided when I do my app spree, I will definitely apply for a CareCredit card and a CarCare card, both by Synchrony. If I don't have enough in my savings account to cover an unexpected expense, these cards allow me to have 6 months to pay it off. I also plan on applying for either a Lowe's or Home Depot card.
1) I favor the Lowe's card, but will that be too many Synchrony cards?

Anyway, to the main question I have:
2) What is highest earning gas card available for me?
Rotating cards don't really apply to me efficiently, because I don't really have financial room for many travel, entertainment, etc. expenses besides the necessities (gas, groceries, utilities). I know the Penfed and Sallie Mae cards gave 5% for gas, but they were discontinued. The USAA amex card offers 5%, but I'm not a part of the military, etc. The NRA has a 5% card, but I'd rather not have a card branded in that area. Also, the Fort Knox card gives 5% on gas, but I've heard the website is atrocious for laying bills.

So... what else is there? The Sam's club and Costco cards give nice rewards for gas, too, but I don't want any membership fees.

Am I out of options? Are there any cards that give similar reward percentages in groceries or utilities?

Thanks!!!

[Anonymous]

Penfed still has the platinum rewards that gives about 4.2% on gas, this only works at the pump and not for purchases inside.  Amex OBC is 5% on gas but you have to reach an annual threshold first. 

[SBR249]

Off the top of my head, the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa card gives 5 points per $1 for gas spending. Points can be redeemed for around 0.85¢ per point if you go for the prepaid visa card ($50 card for 5880 points) which makes it equivalent to around 4.25% cashback. The card also gives 3 points per dollar for grocery spending which comes out to around 2.55% cashback there which is also pretty decent. 

If you are looking for a separate card for groceries, then the AmEx Blue Cash Everyday gives 3% cashback on first $6000 annual spend. If you get the Blue Cash Preferred ($95 annual fee) instead then it's 6% cashback on the first $6000 per year. 

Otherwise, I'd also suggest looking at Discover It card or Chase Freedom. I know you said the rotating 5% categories card may not work best for you but the categories aren't too farfetched for everyday spending. For instance, the 2018 Discover categories for each quarter in chronological order are (Gas + wholesale clubs, groceries, restaurants, Amazon + wholesale clubs). For the Chase Freedom the categories for 2017 in order were (Gas, groceries, restaurants, Walmart). The category cap per quarter is $1500. So they aren't necessarily things that you won't already be spending on anyway. 

Edit: I'm not sure that the AmEx OBC mentioned above is available anymore. Maybe it's me, but I can't seem to find it listed on the AmEx website anymore. 

[Anonymous]

PenFed Platinum 5X rewards (not a cash back card though)

Citi Costco (4%). I believe the reward comes once a year.

USBank Cash+ 2.5% for first year, otherwise 2% as long as you designate gas stations as one of your everyday categories.

[kilroy8]

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred (BCP) gives 6% on $6K in groceries per year, and unlimited 3% on gas. There is a $95 annual fee, but this can be offset for 2 years by using the current "spend $1K in first three months and get $200 reward" promo. You have to shop at a real grocery store to get the 6% rewards, though. Walmart/Sams Club/Costco/Meijer/Target and things like that don't count as a grocery purchase. Places like Kroger do.

[HeavenOhio]

AMEX includes Meijer as a supermarket.

AMEX Retail Categories

[Anonymous]

Amex BCP/BCE - but seriously go with the BCP. You might also check out the NFCU Amex, I think it's 3x on grocery, resturant & gas. Maybe 2x on gas?

It's tempting to look for whatever gets you the higher gas, but at least for me & numerous other people if you actually sit down and do the numbers on a few months of your average spending you'll see that grocery & resturant easily beat out the amount you'll spend on gas a month.

Unless your like me & were willing to take 5 new account hits in a single month (gas&Costco card, grocery card, rotating 5% card, travel card & "because I want to build a stupid high limit NFCU card) you would be best served with a combo grocery & gas card. If you're spending less than let's say $250 I think you're best off with blue cash preferred.

[Rockysocks]

Interested in the Penfed, thanks!
Probably take quite a while for me to reach the threshold with the OBC, otherwise I'd get it!

[Rockysocks]

Thank you for the reward configuration! I understand your point on the rotating cards. The Freedom seems nifty since its a solid 5% on gas and at Walmart (my one stop shop). Do you know if the Fort Knox card I mentioned has any requirements to be accepted for their card?

I was able to find the OBC on the Amex mobile version website.

[Rockysocks]

Thank you! I love the Costco card if it just didn't have a membership fee. I love the concept of picking your own categories with the Cash+.