Shell Fuel Rewards Gasoline "store" Credit Card

[Anonymous]

Hi, Guys. 

The above card just came out. I use exclusively (almost) Shell gasoline. This card came with a starting sign up offer of 30 cents a gallon for the first five fillups until June 30, 2019. After that, it offers 10 cents off at the pump, five cents from the card and 5 cents from the Fuel Rewards Network (a loyalty rewards program started in 2010 by Shell and Excentus. The ten cents a gallon can be increased if you earn additional points in FRN by dining out, shopping online, etc. These also come off at the pump. I do not drive a lot since I am retired, but next month we are going on a road trip, and I couldn't resist. 

They offer a Mastercard version, too, but I did not get it becuase 2% from Citi Double Cash is much better.

Well, I also have the original Fuel Rewards Network membership card which gets me 5 cents off at the pump, no matter how I pay. So, if I combine that with my AMEX BCP, the 3% plus the 5 cents from Fuel Rewards Network beats the 10 cents instant saving out (at $3 a gallon, it would be 9 cents plus 5 cents, or 14 cents a gallon versus 10 cents from Shell card). I am older so I am quite familiar with gas station cards. The Shell card also gives 10% (not ten cents) off on Shell non-fuel purchases, up to $10,000 annually, but I rarely go in the store.

What should I do with this card after the road trip? Is it worth keeping?

Also, this is a cool-looking black card with gold shell emblem and lettering.

If any of you are a member of Shell Fuel Rewards, this post will make a lot more sense. If you are not a member and use Shell even sometimes, you should join the Shell Fuel rewards Network. Just Google it.

Sorry for the length !!

Johnny 50

[Anonymous]

I use Shell almost exclusively also.  I probably should have a card linked to my fuel rewards card but I don't.  The places listed where I would earn gas at the pump just haven't interested me enough.  Starting in October, one of the 5% categories of the Chase Freedom is Chase Pay which is accepted at Shell.  

[EAJuggalo]

I keep a gas card in my vehicle at all times.  Just in case you don't have your wallet for whatever reason.  It would also be there for the 10% if you do go into the store for whatever reason.  If it's not costing you anything to keep it, it's hard for me to recommend closing it.

[K-in-Boston]

I had a Shell card (originally Texaco) for 15 years that I finally closed out a while back; certainly didn't look that nice.  As you've already figured out with the original post, gasoline cards are seldom worth it in the long run compared to straight cash back cards or other travel cards combined with Fuel Rewards.  I changed over to SkyMiles Dining so no longer earn on the FRN with dining, but it's always at least $0.05 and often $0.10 to $0.30 when I fill up just for punching my phone number in on the "ALT ID" or by using the Chase Pay app to charge it to my Freedom card.  The "convenience store" factor could certainly change the value of the card; unfortunately I live in an area where for the most part gas stations sell gas and maybe have a soda/water cooler and some snacks, and convenience stores usually don't sell gas.

[pipeguy]

Just like any card one needs to weigh the benefits and see if they fit your needs. I had the Shell MC. This card was tied in with the Fuel Network card, and yes there are lots of Shell stations in this area. I ended up closing this card because the Fuel Network system is a PITA and about half of the time, my rewards expired or my "fill up" was 14 gal and my reward was for up to 20 gals use or lose.

WAWA gives you 25 cents off a ga. for the first 30 days, thereafter 10 cents off a gal as a statement credit using their card.  Sams Club MC gives 5% cash back on gas, Costco something similar, BJ's gives 10 cents off a gal at the pump and there are many other. Personally, I drive a lot, to give you some idea my "new car" was purchased in March 2016, as of today it has just under 84,000 miles on the clock so I do pay attention to gas prices and extra discounts, but I don't really have time to "chase" the last penny going out of my way. 

The Shell card works for those willing to play by their rules and restrictions, it didn't work for me though.   

[Anonymous]

I filled up at Shell today and noticed that I wasn't getting the 10c/gal discount as part of gold status. I guess when the new cards came out they nerfed that for those without them.  If I didn't end up driving almost exclusively by Shell stations on the way to and from work...

On the other hand, the cards do look pretty nice. And I think the MC might have contactless support too considering that I saw someone hovering it over a terminal on their website. Though I already have at least a couple of cards that can do that.

Yeah, I'll just stick with using 5% cards during gas quarters.

[BrokenBones]

If you’re a T-Mobile customer then you have the ability to save 35 cents with this card when they do their T-Mobile Tuesday’s 25 cents off per gallon about once a month.