Quick Review
The Shell Fuel Rewards® Card has notable pros and cons, and whether it’s the right card for you will depend on your borrowing needs and spending habits. Here are the most important things to consider when deciding whether to apply for the Shell Fuel Rewards® Card:
- It’s closed-loop: The Shell Fuel Rewards® Card is a closed-loop credit card, meaning it can only be used at Shell locations. Unlike standard credit cards, you can’t use this one at, say, a grocery store, which means you also can’t earn rewards from ordinary purchases. You can only use it to make purchases at Shell retail stores and gas pumps.
- Rewards aren’t flexible: This card’s rewards program is a bit different than traditional rewards cards. Instead of earning back a percentage of your gas purchases, you earn a flat rate of 10¢/gallon (or more for your first 5 fill-ups). This means your rewards earnings won’t increase as gas prices rise, as they would with a percentage-based rewards program.
- Lower credit scores may qualify: Most rewards cards are only available to borrowers with good-to-excellent credit (FICO scores between 670–850). Fortunately for lower-credit borrowers, you may be able to qualify for the Shell Fuel Rewards® Card even if you have a credit score lower than 670.
- It could be expensive: While the card will cost you nothing to own (as it doesn’t charge an annual fee), it could end up being expensive if you aren’t diligent about paying off your balance. It has a high purchase APR of 30.99% (variable), meaning you’ll accrue a lot of interest charges if you leave your bill unpaid.
Pros & Cons
Who Is This Card Best For?
The Shell Fuel Rewards® Card is a good deal for the following types of borrowers:
- Shell enthusiasts with limited tanks: If you frequently pump at Shell, this card can make a great addition to your wallet, especially if you frequently also stop in the store for a snack and a coffee. However, rewards cap at 20 gallons per fill-up, so it may not be the best option for drivers with hefty tanks.
- Lower-credit-score holders who want gas rewards: While tons of rewards credit cards offer cash back on gas, most of those cards aren’t available to applicants with lower credit scores. If your credit leaves something to be desired but you’re looking for gas rewards, this card could be a good solution.
What the Crowd Says
The Shell Fuel Rewards® Card doesn’t get a lot of attention online. Instead, most expert reviews focus on the Shell Fuel Rewards® Mastercard®—a sister card that can be used anywhere that Mastercard is accepted, but requires a higher credit score—and customer reviews tend to be about the Shell rewards program as a whole.
| Publication | Rating |
|---|---|
| WalletHub | 3.2/5 |
| WalletHub (user ratings) | 3.8/5 |
| Upgraded Points | Neutral |
| CardRates | 4.4/5 |
| Credit Shout | Negative |
| Aggregate rating: 3.8 |
What Major Publications Say
While most major publications choose to review the Mastercard alternative to this Shell card, those who do address this card are generally in consensus: it’s a lackluster card that’s only really worth it for avid Shell patrons who don’t have the credit to qualify for a better gas rewards card.
What Cardholders Say
The bulk of customer complaints revolved around the inability to use the card even at Shell locations and the lack of value offered by the card. Many cardholders point out that Shell gas is pricier in much of the country and that Shell charges more for gas bought with a credit card, partially canceling out the rewards.
Rewards
The Shell Fuel Rewards® Card has opportunities to save with every fuel and some non-fuel purchases at participating Shell locations.
Here’s how it works:
- Save 10¢/gallon on fuel purchases (up to 20 gallons for each fill-up)
- Get 10% back on non-fuel purchases at Shell locations (up to $1,200 a year)
The rewards for this credit card are easy to understand and all savings are applied automatically, so there’s no need to worry about activating any offers. While the 10 cents off each gallon offer may not seem like very much, it can add up over time if you drive often.
The $0 annual fee means that there’s no spending requirement to break even and begin saving. Every gallon purchased from day one is at least 10 cents saved.
What You Could Earn
To get a better idea of how much you can save, here’s our estimate of a month’s worth of spending and rewards at Shell:
| Category | Spending | Rewards earned |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel (50 gallons) | $200 ($4/gal) | $5 |
| Non-fuel Shell purchases | $50 | $5 |
| Total monthly rewards: $10 |
As gas prices and spending habits vary widely between people and places, use these estimates as a rough guideline, and adjust accordingly to get an idea of whether the card is worth it for you.
Welcome Bonus
As a welcome bonus, you get 30¢/gallon off for your first 5 fuel purchases (up to 35 gallons) before it reverts to the standard 10¢/gallon off rate.
That means you can save up to $10.50 on each of your first 5 gas purchases. Make sure to take advantage of this deal and fill your tank when you first open the card.
Rewards Redemption
Fuel rewards are automatically applied at the gas pump, so you don’t need to worry about activating rewards or choosing between redemption methods. The 10% non-fuel rebates are automatically credited against Shell purchases during the next billing cycle.
Rates & Fees
Fees
- Annual fee: None
- Cash advance fee: $10 or 5% (whichever is greater)
- Late payment fee: Up to $40
Interest Rates
- Purchase APR: 30.99% (variable)
- Cash advance APR: 29.99% (variable)
How to Get the Shell Fuel Rewards® Card
Credit Score Required
You will need a “fair” or higher credit score to qualify for the Shell Fuel Rewards® Card. This means your FICO credit score should be at least 580. For a rewards card, this requirement is fairly low, making the Shell Fuel Rewards® Card one of the best (and only) gas cards for holders of lower credit scores.
We recommend checking your credit score independently first to see if you qualify before applying for this card. A hard inquiry will need to be conducted to determine if you meet the requirements, and this will temporarily lower your credit score by a few points. You don’t want to bring your score down if you’re unlikely to qualify.
How to Apply
To get the Shell Fuel Rewards® Card, you can fill out an application online, call (877) 697-4355, or go to your local Shell station and ask an employee whether they have applications available.
FAQs
Who issues the Shell Fuel Rewards® Card?
The Shell Fuel Rewards® Card is issued by CitiBank, also commonly referred to as Citi.
Does the Shell Fuel Rewards® Card report to the major credit bureaus?
The Shell Fuel Rewards® Card is issued by CitiBank, which means you’ll benefit from its credit reporting. CitiBank reports to the three major credit bureaus, which helps your credit score stay up to date.
Can I use the Shell Fuel Rewards® Card for cash advances?
The Shell Fuel Rewards® Card allows cash advances, so you can withdraw cash from an ATM or money order using this credit card. But with a cash advance fee of $10 or 5% and APR nearing 30%, we only recommend using this service in emergencies.
Use your debit card as a more affordable and reliable method to withdraw cash from an ATM.
Is there a grace period on the Shell Fuel Rewards® Card?
Yes, the card has a 25-day grace period. If you pay off your previous bill in full, purchases made during the grace period won’t gain interest.
Can I add an authorized user to the Shell Fuel Rewards® Card?
Authorized users are allowed on the Shell Fuel Rewards® Card, but they won’t be responsible for paying off any charges.
When deciding whether to add another person onto your card, make sure you both have a clear understanding regarding how you will use and pay off the card together.
How can I contact customer service about the Shell Fuel Rewards® Card?
If you want to speak directly to CitiBank regarding the Shell Fuel Rewards® Card, you can call these contact numbers:
Customer service for existing accounts:
(800) 331-3703
Apply for a Shell credit card:
(877) 697-4355
