In today’s world, it seems like we’re always looking for ways to make our lives easier – and one way to do that is by using credit. Credit cards are a great option for those who want quick and easy access to cash without tying up their own money in long-term investments or having to take out loans. One of the most popular types of credit cards is a “shell credit card,” which can be used by anyone with a checking account or savings account.
What is the shell credit card?
Shell credit cards are great for those who are starting out with a poor credit score. It’s possible to get one without a bank account, without being linked to any other credit card, and without having to apply when visiting your local gas station. Shell cards can be used at many major stores such as Walmart, Target, and Walmart.
How to use your shell credit card
You can use your Shell credit card anywhere that accepts MasterCard. All the points you earn are redeemable at Shell locations to save on gas, car washes, and more. You’ll also earn a reward when you use your credit card to fill up with gas.
Shell Credit Cards are a type of credit card that is given to people who need a temporary card while they wait for their card to arrive. They can be used just like regular credit cards, but they don’t have your name on them, and they will expire in 6 or 12 months. Shell Credit cards are usually issued by banks or financial institutions such as Synchrony Bank.
Benefits of shell credit card:
Shell credit cards are a good option for people who want to rebuild their credit. Shell cards allow you to establish a new credit card history with your bank. By making timely payments, you can increase the length of your credit history and the amount of available credit. Shell cards also don’t require an annual fee, so you can use them for a few years without incurring any cost.
Shell Credit Card is a unique credit card integrated with a secure and non-toxic stainless-steel shell. The card is made of 100% recyclable materials and can be used anywhere in the world that accepts Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. Shell Credit Card is built to last and will not cause damage, scratches, or corrosion to your cards as other metal wallets would.
The Shell Fuel Rewards Mastercard comes with the following benefits:
Instant Shell Fuel Rewards® Gold Status
Save 10 cents/gallon (up to 20 gallons) every fill-up
10% Shell rebates (up to $1,200 Shell non-fuel purchases)
2% Shell rebates on dining & groceries (up to $10,000) 1% Shell rebates all other qualifying purchases
The initial three perks (Gold Status, 10¢ per gallon savings, 10% Shell Rebates): These benefits function just as they do for the Shell Fuel Rewards® Card. See the above section for an in-depth explanation of these benefits.
2% Shell rebates on dining & groceries (up to $10,000): This benefit applies to purchases made at participating merchants. The card’s terms and conditions do not state if this is a U.S.-only promotion or applies to groceries and dining outside of the U.S. After you reach the $10,000 limit, you will no longer receive the special rebate offer on these purchases.
1% Shell rebates all other qualifying purchases: Shell clarifies this benefit by stating, “Purchases that do not qualify for the 1% rebate are: purchases made at locations that sell non-Shell branded fuel, purchases of Shell Fuel for which you received savings, and purchases for which you earned any other rebate.”
Basic Fuel Rewards® Membership Perks
The following perks are awarded to all basic Fuel Rewards members:
Instant Shell Fuel Rewards® Gold Status for six months
Earn 10¢ per gallon Fuel Rewards per $50 spent at participating restaurants, bars, & clubs
Earn 5¢ per gallon Fuel Rewards per $50 spent booking flights, hotels, rental cars, and vacations.
Earn 5¢ per gallon Fuel Rewards per $25 spent on specific purchases at Shell convenience stores.
Earn at least 5¢ per gallon Fuel Rewards per $50 spent online shopping.
Earn Fuel Rewards with “Featured Offers” from popular retailers. Earn at least 5¢ per gallon Fuel Rewards per $50 spent on linked credit cards at participating merchants.
Instant Shell Fuel Rewards® Gold Status for six months: The details for this perk are a bit convoluted, but currently, it appears simply signing up for a Fuel Rewards membership gets you a free upgrade to Shell Gold status for six months. Gold Status simply allows members to save at least 5¢ per gallon on every fill-up with any fuel grade, up to 20 gallons, as long as you swipe your membership card at the pump.
For basic Fuel Rewards members to maintain their introductory Gold Status, they must fill up at least six times during your 3-month qualification period. This 3-month qualification period is the last three months of your introductory 6-month instant status. It’s important to note that qualifying fill-ups only count if they are at least 5 gallons or more.
If you do not qualify to maintain your Gold Status, you will be downgraded to Silver status. Fuel Rewards members with Silver Status receive at least 3¢ per gallon on every fill-up, up to 20 gallons.
Filling up at the pump can be a constant drain on your bank account, especially if you own a larger vehicle such as an SUV, drive a lot for your job, or simply enjoy a good road trip!
Can credit cards from fuel companies like Shell save you money? Below, you’ll find the pros and cons of the Shell Fuel Rewards® credit cards, including the main benefits, fees, drawbacks, application process, and more. You’ll also find a few alternative rewards cards that might be worth considering if you’re looking for decent returns on gas.
Shell Fuel Rewards® Card Mastercard®
Main Benefits
Instant Shell Fuel Rewards® Gold Status
Save 10 cents/gallon (up to 20 gallons) every fill-up
10% Shell rebates (up to $1,200 Shell non-fuel purchases
Instant Shell Fuel Rewards® Gold Status
Save 10 cents/gallon (up to 20 gallons) every fill-up
10% Shell rebates (up to $1,200 Shell non-fuel purchases)
2% Shell rebates on dining & groceries (up to $10,000)
1% Shell rebates on all other qualifying purchases
Annual Fee
APR 28.74% variable
Late Fee Up to $39
Shell has two store-branded cards issued by Citibank – The Shell Fuel Rewards® Card and the Shell Fuel Rewards® Mastercard®. There is no annual fee for either of these cards, but you will note a pretty hefty APR.
If you’re approved for a Fuel Rewards® credit card, you’re automatically enrolled in Shell’s Fuel Rewards® program.
In terms of Fuel Rewards/savings per gallon, this is applied at the pump. You will see the discount reflected on the screens after you swipe your Shell card.
When it comes to your percentage back perks, these are distributed in Shell Rebates and are only applied to purchases made at participating Shell locations.
Shell Fuel Rewards® Card
The Shell Fuel Rewards® Card is the baseline Shell credit card. You can only utilize this card for purchases at Shell locations, either at the pump or inside the Shell station, on non-fuel items.
The Shell Fuel Rewards® Card comes with the following benefits:
Instant Shell Fuel Rewards® Gold Status
Save 10 cents per gallon (up to 20 gallons) on every fill-up
10% Shell rebates (up to $1,200 Shell non-fuel purchases)
Instant Shell Fuel Rewards® Gold Status: Gold Status allows members to save at least 5¢ per gallon on every fill-up with any grade of fuel up to 20 gallons.
To put things in perspective, the step below this is Silver Status and allows members to save 3¢ per gallon. Silver is the entry-level all Shell Fuel Rewards members start at, assuming the member is not a Fuel Rewards cardholder.
Save 10 cents per gallon (up to 20 gallons) on every fill-up: This perk is misleading since this actually incorporates the Gold Status savings Shell already emphasizes as a selling point.
When Shell states that you will save 10¢ per gallon, up to 20 gallons, it’s actually referring to the 5¢ per gallon you’re getting from the Gold Status, in addition to the extra 5¢ per gallon, a totally 10¢ per gallon, savings you receive for being a cardholder.
10% Shell rebates (up to $1,200 Shell non-fuel purchases): This benefit applies to non-fuel purchases at any of the Shell convenience stores throughout the United States.
You can find out more about how these rebates are applied below in the “Reward Type Differences” section.
Shell Fuel Rewards® Mastercard®
Shell Fuel Rewards® Mastercard®
The Shell Fuel Rewards® Mastercard® is the highest tier credit card offered by Shell/Citibank.
Since this is a Mastercard, it can be used for purchases not only at Shell but also everywhere Mastercard is accepted.
The Shell Fuel Rewards Mastercard comes with the following benefits:
Instant Shell Fuel Rewards® Gold Status
Save 10 cents/gallon (up to 20 gallons) every fill-up
10% Shell rebates (up to $1,200 Shell non-fuel purchases)
2%Shell rebates on dining & groceries (up to $10,000)
1% Shell rebates all other qualifying purchases
The initial three perks (Gold Status, 10¢ per gallon savings, 10% Shell Rebates): These benefits function just as they do for the Shell Fuel Rewards® Card. See the above section for an in-depth explanation of these benefits.
2% Shell rebates on dining & groceries (up to $10,000): This benefit applies to purchases made at participating merchants. The card’s terms and conditions do not state if this is a U.S.-only promotion or applies to groceries and dining outside of the U.S.. After you reach the $10,000 limit, you will no longer receive the special rebate offer on these purchases.
1% Shell rebates all other qualifying purchases: Shell clarifies this benefit by stating, “Purchases that do not qualify for the 1% rebate are: purchases made at locations that sell non-Shell branded fuel, purchases of Shell Fuel for which you received savings, and purchases for which you earned any other rebate.”
Benefits & Info
Earn a $300 statement credit after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months.
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months after account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee of up to 1.33% of each purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
Low intro APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 14.24% to 24.24%
6% cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
6% cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
3% cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more).
1% cash Back on other purchases.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Good to Excellent Credit Recommended (670-840)
Annual Fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Terms Apply. For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred ca Chase rd, click here.
Freedom Unlimited®
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card
LEARN MORE
(at Chase’s secure site)
Benefits & Info
INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cashback on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cashback!
Enjoy 6.5% cashback on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our exclusive rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cashback, travel, gift cards, and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cashback on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cashback on all other purchases.
No minimum to redeem for cashback. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 14.99% – 23.74%.
Keep tabs on your credit health, and Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
Good to Excellent Credit Recommended (670-840)
Annual Fee: $0
Shell Fuel Rewards® Program
Technically, you can be a Shell Fuel Rewards® member without having either of their credit cards.
