Is the Shell credit card really the best way to combat high gas prices? Check out our review before you apply.

As fuel prices have climbed the last few years, we’ve been forced to come up with all sorts of creative ways to save on gas: switching to more fuel efficient cars… carpooling… public transit… and of course those gas credit cards.

Nowadays it seems as every gas station has their own branded card, including Shell. To get you to sign up, they all use the same pitch: “our card will save you money!” But the reality is that most of them hide behind promotional gimmicks and other confusing reward structures that won’t save you anything above average when all is said or done.

Let’s take a look at the Shell credit cards and compare them to what’s out there…

Shell Card
This is their basic card. Because it’s not affiliated with any universally accepted payment networks, it can only be used at Shell gas stations and some Jiffy Lube locations. There is no annual fee.

Interest Rate: At the time of this review, the card carries a variable APR of 21.00%. However depending on your credit and payment history, it could end up as high as 29.99%… ouch!

Rewards: The whole point of one of these is to get gas rewards, right? Well that’s what I thought, but ironically, this gives you no rewards on anything.

Other Benefits: I’ve read both their marketing material and the fine print and don’t see anything special whatsoever.

Verdict: This is completely worthless.

Shell Select Member Card
This is a step up from their basic card. It carries a $25.00 annual fee. Like the other, it can only be used at Shell.

Interest Rate: It’s the same as above: 21.00%, but it can go all the way up to 29.99%.

Rewards: Again, I am totally puzzled here. This card offers no rebates or discounts on gas. ‘

Other Benefits: It does offer a very small discount of 5 to 10% on some travel packages, hotels, etc. but only if you book them through their Shell reservation service (and pay their prices). This is totally useless because nowadays we can just hop on an online travel website, book it ourselves, and probably save a lot more money than their measly discount. Plus you can’t pay for these travel bookings with the Shell credit card. They require you to have a Visa/MC on file to charge them to.

Verdict: It offers no gas discount and the travel reservation hotline sounds like fluff to me. I would definitely pass on this, especially considering that it has a $25.00 annual fee.

Shell Platinum MasterCard
This is their only “normal” credit card; it can be used anywhere MasterCard is accepted.

Interest Rate: At the time of this review it can be “as low as” 11.24% which isn’t bad, but after I read the fine print I found out that it can increase to 27.24% in certain situations. Also is important to note this is a variable rate card so it will go up as the prime rate goes back up.

Rewards: At first glance this appears to be a good deal but once you run the numbers it’s a different story. The card offers a 5% rebate on gas but only at Shell gas stations. It offers the standard 1% on other purchases.

Verdict: There’s two reasons I don’t like this. First of all the gas discount is only at Shell stations. They seem to cost at least 5% more than other places, so that in itself kind of cancels out the discount. They sell quality gas, but so does Exxon, Chevron, BP, etc. which are all cheaper than Shell in my area.

The second reason I don’t like the Shell credit card is because it only applies to purchases at their stations. Even if there is one around the corner from your house, how about when you drive outside the area? You may be surprised to find out how “patchy” their locations are – not only nationally, but even within a major county or state.

What’s the Best Rewards Credit Card? (sponsored)
Right now the best one out there is definitely the no annual fee Discover More card. It gives up to a full 5% cash back categories which rotate through the year, including gas stations. Here’s how the Discover More Card works