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There are two distinct Shell credit cards issued by Citi: the Shell Fuel Rewards Card and the Shell Fuel Rewards Mastercard. Citi determined which card you qualify for based on a single application and your creditworthiness.
Key differences at a glance
Shell Fuel Rewards Card | Shell Fuel Rewards Mastercard | |
Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
Interest rate | APR details are not currently available due to the program transition | APR details are not currently available due to the program transition |
Sign-up bonus | Not currently available | Not currently available |
Gas rewards rate | Save $0.10 per gallon on every fill up at a Shell gas station | Save $0.10 per gallon on every fill up at a Shell gas station |
Everyday rewards rate | Get 10% Shell rebates on the first $1,200 in non-fuel Shell purchases each year | Get 10% Shell rebates on the first $1,200 in non-fuel Shell purchases each year; get 2% Shell rebates on the first $10,000 in dining and grocery purchases each year; get 1% Shell rebates on everything else |
Foreign transaction fee | N/A | 3% of each purchase |
Usable anywhere? | Shell gas stations only | Yes |
Note: You cannot choose which card you receive. Citi reviews your application and decides based on your creditworthiness.
*All figures reflect the most recently available terms as gathered by Nav. Current rates and certain offers are not publicly available as Shell transitions to a new card program. Information is subject to change upon relaunch.
The Shell Fuel Rewards Credit Card works differently from a traditional cash-back card. At the pump, you get an immediate $0.10 per gallon discount on up to 35 gallons per fill. That discount applies every time you fill up at a Shell station.
If you qualify for the Mastercard, you can also earn rebates on non-fuel purchases made inside Shell stations, like snacks, drinks, car washes, and convenience store items. Those rebates accumulate throughout your billing cycle and post automatically as a statement credit the following month.
The Shell Fuel Rewards Card earns $0.10 per gallon at Shell stations on up to 35 gallons per fill. It also earns:
The Mastercard earns the same fuel savings and non-fuel rebate as the Shell Fuel Rewards Card, plus:
For example, a business owner filling up twice a week at 15 gallons per fill goes through roughly 1,560 gallons per year, earning about $156 back from fuel savings. Mastercard holders who also spend $100 per month on non-fuel Shell purchases add another $120 back annually, bringing total yearly savings to roughly $276.
All rebates post automatically as a statement credit against your Shell purchases each billing cycle. There's nothing to redeem manually.
*These figures reflect previously available terms. Current rates are subject to change when Shell's new card program launches.
The Shell card works well for a narrow set of businesses that fuel up at Shell consistently, have a station nearby and don't need rewards flexibility. Under those conditions, Shell Fuel Rewards Card holders can save roughly $156 per year on fuel alone. Mastercard holders who maximize the non-fuel rebate can push that to around $276 annually, with no annual fee.
For most other businesses, the limitations outweigh the savings. Rewards are locked to Shell purchases and can't be used anywhere else. The Fuel Rewards Card only works at Shell stations. The Mastercard charges a 3% foreign transaction fee. And neither card comes close to matching the flexibility of a general-purpose gas rewards card.
If your drivers fill up wherever is closest or cheapest, a general-purpose business card with gas rewards will serve you better.
Pros
Cons
Citi doesn't publish a minimum credit score requirement for the Shell cards. That said, most Citi credit cards require good to excellent credit to qualify, so aiming for a FICO® score of 670 or higher may improve your chances of approval.
Your credit score is only one part of the equation, though. Citi looks at your overall financial picture, including payment history, credit utilization, annual income and existing debt. A high income or low utilization rate can work in your favor even if your score isn't in the excellent range.
Under the previous program, Citi pulled your personal credit, not your business credit. That said, building your business credit profile is still a smart move for accessing other financing down the road.
*With Shell's card program currently in transition, approval criteria for the new card may differ from what's listed here. Check back once the new program launches for updated requirements.
Shell's credit card application process is currently on hold. As of March 2026, Shell's website states that applications for both the Shell Fuel Rewards Card and Shell Fuel Rewards Mastercard are temporarily closed while Shell transitions to a new card experience.
When applications reopen, the process has historically been fully online through Shell's website with no need to visit a branch or Shell station. Under the previous program, applicants who didn't qualify for the Mastercard were automatically considered for the Shell Fuel Rewards Card instead, meaning one application covered both cards.
Check shell.us/rewards-and-savings/shell-credit-card.html for updates on when the new program launches.
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The answer depends on which card Citi approves you for.
The Shell Fuel Rewards Card only works at Shell stations. If your business fuels up at multiple brands or doesn't have a Shell station nearby, this card isn't a practical fit as your primary business card.
The Shell Fuel Rewards Mastercard works like a standard credit card and can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted, including gas stations outside of Shell.
It's also worth noting that Shell's free Fuel Rewards loyalty program is still accepting new members even while credit card applications are closed, so you can still save at the pump without a credit card.
Existing cardholders can still manage their accounts and make payments even while the card program is in transition. There are three ways to pay:
Online: Log in at shell.accountonline.com to make a payment or manage your account.
By mail: Payment addresses differ by card.
For the Shell Fuel Rewards Card, send payments to Shell Card Payments, PO Box 70606, Philadelphia, PA 19176-0606. For overnight or express payments, mail to Shell Card, Attn: Consumer Payment Dept., 400 White Clay Center Drive, Newark, DE 19711.
For the Shell Fuel Rewards Mastercard, send payments to Shell Fuel Rewards Mastercard Payments, PO Box 70606, Philadelphia, PA 19176-0606. For overnight or express payments, mail to Shell Fuel Rewards Mastercard, Attn: Consumer Payment Dept., 400 White Clay Center Drive, Newark, DE 19711.
By phone: Call 1-800-331-3703 for the Shell Fuel Rewards Card, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET. Call 1-866-743-5562 for the Shell Fuel Rewards Mastercard, available 24/7.
Pay your statement balance in full each month to avoid interest charges. Late payments may trigger a late fee and can hurt your credit score.
The Shell card makes sense if your business fuels up at Shell regularly. But if you want rewards you can use anywhere, or you fill up at multiple stations, these three cards are worth a closer look.
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is a well-rounded alternative with several elevated rewards categories.Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn.Rewards are redeemable as cash back with no restrictions and there's no annual fee. If your business spends on more than just fuel, this card earns more across the board.
The Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit cardhas $0.00 annual fee lets you choose your highest bonus category each month. Earn3% cash back in the category of your choice (for the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter), 2% cash back on dining purchases (for the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter), and 1% cash back on all other purchases. If your spending shifts throughout the year, that flexibility is hard to beat. When fuel costs spike, set gas as your top category. When you need office supplies or computer services, just switch your 3% category for the month.
Intro APR
Purchase APR
Annual Fee
Welcome Offer
The U.S. Bank Triple Cash Visa® earns 3% cash back at any gas station with no brand restrictions, which makes it a stronger pick for businesses that don't fill up exclusively at Shell. There's no annual fee, a $750 welcome bonus after $6,000 in spending within the first 180 days and a 0% intro APR for 12 billing cycles (then 17.24% to 26.24% variable). For businesses that also spend on office supplies, restaurants or cellphone services, the 3% rate applies across all those categories too.
All information valid as of March 30, 2026 and subject to change.
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Contributor
Gabriel Vito is a freelance finance writer specializing in small business finance, credit cards, and lending. With over five years of experience, his work has appeared in Forbes Advisor, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, and GOBankingRates, among others. He translates complex terms and fine print into clear, actionable guidance for business owners. Gabriel holds a B.A. in English from the University of California, Riverside.
Senior Content Editor
Robin has worked as a personal finance writer, editor, and spokesperson for over a decade. Her work has appeared in national publications including Forbes Advisor, USA TODAY, NerdWallet, Bankrate, the Associated Press, and more. She has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC, and CBS TV affiliates nationwide.
Robin holds an M.S. in Business and Economic Journalism from Boston University and dual B.A. degrees in Economics and International Relations from Boston University. In addition, she is an accredited CEPF® and holds an ACES certificate in Editing from the Poynter Institute.