If you choose a right plastic and put it in your wallet, you might save hundreds of dollars a years at the pump. Following are my top-rated gas rebate cards.

Do you want to save 20 cents or 40 cents per gallon at the pump (Yes, current gas price is $4!)? Do you want to enjoy rewards other than at the pump?

Some gas-rebate cards can help you save money at everywhere. If you are still doubting the power of cash rewards that gas-rebate cards can bring to you, we can do the simple math. I assume you are driving a 20-mpg car with annual mileage at 15,000 and the gas price is fixed at $4/gallon. A 5% gas rewards card can save you $150 a year. If you are driving a SUV, truck or other cars, then a right gas-rebate card can save you even more money. Of course, the prerequisite is you are not carrying balance on your credit cards. If you carry balance every month, you top choices would be those with low interest rates.

How to pick a gas rebate card?

I think you should consider you driving habits and credit habits before you pull the trigger. If you drive the same route daily or weekly and fill your tank at the same pump, you can choose a gas store card issued by gasoline company and a credit card company. If you want to carry balance and pay off part of your monthly bills, you should consider a card with low interest rate as well as gas rewards. You might also think about how you like the cash rewards paid to you. Some rewards are credited to your account monthly (AMEX SimplyCash Card). And some rewards are issued to you at the end of the year. Following are some cards for your reference:

1. Ameircan Express SimplyCash Card: This card definitely should be on the top of this ranking although is a business card. (For tips on how to apply for a business card without a business, you can read this post.) Because it also gives you 5% cash back at wireless services and office supplies. You can get 5% cash back at pumps without limit! The cash rewards will be credited to your monthly statement (nice!). Another feature I want to point out here is this card is a business card and the usage of this card will not appear on your personal credit report. NO matter how much you spend on this card, it just won’t affect your credit score.

2. Chase BP Visa Card: This card offers 10% cash back on BP pumps for the first 60 days. After that you can still get 5% cash back at BP pumps. This card also features 2% cash back on dining and traveling. If there are many BP gas station in your area, you can choose this card. Otherwise you should consider other credit cards. You can choose to receive a BP gift card or check once you accumulate $25 in your account.

3. Discover Open Road Card: This card offers 5% cash back on gas and auto-maintenance purchases. This card is especially designed to drivers who want to save money on auto maintenance by using a credit card. The trick of this card is you can only get 5% from the first $100 spent on gas and auto maintenance purchases every month. However, Discover offers great rewards program. If you choose to redeem you cash as a gift card, your rewards might be doubled! Yes, this is why I like Discover card! If you like online shopping, you might also take advantage of the ShopDiscover program.

4.Chase PerfectCard MasterCard: You can get 6% cash back on gasoline purchase for the first 60 days. After that you can still get 3% cash back on gas. It’s good for the first 60 days, but if you want to continue using this card, I would suggest you get a Chase Freedom Card which gives you the same cash back with more choices.

5. TrueEarnings Business Card from American Express and Costco: This card offers 5% cash back on gasoline purchases. (Note: Exclude gas purchased at warehouse clubs other than Costco, superstores or supermarkets. For example, if you fill your tank at Wal-Mart gas stations, you can’t get 5% cash back. But you can get 5% cash back at BP or Shell gas stations.) You can get 3% cash back at restaurants and 2% cash back for traveling. You can get 1% cash back for everything else. If you‘re a Costco member, you might try this card. This card has non-business version which only offers 3% cash back on gasoline purchases.

Start saving at the pumps now!