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Wawa Credit Card Review (2025)
July 1, 2025
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Unbiased review of the new Wawa Mastercard: See how its gas discounts and rewards stack up.
The new Wawa Mastercard, launched in mid-2025, offers Wawa customers fuel discounts and in-store rewards. But is it the best way to save on gas?
Overview of the New Wawa Mastercard
Wawa has partnered with First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO) to launch a new Wawa Mastercard® in 2025, replacing its previous store-only credit card from 2015. This co-branded Mastercard can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted (not just at Wawa) and is designed to entice Wawa's loyal customers with fuel savings and reward points. Here are the key features at a glance:
- Fuel Discounts: Save 50¢ per gallon on Wawa fuel for the first 30 days after opening the account, then 5¢ off per gallon on every Wawa fuel purchase thereafter. These discounts appear as statement credits on your bill.
- In-Store Rewards: Earn 3× points per $1 spent on Wawa in-store purchases (food, drinks, merchandise – fuel purchases earn no points since they already get the per-gallon discount). All other purchases (outside Wawa or non-fuel) earn 1× point per $1.
- Point Redemption: Points automatically convert to Wawa gift cards – every 2,500 points earns a $25 Wawa gift card. (In other words, points are effectively worth $0.01 each toward Wawa, making the 3× points a 3% reward rate on Wawa purchases.) Points are separate from the regular Wawa app rewards program and can't be redeemed for cash or non-Wawa rewards – they're only for Wawa gift cards.
- Fees and APR: The card has no annual fee. However, like many store-affiliated cards, it carries a high interest rate – around 28.74% variable APR on purchases, based on recent data (significantly higher than the ~15% average APR on general credit cards). This means you'll want to pay your balance in full each month to avoid hefty interest charges. There is also a small monthly fee if you opt for paper statements (waived by going paperless).
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Pros and Cons of the Wawa Credit Card
Like any credit card, the Wawa Mastercard comes with its advantages and drawbacks. Let's break them down:
Pros
- Big Initial Fuel Savings: You get a very generous 50¢/gal discount on gas for the first month. If you're filling up frequently, those savings can add up quickly in the short term.
- No Annual Fee: There's $0 annual cost to hold the card, so you won't have to worry about a fee eating into your savings.
- Solid In-Store Rewards at Wawa: Earning 3× points on Wawa's in-store purchases (food, coffee, etc.) is equivalent to 3% back in value (when redeemed for $25 Wawa gift cards). This is a nice perk for those who routinely buy Wawa hoagies or snacks.
- Use Anywhere Mastercard is Accepted: Unlike the old Wawa store-only card, the new Wawa Mastercard is a normal credit card you can use at any retailer that takes Mastercard. Even outside of Wawa, it will earn 1% back in points on everyday purchases.
- Mastercard Network Benefits: As a World Mastercard, it likely comes with extras like ID Theft Protection, Zero Liability on fraud, roadside assistance, etc., adding some security and perks.
Cons
- Limited Ongoing Gas Rewards: After the intro period, 5¢ off per gallon is only about a 1%–2% reward (for example, 5¢ is 1.25% of a $4 gallon) – much less than many general gas credit cards offer. Some other cards give 3%–5% back on gas (which can equal 12–20¢ per gallon at $4/gal), so the Wawa card's ongoing fuel rewards are comparatively low.
- Rewards Locked to Wawa: The points you earn can only be used for Wawa gift cards, not cash back or travel. There's no flexibility – if you don't want $25 Wawa gift cards, the rewards have no value for you. In contrast, a general cashback card could return actual cash or broader rewards.
- High APR (Don't Carry a Balance): With a purchase APR around 28%–29%, this card is not good for carrying debt. Store cards typically have higher interest rates than general cards, and Wawa's is no exception. If you can't pay off your gas or sandwich purchases in full each month, interest charges will quickly erase any fuel savings.
- Mediocre "Everywhere Else" Rewards: Earning 1% back outside Wawa is okay, but plenty of no-annual-fee cards offer 1.5% or 2% cash back on all purchases. So the Wawa card is not very rewarding for non-Wawa spending. You'd be better off using a 2% cashback card for most of your everyday purchases.
- Minor Fees and Restrictions: While there's no annual fee, note the card may charge a paper statement fee if you don't go paperless. Also, there was no sign-up bonus or promo beyond the gas discount. And remember that Wawa points don't overlap with the separate Wawa app rewards – they're a completely separate system.
If you're a frequent Wawa customer, remember that you don't have to use the Wawa Card for every purchase. The free Kudos extension can automatically recommend which of your cards will earn you the most rewards at Wawa – whether that's the Wawa card for fuel or another card with higher cashback. It's a simple way to maximize rewards without manually comparing card benefits.
Better Ways to Save on Gas and Groceries
If you're considering the Wawa credit card, it's likely because you spend a lot on fuel or convenience store items. But it's worth comparing other options, since you might save more with a different card or program:
- General Cash-Back Cards: Many general-purpose credit cards offer higher rewards on gas purchases anywhere. For example, certain cards earn 3%–5% cash back on gas (or points equivalent to that). Unlike Wawa's fixed 5¢ discount, 5% back rises with gas prices – a $60 fill-up would net $3 back, which beats 5¢ off per gallon in most cases. These cards also usually let you redeem rewards as cash or statement credits, giving you more flexibility than Wawa's gift cards.
- Rotating Category or Wholesale Club Cards: Some no-fee cards give 5% on gas during certain quarters, and cards like the Costco Anywhere Visa give 4% back on gas year-round (albeit requiring a Costco membership). If you already have one of these, you might earn more using it at Wawa pumps after the Wawa card's intro period ends.
- Fuel Loyalty Programs: Don't forget, Wawa's own app offers a rewards program for in-store purchases (e.g. you earn coupons or free items over time, separate from the credit card). Other gas station chains have fuel reward programs (like Shell's Fuel Rewards, etc.) that can stack discounts. The Wawa Mastercard's points do not interact with Wawa's app rewards, so you could alternatively use a different credit card and still use Wawa's app for perks.
- When Wawa Card Makes Sense: The new Wawa Mastercard might be worth it primarily for loyal Wawa gas buyers who will maximize the 50¢/gal first-month promo. If you commute or drive for work and can fuel exclusively at Wawa for that month, the savings could be significant. Just be ready to switch to a higher-reward card later, because after the first 30 days the value drops off.
Using Kudos to Maximize Your Rewards
Whether you get the Wawa credit card or not, one of the best strategies is to always use the most rewarding card for each purchase. That's where Kudos can help. Kudos is a free browser extension and app that analyzes your credit cards' rewards in real time and tells you which card in your wallet will earn the most at any given store. Here's how Kudos can boost your savings at Wawa (and everywhere else):
- Personalized Card Recommendations: Add your cards to Kudos, and when you're checking out (especially online), Kudos will automatically recommend the card that gives you the highest cashback or points for that purchase.
- 15,000+ Stores Covered: Kudos isn't just for Wawa – it works at thousands of retailers. It knows which card is best for gas vs. groceries vs. dining, etc., so you maximize rewards across all your spending. If Wawa isn't the only place you shop, Kudos helps you juggle multiple cards to always get the best deal.
- Deal Alerts and "Flash Boosts": Kudos also keeps an eye out for special deals. It can notify you of limited-time offers or bonus rewards (for example, a card-linked offer of 5% back at gas stations) and even has its own "Flash Boost" events where you can multiply your rewards up to 5× on certain purchases. This means more savings on top of what your cards already earn.
- No More Guesswork: Instead of memorizing which card gives 2% on fuel or which one has a quarterly bonus, you can rely on Kudos's real-time advice. It's like having a smart wallet that always hands you the ideal card. Plus, Kudos can help you discover new credit cards suited to your habits if you're looking to upgrade your arsenal.
By using Kudos (which is free and easy to install), you ensure that whether you're at Wawa or anywhere, you're getting the maximum rewards available – be it through the Wawa Mastercard or a better alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Wawa credit card have an annual fee?
No, the Wawa Mastercard has no annual fee.
Can I use the Wawa credit card outside of Wawa stores?
Yes, it's a full Mastercard accepted anywhere Mastercard is taken. You'll earn 1× point per $1 on non-Wawa purchases (equivalent to 1% toward Wawa gift cards).
How much do you save on gas with the Wawa card?
You save 50¢ per gallon for the first 30 days, then 5¢ per gallon ongoing. At $3.80/gallon, the 5¢ discount equals about 1.3% savings, which is modest compared to gas cards offering 3-5% back.
Can you redeem points for cash?
No, points are only redeemable for Wawa gift cards ($25 for every 2,500 points). There's no cash back or statement credit option.
Is the Wawa credit card worth it?
For most people, no. The ongoing rewards are limited compared to general cashback cards. It's mainly worth it for Wawa superfans who can maximize the first-month fuel savings and frequently buy food at Wawa stores.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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