What the BP Credit Card Does
The BP credit card is a co-branded card issued by Chase that gives you cash back on fuel purchases at BP and Amoco stations, plus rewards on other everyday spending. You earn a percentage back on BP fuel, a lower percentage on other gas stations and car washes, and a base rate on everything else. The card works like any standard credit card—you charge purchases, receive a monthly statement, and pay what you owe.
This card is designed for people who fill up at BP regularly and want to consolidate fuel rewards into one account. It is not a prepaid card, a gift card, or a fuel-only card. You need a credit history to be considered, and approval depends on your credit score and income.
Key Takeaways
- The BP credit card earns cash back on fuel at BP stations and lower rewards at other gas stations and car washes.
- You must have a credit history and go through a credit check to open an account, which may temporarily lower your credit score.
- The card has an annual fee that you pay once per year, regardless of how much you use it.
- Rewards post to your account monthly and can be redeemed as a statement credit or deposited to a bank account.
- You can manage your account online through Chase's website or mobile app, where you can view statements, make payments, and track rewards.
Reward Rates and How They Work
The BP credit card offers tiered cash back: the highest rate applies to BP fuel purchases, a middle rate applies to fuel at other stations and car washes, and a base rate applies to all other purchases. The exact percentages vary depending on which version of the card you hold—the standard card and premium versions have different reward structures.
Rewards are calculated on the full purchase amount and post to your account once per month. You do not need to do anything to earn them; they accumulate automatically as you use the card. If you carry a balance and pay interest, the interest charges do not reduce your rewards—you earn cash back on the full purchase price regardless of how much you later pay in interest.
Redemption is straightforward: you can explore your cash back as a statement credit (which reduces your balance), request a check, or transfer it to a linked bank account. There is no minimum redemption amount, so you can cash out even small balances.
Annual Fee and Other Costs
The BP credit card charges an annual fee, billed to your account once per year. This fee applies whether you use the card or not. You pay it on the anniversary of your account opening date, and Chase will notify you before the charge posts.
Beyond the annual fee, you pay interest only if you carry a balance past your statement due date. The interest rate (APR) is set based on your credit score and creditworthiness at the time of approval. You also pay standard credit card fees if you make a late payment, exceed your credit limit, or use the card for a cash advance.
There is no fee to redeem rewards, no foreign transaction fees, and no fee to add an authorized user to your account.
How to Open an Account
You can open a BP credit card account online through Chase's website or by phone. The online process takes about 10 minutes and requires your Social Security number, date of birth, income, and current address. Chase will pull your credit report during this step, which results in a hard inquiry and may lower your credit score by a few points temporarily.
You will receive a decision within seconds to a few minutes in most cases. If approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days. You can begin using it as soon as it arrives and you set up it by calling the number on the back or using the Chase mobile app.
If you are denied, you can call the reconsideration line to discuss your process with a representative. They may approve you on a second review or suggest waiting a few months before reapplying.
Managing Your Account and Making Payments
Once your account is open, you manage it through Chase's website or the Chase mobile app. You can view your current balance, recent transactions, available credit, and accumulated rewards in real time. You can also set up automatic payments so your bill is paid on the same date each month, which helps you avoid late fees and interest charges.
Payments can be made online, by phone, by mail, or through automatic bank transfer. The payment due date is printed on your statement and is typically 21 to 25 days after your statement closing date. If you pay in full by the due date, you owe no interest. If you pay only part of the balance, interest accrues on the remaining amount at your card's APR.
You can also set up account alerts through the app to notify you when your statement is ready, when a payment is due, or when your balance reaches a certain amount.
Comparing the BP Card to Other Gas Station Cards
Several other gas station chains offer co-branded credit cards with similar structures. Shell, Chevron, and Exxon Mobil each have their own cards with fuel rewards. The main differences are the reward rates at each brand's stations, the annual fee amounts, and whether the card offers rewards outside of fuel purchases.
If you split your fuel purchases between multiple stations, a general cash back card (not tied to one brand) may earn you more overall, even if the rate per purchase is lower. A card that earns 2% cash back on all purchases will often beat a branded card that earns 3% at one station but 1% everywhere else, depending on where you actually fill up.
The best choice depends on your actual spending pattern. If you fill up at BP more than 50% of the time, the BP card's higher rate at BP stations likely makes up for the annual fee. If you split your fuel purchases evenly across brands, a flat-rate card is usually better.
What Happens If You Stop Using the Card
If you do not use your BP credit card for an extended period, Chase may close the account due to inactivity. The exact timeline varies, but most issuers close accounts that show no activity for 12 months or longer. When an account closes, you lose access to that credit line, which can slightly lower your credit score because your available credit decreases.
You still owe any balance on the card, and you can still make payments and redeem rewards even after the account is closed. However, you cannot make new purchases. If you want to keep the account open, use the card at least once every few months, even for a small purchase.
If your account is closed and you want to reopen it, you must reapply as a new customer, which triggers another hard credit inquiry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I earn rewards on BP fuel purchases if I pay with a debit card instead?
No. Rewards are only earned when you use the BP credit card itself. Debit card purchases, cash purchases, and other payment methods do not earn rewards. The rewards are tied to the credit card account, not to the BP station or fuel type.
Can I use the BP credit card at Amoco stations?
Yes. Amoco stations are owned by BP, and the card earns the same rewards rate at Amoco as it does at BP stations. The card also works at all other gas stations and car washes, though at a lower reward rate.
What happens to my rewards if I close my account?
Any cash back you have already earned remains in your account and can be redeemed even after you close the card. However, you stop earning new rewards once the account is closed. Redeem your balance before closing if you want to use it.
Is there a credit limit on the BP credit card?
Yes. Chase assigns a credit limit based on your credit score, income, and credit history. Your limit is shown in your account dashboard. You can request an increase after you have held the card for at least six months and have made on-time payments.
Can I transfer my BP credit card balance to another card?
Yes, you can transfer your BP card balance to another credit card that offers balance transfers. However, most balance transfer offers come with a fee (typically 3% to 5% of the amount transferred) and a promotional interest rate that applies only to the transferred balance. Check the terms of the card you are transferring to before you proceed.