What the FNBO BP Credit Card offers

The FNBO BP Credit Card is a co-branded card issued by First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO) in partnership with BP. It's designed for people who buy gas regularly at BP stations and want cash back or rewards on those purchases. The card offers a higher cash back rate at BP pumps than you'd earn on other purchases, making it most useful if you have a BP station nearby and fill up there often.

The card also comes with a standard purchase APR and balance transfer terms, though these vary based on your credit profile. Like most gas cards, it's not a travel rewards card or a general-purpose card — it's built around one specific merchant, so the value depends entirely on where you actually buy fuel.

Key Takeaways

  • The FNBO BP card gives you a higher cash back rate at BP gas stations than at other retailers, so the card pays for itself only if you pump gas there regularly.
  • You earn a lower cash back rate on all other purchases, including groceries and restaurants, so this is not a card to use for everyday spending.
  • The card has no annual fee, which means you can keep it open even in months when you don't use it without paying to maintain the account.
  • Your approval odds and interest rate depend on your credit score and history, so the terms you receive may differ from what another person gets.

How the rewards structure works

At BP gas stations, you earn a set cash back rate on every gallon you pump. On all other purchases — groceries, restaurants, online shopping — you earn a lower flat rate. The exact percentages depend on which version of the card you hold, as FNBO sometimes offers different tiers.

Cash back is not a points system that expires or requires redemption. Instead, it posts directly to your account as a statement credit or can be redeemed as a check. This means you don't have to remember to cash in rewards or worry about them disappearing if you don't use the card for a while.

The card does not offer bonus categories beyond BP purchases and general spending. There's no extra cash back for dining, travel, or other common spending categories. If you want rewards on multiple types of purchases, you would need a different card alongside this one.

Annual fees and other costs

The FNBO BP card has no annual fee. You won't be charged just for holding the card, which is common among gas-branded cards but not universal. This means if you open the account and use it only occasionally, you're not paying to keep it open.

Like all credit cards, you will pay interest on any balance you carry past the due date. The purchase APR is not fixed and varies by applicant. You'll also pay interest on balance transfers if you move debt from another card, though the rate may be different from your purchase APR.

If you use the card for cash advances — withdrawing money from an ATM — you'll pay a cash advance fee plus a higher APR than your purchase rate. This is true of nearly all credit cards and is not specific to the FNBO BP card.

Who should consider this card

This card makes sense if you have a BP station within a short drive and fill up there at least once a month. The higher cash back rate at BP means you're earning more on the purchases you're already making. If you drive past BP regularly anyway, the math works in your favor.

The card is less useful if your nearest BP is far away, if you use a different gas brand most of the time, or if you prefer to consolidate all your spending on one general-purpose rewards card. In those cases, a flat-rate cash back card or a card that rewards multiple categories would give you more value.

If you're building credit or rebuilding after past problems, a gas card with no annual fee is a low-cost way to add a new account to your credit mix. You can use it for regular BP purchases and pay it off in full each month without paying interest, which helps your credit score over time.

How to compare this card to other gas cards

Other gas-branded cards exist from Shell, Chevron, Exxon, and other major brands, each issued by different banks. They all follow the same basic structure: higher rewards at their own pumps, lower rewards elsewhere, no annual fee. The main differences are the cash back rates, the issuing bank's customer service reputation, and whether a BP station is convenient for you.

Before explore, check whether you actually have a BP station in your regular driving area. If you don't, the card's main benefit disappears. You can find BP locations on the BP website or through Google Maps.

If you want to earn rewards on gas but don't have a preferred brand, a general-purpose cash back card often beats a single-brand card. A flat 2% cash back card, for example, earns the same rate everywhere, including at any gas station. The tradeoff is that you won't get the higher rate that a branded card offers at its own pumps.

Credit score requirements and approval

FNBO does not publish a minimum credit score for the BP card, but gas cards typically go to people with fair credit or better — usually a score of 650 or above. If your score is lower, you may still be approved, but your interest rate will be higher. If your score is very low, you might be denied.

Your approval also depends on your income, existing debt, and payment history. Even with a good score, if you have multiple recent late payments or very high debt relative to your income, you may be denied or offered a lower credit limit.

You can check your own credit score for free through services like AnnualCreditReport.com or through your bank. Knowing your score before you explore gives you a realistic sense of your odds and the rate you might receive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this card at gas stations other than BP?

Yes, you can use the card anywhere Visa is accepted, including other gas brands. However, you'll earn the lower cash back rate on non-BP purchases, so you're not getting the card's main benefit. The card is designed to encourage you to pump at BP specifically.

What happens if I don't pay my balance in full?

Interest will be charged on the remaining balance at your purchase APR. The interest accrues daily and is added to your next statement. If you carry a balance month to month, the interest compounds, meaning you pay interest on interest. Paying in full by the due date avoids all interest charges.

Does this card help build credit?

Yes, if you use it responsibly. Making on-time payments and keeping your balance low relative to your credit limit shows lenders you can manage debt. Over time, this improves your credit score. Missing payments or maxing out the card does the opposite.

Can I transfer a balance from another card to this one?

Most versions of the FNBO BP card allow balance transfers, though the terms vary. You'll pay a balance transfer fee (usually 3% to 5% of the amount transferred) and may face a different APR than your purchase rate. Check the card's terms or call FNBO to confirm before explore.

What if I move and no longer have a BP station nearby?

You can keep the card open and use it elsewhere, earning the standard cash back rate on all purchases. Since there's no annual fee, you're not paying to keep the account active. If you want to close it later, you can do so without penalty, though closing old accounts can slightly lower your credit score.