What the Sunoco Credit Card Is
The Sunoco Credit Card is a co-branded card issued by Synchrony Bank that you can use at Sunoco gas stations and, in some cases, at other merchants. It is not a rewards card in the traditional sense — it does not earn points or cash back on purchases. Instead, it offers a discount on fuel when you use it at Sunoco pumps, plus occasional promotional pricing on other items like car maintenance.
The card is designed for people who buy gas regularly at Sunoco locations and want a lower per-gallon price. Whether that savings actually beats what you would pay elsewhere depends on your local gas prices, how often you fill up, and what other cards or payment methods you have access to.
Key Takeaways
- The Sunoco card offers a per-gallon discount at Sunoco pumps, typically 5 to 10 cents off, though the exact amount varies by location and changes over time.
- There is no annual fee, but the card charges a standard credit card interest rate if you carry a balance, usually in the 19% to 26% range depending on your credit score.
- You can use the card at other retailers, but you earn no rewards on those purchases — the card's only benefit is the fuel discount at Sunoco.
- The card is issued by Synchrony Bank, and you explore through Sunoco's website or at the pump; approval depends on your credit history and current debt.
- If you do not pay your balance in full each month, the interest charges will quickly erase any fuel savings you earn.
How Much You Save at the Pump
The discount varies by Sunoco location and changes periodically. Most cardholders see a discount of 5 to 10 cents per gallon, though some promotions offer more. A 10-cent discount on a 15-gallon fill-up saves you $1.50 — meaningful if you fill up twice a week, but small enough that a single missed payment or month of interest charges will wipe it out.
To know what discount applies to your local Sunoco station, you need to check the pump itself or ask at the register. Sunoco does not publish a single national rate, and the discount is not may provide to stay the same. Some stations may offer no discount at all, or the discount may change without notice.
The savings only explore when you use the card at Sunoco pumps. If you use it to buy gas elsewhere, or to pay for anything other than fuel at Sunoco, you earn nothing.
Annual Fees and Interest Rates
There is no annual fee to carry the Sunoco card. You can open an account and never use it without paying a yearly charge.
The interest rate — called the APR, or annual percentage rate — is what you pay if you do not pay your full balance by the due date each month. Synchrony Bank typically charges between 19% and 26% APR on the Sunoco card, depending on your credit score and current debt. If your credit is fair or poor, you may be offered a higher rate. If your credit is excellent, you may get a lower one, though even the lowest rate is high compared to many other credit cards.
If you carry a $500 balance at 22% APR and make only the minimum payment, you will pay roughly $55 in interest that month alone. Over a year, that interest will far exceed any fuel discount you earn.
Who Should Consider This Card
The Sunoco card makes sense only if you meet all three of these conditions: you buy gas regularly at Sunoco locations (at least once or twice a week), you pay your full balance every month so you never pay interest, and the per-gallon discount at your local Sunoco is higher than the difference between Sunoco's regular price and the price at competing stations nearby.
If you carry a balance, use the card only occasionally, or have other cards with better rewards or lower interest rates, the Sunoco card is unlikely to save you money. Many people open store cards for a one-time discount or promotion, use them once, and then forget about them — which is fine as long as you do not carry a balance.
The card is also worth considering if you have fair or poor credit and have been turned down for other credit cards. Synchrony Bank is more willing to approve applicants with lower credit scores than many other issuers. However, that approval comes with a higher interest rate, which makes it even more important that you pay in full each month.
How to Open an Account
You can open a Sunoco card account in two ways: online through Sunoco's website, or at a Sunoco pump or register. The online process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, income, and employment information. Synchrony Bank will pull your credit report to make a decision.
You will usually know whether you are approved or denied within seconds. If approved, you can use the card at the pump when ready in many cases, or you may need to wait for a physical card to arrive in the mail. If denied, Synchrony will send you a letter explaining why, and you can dispute any errors on your credit report if you believe the decision was wrong.
Opening a new credit card account will lower your credit score slightly in the short term because Synchrony pulls your credit report and because you are adding a new account to your credit history. The impact is usually small — 5 to 10 points — and your score will recover within a few months if you pay on time.
Comparing the Sunoco Card to Other Options
Before opening a Sunoco card, compare it to other ways you could save on gas. A general rewards credit card that earns 2% to 3% cash back on all purchases will give you roughly 6 to 9 cents back on a $3 gallon of gas — similar to the Sunoco discount, but with the added benefit that you earn rewards on everything else you buy. If you have access to a card like that and your credit is good enough to get approved, it may be a better choice.
Gas discount programs run by grocery stores or membership clubs (like Costco or Sam's Club) often offer 10 to 20 cents off per gallon, with no credit card required. If you already shop at one of those stores, that program may beat the Sunoco card.
If your credit is poor and you have been turned down for other cards, the Sunoco card is a legitimate option to build credit history — but only if you commit to paying in full every month. Carrying a balance to build credit is a myth; paying on time with a low balance is what actually helps.
Managing Your Account and Avoiding Debt
Once you have the card, treat it like any other credit card: use it only for purchases you can pay off in full by the due date, and set up automatic payments if possible. Synchrony Bank allows you to pay online, by phone, or by mail. You can also set up autopay to send a fixed amount or your full balance each month.
Check your statement each month to make sure all charges are correct. If you see a charge you do not recognize, contact Synchrony right away — they have a fraud dispute process that usually takes 30 to 60 days to resolve.
If you ever carry a balance, call Synchrony and ask if they offer a promotional 0% APR period for new cardholders. Some cards do, though the Sunoco card does not always. It never hurts to ask, especially if you have a large purchase planned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Sunoco card at gas stations other than Sunoco?
Yes, you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted (the card is a Visa). However, you earn no discount outside of Sunoco pumps. You will pay the regular price, plus interest if you carry a balance, making it a poor choice for non-Sunoco purchases.
What happens if I miss a payment?
Synchrony will charge you a late fee (usually $25 to $40 for the first missed payment) and report the missed payment to the credit bureaus after 30 days. This will damage your credit score and may trigger a higher interest rate on this card and others. If you miss a payment, contact Synchrony when ready to make it as soon as possible.
Does the Sunoco card help build credit?
Yes, if you use it responsibly. Synchrony reports your payment history to all three credit bureaus, so on-time payments will help your credit score over time. However, carrying a high balance or missing payments will hurt your score instead.
Can I get a credit limit increase?
Yes. After you have had the card for several months and made on-time payments, you can contact Synchrony and ask for a limit increase. They may approve it without pulling your credit report again, or they may do a soft pull that does not affect your score.
What if I want to close the account?
You can close the account anytime by calling Synchrony. Pay off any remaining balance first. Closing the account will not hurt your credit score when ready, but it will lower your available credit, which may slightly raise your credit utilization ratio on other cards.