ALTOONA, Pa. — Convenience-store retailer Sheetz Inc. is partnering with First Bankcard to expand credit-card options, discounts and rewards to its customers by offering its first private-label credit card, the Sheetz Personal Credit Card.

The new Sheetz Personal Credit Card is designed to be used exclusively at Sheetz convenience stores and offers customers’ automatic savings at Sheetz fuel pumps, as well the ability to earn points on every qualifying purchase at Sheetz.

Customers will save five cents per gallon at the pump using the card; when they use it with the company’s loyalty card, the MySheetz Card, customers will save an extra three cents per gallon for a total savings of eight cents per gallon at the pump.

Customers will also receive five points for every $1 they spend in store using the Sheetz Personal Credit Card. Each time customers earn 1,000 points, they will automatically receive a $10 Sheetz gift card.

“We are a consumer-driven company and we work hard to find the best products and vendors for our customers. At Sheetz, every experience the customer has with us, helps shape the reputation of our brand. First Bankcard will help ensure that our customers have the best experience with the Sheetz credit card and we look forward to this partnership,” said Richard Steckroth, director of business development for Sheetz.

When selecting a partner for the Sheetz Personal Credit Card, Sheetz turned to First Bankcard, its partner of five years and developer of the Sheetz Visa Card.

“We strive to help businesses like Sheetz by providing customer value and benefits, flexibility, innovative products and unparalleled customer service,” said Stephen F. Eulie, president of First Bankcard. “The Sheetz Personal Credit Card allows Sheetz the ability to directly market to their customers a product that will incent them to visit their stores again and again.”

First Bankcard, a division of First National Bank of Omaha, is a leader in the credit-card partnership arena, serving approximately 400 financial institutions, co-brand and affinity partners nationwide.

Sheetz convenience stores are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and offer fresh food such as Made To Order (MTO) subs, sandwiches, burgers, premium salads, appetizers, breakfast sandwiches and more. They also feature MTGo! ready to eat foods and Shweetz Bakery lines of donuts and muffins, along with Sheetz Bros. Coffeez, a full-service espresso and smoothie bar where customers can order handmade specialty coffee drinks including lattes, cappuccinos and mochas, hot, frozen or iced.

The Altoona, Pa.-based company operates more than 500 convenience stores throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio and North Carolina.