Mark Carolin

Posts Tagged ‘Credit Card Company’

There are a variety of credit card companies that are trying to help you save money on gasoline. As gas prices are either holding steady at their already-too-high rate or increasing all the time; any option for saving money on gas is helpful!

Gas cards may offer cash back when you make a gas purchase (and sometimes other purchases as well). This means you get a rebate every time you fill up your car- which can help offset the pain you feel when you pay for your gas! If the card offers a 10% gas rebate, it’s the same as getting a 10% discount when you fill up your car.

If you use a gas rebate credit card, you pay for your gas purchases using the card, and then you’ll receive your rebate from the credit card company. Depending on the terms of the card, you might receive the rebates in the form of a credit back on your credit card, a certificate, or check in the mail.

To maximize the benefits of a gas rebate credit card, be sure to pay off your entire balance each month before the due date listed on your statement. If you carry a balance from month to month, you are paying interest on your gas purchases- which will basically eliminate the rewards you are earning. For cardholders with a 0% interest rate introductory offer, you may choose to let your gas purchases accumulate over the entire period of the introductory offer- and make a single payment at the end of the free interest period. This will allow you to maximize your rebate benefits. Just be sure to send in the payment before the introductory offer ends to avoid paying a monthly interest fee.

Spend some time looking at the various gas rebate credit cards. Some cards allow you to purchase gas from any station that accepts credit cards for your rewards; while others require that you purchase gas from specific gas station brands. If you plan to use the credit card for more than just gas purchases, you’ll want to find one that gives you cash back on purchases other than gas as well, to help maximize what you earn in rewards.

You can further save money on gas with the following vehicle maintenance tips:

Keep tires inflated to the proper pressure as indicated on your owner’s manual. Tires that are inflated correctly can save up to 7 cents per gallon in gas costs. Fuel economy decreases when your vehicle is traveling at speeds over 60 miles per hour. Extra weight in your car will decrease the fuel economy. An idling engine wastes gas. Most vehicles only need to “warm up” for two or three minutes before driving, even when it’s cold. Combine errands and plan your trips. Why take three trips in one day to various places when you could do all three in one round trip and save on gas and miles?