Gas discount cards, why don't more people use them?

[gekkoplus]

I am not a huge fan of cashback credit cards. In my experience, I end up paying more in finance charges and interests than I am cashbacked for. Plus it is just too much work to keep, maintain and use specific credit cards for specific purchases in my opinion.

[disneysteve]

I am not a huge fan of cashback credit cards. In my experience, I end up paying more in finance charges and interests than I am cashbacked for. Plus it is just too much work to keep, maintain and use specific credit cards for specific purchases in my opinion.

You shouldn't be using ANY credit card if you can't pay the bill in full each and every month. You are right that the interest charges would outweigh any benefit.

As for using specific cards for specific purchases, it really isn't a big deal. I know that 3/1-6/30, my AOL Visa gave 5x reward points on gas, groceries and restaurants. I know that 7/1-9/30, my Discover card will be 5% on gas, groceries and hotels. And I know that my Marriott Visa is always double points on restaurants, airfare and rental cars.

[aida2003]

More and more stations in our area have switched to charging more for credit card purchases. I hate that because I know they aren't really allowed to do it, but they all get away with it. Some are charging an extra 8-10 cents per gallon to pay with credit.

If you have a credit card that gives you 5% back, it still works out, though. With gas at $4.00/gallon, that is $.20 back per gallon. Still beats paying the lower cash price.

Actually I read about this in our local newspaper that gas stations in quite a few states offer cheaper gas if you pay cash, so some gas station owners in Charlotte also started doing that. The article didn't mention that it's illegal to charge you more if you use a CC. Maybe because merchants must pay transaction fees to CC companies....
As long as our AmEx offers 5% on gas, I'm going to use its convenience and pay at a pump .

[disneysteve]

aida2003 - It is a scam. It is against CC policy to charge more for using a credit card, but it is okay to charge less for paying cash. Of course, that amounts to exactly the same thing but it is all semantics. So the gas stations say they are giving a cash discount, not charging a credit premium.

The reason I say it's a scam is this. The stations that charge a different price for cash and credit have their cash price set at the same price that other local stations are charging cash or credit. It is their credit price that is 8 or 9 cents higher. So they are absolutely charging more to use credit but they are allowed to get away with it.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Not worth the hassle. I can't even pump my own gas, so card it is. It's would be crazy to pay cash. But maybe they like it better, but it's all pump service here.

[Mamaw]

Being a Senior adult I shop at Kroger's on Wed because they offer a percentage off Goceries. I also use coupons and last time I shopped I had a $5.00 off 35.00 Koger's sent me. Since I hadn't been to the store I bought $100.00 worth of groceries. This only has to be during one month. In July my gas at their store will be 10 cents a gallon cheaper I will pay with my Discover card and get their percentage off and yes I pay my credit cards in full.

[PennyPincher]

WAWA gas buyers?

In my area, we have plenty of Wawa gas stations, and they tend to be the cheapest on gas. So... I got myself a Wawa credit card. They offer 10% back on ALL Wawa purchases for the first 60 days... and 3% thereafter. All other purchases elsewhere earn 1%. The payment is received in Wawa giftcards. There is not a $100 limit like other cards. In my first two months, I earned $75 in gift cards!!! Not too shabby... that's a FREE fill-up and then some...

Here's the link for anyone that wants to check it out:

Wawa Visa Rewards card

[Mamaw]

What is WAWA?

[disneysteve]

What is WAWA?

Wawa is a chain of convenience stores like 7-11 or Turkey Hill. Most, especially all the newer ones, also have gas stations.