Gas Card Rebates

“What?! $3.37 a gallon for the CHEAP stuff?!” If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Gas prices are climbing higher and higher and there is no end in sight. Since we need gas to get us where we’re going (most of us anyway), it only makes sense that we start looking for ways to save on gas or gain something more than a full tank each time we fill up. Gas credit cards might be the answer.

Gas credit cards are convenient of course, who doesn’t like the ease of swiping the card right at the pump, filling up and taking off? Especially moms with young children in car seats – why take them out just to run inside and pay for the gas when you can pay right at the pump and keep them in their car seats?

Having a gas credit card is also a great way to keep better records on what you’re spending on gas. This is particularly important for businesses which are required to maintain data involving such costs for their income taxes.

Not only are the cards convenient, but they’re handy in emergency situations when traveling away from home, if you’re low on cash you at least know you will be able to keep your vehicle full of gas to get you where you’re going. Additionally, gas credit cards give you additional rewards and offers that help make the expense of gasoline a little less cringe-inducing since you know you’re getting something more than a tank of gas out of the purchases.

Cash back programs on gas cards help you get back a percentage of what you put into your tank.
Get back on the road faster and easier when you can swipe the card at the pump.
Because of the continuous increases in gas prices, many credit card issuers are offering gas-specific credit cards. Having decent credit makes it easier to apply and gain approval for a gas credit card, but there are many cards offered to people with average and even below average credit scores, too- although the lower your credit score the more likely it is that you will need to pay an annual fee.

Gas credit cards sometimes are specific only to gas purchases; while others allow you to use them as a regular credit card and shop elsewhere. You may earn higher cash back percentages or better rewards on purchases made on gasoline and car maintenance, but a credit card with gas rewards may be more convenient if you are someone who likes to keep just a single credit card in their wallet- rather than several cards each aimed towards specific types of purchases.

Typical gas rewards programs are offering about 5 or 6% of your gasoline purchases back, in the form of cash back applied to your card statement, or checks sent through the mail. If you’re considering a new car purchase in the near future, you might want to look into gas credit cards that also offer car lease or purchase rewards programs.

If you want your gasoline credit card to benefit you, rather than cause you more financial problems than the ever-rising costs of fueling up, you need to be extremely careful with the card. Don’t fuel up all month long and forget that you eventually have to pay for that fuel! Careful budgeting is the key to success when you decide to make your monthly expenses on a credit card. Paying your balance in full each month is the best way to be sure you are going to benefit from the rewards program rather than cost yourself additional money in finance charges, interest, and late fees.

Gas credit cards can be a convenient way to buy gas less expensively and possibly earn cash back rewards. This kind of charge account helps keep balances low because it is used only for gasoline. This strategy will help people stay on track in their goals to lower and even eliminate debt. Gas only credit cards can usually be bought for a low yearly fee with 0% APR, but only if the balance is paid in full every month. The key is to stay within a predetermined budget, and this is true for accounts devoted exclusively to gasoline too.

Many people tend to overspend once they have a credit card. Because the money is not due until the end of the month, there seems to be flexibility in spending. In fact, this frame of mind is extremely deceptive. People can end up owing many times more than the amount they originally spent using the gas credit cards because of the accumulating interest charges, especially if they pay only the minimum amount due each month. If one of the goals in using a gas only credit card is to save money through cash-back rewards, the balance needs to be paid off every month. This requires discipline in spending and in paying the bills each month. Experts warn against the notion of “I need it now and I’ll worry about paying for it later.”

Once all of the pros and cons have been carefully considered and a consumer is confident is his or her ability to use it wisely, choosing an appropriate gas only credit card can be confusing. There are many seemingly great offers available. Knowing the terms of service on each option is crucial to the decision. Even if the intention is to pay off the balance every month, it is prudent to get one with low rates and high cash back rates. Of course, the cash back on gas credit cards is merely an illusion if high interest rates are eating those rewards.

If consumers find themselves in trouble with their spending after opening a gas only credit card account, they must quickly reassess the family budget in order to recover from the debt. Financial counselors can help determine a budget if professional help is needed. Gas credit cards can save a family money, but they must be used properly, according to a budget and within the terms of the financial agreement.

Creating goals is one step in the right direction to financial freedom. Saving money and earning cash back rewards using a gas only credit card can help people reach their goals. The catch is to use the privilege responsibly.