Top Off Your Savings with a Gas Rebate Credit Card
Gasoline prices may fluctuate wildly, but unless you bicycle to work you are stuck paying whatever the pump price shows on any given day. If you want to exercise a little more control over your fuel expenditures, you can complete a gas credit card application and be instantly approved to save money every time you fill up. Unlike gas station credit cards you might apply for at your local filling station, these reward cards allow you to purchase any brand you wish. You get the same great pay off no matter where you shop for gas.
This gives you the freedom to take advantage of price wars between different franchises on the same block or buy whatever gas is available when you are traveling. Or, if you prefer one of the name brands with additives, you can buy your favorite gas and knock as much as 3-6% off the price depending on the promotional offer you choose. Of course, if you own a car that requires a higher grade of gasoline to run properly, you will want to keep that extra cost to a minimum by getting a rebate every time you refuel.
Having a single card for all gas purchases allows you to track your fuel usage easily. You can ask for additional cards to be issued to other drivers in your household, giving you the opportunity to build your gas rewards faster. If you know exactly what you are spending each month, you may also be more conscious about making necessary changes to increase your fuel economy. This could be as simple as practicing good car maintenance or as significant as switching to a hybrid. Fortunately, most gas credit cards don’t just offer high rewards on fuel; you don’t have to restrict yourself to using your card only at the filling station. Some cards offer the same rebates for doing your weekly grocery shopping at affiliated stores or making automotive purchases of any kind. Other expenditures can still earn points or cash at the standard 1% rate.
When you choose your gas reward credit card, you can pick one that gives you cash back in the form of a check or one that applies your savings directly to your future purchases in the form of a rebate. Other gas cards allow you to build points to be redeemed for gift cards or air miles. Be aware of any cap on your earnings so you can make the most of your rebate program. Check to see if the higher rebate levels advertised on an offer are available up front or if they kick in after you have reached a specific spending milestone. You may also want to choose this opportunity to take advantage of 0% balance transfer offers and introductory APRs. Either way, you are sure to find an offer that will give a high octane boost to your wallet.
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