Choosing gas credit cards: rules of thumb.
If you drive a car you have noticed the price of gas. And chances are they have not reached the peak yet. Every night we hear how the price of oil has risen so the price of gas will continue to rise. What are we suppose to do to get back and forth to work or other places we need to go?
In these circumstances, consider getting a gas credit card. How will that help you may be saying? With a gas credit card you can pull into the gas station and not have to spend all you cash in the wallet on gas. With a gas credit card you can make full and put it on the credit card and pay for it later. Another advantage: you can get nice cash back for your gas purchase and save some money. Consider, that you could save up to 5% on fuel, using gas credit card. Also you can earn up to 5 points per dollar spend. Later you can use accumulated points for gas purchases or cash back.
You need to know, that gas credit cards differ from one to another. They can be divided on 2 main categories: 'gas station brand name cards' (no visa/mastercard/amex logo on it) and gas credit cards issued by big banks with visa/mastercard/amex logo. What it the difference?
Gas station brand name cards let you buy gas or merchandise only from any particular gas station name, like BP or Sunoco, for example. You cannot use this card anywhere else. You shoul get this card if you know exactly that you going to use any of these particular gas stations for buying gas. But know, that with these credit cards discounts and cash backs usually better, because they work like 'Fidelity card', that forces to be loyal to any particular gas brand.
Other type of gas credit cards are being issued by banks. They let you buy fuel everywhere you want. Agree that sometimes gas price could be better across the street, and you going to have you discount anyways. These gas cards give you more freedom and let you choose, where to buy gas for your car. Also it's useful for trips: you have no idea, at what gas station you going to stop next. At the same time, with bank gas credit cards you can buy anything you want, not only gas. Its just you will not earn points or cash back on these type of purchases.
Many top-name gas stations offer their own credit cards. You can ask for application form right at the gas station or go online and compare many cards at the time and choose the one, you like the most. Having a gas card is also useful for keeping track of your gas expences, especially if you have business or several cars at home.
A gas credit card is a welcome sight when you see the price signs at the gas station these days. But you should always remember that gas card is like any other credit card, that you should be careful with, because interest rate on unpaid balance is usually high and you can get into debts fast if you will not watch your spending. True, that it is much easier to swipe a card than it is to walk into the gas station, wait in line, then pay the cashier, then go out and pump your gas. Go to your favorite station or visit a website like http://www.credit-card-accepted.com and apply for your gas card today.
gas credit cards at http://www.credit-card-accepted.com
Published July 30th, 2008