With gas prices skyrocketing, millions of people are flocking to gas cards to help with the rising fuel cost. Gas cards are brand specific credit cards that offer consumers rebates and rewards for using their credit card. Like most credit cards that offer a reward programs, there are specific guidelines that consumers’ need to be aware of. In many cases, a traditional credit card is better suited for the task.
For starters, gas reward cards are designed for people with good credit that pay off their balances on a monthly basis. If you have the tendency to carry over balances from month to month you will be better served using a regular credit card. Reward credit cards in general, have higher interest rates and shorter grace periods. Therefore, when you carry a balance, you will be paying more in interest even after you consider the rewards.
Sixty percent of all gas credit card holders carry a balance from month to month; this is how the credit card issuers pay the reward benefits. When considering gas credit cards, consumers need to take a careful look at the benefits that are offered. Most gas cards offer better benefits as an introductory incentive to attract new card holders. You should look past these initial offers when comparing cards and pick a reward program based on the benefits that occur after this initial period is over.
The most important thing to look for when considering a gas credit card is your driving habits. Will your gas card be used primarily locally, or will it be used for travel? Make sure there are close and convenient stations to use if your card is brand specific. Having to travel an extra three to five miles out of your way to use your gas card can eat in to any benefits that you receive from using the card. Many gas cards offer additional discounts on specific merchandise in specific retail stores; again, what is the proximity of these stores to the station?
Gas credit cards are issued by banks like such as, Chase, Discover or Citibank or by a gas company like Shell, Mobile or Chevron. The most important distinction is that the brand specific gas cards require that you buy their gas to take advantage of any benefits they offer. Ironically, it’s usually the banks, rather than the gas companies, that underwrite and bank-roll the credit cards anyway. The difference is that the gas company credit cards are usually easier to qualify for than the bank issued cards are. The caveat is; interest rates and/or rewards are directly related to your credit. Marginal credit results in marginal interest and rewards.
When comparing benefits, many bank issued credit cards tend to mirror each other. Some of the more common benefits include cash-back rebates that range from 2% – 5%, cash rebates on purchases, 0% introductory rates and no annual fees. On the other hand, the benefits offered by the gas credit card will include things such as air miles rebates, hotel and travel discounts, car repair rebates and rebates on groceries at participating stores. When making a choice on what card to use, choose the benefit that best matches your lifestyle.
A card that we recommend at Direct Banc is the Discover® Open Road(SM) Card. This card offers cardholders a 5% in cash rebate on gas and car maintenance purchases up to 1% for general purchases, and .25% for purchases made at select warehouse clubs and discount stores. Of course, you could consider other cards like the BP Gas Credit Card Visa® Rewards and the Capital One® No Hassle Miles(SM) Rewards for travel and gas. Each of these cards offer a unique reward benefits package that compliment varied lifestyles. Taking time to read the fine print and picking the right benefit is the key to getting a gas credit card that is truly a benefit for you.
Aubrey Clark
http://www.articlesbase.com/personal-finance-articles/gas-credit-cards-tips-on-picking-the-best-card-460457.html
March 18th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
Spanish Translation?(PICKING BEST ANSWER)?
ok this is really hard to do, but if you do the whole thing: i will pick the best answer and i will star all ur questions. can u translate this whole skit form english to spanish????? its ok if u dont want to. p.s- we are at a spanish-speaking restauraunt
LK-hello
C- hello, how many are in ur party?
LK- two
C- follow me please
LK- thanks
C- here are menus i will be back to order you food
LK- gracias
C- what would you like to drink?
L- strawberry smoothie please
K- lemonade please
C- ill go get those
C- Strawberry smoothie
C- Lemonade
K- thank you
C- what would you like to eat?
L- two tacos with pepper please
K- a chicken sandwich please
C- Thank you, i will take ur menus and get ur food
L- Robert Pattinson is so good-looking
K- yes
C- two tacos with pepper
C- chicken sandwich
C- enjoy you meal
L- this food is good and fresh!
K- yes it is very fresh
C- would you like desert?
LK- no thanks
L- can we have the bill please?
C- yes
C- here is your bill. you can call me over when ur ready
L- thanks
K- waitress! here is our credit card
C- ill be right back with your receipt
C- here you go thank you have a lovely night!
by the way, tips are accepted =]
LK- gracias
C- good night
L- Adios
K- Adios
C- Adios thank you for coming!
March 18th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
LK- hola
C- Hola, cuantos en su grupo?
LK- dos
C- Sigame por favor
LK- Gracias
C- Aqui esta la carta, regreso en un momento para tomar su orden de comida
LK- gracias
C- Que les gustaria tomar?
L- Una malteada de fresa
K- Limonada por favor
C- Voy a traerlos
C- Malteada de fresa
C- Limonada
K- Gracias
C- Que les gustaria comer?
L- two tacos with pepper please Dos tacos con chile por favor
K- a chicken sandwich please Un emperedado de pollo
C- Gracias, les recojo las cartas y voy a traer su comida
L- Robert Pattinso es tan bien parecido (or you can use guapo)
K- Si
C- Dos tacos con chile
C- un emparedado de pollo
C- Que disfruten su comida
L- Esta comida esta muy sabrosa y recien hecha!
K- Si esta recien hecha
C- Les gustaria algo de postre?
LK- no gracias
L- Nos da la cuenta por favor?
C- Si
C- Aqui esta su cuenta. Pueden llamarme cuando esten listos
L- gracias
K- Mesera! Aqui esta mi tarjeta de credito
C- Regreso en un momento con su recibo
C- Aqui tiene, gracias y que tenga una noche agradable! De hecho, las propinas son aceptables =]
LK- gracias
C- good night Buenas noches
L- Adios
K- Adios
C- Adios y gracias por venir!
References :
March 18th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
LK-hola
c. hola, ¿cuántos están en su partido?
LK. Dos
C. me siguen por favor
LK. Gracias
C.¿Qué te gustaría beber?
L.fresa suave, por favor
C.limonada
K. Gracias
C- ¿Qué te gustaría comer?
L-dos tacos con pimienta por favor un sándwich de pollo por favor
C-Muchas gracias, voy a tener menús y ur ur obtener alimentos
L-Robert Pattinson es tan guapo
K-Sí
C-dos tacos con pimienta
C-sándwich de pollo
C-usted disfrutar de la comida
L-esta comida es buena y fresca!
K-Sí, es muy fresco
C-te gustaría desierto?
LK-No, gracias
L– Podemos tener el proyecto de ley por favor?
C-Sí
C-aquí es su proyecto de ley. usted puede llamar cuando me ur listo
L-gracias
K-camarera! aquí es nuestra tarjeta de crédito
C-malos se remontan a su recepción
C-Aquí tienes las gracias a usted tiene una hermosa noche!
por cierto, se aceptan sugerencias =]
LK-gracias
C-Buenas noches
L-Adios
K-Adios
C-Adios gracias por venir!
References :
google translation
March 18th, 2010 at 9:52 pm
LK-hola
C-Hola, ¿cuántos son en parte ur?
LK-dos
C-me siguen por favor
LK-gracias
C-aquí están los menús i será de nuevo a fin de que los alimentos
LK-gracias
C-¿Qué te gustaría beber?
L-smoothie de fresa, por favor
K-limonada, por favor
C-mal ir por los
C-smoothie de fresa
C-Lemonade
K-gracias
C-¿Qué te gustaría comer?
L-dos tacos con pimienta por favor
K-un sándwich de pollo por favor
C-Muchas gracias, voy a tener menús y ur ur obtener alimentos
L-Robert Pattinson es tan guapo
K-Sí
C-dos tacos con pimienta
C-sándwich de pollo
C-usted disfrutar de la comida
L-esta comida es buena y fresca!
K-Sí, es muy fresco
C-te gustaría desierto?
LK-No, gracias
L-podemos tener el proyecto de ley por favor?
C-Sí
C-aquí es su proyecto de ley. usted puede llamar cuando me ur listo
L-gracias
K-camarera! aquí es nuestra tarjeta de crédito
C-malos se remontan a su recepción
C-Aquí tienes las gracias a usted tiene una hermosa noche!
por cierto, se aceptan sugerencias =]
LK-gracias
C-Buenas noches
L-Adios
K-Adios
C-Adios gracias por venir!
References :