New Life Membership card

wbwood wrote:

beemerphile1 wrote:

Convenience, sit down and pay bills once per month. Using a CC and paying the balance in full every month is getting an interest free loan every month.

I understand your point, but one could argue the fact of having to keep track of your cc account to make sure you do not spend more than your income provides on your cc. Another thing you will still have to keep track of in addition to your bank account. And he statement of an interest free loan really shouldn't matter, unless you don't have the money ahead of time to pay for things....

I don't feel the need to keep track of anything other than looking at the CC statement, checking, and savings once per month.

The people I see monitoring their balances daily are the ones using debit cards. I understand why. I would never write checks on the same account that I made debit card purchases. Too easy to screw up and have added fees.

I do have a debit card but have never used it. I am considering using one account to write checks and another account for debit card purchases. That is the only way I would ever use a debit card. Even then I would keep a high enough balance that there is no threat of overdrawing the debit card account. But that account doesn't pay interest so I would be loaning my money to the bank for free.

As for the interest free loan comment. My money sits in my account collecting interest while I use the CC funds for free.

I am not telling anyone what they should do, just informing that there are alternatives.

beemerphile1 wrote:

wbwood wrote:

beemerphile1 wrote:

wbwood wrote:

...As far as credit cards giving cash back, we've looked at them. Matter of fact, just did again and one thing that deters me from them is the fact that their interest rates are higher than what our cards are now....

I never even look at the interest rate. The interest rate doesn't matter if you pay in full every month. Carrying a balance is foolish on any card at any interest rate.

Our PNC card pays 4% on purchases at the pump. That makes 16 cents kickback on a $4 gallon. That kickback is good at any station, not only Pilot/Flying J.

True, but why have a credit card if you are going to pay it off anyway? Your debit card is safe to use....

Convenience, sit down and pay bills once per month. Using a CC and paying the balance in full every month is getting an interest free loan every month.

I understand your point, but one could argue the fact of having to keep track of your cc account to make sure you do not spend more than your income provides on your cc. Another thing you will still have to keep track of in addition to your bank account. And he statement of an interest free loan really shouldn't matter, unless you don't have the money ahead of time to pay for things.

All in all, I still think it's none of our business how anyone else chooses to spend their money. Just as it's no business of ours of many of people's life choices.

beemerphile1 wrote:

wbwood wrote:

beemerphile1 wrote:

wbwood wrote:

...As far as credit cards giving cash back, we've looked at them. Matter of fact, just did again and one thing that deters me from them is the fact that their interest rates are higher than what our cards are now....

I never even look at the interest rate. The interest rate doesn't matter if you pay in full every month. Carrying a balance is foolish on any card at any interest rate.

Our PNC card pays 4% on purchases at the pump. That makes 16 cents kickback on a $4 gallon. That kickback is good at any station, not only Pilot/Flying J.

True, but why have a credit card if you are going to pay it off anyway? Your debit card is safe to use....

Convenience, sit down and pay bills once per month. Using a CC and paying the balance in full every month is getting an interest free loan every month.

These dotted boxes are hard to determine who said what. :)
Beemer? Wow 4% is awesome. What is a PNC card.

Another point: I just spent quite a bit of time with a rewards specialist for my credit card. I am very pleased that while on the road almost all expenses can be travel related.
I asked about WHO PUTS THE TRANSACTION LIMIT on credit card purchased at the pump. The rewards person checked with a transaction specialist for credit card purchases. It took a few minutes.
The answer is that this credit card company does not put a transaction limit for a gasoline purchase at the pump. It is the gasoline vendor that limits the transaction.
However, it was suggested to go inside first and have them authorize a larger limit. Then go out and pump away. Your card is only charged what you pumped not the initial authorization.
So by doing that we should be able to then go to the pump swipe the life card - -get the discount- then put in the credit card an pump away.
Bottom line: 3 cent discount, credit card rewards, and non stop fill ups. Then pay balance each month and no interest either.
What do you think?

wbwood wrote:

beemerphile1 wrote:

wbwood wrote:

...As far as credit cards giving cash back, we've looked at them. Matter of fact, just did again and one thing that deters me from them is the fact that their interest rates are higher than what our cards are now....

I never even look at the interest rate. The interest rate doesn't matter if you pay in full every month. Carrying a balance is foolish on any card at any interest rate.

Our PNC card pays 4% on purchases at the pump. That makes 16 cents kickback on a $4 gallon. That kickback is good at any station, not only Pilot/Flying J.

True, but why have a credit card if you are going to pay it off anyway? Your debit card is safe to use....

Convenience, sit down and pay bills once per month. Using a CC and paying the balance in full every month is getting an interest free loan every month.

beemerphile1 wrote:

Fred_n_Jo wrote:
Another advantage of the RV plus charge card is that the discount is from the cash price where if you use your % back credit card you will be paying the credit price. That difference varies from area to area.

I don't know how many states have the cash/credit different prices. We did 2,000 miles in March and only ran into one place that had the different prices. I've never seen it in our home state.

I've seen that before as well.

beemerphile1 wrote:

wbwood wrote:

...As far as credit cards giving cash back, we've looked at them. Matter of fact, just did again and one thing that deters me from them is the fact that their interest rates are higher than what our cards are now....

I never even look at the interest rate. The interest rate doesn't matter if you pay in full every month. Carrying a balance is foolish on any card at any interest rate.

Our PNC card pays 4% on purchases at the pump. That makes 16 cents kickback on a $4 gallon. That kickback is good at any station, not only Pilot/Flying J.

True, but why have a credit card if you are going to pay it off anyway? Your debit card is safe to use. It doesn't have the same timeframe (its lesser), but if you keep an eye on your checking account periodically, you should be able to catch any fraud.

And I didn't really feel it's my business to tell anyone that htey should have outstanding debt or credit. If that is the case, then nothing should be financed ever, to include homes.

Fred_n_Jo wrote:
Another advantage of the RV plus charge card is that the discount is from the cash price where if you use your % back credit card you will be paying the credit price. That difference varies from area to area.

I don't know how many states have the cash/credit different prices. We did 2,000 miles in March and only ran into one place that had the different prices. I've never seen it in our home state.

wbwood wrote:
First of all...yes, you have to use a bank account to make the payment...but you have two options. If you want it auto drafted, you can shoose to do so. It gives you a higher limit. I choose the other option, which limits me to $1000. While I have to pay with my bank account, I pay when I want to, by logging in to the site and authorizing it. Yes, it's supposed to be paid in full monthly. But if you don't, they do not charge you interest. They will however make your card inactive. And once you pay the balance, you will have to call them to get it activated again.

As far as credit cards giving cash back....we've looked at them....matter of fact, just did again and one thing that deters me from them is the fact that their interest rates are higher than what our cards are now. So for us, the RV Plus card works fine for us. We are happy with the 7 cents a gallon we get off of gasoline. I do wish there was a close flying j or pilot to us to use to fill up our cars to make it more worthwhile.

Good morning,
Yes, you've got it. Oh, I forgot about the $1000 limit. Lately, 1200-1300 miles has been our destinations and we didn't don't exceed it. Gee., a cross country trip would need payment(s) within a month.
It's interesting though, that the GoodSam team hasn't responded to the question. Why can't an option be, the 3 cents cover the credit card fees for paying with a credit card monthly (RV plus)when it covers the credit card fees for paying at the pump?
I'd give up 3 cents a gallon to be able to pay by credit, monthly, and have non stop fill ups.
Maybe, for you, losing 4 cents makes it more worth it.
Hey,congrats, on your new RV.
BTW: I'm going to call my 2 points per dollar spent credit card and have them calculate the difference between 3 cents and 6 cents. I haven't figured out if 2 points per dollar is the same as the 2% cards.
However, either way, I do appreciate the discounts especially with Flying J/Pilot being good prices to begin with.

Another advantage of the RV plus charge card is that the discount is from the cash price where if you use your % back credit card you will be paying the credit price. That difference varies from area to area.

wbwood wrote:

...As far as credit cards giving cash back, we've looked at them. Matter of fact, just did again and one thing that deters me from them is the fact that their interest rates are higher than what our cards are now....

I never even look at the interest rate. The interest rate doesn't matter if you pay in full every month. Carrying a balance is foolish on any card at any interest rate.

Our PNC card pays 4% on purchases at the pump. That makes 16 cents kickback on a $4 gallon. That kickback is good at any station, not only Pilot/Flying J.