Diesel fuel - cash or credit?

[mielock]

For those that drive diesel trucks, I’m sure you’ve noticed gas stations advertising different prices for cash vs. credit. I’ve noted inconsistencies between stations, with some accepting debit cards as cash, and others not. What is your experience? Do most accept debit as cash? I don’t like to carry hundreds of dollars in cash in order to get the discounted rate. What do you do?

[ktmrfs]

wny_pat wrote:

ktmrfs wrote:

az99 wrote:

wny_pat wrote:
And I get an additional 5% back using my PenFed Rewards credit card when used at the pumps.

Not any more. As of 8/16/13 they changed without notice to their customers of the Platinum Rewards card. You still get 5 points per dollar spent but now to redeem the points you need 11,800 points to get $100 back. They increased the points needed by 18%. That nets to about 4.1% actual cash back. Very deceptive since they know most people relate points to $.

depends on which pen fed card you have. the pen fed I have doesn't give ANY points, just a straight 5% credit each month on fuel purchases swiped at the pump. Just got a bill and still the same 5% credit at the end of the month. Mine doesn't give anything back or point etc. on non fuel or non swipe at the pump purchases.

Cash rewards is definitely going down to 3% after Oct 31. And the Visa Rewards is most likely going down to 3/2/1% after Dec 31. But there is still a chance that it may stay the same, from what I was told. Check the Pen Fed web site!

the website still shows the PenFed Platinum Cash Rewards Visa® Card giving 5% cash back on fuel purchases at the pump. that's the one I have. AFAIK I don't get any discounts/points etc. on any other purchases, but all I use it for is fuel anyway. But as of your aniversary date, it will go to $25/year annual fee unless you have other accounts with them such as a loan, CD, checking etc.

[az99]

wny_pat wrote:

But there is still a chance that it may stay the same, from what I was told. Check the Pen Fed web site!

Could you provide a link to it please? According to what I found on the web site and the lady I talked to, there is no cash back card available. Just the Rewards card like I have.

[wny_pat1]

ktmrfs wrote:

az99 wrote:

wny_pat wrote:
And I get an additional 5% back using my PenFed Rewards credit card when used at the pumps.

Not any more. As of 8/16/13 they changed without notice to their customers of the Platinum Rewards card. You still get 5 points per dollar spent but now to redeem the points you need 11,800 points to get $100 back. They increased the points needed by 18%. That nets to about 4.1% actual cash back. Very deceptive since they know most people relate points to $.

depends on which pen fed card you have. the pen fed I have doesn't give ANY points, just a straight 5% credit each month on fuel purchases swiped at the pump. Just got a bill and still the same 5% credit at the end of the month. Mine doesn't give anything back or point etc. on non fuel or non swipe at the pump purchases.

Cash rewards is definitely going down to 3% after Oct 31. And the Visa Rewards is most likely going down to 3/2/1% after Dec 31. But there is still a chance that it may stay the same, from what I was told. Check the Pen Fed web site!

[TOOBOLD]

I found a way to beat the system. My grocery store sells gift cards and I can by them with my credit card without a surcharge. I then go to my regular gas station and get the cash price using the gift card. I even get a 20 cent/gallon discount with my grocery card bonus points.

I'm also a coupon queen.

[ktmrfs]

az99 wrote:

wny_pat wrote:
And I get an additional 5% back using my PenFed Rewards credit card when used at the pumps.

Not any more. As of 8/16/13 they changed without notice to their customers of the Platinum Rewards card. You still get 5 points per dollar spent but now to redeem the points you need 11,800 points to get $100 back. They increased the points needed by 18%. That nets to about 4.1% actual cash back. Very deceptive since they know most people relate points to $.

depends on which pen fed card you have. the pen fed I have doesn't give ANY points, just a straight 5% credit each month on fuel purchases swiped at the pump. Just got a bill and still the same 5% credit at the end of the month. Mine doesn't give anything back or point etc. on non fuel or non swipe at the pump purchases.

Also, I've been to many stations that post a "cash" and "credit" price. I always use my credit cards and ALWAYS have been billed the "cash" price. IMHO they do this to get people to pay with cash.

[mr__ed]

I like using my credit card because I get cash rewards that I can apply to my checking account whenever I want.

[az99]

wny_pat wrote:
And I get an additional 5% back using my PenFed Rewards credit card when used at the pumps.

Not any more. As of 8/16/13 they changed without notice to their customers of the Platinum Rewards card. You still get 5 points per dollar spent but now to redeem the points you need 11,800 points to get $100 back. They increased the points needed by 18%. That nets to about 4.1% actual cash back. Very deceptive since they know most people relate points to $.

[mich800]

pnichols wrote:

down home wrote:
I'm tired of the whole card thing...

Why??

Just get one VISA (not Mastercard) credit card - NOT a debit card - and use it for everything and use the same card for years to eliminate the hassle from making changes.

We get 5% back on all fuel, 3% back on all groceries, and 1% back on everything else.

This amounts to $700-$1000 (for us) per year every year ... that you can spend for another $700-$1000 (for us) worth of gas or anything else every year. Life couldn't be better -> especially if you get a kick out of "beating the system at it's own games". :C

I would recommend one back up card. I travel for work. If in the event you are out of town and a card is compromised it is nice having a contingency plan to get back home if you need to cancel your primary card.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

mielock wrote:
For those that drive diesel trucks, I’m sure you’ve noticed gas stations advertising different prices for cash vs. credit. I’ve noted inconsistencies between stations, with some accepting debit cards as cash, and others not. What is your experience? Do most accept debit as cash? I don’t like to carry hundreds of dollars in cash in order to get the discounted rate. What do you do?

Use a credit card that offers a percentage discount on fuel purchases.
Some are 5%. Offsets the higher credit card price..:W

~

On edit - didn't read through the thread for the obvious solutions - already posted, like the above.

~

[pnichols]

down home wrote:
I'm tired of the whole card thing...

Why??

Just get one VISA (not Mastercard) credit card - NOT a debit card - and use it for everything and use the same card for years to eliminate the hassle from making changes.

We get 5% back on all fuel, 3% back on all groceries, and 1% back on everything else.

This amounts to $700-$1000 (for us) per year every year ... that you can spend for another $700-$1000 (for us) worth of gas or anything else every year. Life couldn't be better -> especially if you get a kick out of "beating the system at it's own games". :C

[ependydad]

wny_pat wrote:

Sez Hoo! wrote:
Get a Flying J/Pilot frequent fueler card. you can pay with plastic and still get up to 6 cents off the posted cash price.

And I get an additional 5% back using my PenFed Rewards credit card when used at the pumps.

And I don't have a debit card. They do not offer anywhere near the legal protections that a credit card is required to offer.

Another here for the Flying J/Pilot card user.

However, I do carry a debit card. I've had 2 incidents where someone got ahold of it (one stolen out of a wallet and the other, a compromised web site). Both times, I wasn't out of any money and it was little more inconvenience than making a phone call (or answering one- as the bank/credit union called me the first time).

[Bird_Freak]

The only place in my area that charges a debit as a credit card is the Love's truck stop. I no longer buy anything there.

[motorcycle_jack]

I try to use my Pilot/Flying J CREDIT card, not the RV Plus card. Yea, the Plus card gives you up to 6 cents off per gallon of diesel but the CREDIT card gives me 8 cents per gallon off. On 40+ gallons that's a free gallon. Or in my truck that's a free 10 miles of driving - no brainer.

[down_home]

I'm tired of the whole card thing....however it is hard to carry enough cash for anything. A twenty dollar bill won't go as far as one dollar use to.
We try to have quite a bit cash available, when we are on trips, so that we can save a few dollars fueling, when we must confront the tier pricing.
Also there is the security issue. We have now been hit several times by criminals that hacked our debit/credit cards by whatever means.
It sometimes po some people when my wife pays exact with bills and change. Twenty years ago who would have thunk it. Then we didn't like waiting on Folks to write checks.