The Auto Writer

If you're tired of paying an arm, a leg, or both for your gasoline you aren't alone. One way that you can save money on gasoline is by using a little plastic card....

This past summer when gas prices surged past $4 per gallon, stories about how consumers were trying to save at the pump were aired nightly on the news. Indeed, new websites and blogs sprung up to deal with this trend, bringing traffic to sites offering real answers.

As we have learned over the past several months, some drivers are resorting to hypermiling, a dangerous practice where the transmission is place in neutral, the engine turned off, and drivers glide to their destination.

Others are trying more practical ways to conserve fuel, deciding to work at home one day a week; taking mass transit; finding a car pool buddy; or combining errands.

Whichever way drivers found to save on gas the result is that our gasoline consumption has dropped by billions of gallons monthly. Great for our nation, but not necessarily a big help to already stretched wallets and purses.

One way that consumers can save money hasn’t gotten all that much attention, perhaps because it suggests that drivers would have to take on some debt first, thereby negating its benefits. What am I talking about? Gasoline credit cards – you know, those affinity cards tied in with your favorite gas station (such as Shell, BP and Exxon) which can save you money every time that you hit the pump.

No, savings aren’t huge for each visit to the gas station, but over a period of time you can save enough money to get an occasional free fill up, no small feat in these days of ultra high gas prices. Please read on for guidance on how to save, save, save:

Look for a gas rewards card – Rewards cards tied in with a specific gas station brand (ie, Shell) can give you 3-5% back on purchases. For a card with a 5% reward, that means your $3.75 per gallon charge at the pump is actually $3.56.

No annual fee – Never choose any rewards card charging you an annual fee. A fee can quickly cancel out whatever gains that you are able to realize from the card.

Pay off balances monthly – Perhaps the chief reason why some consumer advocates aren’t keen on this type of card is that they fear consumers will not pay them off monthly. If you run balances on these types of cards, then their fears are valid. If not, then neither you nor they have anything to fear from using them.

Use your gasoline rewards credit card at the gas station only while using other credit cards for separate purchases. That way, you won’t charge more than what you need and can keep track of your gas purchases with ease.

What kind of savings can you realize each year? Well, if you drive 15,000 miles annually and have a vehicle that delivers a combined 25 mpg city/highway, you will consume 600 gallons a fuel annually. At $3.75 per gallon that would be $2250 for the year, but if you use your gas card exclusively (with a 5% gas back reward) then your savings would be $112.50 which translates into two or three fill ups paid by your credit card issuer each year.

Isn’t it time that you found some special ways to save at the pump?

Copyright 2008-2012 — Matthew C. Keegan is the owner of a successful writing and marketing business based in North Carolina, USA. He manages several websites and is a contributing writer for Andy’s Auto Sport, a retailer of quality Chevrolet Camaro mufflers and Chevrolet Camaro tail lights.