topic Re: Gas Rewards in 2015 in Credit Cards

Gas Rewards in 2015

Jutz — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 20:13:30 GMT

Hey guys,

I searched for some related posts, but can't find a specific thread for this year. I just took a new job with a much longer commute, looking to maximize my gas rewards in 2015, what's the good word?

Looks like Chase ditched a quarter of 5% for gas, which blows. I have Freedom and BCE, which can get me 5% in Q3, and 2% the other 9 months. Anything better? I'd much rather stick to a generic card so I'm not limited to Shell/Mobil, etc. I'm not a Costco member, so I'm not worried about it the rewards counting there.

I found this link: http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/top-credit-cards/nerdwallets-best-gas-cards/

Any thoughts to what they posted or anything to add?

Re: Gas Rewards in 2015

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 20:16:35 GMT

Sallie Mae Mastercard will give you 250 dollars of gas at 5%. After that you can switch to Chase AARP or BOA Cash Rewards to get 3%. Cash Rewards is capped per quarter, but unless you're spending a ton you won't hit it. AARP is uncapped. Cash Rewards gives 2% at grocery stores (capped per quarter) and AARP gives no cap 3% restauarants.

I'd pick the best of those that fits your spend. Both come with a 100 dollar signup bonus.

Re: Gas Rewards in 2015

Jutz — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 20:19:59 GMT

Ah, I didn't think of BOA. That's their standard 1/2/3 Cash Rewards, right?

Is the Sallie Mae quarterly or annually?

Re: Gas Rewards in 2015

pipeguy — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 20:21:05 GMT

Discover is offering 5% for the first qtr 2015, GM-BuyPower gives 5% on the first $5000 of anything every year, SamsClub MC gives 5% at their pumps or Walmart, BJ's 10 cents a gal at their pumps - these are the options I use.

Re: Gas Rewards in 2015

chalupaman — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 20:22:37 GMT

@Jutz wrote:
Ah, I didn't think of BOA. That's their standard 1/2/3 Cash Rewards, right?

Is the Sallie Mae quarterly or annually?

Every quarter.

Re: Gas Rewards in 2015

TRC_WA — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 20:27:28 GMT

Sallie Mae is 5% on first $250 each gas/groceries per month... and $750 books... (Amazon)

https://www.salliemae.com/credit-cards/sallie-mae-card/

Re: Gas Rewards in 2015

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 20:24:32 GMT

Sallie Mae is 5% back on the first $250 spent per month, available year round. It is my go-to gas card. You also get 5% back on groceries (up to $250 spent per month) and 5% back at bookstores, including Amazon (up to $750 spent per month).

If you're looking for a quarterly revolver, Discover IT has a 5% back category this quarter.

Re: Gas Rewards in 2015

Jutz — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 20:32:05 GMT

The Sallie Mae card keeps getting better every post, haha. I'll cap out the 250 monthly, but not by an overwhelming amount (I guess this really depends on where gas prices go). I suppose I can fill in with BCE after that, and Freedom in Q3.

Edit: My only hesitation is that I hate Sallie Mae.

Re: Gas Rewards in 2015

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 20:34:58 GMT

Yeah I hate them to, but the rewards are insane. I can make 100 bucks in 3 months very consistently, more if I shop a lot at Amazon.

Re: Gas Rewards in 2015

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 20:39:34 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Yeah I hate them to, but the rewards are insane. I can make 100 bucks in 3 months very consistently, more if I shop a lot at Amazon.

Same. Fantastic card. Made $8 in rewards last night ordering a new holster.

Re: Gas Rewards in 2015

Jutz — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 20:40:48 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Yeah I hate them to, but the rewards are insane. I can make 100 bucks in 3 months very consistently, more if I shop a lot at Amazon.

You're maxing out gas/grocery each month, plus an extra $2500 in general 1% purchases over those 3 months? I guess I can see that

Re: Gas Rewards in 2015

Kenny — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 20:41:55 GMT

@Jutz wrote:
The Sallie Mae card keeps getting better every post, haha. I'll cap out the 250 monthly, but not by an overwhelming amount (I guess this really depends on where gas prices go). I suppose I can fill in with BCE after that, and Freedom in Q3.

Edit: My only hesitation is that I hate Sallie Mae.

I understand that, but it's issued by Barclays and Sallie Mae doesn't really have anything to do with the card. It's a great groceries/gas card. And is my go to Amazon card, as well. With a 10k DCU I don't see how you wouldn't be approved for this Barclays card. Go get it!

Re: Gas Rewards in 2015

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 20:44:21 GMT

25 bucks a month in combined groceries and gas=75 dollars in 3 months. It's not hard to get that next 15 with some Amazon purchases or a few 1% spends. I'm not spending anywhere near 2500 on 1% purchases.

Re: Gas Rewards in 2015

Jutz — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 20:47:05 GMT

@Kenny wrote:
@Jutz wrote:
The Sallie Mae card keeps getting better every post, haha. I'll cap out the 250 monthly, but not by an overwhelming amount (I guess this really depends on where gas prices go). I suppose I can fill in with BCE after that, and Freedom in Q3.

Edit: My only hesitation is that I hate Sallie Mae.
I understand that, but it's issued by Barclays and Sallie Mae doesn't really have anything to do with the card. It's a great groceries/gas card. And is my go to Amazon card, as well. With a 10k DCU I don't see how you wouldn't be approved for this Barclays card. Go get it!

Definitely considering it. If I'm emerging from the garden I'll probably app for something generic like IT or Citi, they've both been hounding me. As much as it pains me, CSP has also been hounding me, but I don't have the need for the AF, nor do I travel with any frequency. Gonna get my revolver ratio back down this month and likely pick up this at least.

Re: Gas Rewards in 2015

Jutz — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 20:47:59 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
25 bucks a month in combined groceries and gas=75 dollars in 3 months. It's not hard to get that next 15 with some Amazon purchases or a few 1% spends. I'm not spending anywhere near 2500 on 1% purchases.

Gotcha, yeah the Amazon makes sense.

Re: Gas Rewards in 2015

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 20:50:47 GMT

I put 15 and not 25, my bad. It's really easy to cap groceries and gas each month so you're looking at an easy 300 per year plus whatever you spend on Amazon at 5%.

Re: Gas Rewards in 2015

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 20:58:30 GMT

And then there are the "real" gas rewards cards. Most notable Penfed Cash Rewards (5% off on statement, uncapped), Fort Knox, 5% off uncapped, Amex Old Blue Cash, 5% off after threshold spending met, up to $50K

Re: Gas Rewards in 2015

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 21:03:13 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
And then there are the "real" gas rewards cards. Most notable Penfed Cash Rewards (5% off on statement, uncapped), Fort Knox, 5% off uncapped, Amex Old Blue Cash, 5% off after threshold spending met, up to $50K

Fort knox?

Re: Gas Rewards in 2015

Jutz — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 21:04:00 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
And then there are the "real" gas rewards cards. Most notable Penfed Cash Rewards (5% off on statement, uncapped), Fort Knox, 5% off uncapped, Amex Old Blue Cash, 5% off after threshold spending met, up to $50K

Other than strict credit decisioning (from what I know of) this is the issue with PenFed for me:

How to qualify for the Plus card

**You can earn 5.00% on gas purchases paid at the pump and avoid an annual fee by obtaining a qualifying PenFed product:

Active checking account with direct deposit ($250 min.)
Money Market Certificate or IRA Certificate
Mortgage
Installment loan
Equity Loan or Equity Line of Credit
Thrifty Credit Service
Personal Line of Credit
Money Market Savings Accounts

Re: Gas Rewards in 2015

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 21:05:19 GMT

I've heard the Penfed is insanely hard to get (I don't qualify anyways) but Fort Knox looks good. May give that a try sometime.