topic Re: Why get a [PNC Cash Rewards] Gas CC when you have Discover it and Freedom Flex? in Credit Cards

Why get a [PNC Cash Rewards] Gas CC when you have Discover it and Freedom Flex?

Beast26 — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 15:10:31 GMT

Just a question that popped in my head. Why do a lot of people here get a PNC cash rewards card that gives 4% on gas when you already have 2 cards like Discover it Cashback and Chase Freedom/Freedom flex? Are you just not into buying gas gift cards to cover the months that are not the Gas, Grocery, or Paypal category?

I was just curious as it may influence my decision down the road.

Re: Why get a [PNC Cash Rewards] Gas CC when you have Discover it and Freedom Flex?

Anonymous — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 15:13:20 GMT

@Beast26 Well, I can only speak for my family. Not sure why others do. But we do it for simplified taxes. We are able to write-off our fuel, and travel expenses. So we find it much easier with dedicated cards.

Re: Why get a [PNC Cash Rewards] Gas CC when you have Discover it and Freedom Flex?

Andypanda — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 15:13:53 GMT

it depends on how much someone drives. If the card has no af, some people might just find it easier. My gas card is the costco visa whch i would have gotten even without the gas benefit. I know some people don't like waiting the year for the rewards, I don't mind, plus I'm at lol/24 so no freedom flex for me for about a year.

@Beast26 wrote:
Just a question that popped in my head. Why do a lot of people here get a PNC cash rewards card that gives 4% on gas when you already have 2 cards like Discover it Cashback and Chase Freedom/Freedom flex? Are you just not into buying gas gift cards to cover the months that are not the Gas, Grocery, or Paypal category?

I was just curious as it may influence my decision down the road.

Re: Why get a [PNC Cash Rewards] Gas CC when you have Discover it and Freedom Flex?

gdale6 — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 15:11:50 GMT

Disco & FF usually only offer it for one quarter of the year (these are rotating 5% category cards) when others offer it all year round.

Re: Why get a [PNC Cash Rewards] Gas CC when you have Discover it and Freedom Flex?

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 15:14:21 GMT

For me, I have to find someone that will accept credit card for gift cards. Majority of places around here will only accept debit or cash.

Re: Why get a [PNC Cash Rewards] Gas CC when you have Discover it and Freedom Flex?

Anonymous — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 15:16:03 GMT

@gdale6 wrote:
Disco & FF usually only offer it for one quarter of the year (these are rotating 5% category cards) when others offer it all year round.

Right, but the point was to buy gift cards to use other quarters. Obviously if you are already hitting the cap, this won't work

Re: Why get a [PNC Cash Rewards] Gas CC when you have Discover it and Freedom Flex?

AverageJoesCredit — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 15:17:41 GMT

Id venture more people can access Discover and Chase more than PNC. I cant app for PNC while i can for Disco and Chase even though i currently dont qualify for either.

Re: Why get a [PNC Cash Rewards] Gas CC when you have Discover it and Freedom Flex?

Beast26 — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 15:26:08 GMT

Exactly. That is why I also mentioned Paypal, and Grocery categories for those who don't think about it. Places like Food Lion and Publix sell gas gift cards as well as a ton of other cards. Paypal key can be used to buy gas gift cards online. But it would make since if you guys are hitting the cap on these categories by other means. Someone like me can't use the grocery category because I buy all my groceries at walmart so I use the grocery category to buy gas gift cards. Also the paypal category to buy gas gift cards. That is basically 9 months of 5% back on gas without having to "stock up" during a certain quarter other than Q4 for discover it.

Re: Why get a [PNC Cash Rewards] Gas CC when you have Discover it and Freedom Flex?

Anonymous — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 15:24:41 GMT

I suspect for some/many, and speaking for myself, simplicity rules. It's much simpler to pay for my gas on a credit card and be done with it. It's not convenient for me to keep track of gift cards, drive to a gas station I have a gift card for, etc. If I lose out on 1% CB, it's a fair trade off, to me, for simplicity.

Re: Why get a [PNC Cash Rewards] Gas CC when you have Discover it and Freedom Flex?

Beast26 — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 15:30:56 GMT

I also understand your point here @Anonymous its simple and eliminates having extra cards. I definitely won't be doing the gift card thing when I'm in my 50's. lol That is one reason why I considered possibly doing the same at some point. I'm just lucky to be surrounded by gas stations but have a certain BP that I pass by very often that is always cheaper than all the other gas stations and so that is where I get my gas. Sometimes it is as much as 30cents cheaper than the other gas stations.

Re: Why get a [PNC Cash Rewards] Gas CC when you have Discover it and Freedom Flex?

gdale6 — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 15:39:36 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@gdale6 wrote:
Disco & FF usually only offer it for one quarter of the year (these are rotating 5% category cards) when others offer it all year round.
Right, but the point was to buy gift cards to use other quarters. Obviously if you are already hitting the cap, this won't work

I never buy gift cards too much of a head ache.

Re: Why get a [PNC Cash Rewards] Gas CC when you have Discover it and Freedom Flex?

Mr_Mojo_Risin — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 16:13:48 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I suspect for some/many, and speaking for myself, simplicity rules. It's much simpler to pay for my gas on a credit card and be done with it. It's not convenient for me to keep track of gift cards, drive to a gas station I have a gift card for, etc. If I lose out on 1% CB, it's a fair trade off, to me, for simplicity.

I fall under the simplicity aspect as well. Your post is perfectly said for me. 👌

Re: Why get a [PNC Cash Rewards] Gas CC when you have Discover it and Freedom Flex?

Stralem — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 16:36:57 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I suspect for some/many, and speaking for myself, simplicity rules. It's much simpler to pay for my gas on a credit card and be done with it. It's not convenient for me to keep track of gift cards, drive to a gas station I have a gift card for, etc. If I lose out on 1% CB, it's a fair trade off, to me, for simplicity.

This full stop.

I'm not going to go out of my way to stock up on gift cards just to make 1% more than I usually get year round. Too much hassle for not a lot of gain.

Re: Why get a [PNC Cash Rewards] Gas CC when you have Discover it and Freedom Flex?

FormerCollegeDJ — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 17:05:37 GMT

@Stralem wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I suspect for some/many, and speaking for myself, simplicity rules. It's much simpler to pay for my gas on a credit card and be done with it. It's not convenient for me to keep track of gift cards, drive to a gas station I have a gift card for, etc. If I lose out on 1% CB, it's a fair trade off, to me, for simplicity.
This full stop.

I'm not going to go out of my way to stock up on gift cards just to make 1% more than I usually get year round. Too much hassle for not a lot of gain.

Yeah, it isn't like grocery stores where most people probably only go to 1-2 chains regularly or even restaurants where many people have favorites; with gas stations I think most people go to whatever gas station is convenient when they need gas, which could one of 6-8 gas station chains.

Re: Why get a [PNC Cash Rewards] Gas CC when you have Discover it and Freedom Flex?

Beast26 — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 17:30:00 GMT

Right now it's convenient for me because I pass the BP that I use gift cards at when I leave work on the way home. On the other hand When I get most of my goal cards I may end up getting the Abound CU Platinum Visa so I won't have to wait in suspense about what categories chase will have for the year. Atleast Discover give them all out at once. At some point I will simplify it and get a gas card. You guys make a good point it is more simple to get a gas card than to buy gift cards. I think I will do the gift card thing for another year which in that time I will have all my other goal cards then I will apply for the Abound 5% card. First I must get the Elan Max Cash because I am also stuck managing a bunch of fast food gift cards which really is a headache.

Re: Why get a [PNC Cash Rewards] Gas CC when you have Discover it and Freedom Flex?

ChargedUp — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 18:23:05 GMT

@gdale6 wrote:
Disco & FF usually only offer it for one quarter of the year (these are rotating 5% category cards) when others offer it all year round.

This is me right here... Not to mention the 4% on PNC is capped at $8K in spend (along with the other bonus categories if you're using PNC at restaurants and grocery.) I'm using Discover for 5% and when I cap that out I'll use up the Freedom 5% while giving PNC a break. Evidently I've already run over $3K in gas through that card this year. (In California, it's *very* easy to max out fuel spend categories )

Re: Why get a [PNC Cash Rewards] Gas CC when you have Discover it and Freedom Flex?

creditfan — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 18:32:39 GMT

get Cash+ from USB to buy gas giftcard from bestbuy to cover other months all year round

Re: Why get a [PNC Cash Rewards] Gas CC when you have Discover it and Freedom Flex?

Beast26 — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 02:14:02 GMT

I never knew this strategy thanks for the info! I will use it when I get the Elan Max Cash this year. Didn't know bestbuy.com would sell gas cards.