Should I Use a Credit Card at the Pump?

Q: Is it a good idea to use my We Florida Financial credit card to pay for gas?

A: People commonly use their debit cards or pay in good old-fashioned cash when filling up on fuel, but there are several advantages to using a credit card to pay for gas. Here are four reasons our members should use your credit card to pay at the pump. 

1. Track your spending

Cash is the over-spender’s vice, and leaves no paper trail whatsoever. When you pay with plastic, though, there’s always a record of the transaction. Just check out the credit card statement each billing period or look in your online or mobile banking tools to see how much you’ve spent on fuel costs. Easy budgeting and tracking at its best!  

2. Earn rewards for every gallon

If you own a credit card that offers cash back rewards or miles for every purchase you make, you can earn a fair amount of rewards points by using your credit card to purchase the gas you would buy anyway. In just one year, you may have enough rewards or miles to fund a full vacation! Just make sure to choose the card that offers the most bang for your buck.

We Florida Financial’s DreamMore Rewards Visa Credit Card offers members benefits on every purchase, including 1 point for every $1 spent on credit card purchases, 2 points for every $1 spent on gas and 3 points for every $1 spent on dining & grocery purchases. You can then use those points to purchase flights, merchandise and gift cards, or turn them into cash! With the We Florida Financial DreamMore Visa Signature Card in your wallet, it's time to start dreaming big.

Ready to be rewarded? Apply now.

https://www.wefloridafinancial.com/rewards

3. Fraud and identity theft protection and recovery

When it comes to protecting your funds from fraud and identity theft, credit cards are the go-to choice! A credit card purchase can be disputed if found to be faulty. Many cards offer a zero-liability plan in cases of fraud as long as the credit card company is notified reasonably soon after the transaction hits. Finally, paying with cash always carries the risk of theft. A stolen or hacked credit card, on the other hand, can easily be closed. 

At We Florida Financial, we employ our fraud protection for our Members with our We Protect suite of services, designed to secure your accounts and personal information.

4. Free up your money

To avoid theft, gas stations authorize cards by placing a hold on the debit card checking or savings account as soon as the consumer transacts. The hold is generally between $50 and $150. After the consumer has finished pumping gas, the card is charged for the appropriate amount. But, the hold on the card may not clear for several days. If you need every dollar in your account now, you may want to use a credit card rather than a debit card when paying at the pump. 

Using a credit card to pay for fuel can have unique advantages. The next time you’re at the pump, consider pulling out your credit card instead of paying with a debit card or cash. 

We Florida Financial offers a variety of credit cards to suit your individual needs.

1. Our Platinum Visa Credit Card has variable interest rates that are subject to change annually. There are six rate tiers determined by the primary Member's credit score.
2. The Secured Visa Credit Card is a unique card in that it requires a security deposit to be maintained in a Visa Secured Deposit savings account for the life of the secured card.
3. Every single purchase made with the DreamMore Rewards Credit Card earns points, which can be used for a variety of services, merchandise, experiences, gift cards and can even be turned into cash.

Learn more about our Credit Card offering, and apply online or at one of our Southern Florida branches.