@LIJake wrote:
I have used gift cards for about a year. I usually buy them in $50 incriments at the stations. Almost all the stations require cash for them as they are considered cash payments at the pumps. Around here credit card charges are more often then not higher than cash payments. If I use the same credit card more than twice it is cut off by the bank. I can use the gift cards until they is used up. If getting points is important then I believe they can be bought on line and I would assume can be bought with a credit card.
In any case I find them the easiest form of payment.
I think there is a lot of confusion at the store level as to how these work.
When I buy a gift card with my credit card, the station is charged the credit card fees. Because the gift card is entirely internal, any usage of the gift card carries no fees.
I've had only one store require that I pay cash for a gift card, which is their prerogative, but ultimately it's no different then if I just paid at the pump (though there might be a minimal difference in processing fees). I just paid with a CC for that location and bought the gift card at the next location with my CC.
I've also had stores that required a minimum purchase for gift cards (I use them for the inside purchase so I don't have to ASK for a receipt, it's automatic), which is stupid. They THINK they're getting charged a fee when they're not.
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Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.