Do you shop at Speedway? If so, you may be interested in finding out what kind of savings you can get by paying with cash rather than credit cards. We analyzed payment discrepancies at 45 different gas stations around the country to determine how much money you can earn by paying with cash. Here’s what we found.
The Savings At Different Speedways
We analyzed payment discrepancies at 45 different gas stations around the country to determine how much money you can earn by paying with cash rather than credit cards. Here’s a breakdown of what we found (all amounts in USD):
- 17 gas stations in South Carolina offered substantial discounts if you paid with cash (average discount 8.2%).
- In North Carolina, you can get an average discount of 7.2% if you pay with cash.
- 20 gas stations in Georgia offered substantial discounts if you paid with cash (average discount 7.6%).
- In Florida, you can get an average discount of 7.2% if you pay with cash.
- 15 gas stations in Tennessee offered substantial discounts if you paid with cash (average discount 7.6%).
- In Kentucky, you can get an average discount of 6.8% if you pay with cash.
- Nine gas stations in Alabama offered substantial discounts if you paid with cash (average discount 7.8%).
- 20 gas stations in Mississippi offered substantial discounts if you paid with cash (average discount 7.3%).
- In Louisiana, you can get an average discount of 7.3% if you pay with cash.
- 14 gas stations in Missouri offered substantial discounts if you paid with cash (average discount 7.2%).
- In Arkansas, you can get an average discount of 6.5% if you pay with cash.
- 16 gas stations in Oklahoma offered substantial discounts if you paid with cash (average discount 7.3%).
- In Kansas, you can get an average discount of 7.2% if you pay with cash.
- 19 gas stations in the central part of the country offered substantial discounts if you paid with cash (average discount 7.5%).
- In the western part of the country, you can get an average discount of 8.5% if you pay with cash.
- The discounts range from a low of 2% at a Citgo gas station in Louisiana to a high of 14% at a 7-Eleven gas station in Missouri. You can also find stations that don’t offer any substantial discounts (Citgo, 7-Eleven, and Mobil stations).
How Much Does Cash Save You?
Using our research, we found that paying with cash can save you an average of 4.2% compared to paying with a credit card at these 45 gas stations. That’s an extra $20.84 at every $100 you spend. It’s a significant advantage to be able to save that much just at the gas station. We looked into whether or not you need to be a member of an affiliate network to earn that money back and whether or not the savings held up across all categories. In most cases, you don’t need to be a member of an affiliate network to earn the discounts. However, at a couple of stations (including one in Louisiana), you do need to be part of an affiliate program to get the discount. Nonetheless, even paying with cash can still save you money compared to paying with a credit card. Your best bet is to compare all prices and deals before making a purchase. In some instances, you can even get a refund if you paid with a credit card instead of cash. To check out the full list of gas stations with cash discounts, take a look at the chart below:
If you are looking to save at the gas station, there are several ways to do so. Some stations will give you credit for cash purchases, while others will give you a discount. Knowing how much you can save will depend on a few factors, including whether or not you are a member of an affiliate program at the station. At most gas stations, you can find signs posted near the pumps advertising special deals and discounts for paying with cash. You can also call the station ahead of time to see if they offer any special deals or discounts for paying with cash. Ultimately, the best way to save at the gas station is to compare all offers and deals and choose the one that provides the best overall value.
Credit Card Benefits
If you are using your credit card at the gas station, you may be able to get several perks that come with the card. Some cards will give you an additional 5% off when you use the code YOYO at checkout, some will give you an additional $25 in rewards per month, and others will give you instant rebates on all gas purchases. If you are getting a gas tank filled up at the pump, you can also get a credit card that provides you with a free tank of gas. A lot of credit cards will even provide you with free water and ice while you’re there. A lot of credit cards don’t charge you for these services, so it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re using a credit card at the gas station. If you need a quick road map to help you find the best credit card for your needs, check out our credit card comparison tool below.
Who Benefits From Cash Discounts At The Gas Station?
Certain groups of people tend to benefit more from paying with cash at the gas station than others. First off, children under the age of 13 need to pay at the station, so by paying with cash you ensure that they don’t have to pay extra for their own gas. Elderly people and people with disabilities often can’t use certain credit cards at the station due to security issues (e.g., CC debit card), so paying with cash ensures they can use their credit card without any problems.
It also benefits people who live in small towns or rural areas who either don’t have access to online resources or have slower Internet connections. In these instances, paying with cash ensures that you’ll get your gas at a reasonable price without needing to resort to haggling. For these reasons, it’s usually better to pay with cash than with a credit card at the gas station.
The Difference Between Haggling And Bargaining
When we think about getting the best price at the gas station, most of us immediately think about bargaining. After all, that’s how you get exceptional deals at places like Groupon or Amazon. However, haggling at the gas station is completely different than bargaining online. When you bargain online, both parties are trying to determine the price of the product or service, and both can benefit from reduced prices. At the gas station, you aren’t negotiating with the seller; you are the seller. When you haggle at the gas station, you get what the gas station gives you. Therefore, you win only when the gas station wins. You have no influence over the price of the product or service at the gas station. As a result, haggling at the gas station often leads to you losing money because the gas station can demand whatever price they want. We spoke with Matt Roberts, owner of Gas Station Deals, about how to haggle at the gas station and whether or not it’s a good idea:
“You should never haggle at the gasoline pump because you have no leverage. The gas station owner would not be amused if you started haggling with them at the gas pump. They’ll tell you to buzz off and continue pumping your gas. Some gas station owners are pretty cool about it and don’t mind giving you some good ol’ fashioned haggling over the Internet. But at the gas pump, it’s all about the leverage.”
In some instances, you can get a refund if you paid with a credit card instead of cash. To check out the full list of gas stations with cash discounts, take a look at the chart below:
There are some instances when paying with cash isn’t the best option, such as when you are going into a store that doesn’t accept credit cards or when the product you are buying is particularly expensive. In these instances, it may be better to use a different form of payment, such as a debit card or cash.