ExxonMobil Gasoline Card

Michael · 08:19 AM

I have an ExxonMobil Preferred card (upscale version of their gas card). I got it for the travel rebate benefits (rebates on hotels, airlines, etc.) This justifies the $29 annual fee.

However, the CSR said that the $29 fee does not count as "activity" on that card, and I need to buy gas once or twice a year to keep it active.

This is a traditional gas card with no rewards. Is it worth putting maybe $10 on it four times a year to keep it active? I do have about 6 rewards cards.

fffresh · 10:33 AM

Sounds like you don't need this ExxonMobil card to build up limited/poor credit so there goes one reason of keeping it. Only other would be the travel benefits if gives you. Do you think the $29 makes it worth it for those? If it was $60 would you say the same? If it's saving you hundreds a year then keep it. I would just use it for gas twice a year to keep it active.

What are the other reward cards you have? For traveling you may want to look into Diners Club. Never had one myself but I heard they offer quite a few travel discounts and you can get rewards. Of course there's an annual fee though so only worth it if it's really going to benefit you with the discounts.

AnthonyBarone · 11:57 AM

I think if you get the Diners Club issued by Citi they waive the annual fee for the first year. But since Discover and Diners club merged a couple months ago I don't know if that's still the case because Citi is with Mastercard so I don't think they'll have anything to do with Diners Club once the merger is all wrapped up.

Michael · 04:17 PM

Anthony:

I booked an $8000 tour to Germany/Austria. I booked through the ExxonMobil Travel Agency (must be a Preferred card member to use) and I get 5% (after taxes) back once I send them documentation that I actually took the tour.

This means somewhere between $350-370 back. Is that worth a $29 annual fee?

I also have BP VIsa, AMEX Blue, Chase Signature Freedom, Citi Professional, Discover More, ExxonMobil Mastercard, and Citi Drivers' Edge.

I know that I do not need to have a gas card, but since I have it, I see no reason to close it.

CreditCardGuru · 05:16 PM

Disclosure: This site has financial ties to Amex and most other credit card companies.

Do you only use the card for that trip, or for other traveling also? If you're a frequent traveler and are looking for a card which primarily gives you discounts for it I'd recommend the American Express Business Gold Rewards card. I actually have this card solely for traveling purposes. Since it's Amex, they have more leverage with hotels, airlines, etc. to get you deals. The nice part is the annual fee is waived for the first year so you can test it out for free basically to see how much it will benefit you. It's a business card so they specialize in travel of course. You however don't need to own a business to have the card. You can sign up as an individual (sole proprietor) using your name as the business name and your social security. There's no other additional paperwork or tax reporting with business cards, it's the same as any other credit card. If you're keeping a card open just for travel discounts, make sure it's a card that can give you the most for it.

AnthonyBarone · 09:52 AM

Hey Michael,

If you're only spending $29 and saving $300 I would say it's worth it. I guess my only thing about it is that you said you have to send in documentation and what not to prove you took the trip. That's a hassle. Maybe you are better off with a different card where you don't have to do that. Either way just make sure you come out ahead with your rewards to make the annual fee and the hassle worth it.

Anthony

rr22 · 11:11 PM

Does Exxon even have that many stations around anymore

I dont even see any hardly ever wherever I'm at. Anther reason I hate credit cards you have to use at only one gas station.

p.s. I saw on the news that Exxon said they are selling off their stations and will no longer be using their name on them so this card probably won't be around much longer will it???

08:19 AM	#1
Michael Green Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 6	ExxonMobil Gasoline Card I have an ExxonMobil Preferred card (upscale version of their gas card). I got it for the travel rebate benefits (rebates on hotels, airlines, etc.) This justifies the $29 annual fee. However, the CSR said that the $29 fee does not count as "activity" on that card, and I need to buy gas once or twice a year to keep it active. This is a traditional gas card with no rewards. Is it worth putting maybe $10 on it four times a year to keep it active? I do have about 6 rewards cards.

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10:33 AM	#2
fffresh Centurion Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: the edge of the world Posts: 417	Sounds like you don't need this ExxonMobil card to build up limited/poor credit so there goes one reason of keeping it. Only other would be the travel benefits if gives you. Do you think the $29 makes it worth it for those? If it was $60 would you say the same? If it's saving you hundreds a year then keep it. I would just use it for gas twice a year to keep it active. What are the other reward cards you have? For traveling you may want to look into Diners Club. Never had one myself but I heard they offer quite a few travel discounts and you can get rewards. Of course there's an annual fee though so only worth it if it's really going to benefit you with the discounts.

11:57 AM	#3
AnthonyBarone Centurion Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: White Plains, NY Posts: 128	I think if you get the Diners Club issued by Citi they waive the annual fee for the first year. But since Discover and Diners club merged a couple months ago I don't know if that's still the case because Citi is with Mastercard so I don't think they'll have anything to do with Diners Club once the merger is all wrapped up.

04:17 PM	#4
Michael Green Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 6	Anthony: I booked an $8000 tour to Germany/Austria. I booked through the ExxonMobil Travel Agency (must be a Preferred card member to use) and I get 5% (after taxes) back once I send them documentation that I actually took the tour. This means somewhere between $350-370 back. Is that worth a $29 annual fee? I also have BP VIsa, AMEX Blue, Chase Signature Freedom, Citi Professional, Discover More, ExxonMobil Mastercard, and Citi Drivers' Edge. I know that I do not need to have a gas card, but since I have it, I see no reason to close it.

05:16 PM	#5
CreditCardGuru Moderator/Staff Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 101	Disclosure: This site has financial ties to Amex and most other credit card companies. Do you only use the card for that trip, or for other traveling also? If you're a frequent traveler and are looking for a card which primarily gives you discounts for it I'd recommend the American Express Business Gold Rewards card. I actually have this card solely for traveling purposes. Since it's Amex, they have more leverage with hotels, airlines, etc. to get you deals. The nice part is the annual fee is waived for the first year so you can test it out for free basically to see how much it will benefit you. It's a business card so they specialize in travel of course. You however don't need to own a business to have the card. You can sign up as an individual (sole proprietor) using your name as the business name and your social security. There's no other additional paperwork or tax reporting with business cards, it's the same as any other credit card. If you're keeping a card open just for travel discounts, make sure it's a card that can give you the most for it.

09:52 AM	#6
AnthonyBarone Centurion Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: White Plains, NY Posts: 128	Hey Michael, If you're only spending $29 and saving $300 I would say it's worth it. I guess my only thing about it is that you said you have to send in documentation and what not to prove you took the trip. That's a hassle. Maybe you are better off with a different card where you don't have to do that. Either way just make sure you come out ahead with your rewards to make the annual fee and the hassle worth it. Anthony

11:11 PM	#7
rr22 Green Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: TX Posts: 4	Does Exxon even have that many stations around anymore I dont even see any hardly ever wherever I'm at. Anther reason I hate credit cards you have to use at only one gas station. p.s. I saw on the news that Exxon said they are selling off their stations and will no longer be using their name on them so this card probably won't be around much longer will it???