Word of Mouth: Savings to be had at gas pumps

By John Ewoldt, Star Tribune

Last update: September 9, 2005 - 11:00 PM

At $3 per gallon for gasoline, something's gotta give. Nearly everyone's budget takes a hit at these prices. Here are some tips that I use to ease the pain a bit.

I buy SuperAmerica gift cards in $50 increments. SA offers a $2 discount for each $50 gift card. I purchase the gift cards on my Citibank credit card (www.citibank.com), which pays me a 5 percent rebate on purchases at gas stations, drugstores and supermarkets. The downside? A $300 per year maximum of cash back. The American Express Blue Cash Card (www.americanexpress.com) offers similar rebates with a much higher reward limit.

I also signed up for SA's free Speedy Rewards Club. I don't tend to buy the products that offer bonus points (assorted food and drink) but 25,000 points turns into 25 gallons of free gas. For information, go to any SA or www.speedyrewards.net.

I also use the monthly $1 coupons on gasoline purchases at SuperAmerica from the Happenings book. The 2006 Happenings book is available now at www.entertainment.com and at SA in October.

If you want to check for the lowest prices in the Twin Cities, go to www.twincitiesgasprices.com.

John Ewoldt's "Word of Mouth" features shopping bargains, consumer trends, products of superior quality and answers to readers' questions. Ewoldt may be contacted at jewoldt@startribune.com or at 612-673-7633. His Dollars & Sense column appears on Tuesdays.