Pumping gift cards for all they're worth
Some hotels offer gift cards to pay for gas, but there could be a catch. Credit: Handout
Fill 'er up or pass it up?
If your family budget is running on fumes, getting free fuel for the car is mighty appealing. But before you book your summer vacation hotel, check under the shiny hood of its offer to pay $10 or even $75 of your gas costs. Nothing is really free, and these proliferating promotions are no exception.
Hotels usually wrap fuel cards and credits into packages. Like vehicles on a dealer's lot, these come loaded with extras: room upgrades, breakfast, road snacks and more. If you don't want the extras, or they don't pencil out as savings, pass them up.
Do the same with a $10 gas-card offer if you have to slog through a slew of the hotel's online promotions to see how it stacks up. We're talking less than three gallons of gas here. Your time is worth more than that.
But, depending on details, a $50 or $75 gasoline gift card or credit, or even $25 plus free parking, could be a deal.
QUESTIONS TO ASK
* Card or resort credit? A gift card is preferable. Credit at the hotel's restaurants, shops or spa is valuable only if you plan to use those services.
* Per stay or per night? A check of several offers showed that all were for one card or credit per stay, even though some packages required multinight stays.
* Which gas stations? The gift card is often limited to one brand, such as Shell or Exxon Mobil.
* How do I get the deal? Many hotels give you the resort credit on check-in or the gas card on checkout, no questions asked. But some may ask for receipts detailing your gas purchases and credit you for only that amount.
* Is it the best deal? You'll need to compare the gas offer against the hotel's other rates and packages. Enter your planned travel dates on the hotel's website and see what pops up.
Some gas cards and credits are deals. But it's not always worth the trip to find out.
