Unless I am in unfamiliar territory where I don’t know “the lay of the land”, I refuse to patronize gas stations that charge more for the use of credit cards.
Depending on where you are that may be illegal. We can’t charge more than the posted price for a credit card transaction. We can however offer a discount for paying cash.
Everyplace already charges more for the use of a credit card (unless they have no understanding of business expenses and cash flow), it’s built in to the price of the tires/brake job/oil change. The problem is we have to charge everyone for it, whether they use cash or credit.
-why would somebody opt to pay a “penalty” for using a credit card?
Because it’s a rewards card! You get airline miles for your trip to Hawaii for using your card for everything you buy. It’s free money every time you use it, right? Who cares if the gas costs .05/gallon more. You’re closer to Maui.