BajaNomad

Chevron gas stations in Mexico, a CC question

DawnPatrol - 5-6-2019 at 08:06 PM

Anyone try to use their Chevron gas card at a Chevron Station in Mexico? There are a few Chevronds in Ensenada..
I was going to try my card out but forgot
Alan

mtgoat666 - 5-6-2019 at 08:29 PM

What is benefit of a chevron cc? You get back some cents per gallon, but pay 30 to 50 cents more per gallon. I can’t figure out the math.

My cc pays 2% cash back and the price at golden state or Costco is 30 to 50 cents less than chevron.

I never use a cc for gas in Mexico, don’t trust any gas station!

freediverbrian - 5-6-2019 at 09:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
What is benefit of a chevron cc? You get back some cents per gallon, but pay 30 to 50 cents more per gallon. I can’t figure out the math.

My cc pays 2% cash back and the price at golden state or Costco is 30 to 50 cents less than chevron.

I never use a cc for gas in Mexico, don’t trust any gas station!










The question was using a credit card in Mexico. Is there a cash vs credit price in Mexico?

fishbuck - 5-7-2019 at 02:11 AM

If the fuel is the same formula. Chevron fuel is best. My F-350 was running poorly.
Someone suggested a tank full of Chevron premium.
I was amazed it actually worked. I use the regular now.
I use to run that cheap Arco cr*p.
But the Ford needs new spark plugs and then Arco is probably fine. But it doesn't burn as well or as cleanly ad Chevron.
I'm sorry I have no clue on the cc question.
I was surprised to see so many BP stations now.

gnukid - 5-7-2019 at 04:58 AM

Chevron stations in Mexico usually take credit cards. If your CC is valid it will work, though some CC charge intl transaction fees and may not offer best rate. Check the policy of the card for intl transactions. It appears there is a 3% intl fee for the personal card, could be more fees.
https://apply.syf.com/cs/groups/public/documents/et_tcdoc/e0...

I would choose cards that offer best intl rates and no intl fees. You will save 3-5%.

Hook - 5-7-2019 at 06:23 AM

I have been untrusting of using CC in Mexico in the past, but now that it is a wireless electronic device that they use right next to your window, I think the risk is much less.

As our household lives off of continuous, large withdrawals from ATMs, it would be nice to begin using a CC for what is a very significant drain on ATMs pesos; the gas pump. Through a combination of fuel price increases and the fluctuating value of the dollar, filling up our vehicles costs over twice as much as it did eleven years ago when we moved to Mexico.

There is no doubt that Chevron and Shell are the most expensive fuels in most areas, but I have never seen a 30-50 cent differential between Costco and them. Is it really that much?

wilderone - 5-7-2019 at 07:30 AM

Don't sweat the small stuff. A 30 cent price difference, for 15 gallons is only $4.50. If I buy oranges at 25 cents/lb, instead of the apples at $1.20/lb, and don't buy the ice cream at all, which I shouldn't buy anyway, I've saved $4.50. Pay with cash, with the best exchange rate you can find; fees on top of fees don't make sense when you're pinching pennies.

fishbuck - 5-7-2019 at 08:58 AM

Does anyone know why there are more than only Pemex now?
It was Pemex only until then.
What happened to change it?

Paco Facullo - 5-7-2019 at 09:43 AM

Deregulation happened... resulting in higher prices...

Bajaboy - 5-7-2019 at 09:47 AM

We use our Costco Credit card at most stations. We can save our pesos, get cash back, and there is no international transaction fee.

DawnPatrol - 5-7-2019 at 12:02 PM

yes i get it on the various charges, etc etc
all I was asking is if my US Chevron card would work down at a Mexican Chevron
Yes it would be $3-4 per tank different but just wanted to try it

SFandH - 5-7-2019 at 12:10 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Paco Facullo  
Deregulation happened... resulting in higher prices...


Perhaps the various companies are colluding to raise prices. Do you think oil companies would do that? In Mexico? :rolleyes:

fishbuck - 5-7-2019 at 12:13 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Paco Facullo  
Deregulation happened... resulting in higher prices...

Well atleast they got that right.
The higher price is the real price. The other was subsidised.
Think Venezuela.
Free market is the only thing that doesn't end in disaster.
But I empathize will the "locals" and the pain it must cause them.
These people work incredibly hard for their money.
Not as hard as me... but close...:D

David K - 5-7-2019 at 12:21 PM

But, remember, the "real price" usually includes taxes often imposed by an intolerant government bent on controlling the free movement of a free people... Think California, where the price is artificially over a dollar a gallon more than other states, including those who don't even have petroleum wells.

wilderone - 5-7-2019 at 12:33 PM

Re your Chevron cc. It's just a credit account linked to a major bank, likely not limited to Chevron gas station purchases specifically. You need to understand your cc agreement. E.g., in the latest "Techron Advantage" cc, you get certain "rewards" for gas purchases, and other "rewards" for purchases outside of gas purchases. My Macy's American Express can be used anywhere it's AmEx is accepted - not just for Macy's store purchases - I like to use it for online purchases of all kinds, like airfare. So if a Baja or Mexico gas station takes Mastercard, Visa or BofA (or whatever bank yours is drawn from), then it will probably take your Chevron cc. Your agreement will also tell you what percentage they add to international purchases, but that can be offset by their currency conversion method (there's more than one) and date calculated. All you can do it try it, and have a Plan B just in case.

willardguy - 5-7-2019 at 12:38 PM

Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck  
If the fuel is the same formula. Chevron fuel is best. My F-350 was running poorly.
Someone suggested a tank full of Chevron premium.
I was amazed it actually worked. I use the regular now.
I use to run that cheap Arco cr*p.
But the Ford needs new spark plugs and then Arco is probably fine. But it doesn't burn as well or as cleanly ad Chevron.
I'm sorry I have no clue on the cc question.
I was surprised to see so many BP stations now.


or just carry a bottle of either Techron or RingFree......good stuff!:yes:

fishbuck - 5-7-2019 at 12:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
But, remember, the "real price" usually includes taxes often imposed by an intolerant government bent on controlling the free movement of a free people... Think California, where the price is artificially over a dollar a gallon more than other states, including those who don't even have petroleum wells.


True that.
But you of all people should know what a privilege it is to live in Cali.
Why else would anyone spend the ridiculous amount of money it costs to live there...
Right?

fishbuck - 5-7-2019 at 12:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by willardguy  
Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck  
If the fuel is the same formula. Chevron fuel is best. My F-350 was running poorly.
Someone suggested a tank full of Chevron premium.
I was amazed it actually worked. I use the regular now.
I use to run that cheap Arco cr*p.
But the Ford needs new spark plugs and then Arco is probably fine. But it doesn't burn as well or as cleanly ad Chevron.
I'm sorry I have no clue on the cc question.
I was surprised to see so many BP stations now.



or just carry a bottle of either Techron or RingFree......good stuff!:yes:


A bottle of Techtron is a miracle tune-up.

David K - 5-7-2019 at 12:57 PM

Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
But, remember, the "real price" usually includes taxes often imposed by an intolerant government bent on controlling the free movement of a free people... Think California, where the price is artificially over a dollar a gallon more than other states, including those who don't even have petroleum wells.


True that.
But you of all people should know what a privilege it is to live in Cali.
Why else would anyone spend the ridiculous amount of money it costs to live there...
Right?


Right you are.. but this is my birth state, it is where my family and all four of my grandkids live, and it is where I still operate my irrigation business (when it isn't raining). Plus, my wonderful Baja Angel has a career here and we just bought a home last year. So, we are trapped in a place that was once the best in America for living, schools, etc. to one of the worst.

David K - 5-7-2019 at 01:14 PM

LOL

fishbuck - 5-7-2019 at 02:46 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
But, remember, the "real price" usually includes taxes often imposed by an intolerant government bent on controlling the free movement of a free people... Think California, where the price is artificially over a dollar a gallon more than other states, including those who don't even have petroleum wells.


True that.
But you of all people should know what a privilege it is to live in Cali.
Why else would anyone spend the ridiculous amount of money it costs to live there...
Right?


Right you are.. but this is my birth state, it is where my family and all four of my grandkids live, and it is where I still operate my irrigation business (when it isn't raining). Plus, my wonderful Baja Angel has a career here and we just bought a home last year. So, we are trapped in a place that was once the best in America for living, schools, etc. to one of the worst.


It's still the best. One has to know how to make their "own" CA. But that takes some knowhow...;)

Doug/Vamonos - 5-26-2019 at 08:10 AM

Give California a break. Where else in the US will you ever find a year-round comfortable climate near the ocean, mountains, deserts, Baja, and tons of pretty girls in bikinis? So much crap about gas prices. Anyone who can afford multiple cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, homes, travel to Baja, etc., etc., and has problems paying the cost differential from the gas tax? Seriously? Do you think for a moment that if the gas tax was repealed that the oil companies would reduce the price per gallon the equivalent amount? Yeah, right. Prices in California are higher for most things because of demand. People demand to live in this beautiful state. And they will pay more for housing and gasoline to do it.

mtgoat666 - 5-26-2019 at 08:20 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
But, remember, the "real price" usually includes taxes often imposed by an intolerant government bent on controlling the free movement of a free people... Think California, where the price is artificially over a dollar a gallon more than other states, including those who don't even have petroleum wells.


True that.
But you of all people should know what a privilege it is to live in Cali.
Why else would anyone spend the ridiculous amount of money it costs to live there...
Right?


Right you are.. but this is my birth state, it is where my family and all four of my grandkids live, and it is where I still operate my irrigation business (when it isn't raining). Plus, my wonderful Baja Angel has a career here and we just bought a home last year. So, we are trapped in a place that was once the best in America for living, schools, etc. to one of the worst.


Worst? Quit whining, you wanker!

You need more money? Then Work harder, get a new job!

But if you choose to stay here, then shut up and quit complaining!

OH, WOE is THEE !

MrBillM - 5-26-2019 at 08:46 AM

It's always a hoot listening to (and reading) this "we be oppressed" drivel from those who ALL "claim" to be highly-successful and financially-comfortable.

Even more hypocritical would be those who say that they are "TRAPPED" in California by their accumulated (and ongoing) wealth.

Poor Babies !

Give it a BREAK.

Marc - 5-31-2019 at 10:25 AM

I have never and will never use a credit card in Mexico.

StuckSucks - 5-31-2019 at 11:50 AM

Oh that's right, this thread is about using a credit card at a gas station.

I have been using my CC to buy gas (and other stuff) the length of the peninsula and never had an issue. Carrying wads of cash down Baja is a safer option?

John Harper - 5-31-2019 at 12:26 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Marc  
I have never and will never use a credit card in Mexico.


I use mine all the time, and always seem to get a much better exchange rate when I see the total in US dollars on my statement.

John

AKgringo - 5-31-2019 at 01:11 PM

Even my dentist in La Paz likes running my credit card, rather than dealing with trips to the bank with either pesos or dollars. I will sometimes use one at a gas station, or hotel, but only where I can enter the card myself!

Alm - 6-1-2019 at 02:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by MrBillM  
It's always a hoot listening to (and reading) this "we be oppressed" drivel from those who ALL "claim" to be highly-successful and financially-comfortable.

I particularly enjoyed the part about having "multiple cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, homes". But then, it's hard to tell who is who on the internet.

CC exchange rates are good, better than any bank retail rate. The only problem is foreign transaction surcharge but this has been eliminated in several CCs (much fewer in Canada, unfortunately).

Alternatively, opening Mex bank account, moving cash from the US via services like OFX and using no-fee ATM with "your" bank logo is probably same good. You don't have to carry tons of cash when you live there. Tourists/travelers are a different situation.