by D. Rhode

Created on: October 29, 2008

How much money could you save if you didn't have to pay to fill up your gas tank?

The idea of free gas is mind-blowing. As consumers, we have always paid for gas without thinking that there was the alternative of not paying for gas. Ever since fuel prices have been making headlines, the price of gas and the idea of free gas has captured our interest. Is free gas even possible?

Some people have managed to obtain free gas by stealing it from others. Usually gas thieves siphon gas out of other people's vehicles. An Indiana man, however, managed to steal over 100 gallons of gas from underground tanks from Speedway gas stations. The man did pay a price, however, when he was arrested and charged with felony theft.

Needless to say, stealing gas is unethical, illegal, and certainly not the way to obtain free gas.

Another story that recently surfaced was about customers who were able to fill up their tanks for practically nothing when a Wisconsin Citgo mistakenly set their gas to 34.9 cents a gallon, instead of $3.43.

Again, these methods are unethical. So, is there any legitimate way to score free gas? Yes. Free gas can come in the form of promotions.

Businesses will do anything to get you in their doors to buy their products. They realize that people are tired of paying outrageous prices to fill their tanks with gas. So, they entice people to buy their products by offering free gas cards or other sales gimmicks.

Shell Master Card members received 15 percent gas rebates for the first 60 days by signing up for a Shell gas card.

Meanwhile, hotels, such as participating Best Westerns, gave $10 or $15 gas cards for every night you booked with them. Other hotel chains let customers earn points towards $250 in free gas by staying at Choice Hotels.

Car dealerships across the country ran promotions to giveaway gas cards just for test driving one of their vehicles.

Car manufacturers also got in on the game by offering free gas with a purchase of a new vehicle. Suzuki launched a sales promotion offering car buyers three months of free gasoline on with purchases of any new 2007 and 2008 vehicle. Chrysler offered to cover gasoline costs above $2.99 for three years to customers who bought or leased a new vehicle.

Gas card promotions were all the rave over the summer of 2008, but have steadily disappeared as gas prices have gone down. Nonetheless, businesses are still raffling off gas cards. To obtain free gas you just need to keep your eyes on the lookout for these promotions.

Free gas is everywhere.

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