# Should I keep this gas card? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 23, 2010, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-this-gas-card/551152 "2010-08-23T14:03:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-this-gas-card/551152/1 "2010-08-23T14:03:19Z")
Just got my “renewal” statement from my Shell gas card. I never use it, and it has a $25/year annual fee. I want to close it as I never use it, and they just get money from me for nothing (well, I understand they are recouping costs for maintaining the account). But I’ve had it for a long time and like that it contributes to a long credit history. Still, I have two other accounts I had for at least 15 years and the other for almost 10, plus a car loan. The available credit on the Shell card is so low that it wouldn’t affect my overall debt to credit ratio. My FICO score is plenty high. How much would closing this account affect it? So, should I close it? ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-this-gas-card/551152/2 "2010-08-23T15:06:58Z")
What I would do is call them and say you want to renew it but won’t pay the annual fee. You used to be able to get them to wavie it. I say “used to” 'cause I haven’t tried this in ages. You know since the new credit card laws went into effect, credit card companies aren’t very customer oriented anymore, but it’s worth a shot. Since the limit is so low, it is very unlikely it’ll effect your FICO score. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-this-gas-card/551152/3 "2010-08-23T15:09:08Z")
Have you had it for _longer_ than the other two old accounts? Or just for a long time? If the former, I’d say it’s worth keeping. Otherwise, dump it - or do like **Marxxx** says and negotiate. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-this-gas-card/551152/4 "2010-08-23T15:12:37Z")
Longer. I did try last year to get rid of the annual fee and they wouldn’t budge. Of course, there’s no reason not to try again. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-this-gas-card/551152/5 "2010-08-26T11:59:10Z")
I’d intentionally use it, and then pay it off, if you have any need for gas at all. If you are one of those rare people who never need to buy gas–I don’t know what to tell you… ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-this-gas-card/551152/6 "2010-08-26T15:21:39Z")
Get rid of it. I got rid of mine long ago, now I use a mastercard that gives me 5% rebate on all gas charges if I use it at the pump; any pump. ---
**Author:** ![pricciar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@pricciar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pricciar)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-this-gas-card/551152/7 "2010-08-26T15:41:20Z")
I don’t see any reason why you should pay $25.00 and get nothing in return… If you don’t have balances on your other cards the hit on your credit score will be negligible. > **[Is Closing A Credit Card Bad? | Bankrate](https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/is-closing-a-credit-card-good-or-bad/)** > > Closing a credit card can increase your credit utilization ratio and reduce the length of your credit history, which can hurt your credit score. That’s a site that details what happens to your credit score when you close your account. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-this-gas-card/551152/8 "2010-08-26T15:47:28Z")
Agree with you all. Closing that puppy!