Are you ready to get back to work from the office? Well, no one ever is given the Pandemic’s impact on all of our lives. Many people across the nation are returning to the office, school, or other destinations while adjusting to the new normal.
Your everyday work expenses will likely increase as you commute, refresh your wardrobe, and pay for childcare. AlsoSo, I am sure you are wondering how to commute to work without a car with the high fuel prices. Read on for some tips and tricks including the best credit cards to manage commute related back-to-work expenses.
Public Transportation for Work Commute
The Public Transportation System, including commuter trains, buses, subways, cable cars, etc., is the most economical way to travel while being an effective way to save money on gas and to help you ease back into traveling for work.
You might usually spend hundreds of dollars a month to manage your office transit– whether a bus, cab, train, parking, tolls, or rideshares. Given many companies offer flexibility about not requiring to be in office all five days a week, you might want to consider daily passes to shave off sizable costs compared to monthly passes.
Other Commuting related costs : Parking, Tolls & more
If you live in a metro city, you already know the space limitations and high parking charges. Wasting your money on a parking space should be your last priority when living on a tight budget and commuting for work. We have curated a list of some creative ways to save money on parking.
- Book for Long-term Parking through websites like Spacer to save almost 50% on parking charges.
- Find Hotels with FREE PARKING while visiting a specific area.
- Opt for Public Transport or taxi services- Uber/Lyft.
- Use Parking Apps such as BestParking, SpotHero, Way, and ParkWhiz to get discounts, save time, and park hassle-free.
- Take advantage of the Off-Peak Times as a few Shopping Centers and Malls charge Zero Parking Fees early in the morning.
Everyone wants to avoid the unnecessary toll prices and the time consumed with the stop-and-go lines. Waze and Google Maps are popular apps for avoiding toll payments. You can even use credit cards like Citi Custom Cash Card or U.S. Bank Cash Visa Signature Card to save money on commute by collecting rewards on parking and tolls.
Taking a Taxi or Ride-Hailing Services
Sometimes, you don’t want to deal with packed trains or buses, or want to avoid driving in a hectic morning schedule. Just call or book a cab. For some, it can be economical in terms of how to travel for work. Cab Services such as Uber and Lyft (available for both iOS and Android) are easy to use, offer better pricing, are reliable, come with GPS directions, and more.
You can use credit cards to maximize your savings with credit card rewards. Here are the top 3 Credit cards for Uber & Lyft:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Card – 2x Points on Uber and 5x Points on Lyft
- Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express – 3% Cashback on transit, including Uber & Lyft
- Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card – 5% Cashback on Lyft and 1.5% Cashback on Uber
How to Save on Gas?
Many of us must drive to work. During the first few months of this year, gas prices have skyrocketed nationwide. The prices will likely remain high with growing demand as more people begin to commute daily and other global factors. How to beat high gas prices? Keep an eye on good deals to get a few cents off every gallon that will add up over time.
Get amazing discounts and cashback at gas stations with the Best Gas Credit Cards such as Discover It Chrome Card and Citi Premier Card. But make sure to use them wisely. You can also enjoy the perks of loyalty programs or memberships like buying gas from a member-only retailer e.g. Walmart and Costco.
Credit Cards for Public Transport
Thankfully, various transit credit cards offer bonus rewards and cashback for such categories. Employees getting back to work can earn cashbacks, points, or miles on commuting expenses and other expenses (too) by using the right rewards credit card. Here are the 4 Best Credit Cards for Public Transit:
Welcome Bonus 60,000 Bonus points Rewards Rates 5% Cashback Annual Fees annual_fees APR/Rates intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration Welcome Bonus 60,000 Bonus points Rewards Rates 3% Cashback Annual Fees annual_fees APR/Rates intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration Best Travel Rewards Credit Card Welcome Bonus bonus_miles after qualifying purchases Reward Rates Up to 5x Points Annual Fees annual_fees APR/Rates reg_apr,reg_apr_type The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a popular travel rewards credit card offering rich benefits, from a big sign-up bonus of bonus_miles to juicy dining and traveling rewards on your spending. Its low annual fee, high-value points, and no foreign fees have made it a favorite go-to card for travelers. Welcome rate 60,000 Bonus points Rewards rate 3% Cashback Annual Fees annual_fees APR/Rates intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration
Ditching your car and taking a train, bus, or rideshare to work and back can reduce gasoline consumption, eventually maximizing your savings and good for the environment.
Bottom line
Using the right credit cards can help you earn cashbacks, points, and miles on your everyday expenses, so you can update wardrobe on a budget and get rewards on your commuting expenses.
PRO TIP- Download the Uthrive App to maximize your credit card rewards and use them to take off for travel to your dream destination. It provides personalized recommendations on all your purchases that fetch you amazing rewards in various categories- dining/restaurant, travel, hotels, online streaming services, etc.
