MasterCard users get $25-to-$50 gas cards with Expedia hotels and packages

High gas prices are starting to slide, but that doesn’t mean I would turn down a gas card that comes with my room. Many hotels have made such offers this summer, and now the Expedia travel website has jumped in with gas cards up to $50 for purchases made with MasterCards.

The deal: The Gas Money Bonus rewards those who complete their Expedia travel purchase for selected hotels and packages by using MasterCard. You get a $25 gas card for a two-night hotel stay or air-hotel package and a $50 gas card for three or more nights. The card is a Prepaid MasterCard that you can use for anything, really.

When: Reservations must be made by July 4 and travel must be completed by Aug. 31 to qualify for the gas card.

Tested: To check on this deal, I went to Expedia’s website and found availability for a four-night stay starting June 30 at the Doubletree by Hilton in Washington, D.C. The room cost $163 plus tax, including breakfast, and came with the $50 gas card. (You’ll see a green “Expedia Extra” tab for qualifying hotels and packages if you’re booking online.)

I checked Expedia’s room price against rates at the Doubletree at Hilton’s website on the same nights and found the cheapest room rate on the Hilton site to be slightly higher -- without breakfast or the gas card.

The fine print: The Prepaid MasterCard is mailed within eight to 12 weeks from the purchase date. (Note that you have to fill out a redemption form after you make the transaction to receive the card.) The card expires 90 days from the date issued, and only one is allowed per booking during the course of the promotion. Also, the offer doesn’t apply to stays at Marriott brand hotels booked through Expedia.

Bottom line: I wouldn’t run out and sign up for a MasterCard just to get this deal. But if you’re an Expedia user who hasn’t yet made summer travel plans, it’s a nice perk.

Contact: Expedia, (800) 551-2409