Consumer

Minn. Businesses Offering 'Gas Cards' To Patrons

(WCCO) As the price of gas continues to climb, businesses continue to look for creative ways to ease the pain.

One of them is Mississippi National Golf Course. A picturesque course on the bluffs of the Mississippi River and located in Red Wing, it's a long drive for Twin Cities golfers.

So with gas prices going up faster than some golf scores, General Manager Sharan Wendel dreamed up a promotion: giving away $10 gas cards with each round.

"Let's give 'em a gas card to come on down," she said. "They can bring four buddies, and then each of them would get a $10 gas card. That's $40, so that's a tank of gas, so you know. Come play Mississippi National and we'll buy your gas for you."

Craig Rutschow is a member, so he doesn't qualify for a gas card. Still, he does expect to benefit.

"I should have a few more people to golf with after that," he said.

45 miles away gas prices are just as high, and the Eagan Convention and Visitors Bureau has a similar offer.

"I was thinking 'high gas prices?'" said Executive Director Brent Cory, "let's pay for their gas, or at least help pay for their gas."

15 Eagan hotels offer a $20 gas for card for a 1-night stay. $40 for two.

"The pain at the pump is just too much these days," said Cory. "We thought, anything we can do to keep travelers coming into not only Eagan but the entire Twin Cities is what it's all about."

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