Snowbirds face irritating gas station hassle
As the snow starts to fly, thousands of Florida-bound snowbirds are gearing up for the long drive.
The good news: Gas prices are still about 20% less than we’re paying here. Unfortunately, you’re probably going to need stacks of cash to buy it.
Billed as an effort to combat “drive off” gasoline theft, more and more ‘Zip Code-required’ gas pumps are popping up along the highway, warns Dave Hunter, author of Along Interstate-75, a popular snowbird guide.
The ZIP-code pump creates hassles for Canadians as it requires drivers to prepay (no on-the-spot refunds if you guess wrong) or leave a credit card with the attendant before filling up.
While Canadian debit cards are one alternative, you’ll pay a few bucks for each fill up. As a result, you may want to consider getting a U.S. debit card and maintaining a minimum balance if you plan on staying awhile.
Click here to download a one page summary about fighting back or here and here for suggestions and tested ways to "work-around" this problem, particularly if "90210" is the only Zip Code you know.
To help plan your route, here's a list of gas stations (by state and route) and whether or not they accept Canadian cards at their pumps.
Is it that big a hassle? Have you had to dance around the issue when buying gas?
By Gordon Powers, MSN Money
Posted by: John | Dec 2, 2021 8:03:13 PM
I live in Canada and work in the US. Up until about a year ago, the gas pumps always wanted a ZIP code. Entering a fake one or 00000 as someone suggested, did not work. I had to give my credit card to the attendant while filling. Not really a big deal. In the past year, all pumps in every city I have visited accept my credit card without a ZIP code. Now it is no different than buying gas at station in Canada.
Posted by: GUY | Dec 5, 2021 11:21:10 AM
@Mike Hall & Sue Robinson. Both ideas perfect. I just got back from a 2 week trip from the I-75 trek to Orlando. My Father in Law was pumping gas and I waited at the cash register to pay with a credit card. They had no issues with this process since they kept the card beside the till. We did this when the the gas station was not busy. A few times I would pay cash in advance when I saw a line-up.
A little humour here. My F-I-L is a scrooge. He was told to fuel up near the Georgia/Florida border prior to entering Florida because their fuel is higher because of higher taxes. We figured $20 would almost fill up the tank so I left the cashier that amount. I then went to the washroom and returned to the car. After driving away for a few miles, my FIL asked for the change from his $20. I was told the car took $18 in gas. I had to laugh at leaving them a $2 tip from his money especially since we purposely stopped to save money. All I heard for 30 minutes was how we did not save any money. Some older folk need to breathe and not stress out over the little things.
Posted by: George Paul | Mar 10, 2022 12:41:58 AM
I travel to S.C., 4 to 5 times a year, and I have contacted, both RBC Visa, & A/X, and they both now are being acepted without any problems in the US!