Snowbirds face irritating gas station hassle

It's the US. Their percentage of attempted fraud is MUCH higher than up here, and even HERE we're starting to see prepay and other forms of authorization required at Canadian pumps. The last time we were in Florida we encountered this. It's a hassle leaving the credit card with the attendant, and you lose a bit more than you actually pay (ie. $75 is charged, even if it's a $30 fill), but you get it back later. This is fine if you have a high limit, not so fine if you don't.

Just back from Florida. It's really simple Gordon. Just enter 00000 for the zip code and zippo the card works.

I have been in the US multiple times in the past couple of years, mainly Florida, Michigan, Illinois, and California. This is common practice there. All you have to do is walk in and give them your Credit card and they put a pre-authorization against it for whatever you tell them - say $100. If the car only takes $50, then you go back in, and they finalize the transaction and give you a bill for $50 and the $100 pre-autorizaton is cancelled. They do not typically hold onto your card.

A bit of a pain in the butt, but not that bad. I did use a fake ZIP code once at a Shell station in San Diego and it worked, but that was 4 years ago, and then last year I was back and the same trick did not work.

The Americans have the same issue at all of the new Canadian Tire gas stations at the re-built service centres on the 401 in Ontario - there is a sign right on the pumps saying that American Credit cards will not work on the pay at the pump system, however unlike the US, they can still pump their gas first, then go inside to pay after, one trip only.

I guess Canadians are more honest than the Americans and less likely to steal gas?

Hi we are snowbirds and have come across this.
Firstly they will give you back your change as a credit if you prepay
for more than you need.
Secondly if you are going to a hotel or rv park , get the address with the zip code, write down the zip and use it. We have done this.
There are work arounds if one thinks a little.
Bob

Here in British Columbia, it is a provincial law that you have to pre-pay before purchasing gas. If you guess high (as I ususally do), you do get a refund. It is a bit of a hassle, but with the way things are going, I have come to expect this. It has become too easy to simply fuel up, and run off without paying. Also, gas station attendants, as opposed to garages, are usually teen-agers, who are looking to make a bit of money while at school.

This is actually a problem for US travels within Canada as well. As a Canadain Citizen who now lives in the US. I have run into this problem near the Toronto Airport and on the Highways there (401 & 404) It does not require a Zip Code but the US Credit Cards will not work at the pump.

If you type in the numbers of your postal code in sequence (leaving out the letters) and filling in the last 2 digits with "00" you will never have a problem. I have been doing this for years. Ex: a postal code of N0G 2W0 should entered as 02000.

You can't just plug in any zip code, that's not what that's about. The zip code you enter has to match the billing address for the card. Which is why is doesn't work for Canadians.
We're motorcyclists and this drives us crazy having to take off helmets and leave the bike to go in and prepay. When there are line ups it ends up taking us three times as long as simply riding up to the pump and filling up. We're in Florida right now and just today I saw an ad for a $10 discount on a $50 pre-paid gas card ( hadn't thought of that before) so I'm going to Publix to purchase one of those. Hopefully it'll be just like cash at the pump.

We were just in Alabama and Louisiana and encountered this problem. We tried using the zip code for our location and that does not work as it doesn't match our card info. Shell gas stations were the best about just letting us use the card at the pumps. I don't understand how you can gas and dash at the pumps. You have to insert your card before you fill so they have your credit card number and it should charge to your account after you fill. It is a huge hassle having to take your card in before you fill as it defeats the purpose of pay at the pumps.

In regards to Lorraine's comments - the issue here is two fold - one is the stealing of gas - prepay at the pump solves this. The other issue is stolen credit cards - if you steal a credit card, you typically will not know the zip code for the billing address - that is why they ask for it - to prove to them that you are using your own card and not a stolen one.

I don't know why the Americans don't go to the chip and pin technowledgy that is use all over Europe and now in Canada - elimnates all of the BS!

The postal code requirement has been a problem the last couple of years at least virtually all across the western US when we travel, and when I ask when chips will come to the US, virtually no one even knows what I'm talking about. Virtually all retailers do hold the card until the transaction is complete. We have had refunds via credit card for "high guesses" as to the value of gasoline we will purchase. Here in BC we have been prepaying for years; I have no issues with that as a concept, but the implementation in the States does nothing to help tourism (and they need tourism!).

this has been giong on for to long I will not leave my card so I go to next gas station

Sounds like Connie's pre-paid gas card from Publix is a logical idea. Cross over the border, stop at a Publix or anywhere they sell gas cards. I would also assume that individual gas stations like Shell, Pilot, BP, Exxon, etc. would have prepaid gas cards for sale at their counter. You're going to buy gas during your trip/holiday anyway... it's just that you have to prepay for it.

I have had this problem for years along the I-70 west of Denver. I learned to read my gas gauge and I provide cash or card in an amount less than it takes to fill the tank. If I think I can take 15 gallons, then I pay for 12 gallons up front. Only one trip into the station is required. The downside is that I don't have a "full" tank until I get to a station that accepts my credit card. I started doing this after waiting in line twice too many times.

We travel to the US every spring and have encountered this too. But beware of them charging a preset or guessed amount on your Canadian credit card and then refunding the balance if you do not take it all. When you Buy the original amount you are buying US $ at one rate and when the credit you the refund you are actually SELLING US $ and the exchange rate is different. You loose. I always stand with the card while my husband fills and ask that they do not process the card until the fill is complete.

In regards to Steve's suggestion of using the numbers in your postal code followed by two zero's. A gas station in Washington state suggested that trick to me last year, but it didn't work. I wonder if it depends on the credit card (VIsa, Mastercard or American Express), or the bank that issues the credit card. I was using a Visa.

Just go to Costco and be done with it. Cheaper gas and points too. Enough costcos around to never need any other station.

In California ,use the "numbers" of your postal code and then 00 to give you a five digit "zip". This works at Shell stations.

This ZIP Code requirement has been in place in the Western States for at least the last 5 Years and I have Never been able to Fool The Zip Code!
We are travelling in a Large Motor Home which uses Diesel.The Tank holds just over 100 USG. We fill at 1/2 if possible so it is usually 50 Gallons +or- !I use a Credit Card which I leave with the Cashier .
Only once was the Card Charged before I returned from Pumping the Fuel. Fortunately the Tank held more then the Precharge!
Other than that they wait until I come back in.
I have also used My drivers Licence as security in place of the Credit Card.

As for using a postal codethat does not match the one on your card, be careful for fraud charges. Remember Conrad Black!