Fill er up in the States

[minnie mum]

It is common in the States, when filling the car with gas and paying at the pump, that you are required to enter a zip code after you insert your credit card. Since we don't have zip code, is there a number that we can enter that will also work? A friend said to just enter all zeros. But this didn't work for us. And it's a royal pain to have to prepay, pump, then go back in if a partial refund is necessary. KWIM?

Anyone know of a way around this problem?

 

[ccudmore]

Enter the three numbers from your postal code followed by two zeros. So if your postal code is K1M 2G3, you would enter 12300.

 

[corster]

Some stations use the ZIP Code for Card Authentication, others use it just for Marketing Purposes.

If they use it for authentication, it doesn't matter what you enter, it won't work.

Likewise, if they use it for marketing purposes, it doesn't matter what you enter, it'll work.

Pretty much luck of the draw. Dave Hunter (author of Along I-75 and Along Florida's Expressways) has a pretty good writeup on the issue here: http://www.i75online.com/CreditCardWorkaround.html

 

[minnie mum]

Thanks so much for the prompt replies. Looks like we'll try the postal code numbers, and if it doesn't work we'll be back to prepaying.

By the way, that was a very interesting article about the US pumps and the use of chipped cards. Sure would be nice if the Americans could catch up with their card technology.

 

[Ken_Breadbox]

This is without a doubt the most annoying part of driving in the US. It'd be ever so much better if they knew what debit cards were down there...I can't begin to tell you the number of times I tried to present a debit card (out of habit) and had the clerk look at me like I was some kind of criminal. Since I'm one of those strange people who prefers to spend money I actually *have*...and since I am not psychic...I always have to go in to the store twice.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

I agree with Ken, this often is the only thing that pisses me off when in the States. Why in Maine or New Hampshire can I buy gas with my credit card, but in Florida or Texas I can't?

 

[sk8jdgca]

you could always use 90210. its valid

 

[ccudmore]

you could always use 90210. its valid

But chances are it doesn't match the ZIP code of the address registered the credit card. If those things don't match - they won't process the transaction.

 

[rjan67]

If it used for authentification purposes, it may also "freeze" your card. Per my one credit card company, there is nothing that can be done.

 

[corster]

This is without a doubt the most annoying part of driving in the US. It'd be ever so much better if they knew what debit cards were down there...I can't begin to tell you the number of times I tried to present a debit card (out of habit) and had the clerk look at me like I was some kind of criminal. Since I'm one of those strange people who prefers to spend money I actually *have*...and since I am not psychic...I always have to go in to the store twice.

Depending where you bank, there's a good chance your Debit Card would actually work directly at a gas pump (at most major chain gas stations), I've used both my TD and ING Direct debit cards at US Pumps to get around the ZIP Code issue. Most big banks and even many Credit Unions (with the notable exception of CIBC/PC who don't partner with a US Debit Card network) will work.

 

[Sue M]

Depending where you bank, there's a good chance your Debit Card would actually work directly at a gas pump (at most major chain gas stations), I've used both my TD and ING Direct debit cards at US Pumps to get around the ZIP Code issue. Most big banks and even many Credit Unions (with the notable exception of CIBC/PC who don't partner with a US Debit Card network) will work.

Yeah, I have CIBC and it is a pain. They have new debit cards now with the Visa logo, so I'm waiting to see how they work in the states with gas.

We were in NY last week, trying to buy a subway pass, and the machine asked for a Zip code if you can believe that So speaking to my daughter, I said, now what? We don't have a zip code. A man overhearing said use this one- and he gave me a NY Zip code, and it worked.

 

[corster]

I wouldn't get my hopes up with the new CIBC Advantage Card. Based on my understanding of VISA Debit (which runs through the VISA Credit network rather than a separate Debit network), It'll work at more US retailers than the other Canadian Bank debit cards, but when it comes to gas I have a strong feeling you'll end up with the same ZIP Code issue using it.

If you do try it next time you're in the states, be sure to let us know if it works. I could be wrong.

 

[kamik86]

I always wondered why the zip code machines had the little "if your zip code contains letters please pay inside" as I hadn't heard of any zip codes that weren't 5 digits... now I know where the letters come from.

I wonder why the pumps don't just have the little letters on the number pad like a phone does and just make sure the translated numbers would match. Yes I realize that would mean many Canadian zip codes may all translate to the same number (and could also collide with a US number) so this isn't as good for marketing but for authentication it would work.

 

[My 2 princesses]

I always wondered why the zip code machines had the little "if your zip code contains letters please pay inside" as I hadn't heard of any zip codes that weren't 5 digits... now I know where the letters come from.

I wonder why the pumps don't just have the little letters on the number pad like a phone does and just make sure the translated numbers would match. Yes I realize that would mean many Canadian zip codes may all translate to the same number (and could also collide with a US number) so this isn't as good for marketing but for authentication it would work.

Shouldn't match up as Canadian postal codes are 6 in total and US is 5.

 

[taylor3297]

This is without a doubt the most annoying part of driving in the US. It'd be ever so much better if they knew what debit cards were down there...I can't begin to tell you the number of times I tried to present a debit card (out of habit) and had the clerk look at me like I was some kind of criminal. Since I'm one of those strange people who prefers to spend money I actually *have*...and since I am not psychic...I always have to go in to the store twice.

We do know what debit cards are in the US. It is now all debit cards that are issued in the US have a major credit card logo (Visa or Mastercard) associated with it so there doesn't have to be the separate networks.

When debit cards first came out, you had to look for ATMs or stores that accepted your debit card (mine was part of the Plus system). Not all ATMs would take this card. Since adding the major credit card logo, the debit is accepted at all.

My husband still has an ATM only card from our credit union. He can use it at ATM's that are part of the "Cash Points or Plus networks". He cannot use it in stores or gas stations.

 

[3pletprincesses]

we paid at the pump with our debit card more often then our CC. the little zip code trick with the 00 at the end didn't work at most places last mont hwhen we tried. It was much easier to pay debit then CC.

 

[Shir Kahn]

I didn't realize I can use my debit card at the pumps, that's great! I'll just have to make sure I only get gas at the stations on that list from now. It was incredibly annoying to have to go inside, give them money, pump my gas and hope they were honest enough to admit that I gave them money in the first place!

Hmm, just tried GasBuddy.com and it's telling me that it'll be $488.00 from Winnipeg to Orlando. The AAA site, fuelcostcalculator.aaa.com is telling me it's $540.00 from Fargo, ND to Orlando! So the AAA site is giving me a price $52 more expensive but with 250 miles less of a distance each way for 500 total miles! The AAA site only calculates from US states, not from Canada so Fargo was the closest I could choose to where I live. Also, neither of those sites has the model of vehicle we're driving. We have a 2011 Mitsubishi RVR GT and the closest I could pick was an Outlander, which is a heavier vehicle. Guess I'm just going to have to wing it!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Enter the three numbers from your postal code followed by two zeros. So if your postal code is K1M 2G3, you would enter 12300.

This!!

 

[kamik86]

Shouldn't match up as Canadian postal codes are 6 in total and US is 5.

Ok so then with my way the US ones wouldn't collide with the Canadian ones but two Canadian ones still could (unless there are rules on what combination of numbers are valid) since A1T2F3 would translate the same as C1V2D3.

Then again they do with the "take the numbers and add 2 zeros" method that seems to actually work too.

 

[sk8jdgca]

i have always pay at the pump in the states with my Canadian credit card-both Visa and Mastercard. I usually use a port huron zip code and I have never had a problem. If you are travelling in the states and don't normally, you should call your bank and credit card company so they do not block your card however