Fill er up in the States

[MedicGoofy]

I do not understand this having to put your zip code into the machine. I often buy gas in the states as I live about 15 min from the border.

I pay with either debit or credit and have never had to do this. The only station I tend to have to pay inside first is the Sunoco. All others I dont have a problem with. But zip code? Never been asked for that?

 

[Ted in Halifax]

It's not a problem near the border. I fill up in Maine, Mass, New Hampshire no problem. But Texas and Florida for example ... no number seems to work for me. It appears to be a southern US issue for me ....

 

[minnie mum]

It's not a problem near the border. I fill up in Maine, Mass, New Hampshire no problem. But Texas and Florida for example ... no number seems to work for me. It appears to be a southern US issue for me ....

This has been our experience as well. In the northern states we have rarely encountered a problem. But as soon as we get below the Mason Dixon line, we start seeing the zip code issue.

I'm really starting to consider just taking a wad of US cash in a money belt. We have a US $ account, but can't get ATM access. And we don't travel to the States often enough to justify the annual fees for an account which gives us ATM access. Plus I really hate that we get dinged with extra fees every time we use our regular ATM card outside of Canada.

Remember the good old days when you just carried cash and the occasional traveller's cheque? Or have I just really dated myself?

 

[Ted in Halifax]

minnie mum:

You just summed up my plans .... I'm heading to Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico and yes I am bringing mostly cash for gas purchases. Not feeling very safe about this.

Ted

 

[Shir Kahn]

minnie mum:

You just summed up my plans .... I'm heading to Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico and yes I am bringing mostly cash for gas purchases. Not feeling very safe about this.

Ted

We've brought cash with us every time as we don't like using credit cards at all and it's worked out fine so far. We also like to bring travelers cheques with us as a back-up. If we lose those, they can be replaced.

 

[DeniseinNS]

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.

I always type in 90210 when getting gas in the USA and using my credit card at the pump, I have never had a problem

 

[sympatico]

I always type in 90210 when getting gas in the USA and using my credit card at the pump, I have never had a problem

We tried that a few years ago in Florida and it wouldn't work. That was the only zip code I knew Might have to try the postal code numbers with 00 when we go again.