Gas Station Questions

[Capncrunch_11]

Hello, I was reading somewhere that when people went to gas stations they had to pre-pay and enter a zip code at the pump when they used a credit card to pay for gas. Has anyone heard of this? Not sure if this is only because these people were from the United Kingdom or not.

If so, is the zip code I should be using the zip for the hotel or the zip for where the card originates (my home zip code) ?
And do I have to pre-pay?
They also mentioned that the gas stations holds more money against my account, than the gas spent, for a couple of weeks. Does anyone know how much more is held? For instance, I filled $40 worth of gas, will they be holding $80??

Boy, things have changed since the last time we rented a car, which was several years ago. Thanks in advance everyone!!!

 

[chartle]

All the gas stations around here in Pittsburgh require you to pre pay by inserting your CC or Debit card or I guess give the attendant some cash.

Only one gas station that I go to asks for the zipcode of the billing address for the card as a security measure. Its a Valerio, I don't know if all Valeros require this or because the station is in a "riskier" part of town.

If you use a card your bank will put a hold on your card for I think $50 to $75 dollars. This is done by your bank not the gas station. On all the pumps around here they tell you this and say if you have any issues contact your bank.

From your post it sounds like not only haven't you rented a car in awhile but you also haven't bought gas in awhile.

 

[msjprincess]

All the gas stations around here in Pittsburgh require you to pre pay by inserting your CC or Debit card or I guess give the attendant some cash.

Only one gas station that I go to asks for the zipcode of the billing address for the card as a security measure. Its a Valerio, I don't know if all Valeros require this or because the station is in a "riskier" part of town.

If you use a card your bank will put a hold on your card for I think $50 to $75 dollars. This is done by your bank not the gas station. On all the pumps around here they tell you this and say if you have any issues contact your bank.

From your post it sounds like not only haven't you rented a car in awhile but you also haven't bought gas in awhile.

My bank is the opposite. They only charge you $1 when you swipe your card at the gas station. It takes a few days for them to charge the actual amount.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Requesting your ZIP code is a hedge against fraud. You should use your home ZIP.

 

[Capncrunch_11]

I live in Connecticut and they have never asked for a zip code.

 

[Capncrunch_11]

My bank is the opposite. They only charge you $1 when you swipe your card at the gas station. It takes a few days for them to charge the actual amount.

What bank do you use? Is it a major bank? You can private mail me if you don't feel like posting it. Thanks

 

[Capncrunch_11]

Does anyone know if Hess (World Center, Lake Buena Vista) and BJs gas stations charge more if you use a credit card over using cash. Some cities up in Connecticut will display a price cheaper for gas if you use cash instead of a credit card, just wondering if that is the case down in Florida especially in the Orlando area. Thanks!!

 

[DOOM1001]

Maybe it's a Florida thing as I usually pay for gas at the pump,I swipe it then it asks for your zip code to authorize and then you can pump.Like a previous poster it usually gets charged $1 and then a day or two later the actual amount I pumped.If you want to make sure they don't hold more money back than you're pumping you could always just go inside and say you want $30 on pump whatever,that way there won't be more charged on your card.And yes the zip code you enter is the zip code associated with the card,definitely nothing to do with your hotel.

 

[chartle]

I live in Connecticut and they have never asked for a zip code.

Like I said only one of the stations I go to ask for this, all the other don't. Also its the only Valerio that I go to so I don't know if its a Corporate Valerio thing or just that particular station.

If asked though, use the zip code for the address where the bill is sent to.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

The zip code identification varies greatly across the country, even within the same "branded" stores. To be honest I have found this occuring at more tourist locations then at non-tourist locations, but even then I've been surprised.

 

[dis-happy]

Does anyone know if Hess (World Center, Lake Buena Vista) and BJs gas stations charge more if you use a credit card over using cash. Some cities up in Connecticut will display a price cheaper for gas if you use cash instead of a credit card, just wondering if that is the case down in Florida especially in the Orlando area. Thanks!!

No extra charge for credit. FWIW, the 2 Hess stations on Disney property pretty much have the lowest prices for gas in the area.

 

[Missytara]

I have had this happen to me a few times and it is if the debit part of the system was down at the time. If it didn't ask you for your pin code to your account, it will ask you to verify your zip code on your account.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

It's about 50/50 here in the Chicago area as far as who requires zip code and who doesn't. Was about 50/50 I think the last time I was in FL. Nearly 95% or more when it comes to prepay. I always use a debit card with Visa logo to pay for gas. I never see any pre-authorized charges show up on my statement, but occasionally my credit union calls to verify certain transactions in an effort to prevent/detect fraud (usually when I'm traveling to a new area) and when verifying those charges, I've seen $1.00 charges placed on my card by the gas station to verify the card is active. Then about 2 - 3 days later, I'll see the actual amount hit. To the best of my knowledge, I've never had a gas station put a hold on any larger amounts of money.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Every gas station we have been to in Florida requires you to enter a zip code before after you insert your credit card. So because we are from Canada and don't have zip codes we either pre pay the amount of gas we need inside the station with cash or we pre pay a specifc amount to a credit card. However in other states we drive through like Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia don't require a zip code, so I guess it depends on the station you are at.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Some cards can be used as both debit cards and credit cards. If you're using such a card as a debit card, you will be prompted to enter your PIN number. If you're using it as a credit card, you will be prompted to enter your HOME ZIP CODE from the credit card's billing address. Credit cards from outside the United States cannot be used at the pump and you must go inside the station to the attendant. Foreign postal codes do not work.

All gas stations in Florida now require this as far as I've encountered.

BobK/Orlando

 

[bdkane]

Here in NY you almost always have to key in a zip code, must be the zip code of the billing address, I thought the hold was a temporary think and once you were done pumping gas it was released - not sure why they do it...

 

[usnuzuloose]

I used to manage a station for 8 years. Some gas stations have you input the zipcode, and it must be the zipcode where you live. The only time something is put on hold is due to the customer coming in and asking if they check to see if they have at least ten dollars well thats what the bank puts on hold for 24 hrs. Other than that there would be no way a bank would know how much to put on hold for using your card. So alot of things depend on the station itself. jo

 

[AlexDurrani]

A number of states ask you to enter a zip code at the pump. If you are really not sure of it and want to avoid entering it in then you will have to pay the cashier ahead of time. There is a law that now prevents gas stations from charging extra for the customers using credit cards versus cash for paying for gas. I am not sure if it is a Federal Law but I was told this by a gas station owner a few years ago while I was waiting for my car to get its annual inspection sticker done. There are stations out there that offer discounts for customers that use their prepaid cards or pay for the most expensive car wash.

I have noticed that most of the time you will only see the set precharge hold on your debit cards mainly.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

My experience as a person without a zip who travels a fair bit in the US .. is that the further you go south, the greater the likelihood that you need a card with a Zip.

If I'm in Maine ... no problem paying at the pump (no Zip required), but in Texas, Florida ... then I need a zip. I've tried 99999 or 00000 and nothing works because it is tied to your mailing address.

The only solution is to give your card to the clerk at the gas station and trust that he doesn't take a photo of both sides of your card .... not liking that ....

I've talked to my Canadian Bank and the person there said that in Canada we are moving to a PIN based personal identifier ... whereas the US has selected a ZIP. Currently in Canada we do not enter our Pin at the pump

 

[Magicbus]

You should use your home ZIP.

As already mentioned, it has to be the Zip Code of the billing address for that card.

FWIW, the 2 Hess stations on Disney property pretty much have the lowest prices for gas in the area.

The on-property Hess prices aren't bad, but there are lower prices off property very close to WDW. It's not worth making a special trip to get the lower price though. You'll probably only save a couple of bucks.

If you're using such a card as a debit card, you will be prompted to enter your PIN number. If you're using it as a credit card, you will be prompted to enter your HOME ZIP CODE from the credit card's billing address. All gas stations in Florida now require this as far as I've encountered.

Ditto