Gas station zip code

[Disneylovers2000]

Quick question! I have heard briefly in different conversations that one needs a zip code in order to use a credit card to fuel up at USA gas stations. I have also heard that our Canadian postal codes don't work. Can anyone tell me how I am able to use my credit card to fuel up? Is there a code that foreigners use? If so, how do I find out what it is? Please help!
Thank you

would it matter if I used cash or debit?? I am going to post this on the Canadian forum as well...

 

[CamoMama]

The zip code is only for identification purposes when you pay by credit at the pump. If you use debit the pin serves the same purpose. If you pay inside with your credit card a zip is not necessary.

 

[Disneylovers2000]

The zip code is only for identification purposes when you pay by credit at the pump. If you use debit the pin serves the same purpose. If you pay inside with your credit card a zip is not necessary.

Ok, so only if you pay at the pump you have to put in the zip code...so if I am paying inside the store with my credit card, I don't then need a zip. Thank you for clearing that up for me! I was starting to stress a little!
I would rather not pay debit as the fees and exchange alone will kill me but if I had to pay cash, I would do that.
Thank you!

 

[lana772]

I wonder why the Canadian postal codes don't work. It contacts your bank and the code is for your banking or billing address attached to the card. (I sometimes forget and put in our home zip instead of the PO box zip and they make me go inside to rerun my card).

 

[Disneylovers2000]

I wonder why the Canadian postal codes don't work. It contacts your bank and the code is for your banking or billing address attached to the card. (I sometimes forget and put in our home zip instead of the PO box zip and they make me go inside to rerun my card).

I am thinking that maybe the machines only accept numerical codes, so with our alphabet/numeral postal codes, it doesn't know how to read it
Thats the ONLY logical reason I can come up with!!

 

[lana772]

I am thinking that maybe the machines only accept numerical codes, so with our alphabet/numeral postal codes, it doesn't know how to read it
Thats the ONLY logical reason I can come up with!!

Oh. The key pads probably can't read letters.