Is There A Way To Get Around

[mermaid&cinderella]

Is there a way to get around entering a zip code at US gas stations? I think it is the most fustrating thing when we travel south. We have to go in and pre pay and at times pay too much and they have to credit it. Does anyone else thhink its the most dumb thing? Any way to get around that when paying with credit card?

 

[abdmom]

When I moved back to Ontario from the States, I had the same issue. Canadian gas stations won't accept U.S. credit cards. I guess since there's no one at the pump to check your signature or ID, it's safer not to accept out of country credit cards.

 

[disneyfreak89]

Check out this link:

http://www.i75online.com/creditcard.html

 

[ccudmore]

I agree that:
- it's frustrating
- that I can't find a way around it
- it's dumb

I have to do the same thing - pre-pay and then get a credit. This is particularly difficult when I have a rental and have no idea how much it takes to fill the tank.

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

disneyfreak89............THANK YOU I will definately print this off and bring it with us!

cudmore....I agree SO FUSTRATING!

 

[Ted in Halifax]

This happened to me in Texas ... very frustrating

 

[Tower]

With the new chip technology Visa cards, can't we just punch in our PIN?

 

[glendalais]

With the new chip technology Visa cards, can't we just punch in our PIN?

Chip-and-Pin technology isn't used in the US, and probably won't be for quite some time. If it weren't for the fact that most Canadian chip cards still have magnetic strips on the back, they would be useless south of the border.

In short, unless it's an Interac Card with a magstrip, you can't punch in your pin.

 

[HotdogDncrs]

I also find this very annoying. I just returned from 2 trips to the States, and had no issues when using my BMO US$ Mastercard.

 

[Sigma2001]

Via the i75 online (and also the book!) We only stop at BP stations as you can use your card at the pump.

We did this last year with no problems and will do it again this year (we leave in 4 days)

 

[Tower]

Via the i75 online (and also the book!) We only stop at BP stations as you can use your card at the pump.

We did this last year with no problems and will do it again this year (we leave in 4 days)

I guess we can reluctantly do this. I do however have no real desire to support the company responsible for such devastation in the gulf.

 

[Alderbrook]

I have filled up in Buffalo a few times when shopping across border & paid with my BMO card at the pump & it's never asked me for my zip? Is this more down south?

 

[Tower]

I have filled up in Buffalo a few times when shopping across border & paid with my BMO card at the pump & it's never asked me for my zip? Is this more down south?

Various locations throughout the USA, but predominantly alont the I-75 corridor that many Ontario drivers travel on.

 

[irisesareblue]

One way to get around it is to use your debit card - they pre-authorize $75.00 on the account (to be sure there is enough), then the only transaction is to take out the cost of the gas. No worries no fuss - just be sure to only have a 4 digit pin code.

 

[GrtWtNorth]

FYI, gas stations along the I-5 corridor from Vancouver to Los Angeles have the same issue. It's a toss-up as to which stations have a compatible pay-at-the-pump system. More popular brands (Shell, Chevron, Amoco, Exxon, BP) tended to be the most customer-friendly, but it was not universal. We just had to get in the habit of trusting station tellers with my credit card while we filled. We never had any fraud issues, but we didn't like the unnecessary delay.

 

[disneyfreak89]

I guess we can reluctantly do this. I do however have no real desire to support the company responsible for such devastation in the gulf.

I agree, I will do everything I can to avoid giving BP my business after that mishap. If you go to the link I posted above, Dave Hunter has a list of gas stations from Michigan to Florida along I-75 that will tell you which stations accept Canadian credit cards w/o entering a pin. After a quick glance I noticed Shell seems to be fine in most states. That's where we'll be stopping.

One way to get around it is to use your debit card - they pre-authorize $75.00 on the account (to be sure there is enough), then the only transaction is to take out the cost of the gas. No worries no fuss - just be sure to only have a 4 digit pin code.

Wouldn't you be charged a debit fee (up to $4) for every transaction?

We were also thinking of just buying a Visa gift card and using it at the pumps, provided it does not ask for a pin. Has anyone tried that?

 

[Ken_Breadbox]

Just shows how credit/debit-centered Canadian society has become that nobody yet has suggested using U.S. cash. In my experience, everybody accepts it, no questions asked.

 

[Nagle]

Just shows how credit/debit-centered Canadian society has become that nobody yet has suggested using U.S. cash. In my experience, everybody accepts it, no questions asked.

No doubt they all accept cash. However when driving straight through Brockville - Orlando I really like the convenience of using my credit card right at the pump. I know it doesn't take long most of the time to pay cash at the counter, but unless I have to use the washroom I would rather not have to go inside.

Rather than leaving your card with the attendant, just estimate how much gas you need and have them charge your card while you are in the store. Then you go out, pump in that much and you don't have to leave your card out of your sight. If your tank fills before you reach the dollar amount you selected you can then go back inside and have them credit the difference. Somewhat time consuming, but your card stays with you.

 

[sjsjbrook]

Just shows how credit/debit-centered Canadian society has become that nobody yet has suggested using U.S. cash. In my experience, everybody accepts it, no questions asked.

From what I understand, that you have to prepay whether you pay cash or credit. So it is still the frustration of trying to figure out how much gas you need, especially if you have a rental car.

 

[3princesshome]

I don't think the zip code is actually used for any specific purpose - I ran into this problem at a gas station in Buffalo a while back and while I stood there thinking "I don't have a zip code", I suddenly realized I had one zip code in my head that I could remember - 90210 - who doesn't know that?! Anyway, I typed it in and went on pumping gas - it accepted it and had nothing to do with being connected to my credit card. I was once in NYC buying subway passes and the same thing happened when I used my credit card - entered 90210 and away I went!