Gas stations in Central Florida or in the United States

[WDW FAN 4 LIFE]

This past December when my family were in Orlando, a lot of places my Dad went to get gas would not let him pay at the pump with his credit card, because we didn't have a zip code to put in at the pump. The reason for us not having a zip code, is because my family & I are from Canada where we have postal codes (numbers & letters). However at the Hess station across the street from Downtown Disney, they did not ask for a zip code when paying at the pump which leads me to my question. Do all gas stations in the United States or maybe just in Central Florida now ask for a zip code when paying at the pump? I am asking about the whole United States because during the summer my family & I drive to WDW, so obviously we will need to stop for gas & if they ask for a zip code I can tell my Dad to automatically pay inside the gas station. So if anyone can answer this I would appreciate it.

 

[Yellow Shoes]

Never bought gas in Florida, so I can't help you there.

However, in Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois, where I have purchased gas recently, we were never asked for a zip code.

At first I wondered if somehow the card information indicated that you were from Canada. Then I realized that if it KNEW you were from Canada, it wouldn't ask for something stupid like a zip code, which you don't have

It sounds like some safeguard against stolen credit cards.

 

[WDW FAN 4 LIFE]

The gas pump doesn't know that the credit card is Canadian. They must have been programed to always ask for the zip code, no matter what type of card has been inserted.

 

[pisco]

More and more pay at the pump sites are asking for your zip code as a way of determining their approximate trading area. I always put in something as far away as I can think of. I really don't feel like I should have to give them that information just to fill my tank up.

 

[Number_6]

Certain gas station companies have started using that system at pumps in several states, but I'm not sure if they are in all states for those particular companies. A majority of the gas stations here in Central Florida ask for it now and according to friends in New York State, alot of them there do as well.

 

[Yellow Shoes]

***looks around nervously for Big Brother***

 

[Woody13]

90210

 

[lamarvenoy]

This is a theft deterent. Pay at the pump gas stations are a easy target for forged and stolen credit cards.

 

[mkt]

If anything, tell the clerk that you don't have a ZIP code since you're Canadian. They should hold the card as collateral while you pump, and then you can pay inside.

 

[mkt]

More and more pay at the pump sites are asking for your zip code as a way of determining their approximate trading area. I always put in something as far away as I can think of. I really don't feel like I should have to give them that information just to fill my tank up.

I believe it's a security feature. I've had my Amex decline when I have entered the wrong ZIP code, but then work perfectly when I enter the correct one.

 

[Figment1986]

Amaco, Shell, Texaco.. at the moment those asked me for zips.. Marathon, hess, exon, moble... not yet...

havn't tried BP...

AS stated, it's 2 things.. market, and security... cause it asks the card when authorizing if it's from this zip or not...

but then again the station might not get info from where everyone is from.

 

[Erika]

Certain stations here in Arizona ask for it, particularly (from what I've noticed) those located off the interstate. Identity theft is a real problem here.

Like Rob, I've been declined for putting in the wrong zip code (while waiting for my address change to go through).

 

[tigsmom]

I've never had any gas station ask for a zip code and we drive to WDW so he hit quite a few states. We have used cash,gas cards and credit cards.