Gas stations no taking Canadian cards.

[Florida_is_hot]

American pumps ask for Zip Codes, as Canadians we do not have a Zip Codes.
Used to need to go inside and get the pump turned on, and back again for the payment.

This tip I have not verified but I have it from good sources it works.

When a pump asks you to enter a Zip Code, take the numbers from your Postal Code and then add 00.

For example say your Postal Code is M9R 2F7, you enter 92700
Was told it works.

Of course if Americans ever updated their Pumps to verify by your card's PIN this would not be needed but until then the numbers in your Postal Code and then add 00

 

[Master Yoda]

Most gas pumps will recognize a PIN number if you select the "debit" option, but it comes with a few cons.

1. Since the transaction goes kind of backwards (you don't have a final price until you are done pumping gas) many stations put a hold on a flat dollar amount ($80 is pretty common) and the difference is refunded to you in a few days. It is no big deal if you keep 4 figures in you account at all times, but it can be a problem if you commonly run down to 2 digits.
2. Gas pumps are a prime location for credit card skimmers. A skimmer getting your credit card info and a zip code is bad, but not the end of the world. The amount of damage that can be done is fairly minimal and the protection offered by the CC company backing the card is typically better than the protection offered by the bank in a debit situation. However, if they get your CC info and a PIN, it is open season on your account. You won't know something is wrong until your card gets rejected or you check your account and discover a zero balance.
3. If you are using an actual credit card an not a debit card, you will pay a much higher interest rate using a PIN at a gas pump as most companies consider this a cash advance.

 

[Florida_is_hot]

In Canada whenever you make a credit card payment the PIN is entered, you do not have PIN you do not buy anything on credit. Either at a Pump, a store or even fast food.

Anyway Canadians can generate Zip Codes and pay at the pump.

 

[DManRightHere]

Your Canadian money ain't no good here!

Sorry..I would call the credit card company. They would have to know what exactly needs to be punched in for the zip code.

 

[MJCota]

Always run credit or they will put a hold on your account ($50 and up). If you put in a fake zip code it won't work. I've accidently put in my zip code wrong and it rejected it. I'd either pay cash or go inside to use your card. It only takes a few more seconds Good luck!

 

[lilclerk]

Always run credit or they will put a hold on your account ($50 and up). If you put in a fake zip code it won't work. I've accidently put in my zip code wrong and it rejected it. I'd either pay cash or go inside to use your card. It only takes a few more seconds Good luck!

I think this depends on your bank. Mine puts a $1 temp hold if I do credit, and the exact amount if I do debit.

 

[flynnibus]

Most gas pumps will recognize a PIN number if you select the "debit" option, but it comes with a few cons.

He/she is referring to a PIN verification vs sign verification.. which is the dominate CC validation here. In most other places, chip+pin is the dominate form now. Using a PIN with a signature card is equivalent to asking for a cash advance (like you mentioned).

For the OP, this is just another level of validation many merchants use. Head inside and pay. Most US stuff should start switching to chip+pin here in the next 2 years as a liability deadline has finally been set for Oct 2015

 

[AndyS2992]

So complicated in the US, well sounds it anyway.

In the UK all you do is pull up to the pump, start pouring in the gas, a screen above tells you how much is going in and the price then you pay the amount with a card there at the pump or go in to the station and pay there and that's it.

 

[nemobruce]

In Canada whenever you make a credit card payment the PIN is entered, you do not have PIN you do not buy anything on credit. Either at a Pump, a store or even fast food.

Anyway Canadians can generate Zip Codes and pay at the pump.

We are a little behind here in America, our CC will soon be going to PINs and doing away with the signature. It's a more secure transaction, PINs are not stored on the CC so it theory it will cut down on fraud.

 

[lazyboy97o]

So complicated in the US, well sounds it anyway.

In the UK all you do is pull up to the pump, start pouring in the gas, a screen above tells you how much is going in and the price then you pay the amount with a card there at the pump or go in to the station and pay there and that's it.

When prices jumped a few years back stations switched to wanting payment up front.

 

[flynnibus]

So complicated in the US, well sounds it anyway.

In the UK all you do is pull up to the pump, start pouring in the gas, a screen above tells you how much is going in and the price then you pay the amount with a card there at the pump or go in to the station and pay there and that's it.

Too many drive off thefts .. so stations demand payment up front.

 

[MJCota]

There are even some states where you can't pump your own gas due to the drive offs. It's sad the general public can't be trusted but I don't blame the gas station owners.

 

[lazyboy97o]

There are even some states where you can't pump your own gas due to the drive offs. It's sad the general public can't be trusted but I don't blame the gas station owners.

The laws in New Jersey and Oregon are about health and safety, not theft.

 

[MJCota]

Ohhhh I thought it was because of theft! Silly me