Canadians filling at the pump in USA

...NEVER had an issue, using the OP's method: across 7 states to Florida....and back (just back recently).

rwbradley wrote:

4X4Dodger wrote:

homefor2 wrote:
It's a major pain in the azz buying gas south of the border. Wish they could figure something out that works for Canadians other than cash. There are a couple of stations where we stay that don't require a zip code and they get a lot of Canadian business.

With all due respect it is not up to US to figure something out. It is up to YOUR BANKS to figure it out. You are in a Different Country as I am sure you would be quick to point out if it was an American making this argument in the reverse situation, and when in a different country you cannot be expected to have everything the same as at home.

What I have gathered from talking to some Canadians in Mexico is that it is actually the restrictive policies and high charges of Canadian banks that is at the root of your problem. Not the US or Mexican banking systems.

I am not sure this thread was intended to insult anyone. This appeared to me to just be a talk about how us Canadians can "hack" or work around the limitations of international travel.
I am not sure that it is up to anyone's bank or country to figure out. The solution was figured out well over a decade ago (I personally have been using it well over 10 years). Canada and much of the industrialized world are now using Chip and Pin universally to get around these inconveniences of travelling internationally. Unfortunately despite US committing to going Chip and Pin, due to your countries size, banking complexity or some other variables adoption in the US seems to be slower. Once Chip and Pin is fully adopted in the US, it will make it easier to pay for both you and us when we cross each others borders.

Well put RWbradley, and to be perfectly frank many Canadians would be far too polite to "point this out", as is commented to us by many during our travels being Canadians. We're a pretty mellow, respectable, unconfrontational bunch for the most part, contrary to what an odd handful would have us believe! In addition "WE" appreciate tourism dollars spent in our country and anything that can be suggested to encourage this from others I'd "hope" we'd be open to suggestions and some understanding for the benefit of the country's economy overall. For sure without question as Canadians (small population), we do pay a huge premium on everything typically (cellular, insurances, food etc etc) but at least for the most part our Bank system seems to be more stable than most countries, does it not?

I do so wish on these forums people would not get so defensive and often times argumentative about things, and just accept the OP's initial observation or frustration and maybe offer something tangible that might make things a WIN-WIN for everyone. Of course over many years you get to see the same names trying to stir up certain folks emotions on many fronts. Just be nice, the world has after all become one country for all intense and purposes!

Now onto the Postcode to zeros working as per the OP. Our postcode equates to ALL Zeros and alas has never worked at any pumps using that. Have had to educate other USA companies we do business with in the USA to input all zeros for their zip code when processing our credit cards for easy payment options "they" chose when they say won't go through and it invariably does in those instances on over the phone payments.

For sure it's very inconvenient having to pay up front for gas when our cards don't work and getting charges and differences in the exchange rate equating to higher, plus in addition usually there's a higher pump rate when paying via credit card versus cash as well which we note. For us, we have sourced when asking many gas stations that will hold our card whilst we fill before charging (some say they can't over ride the system). For best rates and reduced charges we will in most instances just pay cash. For what benefits you get on the credit card in points/travel/rebates etc it usually works out costing more when using a credit card we've personally found at pumps in other countries. Of course YMMV.

4X4Dodger wrote:

homefor2 wrote:
It's a major pain in the azz buying gas south of the border. Wish they could figure something out that works for Canadians other than cash. There are a couple of stations where we stay that don't require a zip code and they get a lot of Canadian business.

With all due respect it is not up to US to figure something out. It is up to YOUR BANKS to figure it out. You are in a Different Country as I am sure you would be quick to point out if it was an American making this argument in the reverse situation, and when in a different country you cannot be expected to have everything the same as at home.

What I have gathered from talking to some Canadians in Mexico is that it is actually the restrictive policies and high charges of Canadian banks that is at the root of your problem. Not the US or Mexican banking systems.

I am not sure this thread was intended to insult anyone. This appeared to me to just be a talk about how us Canadians can "hack" or work around the limitations of international travel.
I am not sure that it is up to anyone's bank or country to figure out. The solution was figured out well over a decade ago (I personally have been using it well over 10 years). Canada and much of the industrialized world are now using Chip and Pin universally to get around these inconveniences of travelling internationally. Unfortunately despite US committing to going Chip and Pin, due to your countries size, banking complexity or some other variables adoption in the US seems to be slower. Once Chip and Pin is fully adopted in the US, it will make it easier to pay for both you and us when we cross each others borders.

homefor2 wrote:
It's a major pain in the azz buying gas south of the border. Wish they could figure something out that works for Canadians other than cash. There are a couple of stations where we stay that don't require a zip code and they get a lot of Canadian business.

With all due respect it is not up to US to figure something out. It is up to YOUR BANKS to figure it out. You are in a Different Country as I am sure you would be quick to point out if it was an American making this argument in the reverse situation, and when in a different country you cannot be expected to have everything the same as at home.

What I have gathered from talking to some Canadians in Mexico is that it is actually the restrictive policies and high charges of Canadian banks that is at the root of your problem. Not the US or Mexican banking systems.

Same situation in reverse for us USA'ers. I had to go into the clerk each time to use my credit card for gas in Canada.

Last year in Florida we could get one or the other of our cards to work. One we used our postal code digits plus '00'. The other we changed our billing address to our USA address so we had a real zip (worked in some places but not everywhere).

This year in Texas, nothing works at the pump 'cept our debit. Means having to go into the store EVERY time. We ride motorcycles so we fill up every day.

At least most places will do a pre-authorization and if you use less, you card doesn't get charged. Used to be they'd charge the full amount then refund the difference so you'd lose on the exchange both ways.

n7bsn wrote:

rwbradley wrote:


As soon as they go chip and pin like we have, that should solve all our issues when down south...

Don't hold your breath

The banks don't want to go chip & pin as they get paid a smaller cut then on chip and sign or mag-stripe and sign.

The banks are the ones CHARGING the fees not being charged. And Banks DO want the new chip cards as they are more secure. It is the Merchants who don't want to spend the money to upgrade terminals that is the real hold up. Think about being a Chevron or any other large Corp with thousands of PoS's to buy new...

Second; not all systems require a zip code when using a credit card. But your Credit Card company should be able to tell you what to input to handle this.

I was getting my wife to go in and prepay with cr card.
Clerk at Racetrack brand here in Florida had her do this (3 # plus 2 zeros) at the terminal "inside" the store and said it will work at the pump. It did and have tried at several other brands this winter and has worked every time (so far ):R
Much more convenient although just today I filled up at Pilot in Davenport and pump did not even ask for a zip code??

rwbradley wrote:


As soon as they go chip and pin like we have, that should solve all our issues when down south...

Don't hold your breath

The banks don't want to go chip & pin as they get paid a smaller cut then on chip and sign or mag-stripe and sign.

homefor2 wrote:
It's a major pain in the azz buying gas south of the border. Wish they could figure something out that works for Canadians other than cash. There are a couple of stations where we stay that don't require a zip code and they get a lot of Canadian business.

As soon as they go chip and pin like we have, that should solve all our issues when down south...