zip code at gas pumps

Thank you for the replies. Memory has been jogged. The method does not always work though.

joebedford wrote:

bob_nestor wrote:
However they'd always insist on making a test transaction setting a max limit before I could pump

Same with CDN cards at CDN pumps. I don't know why they do it that way??

Ah, good to know! I think it's done basically as a "pay before you pump" thing. By making a test/reserve transaction first they know if it will be approved, and since the final real transaction will always be less than or equal to that amount they know it will be successful.

bob_nestor wrote:
However they'd always insist on making a test transaction setting a max limit before I could pump

Same with CDN cards at CDN pumps. I don't know why they do it that way??

almcc wrote:

Rover_Bill wrote:
It's also a pain for USA drivers in Canada. While RVing in Alberta this summer, I hit a lot of Canadian fuel pumps that refused my USA credit cards at the pump and had to go inside to pay for my fuel. Such is life when traveling in a FOREIGN country (both yours and mine).

I'm wondering if the problem relates to "chipped" cards with the Canadian stations requiring a chipped card and a PIN number. Maybe when chipped cards become universal for US folks their cards will work at the Canadian pumps.

The work around (numbers from our postal code plus 2 zeroes) works almost 100% of the time for us in the US.

Not sure, but my US chipped cards worked fine in both my trips thru western Canada this year. However they'd always insist on making a test transaction setting a max limit before I could pump. Then with the actual amount known they'd make a second transaction and cancel the first one. That doesn't happen on US transactions at the pump with chipped cards.

I've been to the same station 3 times in the last 2 years and it never works. Frustrating.

Here's the official word from Mastercard:

https://www.mastercard.ca/en-ca/consumers/features-benefits/travel-tips/mastercard-pay-at-pump.html

Lenny K wrote:
If you fuel up in British Columbia you must pay before you pump. It is the law.

I did not know that. Crazy!

If you fuel up in British Columbia you must pay before you pump. It is the law.

Rover_Bill wrote:

almcc wrote:
I'm wondering if the problem relates to "chipped" cards with the Canadian stations requiring a chipped card and a PIN number. Maybe when chipped cards become universal for US folks their cards will work at the Canadian pumps.

My credit cards did have the new security chips, but most of the pumps I visited in Canada were not yet equipped to read the chip. Most pumps in the USA (that I use) don't read the chip yet.

You must have been visiting stations out in the boonies. At least in Canada you only have to stand in line once - very few pay before pump stations.

almcc wrote:
I'm wondering if the problem relates to "chipped" cards with the Canadian stations requiring a chipped card and a PIN number. Maybe when chipped cards become universal for US folks their cards will work at the Canadian pumps.

My credit cards did have the new security chips, but most of the pumps I visited in Canada were not yet equipped to read the chip. Most pumps in the USA (that I use) don't read the chip yet.