Canadians - Pay at the Pump in the U.S.

We use COSTCO gas stations as much as possible for local and travel. Noticed a while back that we had to put a zip in, we have used Costco gas for years and never needed a zip. Lately no more zip code. In Simi Valley where the DD and our DGKs live they still require the zip. I asked the attendent about it and he said they were told in advance that it would start and when it would end. It was a COSTCO program and only took a few months. It was not and is not a CC company requirement. I have asked several CC Co Customer Service types why and all have replied it is to gather marketing information for someone else.

I just returned from a trip thru VT, NH, PA, WV, V and TN. Used my US$ Visa (from a Canadian bank) many times, and not once was asked for a Zip Code.

Not sure if it was because of the US$ card or just good luck.

Good news. It is a pain in the assets to pay inside everytime. We always keep our smart car on the upper half of the tank just in case of earthquake etc. The attendant always gets a laugh when Angela goes in with 8 bucks to fill up our little smart car diesel.

I have a BMO USD MasterCard. The mailing address is my home address, the billing address is a friend's NY address. I use his zip code at US gas stations. It works 100% of the time, when asked for a zip code.

I find the stations close to the border don't require a zip. It's only when I get farther south. Sure wish the US would go chip and pin like most of the world.

Interesting. As mentioned by dieharder, the concept has been around for awhile. My experience and that of others (a number of past threads on this) has been that the postal code thing at the pump works frequently but not always, whether with MasterCard or Visa, but maybe they've expanded the concept since last winter?? I got tired of this a few years back and now put a US address on my BMO US$ MasterCard and the Zip for that works at the pump all the time.

Some interesting posts here: Postal Code instead of ZIP at the pump?

Canadians can also use their debit cards at the pump at some gas stations but there is less fraud protection than provided by a credit card. Some other workarounds: Zip Code Work-Arounds

This isn't new. My postal code is K1V 8T4 and have been using 18400 for quite a few years now, with no problem, up and down the east coast.

roam1 wrote:
We always pay inside as most pumps limit at 75-100$

Just ask them to run the card again and you can fill up. At least hear in Oregon anyway.

We always pay inside as most pumps limit at 75-100$