Again today I went to the gas station to fuel up. My truck holds 96 gallons of fuel. Inevitably, the gas pumps stop at 100.00. Normally I just reauthorize the card and start over, but today the pump wouldn't even do that, so I used another card and added another 40.00 worth of fuel. (Not a card problem.)What is the deal? Anybody can use a different card, and if they want to limit the max quantity a person can buy that doesn't work either. It can't be the 100.00, can it? Everything I buy, it seems, costs over 100.00. Why would all the different stations be doing this?

In my case, when I pull a 30' + motor home up to the gas pump, if they don't trust me and my credit card for more than $100, then they obviously do NOT need my business. The $100 is the last they will get from me, as there are too many other places that are glad to sell me whatever I need. Pilot and FlyingJ both have all the money they need, and don't get any of mine. At the stations I do use, I just press the "Pay Inside" button and have never had one cut off on me yet. And they don't have a "pre-authorization" hold put on my cards either.

Flying-J on I-90 exit 48A in NY has a $150 precharge.

The banks or credit card service companies do it as a way to limit fraud or liability for lost or stolen cards. It has been this way for a long time. It was noticeably worse when gas was higher. Don't blame the station. it happens to me too and I just run the card again. No big deal.

Had the problem at several different brand stations back when diesel was near $4. But not now since my tank is only 36 gallons. Annoying, but not enough to make me stop using certain stations.

What is with the $100.00 limit at the fuel pumps?

61 Replies

noteven
Explorer III
Nov 03, 2016
I used my PIN number when I bought coolant instead of water so I wouldn't have to unthaw my Cummings to change the antifreeze when I have it in the shop to work on the front axel breaks.
time2roll
Nomad
Nov 02, 2016
fj12ryder wrote:
PIN stands for P(ersonal)I(dentification)N(umber). So saying PIN number is essentially saying Personal Identification Number Number.

It drives me crazy, as does SSN number. And you see it in news coverage articles. Argh. Mainly on internet "news" articles so it hasn't spread to actual journalists.

It's like the bank around here that started out as United Missouri Bank in the 60's-70's, then they used just the letters: UMB. Now they call themselves UMB Bank. United Missouri Bank Bank. What is wrong with these fools?!
You forgot my peeve the VIN Number :R
Although UMBB is a good one ;)
ROBERTSUNRUS
Explorer
Nov 02, 2016
wilber1 wrote:
fj12ryder wrote:
mich800 wrote:
Don't forget about asking for the check at the end of your meal.
Ahh, but that's not bad at all. A long time ago your bill was written out on a pad that actually had "Check # such and such" at the top of the pad. So when you asked for your check, you actually were asking for your check. I remember those days, and those diners.

I always ask for the "bill". They can't fool me.:)

:) Hi, when we eat at a fancy / high dollar restaurant, I ask for my "William".
wilber1
Explorer
Nov 02, 2016
fj12ryder wrote:
mich800 wrote:
Don't forget about asking for the check at the end of your meal.
Ahh, but that's not bad at all. A long time ago your bill was written out on a pad that actually had "Check # such and such" at the top of the pad. So when you asked for your check, you actually were asking for your check. I remember those days, and those diners.

I always ask for the "bill". They can't fool me.:)
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Nov 02, 2016
mich800 wrote:
Don't forget about asking for the check at the end of your meal.
Ahh, but that's not bad at all. A long time ago your bill was written out on a pad that actually had "Check # such and such" at the top of the pad. So when you asked for your check, you actually were asking for your check. I remember those days, and those diners.
mich800
Explorer
Nov 02, 2016
fj12ryder wrote:
PIN stands for P(ersonal)I(dentification)N(umber). So saying PIN number is essentially saying Personal Identification Number Number.

It drives me crazy, as does SSN number. And you see it in news coverage articles. Argh. Mainly on internet "news" articles so it hasn't spread to actual journalists.

It's like the bank around here that started out as United Missouri Bank in the 60's-70's, then they used just the letters: UMB. Now they call themselves UMB Bank. United Missouri Bank Bank. What is wrong with these fools?!

Don't forget about asking for the check at the end of your meal.
wilber1
Explorer
Nov 02, 2016
thomasmnile wrote:
wilber1 wrote:

That's because you aren't there yet. In Canada, all in store and at pump purchases require a PIN if you are using a chip card.

Still many merchants not using or enabling chip terminals around here. The ones that do have never asked us for pin # when completing a transaction. Shoot, any card we have with a chip, a fair number of merchant terminals don't even ask for a signature if the purchase amount is under $50.

We were a mixture of systems for a year or two after the transition started. It takes awhile and like everything else, it becomes normal. I think the chips are more reliable than strips as well. Harder to damage and a magnetic fastener on a purse or those things they use to remove security tags from items won't render them useless like a strip card.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Nov 02, 2016
PIN stands for P(ersonal)I(dentification)N(umber). So saying PIN number is essentially saying Personal Identification Number Number.

It drives me crazy, as does SSN number. And you see it in news coverage articles. Argh. Mainly on internet "news" articles so it hasn't spread to actual journalists.

It's like the bank around here that started out as United Missouri Bank in the 60's-70's, then they used just the letters: UMB. Now they call themselves UMB Bank. United Missouri Bank Bank. What is wrong with these fools?!
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Nov 02, 2016
ktmrfs wrote:
fj12ryder wrote:
^^^^^^^Most of the "not secure" issues with the chip card is that you are not necessarily required to input your PIN when using the card. That takes away part of what makes the chip card more secure.

true. unfortunetly very very few of the chip cards require or even allow use of a PIN, so all they do is prevent card skimming. someone gets your card they can still use it.

And even with a pin, it doesn't do anything about online transactions that still require entering the card number.
For some reason the US is still lagging in requiring the use of a PIN which as you noted makes them more secure. And they are not as easy to copy as a magnetic strip card. They are a compromise, as is most everything having to do with the credit/debit card system.
thomasmnile
Explorer
Nov 02, 2016
wilber1 wrote:

That's because you aren't there yet. In Canada, all in store and at pump purchases require a PIN if you are using a chip card.

Still many merchants not using or enabling chip terminals around here. The ones that do have never asked us for pin # when completing a transaction. Shoot, any card we have with a chip, a fair number of merchant terminals don't even ask for a signature if the purchase amount is under $50.