Credit card limits when filling up the tank

[ezgoin]

I've been out of the RV scene for a while but now that we have a new MH I remembered something about credit card limits at the gas pumps. Assuming those restrictions are still in place, are they controlled by the credit card issuer or by the gas station? Is there a way to get around the limits? I hate using a credit card, but I also hate the idea of carrying enough cash to fill the MH multiple times.

[Garry_Gayle]

I estimate what my dollar amount will be on fill up, go inside and they swipe your card and get a pre authorization on that amount, after you fill up go back in and they give you a receipt for the actual amount used, if less than the pre authorized amount. Been doing this for several years with no issues, but I only do business with the truck stops.

[DSDP_Don]

PawPaw gave the correct answer. There is a middleman processing the cards and guarantees that the station will get it's money. Consequently, they are not going to allow a $500.00 purchase on a fuel card and then guarantee that it's good. This is different then a retail store because it's so easy to commit CC theft at a fuel pump.

It makes life easier when stations allow the higher limit and we can get filled up with just two swipes.

In this day and age......I think you're asking for CC fraud when you take your card into a station and leave it with the attendant. You know, the one with the tattoo's, nose ring and the hole in their ears that you can drive a golf ball thru.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

mowermech wrote:
I have come to the conclusion that it is the card processor that sets the limits.

The card processor is a middle-man most people don't realize exists in many transactions.

I used to do IT work for a major quick service restaurant company - the second largest in the US.

One project we completed just before I left was to move the credit card processing in-house. So we would deal directly with the CC issuing banks for payment.

It exposed the company to some additional potential for fraudulent use and stolen card risks. But we saved the company $6 million a year in fees to the credit card processor middlemen by setting up our own internal system.

Most retail companies try to go with the cheapest processor of the credit cards. And those companies like to limit their risks and place artificial limits on transactions.

[mowermech]

After talking to many merchants and several banks and others, I have come to the conclusion that it is the card processor that sets the limits.
the bank says, "NO, it is not us!"
The merchants all say "NO, we didn't set that limit, it must be Visa (or Mastercard or Discover, or..."
Since there is no consistency in the limit, it stands to reason that it is not the card issuer or the bank. At some stations, a visa will get you $75, while at other stations the same card will get $125 or $150 or may not have a limit. Even using a debit card as a credit card varies widely.
It must be the POS (NO, that does NOT mean "piece of.....", it means Point Of Sale) transaction processor!

[ferndaleflyer]

I try to avoid those places----hit the truck stops, pick up the phone, provide the info they request, pump, go inside and pay......Works at most truck stops. I don't understand what someone said above about the Shell card.....My Shell limit is sure a whole lot more than whats mentioned above. Most charge less for cash payment. Read the signs as you pass.

[kjburns]

I was pleasantly surprised when I filled mine at the Flying J in Winslow, AZ. It said there was a $150 limit on the pump, but it kept going until I filled the tank (over 100 gallons) in a 150 gallon tank.

[1BryNelson]

Too shay Plummer. On the money!

[time2roll]

timmac wrote:
Maybe change CC companies, I have a Shell gas card with a higher limit than the normal $75.00, I just called them and they approved my limit to $150.00 for each fill up just on my card only but than my wife has a card with the $75.00 limit so that gives us $225.00 for each fill up if needed.

+1 that a shell MC seems to have better privileges at shell stations.
Otherwise go inside and tell them 100 gallons to really mess with their mind.

[PlumberJohn]

Can't help with the gas cap settings,but found out from my credit card banks that if you let them know you are traveling during a certain time period and that you will be using the card multiple times a day at one vendor they will not flag your card. Sure helped on our Calif. to D.C. trip. Used same card 4 times at one gas station, $50.00 limit
so swipe card - pump gas, swipe card - pump gas,and so on. No inconvenience should interrupt RV life.

[dbbls]

I think the limits are set by the store. I ask the store one time and was told the credit card company set the limit. I then call the card company and they said the store. If the card company set them it would apply to all stations. I am incline to believe the store set them.

[SDcampowneroper]

swipe $ limits are set by the merchant, # of uses in a day by the card issuer. We use only AAA card for fuel for the 5% discount, and security, have advised AAA that it is only for fuel, only on our travel route, for up to our daily limit.
Call your issuer for use above merchant limits.

[timmac]

Maybe change CC companies, I have a Shell gas card with a higher limit than the normal $75.00, I just called them and they approved my limit to $150.00 for each fill up just on my card only but than my wife has a card with the $75.00 limit so that gives us $225.00 for each fill up if needed.

[WyoTraveler]

Just a 2 person job. Wife goes in with credit card and pilot card if pilot sta and tells them pump #. They then turn on until filled. Better than turning pump on several times. Works for us. Surprised, got 3 cent discount yesterday at pilot. Plus 5% from credit card people. I'm happy. That is about 19 cents per gallon discount.

[robanddi]

We have found that generally we can use same credit card back-to-back BUT with 150 gallon tank, it often stutters with the third swipe. Some places you can go inside and they will take your credit card and at other places you must come up with second card (and often need to call the first issuer since a fraud alert may be triggered).

Diann

P.S. We avoid cash like the plague. For one we can get either discounts on fuel purchased or frequent flyer points or whatever.

[K_Charles]

Ether swipe the card twice or go inside. A few years ago at a station I had to swipe three times 'cause it would only give me $75.00 each time