Originally Posted by biggestbopper

Just back from France and Spain. Found it was impossible to pay for gas at robot stations using a US credit or debit card. Just won't take the cards.
Okay if you can find a station with a clerk, of which there are very few on weekends or out in the country.

Finally had to beg a French guy to put some gas in our car using his credit card and gave him the cash. Wonder what you do if you don't speak some French?

I am amazed at the idea that I should police Visa MC and Amex merchants by reporting them in Europe. No way. I have enough to do. Let the card companies fix their system. And, meanwhile, don't rely on being able to buy gas in France on the weekends.

By the way, also had acceptance problems at automated parking machines in France and Spain. And, sometimes, there is no non automatic option.