Gas pump needs a zip code; Canadians not welcome
Mar 24, 2013 | 7:44 pm
#91
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS MVPG, UA peon, BA Bronze, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 8,447
BTW if you pump and then pay inside in Canada you are not prepaying one cent. You pump first and then pay. No hold on your card, just trust that you actually will go in and pay. The issue and the only issue when south of the border ( and only in the US )is being forced to leave my CC card behind the counter, which happened every single time in the US if I wanted to "fill her up".
In BC, it reads: "The new requirements will be effective February 1, 2008 and include:
Mandatory prepayment of fuel:
Under the amended regulations, customers must prepay for fuel sold in gas stations and other retail fuelling outlets throughout BC, 24 hours a day/seven days a week."
Last edited by Finkface; Mar 24, 2013 at 10:37 pm
Mar 24, 2013 | 7:46 pm
#92
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: YQR
Programs: Nexus/GE, UA/MPG, Bonvoy Tit, LTP
Posts: 1,294
My naivety I know. There again I'm not convinced I was the only one.
Being an ex pat Brit I can vouch for the old saying. The UK and USA. 2 countries separated by a common langauge.
Being an ex pat Brit I can vouch for the old saying. The UK and USA. 2 countries separated by a common langauge.
Mar 24, 2013 | 7:48 pm
#93
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: YQR
Programs: Nexus/GE, UA/MPG, Bonvoy Tit, LTP
Posts: 1,294
Not quite true. Since 2008, you have been required to prepay for gas in BC. The law, "Grant's Law" was passed after a young Maple Ridge, BC gas station attendant was killed trying to prevent a robbery three years ago. He was dragged to his death while trying to stop a $12 'gas and dash'. Since then, all gas in BC must be prepaid, exactly the same way it is done in the US. Other provinces are looking at adopting these same laws for the safety of gas station workers and Ontario just proposed a private members bill in late 2012 mandating prepayment for gas after a gas station attendant was killed there under similar circumsatances.
In BC, it reads: "The new requirements will be effective February 1, 2008 and include:
Mandatory prepayment of fuel:
Under the amended regulations, customers must prepay for fuel sold in gas stations and other retail fuelling outlets throughout BC, 24 hours a day/seven days a week."
In BC, it reads: "The new requirements will be effective February 1, 2008 and include:
Mandatory prepayment of fuel:
Under the amended regulations, customers must prepay for fuel sold in gas stations and other retail fuelling outlets throughout BC, 24 hours a day/seven days a week."
Mar 24, 2013 | 7:59 pm
#94
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,708
Until reading these threads I was under the impression that if I "guessed" I needed $50 but only needed $30 the gas station would get to keep the $20. At no time did any single attendant anywhere tell me that I could come back in again and reverse my previous billing to get a $20 credit.
When you check in at a hotel, they authorize your credit card for a higher amount to cover any incidentals you may bill to your room. When you check out, you don't have to tell them not to bill you for that amount. It is understood that they only bill you for what you use.
Mar 24, 2013 | 8:40 pm
#95
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Having taken many a 911 call from gas station clerks in the Bay Area who had motorists drive off without paying, I can see why you just can't pump what you want in the Bay Area, at least, without some type of deposit up front. My PD stopped responding to these gas drive-offs a good dozen years ago as they just wasted too much of our time and occurred several times a day, sometimes with fraudulent license plates used, and once in a while a stolen car. It did cause the offending stations to upgrade their equipment so that a motorist couldn't just drive in, pump $100 in gas, and drive off. Maybe it's not an issue north of the border, but it was a big problem down here and threatened the financial health of some service stations.
Mar 26, 2013 | 9:38 am
#96
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 53,012
To be honest, I'd have to have almost no other option before I'd walk inside to prepay gas. I encountered a station near PHX yesterday that was all prepay inside...I drove down the street to the Chevron with modern pumps.
At this point, it's not so much the act of walking inside...half the time, I'm going inside anyway to fetch a drink or whatever. It's that the stations that make you do this also look pretty sketchy all around.
Exceptions in small towns perhaps, but in the inner city I prefer the large, busy, well-lit Quiktrip, Chevron, BP, etc.
At this point, it's not so much the act of walking inside...half the time, I'm going inside anyway to fetch a drink or whatever. It's that the stations that make you do this also look pretty sketchy all around.
Exceptions in small towns perhaps, but in the inner city I prefer the large, busy, well-lit Quiktrip, Chevron, BP, etc.
Mar 26, 2013 | 9:49 am
#97
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA Silver, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 23,196
Sweden uses a five-digit postal code (split up like 123 45). My father-in-law tries his credit cards, enters the postal code, and they don't work. My brother-in-law tries with his cards, enters the postal code, and they work without issue.
Silly stuff.
Silly stuff.
Mar 26, 2013 | 10:42 am
#98
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: United States
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Amtrak
Posts: 4,647
Don't know about Jersey, but in Oregon most stations require you to pay inside if using cash. And some stations (Arco, mainly) even require you to go inside if using plastic.
And someone pumping your gas does not make it "full serve", though that's another discussion entirely.
And someone pumping your gas does not make it "full serve", though that's another discussion entirely.
Mar 26, 2013 | 11:32 am
#99
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB PLT again afater a decade as plebian
Posts: 22,946
Mar 26, 2013 | 12:21 pm
#100
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: United States
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Amtrak
Posts: 4,647
No, the law is still in affect.
But the ban on self-serve gas only applies to the operation of the pump. It does not affect method of payment. So if a station wants to make you get out of your car to pay inside, it's free to do so.
But the ban on self-serve gas only applies to the operation of the pump. It does not affect method of payment. So if a station wants to make you get out of your car to pay inside, it's free to do so.
Mar 26, 2013 | 12:27 pm
#101
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oregon
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1MM, HH Diamond, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,055
(My apologies if repeated elsewhere. Mods, feel free to move this.)
Nearly all gas stations I visit in the US require the credit card holder to type in their zip code on the keypad at the pump.
I'm from Canada. I don't have a zip code. It's impossible for me to buy gas in the US without the good graces of a clerk to manually override it. Occasionally, I have to leave a pile of cash as a deposit and go back to the pump.
These pumps are everywhere in the US, including locations just south of the Canadian border. I assume they're just north of the Mexican border, too.
Each year, about 20 million Canadians visit the US; that's over half the population. And even if American gas station owners don't like our currency (currently at par), when we pay by credit card, we pay in US dollars.
I have so many questions:
• Why does the entire US gas station industry assume that 100% of their customers are Americans?
• Does every gas station owner not want my business?
• Who should I be angry at: service station owners? chains?
• Are there some chains that don't have these machines?
• Is there a workaround or magic 5-digit override code I can use?
• If I tell my Canadian CC issuer to send me statements electronically, so they don't actually have to mail me anything, can I change my postal code to a (fake) 5-digit zip code, just to appease these machines?
Nearly all gas stations I visit in the US require the credit card holder to type in their zip code on the keypad at the pump.
I'm from Canada. I don't have a zip code. It's impossible for me to buy gas in the US without the good graces of a clerk to manually override it. Occasionally, I have to leave a pile of cash as a deposit and go back to the pump.
These pumps are everywhere in the US, including locations just south of the Canadian border. I assume they're just north of the Mexican border, too.
Each year, about 20 million Canadians visit the US; that's over half the population. And even if American gas station owners don't like our currency (currently at par), when we pay by credit card, we pay in US dollars.
I have so many questions:
• Why does the entire US gas station industry assume that 100% of their customers are Americans?
• Does every gas station owner not want my business?
• Who should I be angry at: service station owners? chains?
• Are there some chains that don't have these machines?
• Is there a workaround or magic 5-digit override code I can use?
• If I tell my Canadian CC issuer to send me statements electronically, so they don't actually have to mail me anything, can I change my postal code to a (fake) 5-digit zip code, just to appease these machines?
Mar 26, 2013 | 3:15 pm
#102
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP 1.5MM, Asiana Club Silver, KE Morning Calm, Hyatt Platinum, Amtrak Select
Posts: 7,161
You don't even have to go back in. Your card will only be charged for what you use. The hold will automatically expire after a few days.
When you check in at a hotel, they authorize your credit card for a higher amount to cover any incidentals you may bill to your room. When you check out, you don't have to tell them not to bill you for that amount. It is understood that they only bill you for what you use.
When you check in at a hotel, they authorize your credit card for a higher amount to cover any incidentals you may bill to your room. When you check out, you don't have to tell them not to bill you for that amount. It is understood that they only bill you for what you use.
Mar 26, 2013 | 3:29 pm
#103
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP 1.5MM, Asiana Club Silver, KE Morning Calm, Hyatt Platinum, Amtrak Select
Posts: 7,161
Actually you don't even have to say an amount. Just say "full fillup" and leave your credit card with them as collateral. They'll open the gas pump for you and once done, you go back inside and they'll just ring up the amount you pumped in.
Mar 26, 2013 | 3:42 pm
#104
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: YQR
Programs: Nexus/GE, UA/MPG, Bonvoy Tit, LTP
Posts: 1,294
Sure it was caught but I was without my primary card for almost 2 weeks and it was a real PITA. That's why I don't want to leave my card at the desk.
Mar 26, 2013 | 4:27 pm
#105
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP 1.5MM, Asiana Club Silver, KE Morning Calm, Hyatt Platinum, Amtrak Select
Posts: 7,161
That was my worry. Leaving the card hostage. On one occassion my card was apparently cloned. I got a phone call in snowy Regina asking if I could confirm it wasn't me trying to make a 10k charge or cash withdrawal in Vegas. I have no proof it happened at one of these gas stations but I have my suspicions, because I tend not to have my card out of sight and, other than airline tickets and hotel/ rental car reservations, don't purchase on line.
Sure it was caught but I was without my primary card for almost 2 weeks and it was a real PITA. That's why I don't want to leave my card at the desk.
Sure it was caught but I was without my primary card for almost 2 weeks and it was a real PITA. That's why I don't want to leave my card at the desk.