credit cards at gas stations
Apr 30th, 2013, 07:56 PM
#1
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credit cards at gas stations
Will it be a problem using an American credit card at the gas stations in Europe? We will be renting a car part of our visit. In the United States, we have to enter our zip code, but what if the European stations want us to do that, too?
Apr 30th, 2013, 08:08 PM
#2
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No gas station machines in Europe ask for a Zip Code, but at least in France if you try to use an unmanned station you will need a chip & pin card, which in all likelihood you don't have.Just make sure to fill up on weekdays when the stations are manned and you'll be fine.
Apr 30th, 2013, 08:53 PM
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<< In the United States, we have to enter our zip code >>
Not every place in the US requires the zip code; I've never heard of this. Sometimes stores ask for a zip but it's not mandatory.
In NJ the people pumping gas say nothing - no matter how pleasant I am I can't even get a grunt out of them, let alone have them ask for a zip code. That would be beyond their job description!
Not every place in the US requires the zip code; I've never heard of this. Sometimes stores ask for a zip but it's not mandatory.
In NJ the people pumping gas say nothing - no matter how pleasant I am I can't even get a grunt out of them, let alone have them ask for a zip code. That would be beyond their job description!
Apr 30th, 2013, 10:03 PM
#7
You don't 'get one'. The bank has to issue it and the VAST majority of US banks don't offer them. I can't imagine a journey where one would have to fill up 'several' times. You will get hundreds of miles from a tank.
Fill up on Saturday and you should be fine. But what countries are you crossing? Staffed stations are more common in some places than others.
(Adrienne: in the places a zip code is required it is normally entered at the pump - no need to speak to a grumpy attendant
)
Fill up on Saturday and you should be fine. But what countries are you crossing? Staffed stations are more common in some places than others.
(Adrienne: in the places a zip code is required it is normally entered at the pump - no need to speak to a grumpy attendant
)
Apr 30th, 2013, 10:51 PM
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<i>"We will be doing a long drive Saturday and Sunday and will need to fill up several times.</i>
When you hire a vehicle one never knows what type of engine you are getting. Unless it is a really high end market car then you will more than likely get a diesel engine these days. The mileages will be huge.
If you drove from the North from say Calais to Perpignan in the south Google maps says that is a grand total of 704 miles. Less than a tank full of Diesel of car.
You will find supermarket fuel a lot cheaper than stations along the Highways.
To fill your vehicle you drive up to a pump. Pick the correct nozzle. Make sure you do as it could be disastrous for the engine if you do not. When full. Drive the vehicle to the cabin. Greet in French and smile, say your pump number in French. They will repeat the price you have to pay. Hand over your Credit Card. It is simple.
When you hire a vehicle one never knows what type of engine you are getting. Unless it is a really high end market car then you will more than likely get a diesel engine these days. The mileages will be huge.
If you drove from the North from say Calais to Perpignan in the south Google maps says that is a grand total of 704 miles. Less than a tank full of Diesel of car.
You will find supermarket fuel a lot cheaper than stations along the Highways.
To fill your vehicle you drive up to a pump. Pick the correct nozzle. Make sure you do as it could be disastrous for the engine if you do not. When full. Drive the vehicle to the cabin. Greet in French and smile, say your pump number in French. They will repeat the price you have to pay. Hand over your Credit Card. It is simple.
Apr 30th, 2013, 10:59 PM
#9
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<i>We will be doing a long drive Saturday and Sunday and will need to fill up several times.</i>
Supermarkets, open on Saturdays, often have manned service stations. Gas up on Saturday and you'll be fine. Chances are that you will not be driving as far as you think in one day.
Supermarkets, open on Saturdays, often have manned service stations. Gas up on Saturday and you'll be fine. Chances are that you will not be driving as far as you think in one day.
Apr 30th, 2013, 11:22 PM
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janisj - In NJ you must speak to grumpy attendants as it's illegal to pump your own gas.
I'm intrigued by the zip code requirement. Can you make up a zip code? What's the point of entering one?
I've used unmanned gas stations in Italy that allow cash at the pump as well as credit card.
I'm intrigued by the zip code requirement. Can you make up a zip code? What's the point of entering one?
I've used unmanned gas stations in Italy that allow cash at the pump as well as credit card.
May 1st, 2013, 02:48 AM
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>>I'm intrigued by the zip code requirement. Can you make up a zip code? What's the point of entering one?<<
The theory is that if you stole the card, it's unlikely you would know the owner's zip code. It's just an extra security measure.
A cop told me that years ago credit-card thieves would first test whether the card was still active by using it at a self-serve gas station. If the owner reported the card stolen, the card obviously would be declined. And there would be no consequences for the thief, since he/she would be dealing with a machine. Thus, the zip requirement.
The theory is that if you stole the card, it's unlikely you would know the owner's zip code. It's just an extra security measure.
A cop told me that years ago credit-card thieves would first test whether the card was still active by using it at a self-serve gas station. If the owner reported the card stolen, the card obviously would be declined. And there would be no consequences for the thief, since he/she would be dealing with a machine. Thus, the zip requirement.
May 1st, 2013, 03:09 AM
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How does a discussion of zip codes help the OP?????
The question was about gassing up in Europe. The OP has not said in which country.
We have rented cars perhaps 20 times in Europe. First of all, we always have a supply of cash, obtained from a bank machine using our Canadian bank card.
Yes, we gas up during normal shopping hours. During siesta hours, at night or on Sundays when shops are closed, gas stations may be unmanned.
Unmanned gas stations may take; 1. Chip credit cards 2. Local bank cards 3. Cash fed into the machine by hand. You never know til you get to the pumps which of the 3 is used or what combo of the above.
Please note, some stations (generally at large supermarkets) are manned at some times but unmanned outside shopping hours.
On a few occasions, we have thrown ourselves on the mercy of other motorists, who took our cash and bought us gas with their bank card.
Motorway gas stations will always be manned, from what I've seen. But I do not know if they accept cards without chips.
The question was about gassing up in Europe. The OP has not said in which country.
We have rented cars perhaps 20 times in Europe. First of all, we always have a supply of cash, obtained from a bank machine using our Canadian bank card.
Yes, we gas up during normal shopping hours. During siesta hours, at night or on Sundays when shops are closed, gas stations may be unmanned.
Unmanned gas stations may take; 1. Chip credit cards 2. Local bank cards 3. Cash fed into the machine by hand. You never know til you get to the pumps which of the 3 is used or what combo of the above.
Please note, some stations (generally at large supermarkets) are manned at some times but unmanned outside shopping hours.
On a few occasions, we have thrown ourselves on the mercy of other motorists, who took our cash and bought us gas with their bank card.
Motorway gas stations will always be manned, from what I've seen. But I do not know if they accept cards without chips.
May 1st, 2013, 03:35 AM
#16
About a year ago there were several long discussions on the topic of chip & pin credit cards.
DebitNM did a lot of research on the topic. I applied for one from Andrews FCU (in Maryland) and after filling in and signing many forms I eventually received it in the mail.
I then went to Canada with it and found that the Andres card is programmed to default to chip & sign when the vendor accepts signature cards. That's the explanation Andrews gave me after I was always asked for a signature.
However, when I went to France (Provence & Paris) a couple of months later it worked perfectly. At some restaurants I was asked to enter the PIN and at others I was asked to sign (it depends on how they are set up).
At train stations I used the vending machines (successfully) to buy tickets instead of getting in line in the train stations. In Paris I was able to use it to buy metro tickets and my regular credit card didn't work.
At that time there were very few banks in the U.S., etc that issued chip & pin cards. I believe that now a few more issue them.
I hope this explains it.
DebitNM did a lot of research on the topic. I applied for one from Andrews FCU (in Maryland) and after filling in and signing many forms I eventually received it in the mail.
I then went to Canada with it and found that the Andres card is programmed to default to chip & sign when the vendor accepts signature cards. That's the explanation Andrews gave me after I was always asked for a signature.
However, when I went to France (Provence & Paris) a couple of months later it worked perfectly. At some restaurants I was asked to enter the PIN and at others I was asked to sign (it depends on how they are set up).
At train stations I used the vending machines (successfully) to buy tickets instead of getting in line in the train stations. In Paris I was able to use it to buy metro tickets and my regular credit card didn't work.
At that time there were very few banks in the U.S., etc that issued chip & pin cards. I believe that now a few more issue them.
I hope this explains it.
May 1st, 2013, 04:26 AM
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Outside of France, unmanned gas stations are not common (pls correct if you live in a country where they are common).
Not all gas stations stay open and manned 24/7 outside France, but ALL along motorways are open 24/7, and in each city many will be open.
In most countries, you do not pay at the pump, and you do not pre-pay, but you simply fill up, walk into the gas station and pay. You won't need your ZIP code for authorisation.
If you can pay at the pump, the usual procedure would be to have a Chip and PIN card. So again no ZIP code required, but the PIN. Or better said: A CC that does it.
But again, outside of France, this should not be an issue. Germany, for example, always uses card readers for CC which can do both, the ole swipe and sign as well as the new Chip and PIN.
As some previous poster mentioned it: When I filled up my (rental) cars in five different US states last month, I was asked more often for the ZIP code at the pump than not. I vaguely remembered that using "99999" would override this if you had a foreign CC. But, alas, that did not work again. Mysteriously enough, one of my CC (and only that one) would get any "ZIP code protected" pump to work with my hometown's ZIP code from Germany. It probably helps that Germany also uses 5 digit ZIP codes, but I was a bit puzzled why I would only work with my Amex, but not Visa or MC.
Not all gas stations stay open and manned 24/7 outside France, but ALL along motorways are open 24/7, and in each city many will be open.
In most countries, you do not pay at the pump, and you do not pre-pay, but you simply fill up, walk into the gas station and pay. You won't need your ZIP code for authorisation.
If you can pay at the pump, the usual procedure would be to have a Chip and PIN card. So again no ZIP code required, but the PIN. Or better said: A CC that does it.
But again, outside of France, this should not be an issue. Germany, for example, always uses card readers for CC which can do both, the ole swipe and sign as well as the new Chip and PIN.
As some previous poster mentioned it: When I filled up my (rental) cars in five different US states last month, I was asked more often for the ZIP code at the pump than not. I vaguely remembered that using "99999" would override this if you had a foreign CC. But, alas, that did not work again. Mysteriously enough, one of my CC (and only that one) would get any "ZIP code protected" pump to work with my hometown's ZIP code from Germany. It probably helps that Germany also uses 5 digit ZIP codes, but I was a bit puzzled why I would only work with my Amex, but not Visa or MC.
May 1st, 2013, 04:41 AM
#18
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On our first Saturday in France, we will be traveling from Versailles Palace to Strasbourg, France. Since there are 5 of us, we have a premium sized car. The next day, Sunday, we will be driving from Strasbourg to Fussen, Germany. Thank you so much for your advice. You have given me some wonderful advice.
May 1st, 2013, 04:55 AM
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Just a note to say that most of the stations in supermarkets near us in the Dordogne are 'manned' by women. Why do we (you) still say this? And most of them are staffed all day Saturday and also Sunday morning.
May 1st, 2013, 04:58 AM
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tedgale the op has written about France at replies 4 and 5.
In reply to cowboy. I have found around 98%the fuel stations/gas stations in Spain are attended, some on Highways/Autovias are not.
In France I have found all the small village stations manned. The supermarkets have little cabins, as I have described. All highways are also self service.
In The Netherlands all stations are self service. The few I have used in Belgium and Luxemburg were also self service.
In reply to cowboy. I have found around 98%the fuel stations/gas stations in Spain are attended, some on Highways/Autovias are not.
In France I have found all the small village stations manned. The supermarkets have little cabins, as I have described. All highways are also self service.
In The Netherlands all stations are self service. The few I have used in Belgium and Luxemburg were also self service.
