Can one pay for gasoline with a credit card in Italy?
 

Is it possible to pay for gasoline with a credit card at Italy's gas stations? It has been awhile since I have been there and in the past I think we paid in cash. What is the standard for of payment at the gas station? Is it usually prepay? Thanks

Hi moo,

In our experience in Italy (drove there in 2006) North American credit cards were not accepted. Most rural places only accepted cash...but you had to find a place with an attendant...there are lots of stations that are credit card only, with no attendants and we couldnt get our N. American card to work in the machines as they are not chip and PIN. Hope this helps!

It varies a bit, but last summer we paid by credit card every time - and always (even on the busiest motorway service stations) paid after filling up.

Because attended service is almost universal, the attendants often have remote card readers these days. We found arbitrary card rejections, and probably had to use a second card about every third or fourth fillup, or go and use the backup machine in the office.

Good point jamikins.

Yes, I was using a modern card.

Hahahaha...we were very happy to 'graduate' to a modern card when we moved to the UK...makes automated machine usable!

We had no trouble (at full service stations) with a US Master Card last fall.

Your ATM card may work however.

Hi; We had no trouble in Italy [2006]using an American Express or Visa, when AX was not accepted. Same with France last year. As previously posted, if no attendant, you might need a 'pin' number at the pump. But, as long as someone was there, he could use a hand held machine to accept you CC. iris1745/dick

Assuming your card works you may also be paying FTF, foreign transfer fees. Check with the issuer of your card to see if they charge FTF's. Usually a percentage of the amount charged.

I've used Visa and Amex at gas stations in Italy. If I recall correctly, all of the gas stations I used were self service. It's a good idea to have a back-up card, just in case.