How does one pay for gas?
Aug 2nd, 2011, 04:08 PM
#4
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Agree with Janisj. Go inside.
The real issue is after hours on Saturday night through to Monday morning. Unmanned pumps that take credit cards usually do not accept US credit cards becasue they do not have the European type chips in them. So be sure to gas up by 8pm Saturday night.
The real issue is after hours on Saturday night through to Monday morning. Unmanned pumps that take credit cards usually do not accept US credit cards becasue they do not have the European type chips in them. So be sure to gas up by 8pm Saturday night.
Aug 2nd, 2011, 05:29 PM
#5
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se a cc just like at home. Your US cc probably won't work at the pumps -- so be sure to get gas at staffed stations during their open hours. Go inside and pay . . .>
I have never ever had any problem with using my c card at automatic pumps at hypermarches like Carrefour - did so last December but perhaps this has changed. BTW my card has no European type chip in it - I use my credit cards everywhere in France in supermarket card readers and have never had any problem. I know in train stations this is not true but what others are saying that this is across the board a problem I have never encounterd - but yes could have changed in the past few months I guess.
I have never ever had any problem with using my c card at automatic pumps at hypermarches like Carrefour - did so last December but perhaps this has changed. BTW my card has no European type chip in it - I use my credit cards everywhere in France in supermarket card readers and have never had any problem. I know in train stations this is not true but what others are saying that this is across the board a problem I have never encounterd - but yes could have changed in the past few months I guess.
Aug 2nd, 2011, 06:22 PM
#6
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It's easier to take enough cash,and use that.....though as stated above,,,the credit card "might work, might not". Going inside makes sense and let the attendant there process your card.
We usually take more cash than most 'fodorites",, so never seem to have this problem. Credit cards fine for hotels of course...as well as the occasional ATM card.
We usually take more cash than most 'fodorites",, so never seem to have this problem. Credit cards fine for hotels of course...as well as the occasional ATM card.
Aug 2nd, 2011, 09:48 PM
#8
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Same as above. Cautionary tale: if using GPS, you can't rely on the closest station indicated being open or even still in operation. If short on gas, especially at night or on a Sunday, head for the autoroute!
We always try to tank up before the gauge gets 3/4 down, but once...oops.
With this question, you sound like maybe you're new to this, so please be forewarned: The French word for diesel is GAZOIL; it in not the American (unleaded) "gas". Usually the pumps are color coded, one color for gazoil another color for Super.
Happy Travels!
We always try to tank up before the gauge gets 3/4 down, but once...oops.
With this question, you sound like maybe you're new to this, so please be forewarned: The French word for diesel is GAZOIL; it in not the American (unleaded) "gas". Usually the pumps are color coded, one color for gazoil another color for Super.
Happy Travels!
Aug 2nd, 2011, 11:36 PM
#9
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A review. First, buy gas at supermarkets - Auchan, Carrefour, Leclerc, etc., which are much cheaper. Most large supermarkets have gas pumps. You will see 'regular' gas stations, but few French people use them and they are more expensive.
Once there, you will usually find that during store opening hours there is a cashier. If so, you can pay with your credit card or cash.
The difficulty is that if you need gas at night, or on a holiday, Sunday afternoon, when the supermarkets are not open, you may have a problem. There are often pumps that are operated directly by credit cards. French (and other) cards have a chip which will work, American cards don't. This is the instance when people say their cards dont work at gas stations.
Stations on the autoroutes are staffed 24 hours,but this doesn't help if you are wandering around the countryside, So you should probably make sure you don't get too low.
And yes, gazoil is diesel, although sometimes you will see it referred to as diesel. Rental car companies seem to be getting better at telling people what kind of fuel their car takes, but not always, so it's best to confirm before you leave the agencey.
Once there, you will usually find that during store opening hours there is a cashier. If so, you can pay with your credit card or cash.
The difficulty is that if you need gas at night, or on a holiday, Sunday afternoon, when the supermarkets are not open, you may have a problem. There are often pumps that are operated directly by credit cards. French (and other) cards have a chip which will work, American cards don't. This is the instance when people say their cards dont work at gas stations.
Stations on the autoroutes are staffed 24 hours,but this doesn't help if you are wandering around the countryside, So you should probably make sure you don't get too low.
And yes, gazoil is diesel, although sometimes you will see it referred to as diesel. Rental car companies seem to be getting better at telling people what kind of fuel their car takes, but not always, so it's best to confirm before you leave the agencey.
Aug 3rd, 2011, 07:53 AM
#10
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We were in Normandy & Pas de Calais for 3 1/2 weeks this past June. Our US credit card did not work at 2 "manned" gas stations - we had to pay cash.
Our credit card was not accepted at an Intermarche grocery store. The check-out person said that the store's processing system had recently switched to "chip-only". She phoned the manager of the store and verified this also. The card reading machine was still equipped with a swipe reader, so the clerk tried it anyway. It did not work. This happened at another grocery also.
We used our CC on the peages also and it worked fine the first 20 times. We drove to Arras & got off the peage & it worked fine there. Several days later we used the same peage, but took the Lille exit to a different peage. Our CC did not work. Our ticket was not returned to us - but fortunately, our CC was. I tried twice & gave up. The "machine" was older than the ones we had used previously. Several cars were behind us in line - and I had to get them to back up & let me go to the manned toll both.
Always have enough cash to pay for a gas fill-up & groceries if your CC does not work. I will not try to use my CC at a peage unless there is nobody behind me in line. We spend 2 months vacationing in France (since '99) most years - so I doubt if we did anything wrong - except not own a chip card.
Prior to this trip, we've shopped at around 50 grocery stores & never had a problem. Same with manned gas stations. We have had problems with toll booths at peages.
Stu Dudley
Our credit card was not accepted at an Intermarche grocery store. The check-out person said that the store's processing system had recently switched to "chip-only". She phoned the manager of the store and verified this also. The card reading machine was still equipped with a swipe reader, so the clerk tried it anyway. It did not work. This happened at another grocery also.
We used our CC on the peages also and it worked fine the first 20 times. We drove to Arras & got off the peage & it worked fine there. Several days later we used the same peage, but took the Lille exit to a different peage. Our CC did not work. Our ticket was not returned to us - but fortunately, our CC was. I tried twice & gave up. The "machine" was older than the ones we had used previously. Several cars were behind us in line - and I had to get them to back up & let me go to the manned toll both.
Always have enough cash to pay for a gas fill-up & groceries if your CC does not work. I will not try to use my CC at a peage unless there is nobody behind me in line. We spend 2 months vacationing in France (since '99) most years - so I doubt if we did anything wrong - except not own a chip card.
Prior to this trip, we've shopped at around 50 grocery stores & never had a problem. Same with manned gas stations. We have had problems with toll booths at peages.
Stu Dudley
Aug 3rd, 2011, 09:39 AM
#11
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My experience is similar to what Stu points out. Automated gas pumps, ticket kiosks, and some autoroute toll booths will not accept chipless (US) credit cards. While most merchants accept them, occasionally you will find one that flatly refuses to accept your credit card. Sure they are supposed to but if the merchant says no, the only alternative one has is paying in cash.
Carry extra cash and never let you gas tank get dangerously low, particularly approaching the weekend.
Carry extra cash and never let you gas tank get dangerously low, particularly approaching the weekend.
Aug 3rd, 2011, 10:07 AM
#12
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May I ask why US credit cards don't have chips? As a Canadian, travelling frequently in Europe I got my credit card renewed early a few years ago so that I would have a chip card. I was surprised recently when visiting California at signing again for credit card purchases. Could someone enlighten me on why no chip cards?
Thanks
Lea
Thanks
Lea
Aug 3rd, 2011, 01:42 PM
#14
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I am sure that NIH has a lot to do with it in spite of the fact that the protocols were developed by Visa and Mastercard, both US companies. EMV does stand for Europay (now owned by MC), Mastercard and Visa.
Additionally, US banks have no incentive to spend the money for the infrastructure upgrades. Most all loss or fraud is paid for by the merchant.
Additionally, there is US development ongoing to enable proximity payment techniques or simply waving a credit card in the general vicinity of a point of sale terminal, a system even more secure than chipped cards offer. Another possible upgrade to the current magnetic strip systems is using a cell phone in conjunction with its optical reading capabilities (similar to a bar code), a technique currently used as a replacement for airport boarding passes.
Whatever the future holds, those from the US are currently second class citizens when it comes to using their credit cards; expect processing delays, refusals by merchants, and systems with no magnet strip reading capability.
Additionally, US banks have no incentive to spend the money for the infrastructure upgrades. Most all loss or fraud is paid for by the merchant.
Additionally, there is US development ongoing to enable proximity payment techniques or simply waving a credit card in the general vicinity of a point of sale terminal, a system even more secure than chipped cards offer. Another possible upgrade to the current magnetic strip systems is using a cell phone in conjunction with its optical reading capabilities (similar to a bar code), a technique currently used as a replacement for airport boarding passes.
Whatever the future holds, those from the US are currently second class citizens when it comes to using their credit cards; expect processing delays, refusals by merchants, and systems with no magnet strip reading capability.
Aug 3rd, 2011, 04:00 PM
#15
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Thank you so much for your help. Yes I am new to this. You've told me a lot I didn't even know I needed to know! Like I just assumed I could get gas any day. I'm now confused on one thing...how do I know which pump to go to? Do I ask the rental car company which gas I need?
Aug 3rd, 2011, 08:19 PM
#16
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>>Do I ask the rental car company which gas I need?<<
You can do that - but on the inside of the gas-tank flap, Gazoil or Diesel (same thing) will be printed/displayed if you have a diesel car. The diesel nozzle at the gas pump is yellow, I believe. It really is not "problem" if you are aware that diesel is "popular" in France, so every gas station has diesel.
Stu Dudley
You can do that - but on the inside of the gas-tank flap, Gazoil or Diesel (same thing) will be printed/displayed if you have a diesel car. The diesel nozzle at the gas pump is yellow, I believe. It really is not "problem" if you are aware that diesel is "popular" in France, so every gas station has diesel.
Stu Dudley
