Buying gas on credit with no zip code

[riversedge]

Good morning, I have read where it is necessary to enter a zip code when paying at the pumps for gas. My question is what do Canadians do as we use a different system (postal codes) which is a combination of numbers and letters and apparently does not work. We are leaving for Florida on Saturday for six weeks so will be purchasing lots of fuel. Thanks in advance.

[Scruff]

Originally Posted by riversedge

Good morning, I have read where it is necessary to enter a zip code when paying at the pumps for gas. My question is what do Canadians do as we use a different system (postal codes) which is a combination of numbers and letters and apparently does not work. We are leaving for Florida on Saturday for six weeks so will be purchasing lots of fuel. Thanks in advance.

We too are from Canada and the last time that we were in Florida, we had to go into the kiosk and get our credit card preauthorized before pumping. It took a little longer but we got fuel. If there is an easier way I'd love to know about it.
Happy trails.

[Bama Rambler]

I've seen this discussion before and as I recall it's wasn't an issue. If it is you just have to pay inside where they can override it.

As a side note: there's a big discussion in California about it being illegal to require your zip. Part of their non-identifiable information act. They consider your zip as personally identifiable.

[hockeytownmom]

In my experience, only a few gas station actually ask for zip codes. The thing that could be an issue is the 75.00 cut off on pay at pumps with credit cards.

[Goomph]

Any non numeric value enter it as a "*" or "#" and the existing numbers were left as is. Sorry Not sure if it was a an asterisk or a number sign. We used it and it worked.

[miatared]

Originally Posted by hockeytownmom

In my experience, only a few gas station actually ask for zip codes. The thing that could be an issue is the 75.00 cut off on pay at pumps with credit cards.

Driving from Toronto to Florida and Texas for example, I noticed that all gas stations in the South will not accept Canadian credit cards at the pump, as we have no ZIP code associated with the card. You have to go in and prepay, my dear wife loves it but I'm OK

I noticed that neighbouring states of the Canadien border do not enforce this - yet - but all told me it's coming.

I read that entering a 5 Zeros may work, or padding with Zeros the numbers from the postal code - e.g. 10607 in my case, may work. We'll try it for sure this summer on our annual trek to Myrtle Beach.

On one trip, our Amex stopped working, as it was deemed suspicious we were buying so much gas in 1 day... a phone call fixed that.

[scubieman]

Play it safe, bring some american cash along in case someone does not want your credit card. Second bring your ID and credit card in side and asked for it to be pre authorized for a certain amount inside , they will then activate at the pump. It sucks cause you are unsure how much fuel you will need to put it.

[The_Stuff]

I can say i have never came across this. very weird!

[flyrotor]

The reason is a credit card does not necessarily have a PIN number as a debit card does, so in reality what the computer does is validate your credit card against your billing address zip code, it is similar to entering the three digit number on the back of the card when ordering online for merchandise. It is as if you are electonically signing the receipt.

When you take the card into the store to purchase the fuel, you have to sign the receipt as the transaction is completed. Comparitively the zipcode is en lieu of a signature.

[Rugged Brown]

And the darn coke machines won't accept canadian quarters either.

[mTn_biKer65]

Originally Posted by flyrotor

The reason is a credit card does not necessarily have a PIN number as a debit card does, so in reality what the computer does is validate your credit card against your billing address zip code

Hmmmm So I guess looking up a zip near by and using it won't do much good. Actually it might actually hurt your efforts.

[PaulandMonica]

Use the numbers. in your postal code and add 2 zeros. This usually works

[GrowingGoatee]

I just think it stinks that the same card won't swipe twice at some places. Multiple cards to fill up. Up to 75 gallons x 4 bucks a gallon.... $300......4 cards?

[piscesman]

My wife and I are both dual citizens (U.S. and Canada) and we travel back and forth all the time, so I know this works. A Canadian postal code has 3 letters and three numbers...like C1A 8W5. When the pump asks you for your "zip" code, just enter the three NUMBERsof your billing postal code in order and add 99...so in this example you would enter 18599...it has never failed to work for us.

[mTn_biKer65]

Well I guess that disproves the theory that they're cross-checking your credit card against my billing address zip code.

I have a legit zip code from a U.S. business I use for shipping parcels so I'll just use that in a pinch.

[18267RBSS]

I had this problem in New York state, if there was a non numerical digit in my "zip" code, I would have to pay inside. To me that said, if you're Canadian, pay inside. I put the gas cap back on and drove a mile down the road to the Topps station that took my credit card at the pump, no problem.

[old guys]

I can verify that the 3 mumbers from your postal code plus 2 zeros will usually work as I have used it often in several states. Old Guys

[Rod Andrew]

Just back from 2 months in the southern US. I used the numbers from my postal code and added two zeros. This worked about 3/4 of the time.

[Goomph]

I checked my notes and yes this method is right and I used it many times. My previous post on this subject is incorrect as I wrote it from memory

I can't go back and edit it for some reason though .....

Originally Posted by Rod Andrew

Just back from 2 months in the southern US. I used the numbers from my postal code and added two zeros. This worked about 3/4 of the time.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Rod Andrew

Just back from 2 months in the southern US. I used the numbers from my postal code and added two zeros. This worked about 3/4 of the time.

I only had a chance to try it once; but it didn't work.

Makes me wonder; the cashier has to interact with the customer twice; and I would say I spent at least twice as long at the pump as I do in Canada. I wonder what the cost is to the station vs. what they lose from drive-offs.