topic Re: Authorization at gas pump in Credit Cards

Authorization at gas pump

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 18:26:24 GMT

Who sets the authorization limit when you pay-at-the-pump? Is it set by the gas station or the Credit card? Is the authorization the same for all credit cards? VISA, MA, AMEX? or does the authorization vary?

Re: Authorization at gas pump

fishbjc — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 18:45:04 GMT

The gas station I use has a little sign that either v/mc (I forget) have a maximum limit of $75/fuel per transaction. So, if you're filling up an rv..you get around it by stopping the pump & restarting, hence two actual transactions. This is the policy of either v/mc.

My little vw beetle only takes 14.5 gallons.....guess I won't have to worry about THAT!

I do notice that when I use my debit as a credit, only $1 is authorized, then it catches up. If I use debit, it's automatic the full amt.

Re: Authorization at gas pump

Marvintran — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 18:50:42 GMT

I think its by the company of that gas station's policy and

as for me they always asked for my zip code

whenever I used my Amex at Walmart and Shell here in CO.

BTW they also asked for Zip code for the Amex gift card also?

Re: Authorization at gas pump

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 19:29:23 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Who sets the authorization limit when you pay-at-the-pump? Is it set by the gas station or the Credit card? Is the authorization the same for all credit cards? VISA, MA, AMEX? or does the authorization vary?

I can't remember exactly, but one (Visa or MC) is $50 and the other $75. I don't know about AmEx or Discover. According to the little sign on the pumps, it's Visa and MC's policy, not theirs.

Re: Authorization at gas pump

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 19:33:27 GMT

tessarue wrote:

I can't remember exactly, but one (Visa or MC) is $50 and the other $75. I don't know about AmEx or Discover. According to the little sign on the pumps, it's Visa and MC's policy, not theirs.

Hmm...that's interesting.

Amex told me it's the gas station's policy. Which makes sense, as they're the one who sends through the preauthorization. They can put through a preauth for whatever amount they want.

The place I fill up always authorizes $100, regardless of which card I use.

Re: Authorization at gas pump

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 19:37:39 GMT

Marvintran wrote:

I think its by the company of that gas station's policy and

as for me they always asked for my zip code

whenever I used my Amex at Walmart and Shell here in CO.

BTW they also asked for Zip code for the Amex gift card also?

Credit card machines at gas stations ask for your zip code to compare it to your billing zip code for theft prevention. I haven't seen it happen, but theoretically if you live in Arizona, drive to Ohio, buy gas in Ohio but put in a zip code for Florida it should catch you.

Also, if your gas credit card or bank credit card is used for multiple purchases at gas stations in the same general geographic area, it might trigger a phone call to you from the bank's fraud dept. Sometimes people who steal CCs use them to fill up their car and all their friends' cars, whereas you'd be hard pressed to fill up your car 5x a day in the same town.

Re: Authorization at gas pump

Red1Blue — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 19:40:09 GMT

I have been using Biz Gas Cards lately. I have no idea how they process these cards. I have never checked as exact amount shows on the credit card account.

Re: Authorization at gas pump

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:11:21 GMT

Here in VA it's up to the gas station. At the station near my house $50 is all that they will authorize on any card. But at the station by work I can use any of my cards (visa, mc, or amex) and fill my truck up with no problems.

Re: Authorization at gas pump

fishbjc — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:47:24 GMT

I'd be surprised if it were the gas stations, because that would violate the visa/mc agreement. You can't state a minimum charge either. Anyone up on these policies?

Re: Authorization at gas pump

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:56:01 GMT

@fishbjc wrote:
I'd be surprised if it were the gas stations, because that would violate the visa/mc agreement. You can't state a minimum charge either. Anyone up on these policies?

If it's the CC and not the station, why can I go over $50 at some stations but not others?

Message Edited by kaeina on 02-20-2008 03:56 PM

Re: Authorization at gas pump

fishbjc — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:55:42 GMT

Did you swipe that card more than once?

Re: Authorization at gas pump

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:56:40 GMT

No, I swiped it one time at the station by my work and filled right up.

Message Edited by kaeina on 02-20-2008 03:56 PM

Re: Authorization at gas pump

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:57:21 GMT

I changed the earlier post because I didn't know if it made sense. The story still applies if anyone read it. LOL

Re: Authorization at gas pump

fishbjc — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:05:19 GMT

I don't know, but according to a letter I just read from the Washington Post, a Visa speciallist stated that the station owners can set a limit on gasoline, but they frown heavily on them acting on their own policies. Whatever that means.

I usually just pay cold hard cash.

As far as AMEX asking for zip code.....DH used it at WalMart & was declined. He had entered our old zipcode...had to start over again and approved with current zipcode.

So you're saying your husband filled up, then you filled up only swiping once? What the heck did you do with the pump while you were moving cars around? If you hung the pump up, it would have shut down and you would have had to reswipe it.

Message Edited by fishbjc on 02-20-2008 01:00 PM

Message Edited by fishbjc on 02-20-2008 01:05 PM

Re: Authorization at gas pump

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:03:33 GMT

LOL, cold hard cash is always a good way to go. I'm bad about carrying cash though. I'm scared I'm going to loose it!

Re: Authorization at gas pump

fishbjc — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:08:05 GMT

We have a place called GetGo. When you shop at Giant Eagle, you get Fuel Perks. For every $50 you spend, you get .10 in perks. You can save them over a 90 day period.

These perks apply toward food, dry cleaning, pharmacy, butcher, books AND...GIFT CARDS!!!!!

If I need something at Home Depot, I run to Giant Eagle & buy a couple of gift cards. It adds up pretty fast. I once filled my tank for $1.70

Re: Authorization at gas pump

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:09:30 GMT

esshua wrote:
Who sets the authorization limit when you pay-at-the-pump? Is it set by the gas station or the Credit card? Is the authorization the same for all credit cards? VISA, MA, AMEX? or does the authorization vary?

GRRRR isint Amex anoying you have to type in youre ZIP code. They always ask for Zip at wallgreens also!!!! I donr mind in doors but when you're freezing in Chicago wather those extra seconds are an eternity tryaing to type in you're ZIP.

Re: Authorization at gas pump

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:09:57 GMT

fishbjc wrote:
I'd be surprised if it were the gas stations, because that would violate the visa/mc agreement. You can't state a minimum charge either. Anyone up on these policies?

Sending through a preauthorization doesn't violate any agreement. It's how charges are authorized in the regular course of business.

Preauthorizations for a certain amount when the actual final charges are unknown happen all the time, like when you rent a car or reserve a hotel room. This is no different. They don't know how much gas you're going to pump before they pump it, so they just authorize for a set amount, and then when the transaction actually posts, the preauthorization is released. This is how every single CC transaction works, except that in most cases, the actual amount of the transaction matches the amount of the preauth because it is known at the time the preath goes through.

Whew. I'm tired after that.

Re: Authorization at gas pump

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:11:07 GMT

ddd wrote:

esshua wrote:
Who sets the authorization limit when you pay-at-the-pump? Is it set by the gas station or the Credit card? Is the authorization the same for all credit cards? VISA, MA, AMEX? or does the authorization vary?

GRRRR isint Amex anoying you have to type in youre ZIP code. They always ask for Zip at wallgreens also!!!! I donr mind in doors but when you're freezing in Chicago wather those extra seconds are an eternity tryaing to type in you're ZIP.

That's not just Amex. Every CC does that at the pump.

Re: Authorization at gas pump

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:11:27 GMT

Discover makes you input the zip code at the gas stations I frequent.