Credit Card ask for a PIN at gas pump.

Vitte · ‎05-20-2022

Maybe I'm dated, but a couple times I went to use my USAA AmEX card (for 5% cashback on gas) at the gas pump, but then the system asked for a PIN number. I would hit "Enter" thinking it would process it as a credit but no luck. I then had to swap to a different credit card.

Anyone know what the deal is?

NoMoreE46 · ‎05-20-2022

My Target MC from TD Bank is PIN enabled at certain places. I just go with it.

Do you recall establishing one?

NRB525 · ‎05-20-2022

I think USAA sends a PIN in a separate mailer, at the time you are issued the card. Probably call customer service to see about resetting it.

High Bal Jan 2009 $116k on $146k limits 80% Util.
Oct 2014 $46k on $127k 36% util EQ 722 TU 727 EX 727
April 2018 $18k on $344k 5% util EQ 806 TU 810 EX 812
Jan 2019 $7.6k on $360k EQ 832 TU 839 EX 831
March 2021 $33k on $312k EQ 796 TU 798 EX 801
May 2021 Paid all Installments and Mortgages, one new Mortgage EQ 761 TY 774 EX 777
April 2022 EQ=811 TU=807 EX=805 - TU VS 3.0 765

UncleB · ‎05-20-2022

@Vitte wrote:
Maybe I'm dated, but a couple times I went to use my USAA AmEX card (for 5% cashback on gas) at the gas pump, but then the system asked for a PIN number. I would hit "Enter" thinking it would process it as a credit but no luck. I then had to swap to a different credit card.
Anyone know what the deal is?

I have three USAA credit cards (Platinum Visa, Limitless Visa, and Cashback Rewards Plus Amex) and all three require a PIN at gas pumps and USPS self-service kiosks. Possibly other places, but these are the two I've found so far.

Old thread: https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Domestic-Credit-Card-Transaction-Required-PIN/m-p/5364...

With USAA, you establish (and/or change) the PIN on the app or website... it's easy-peasy.

One note... with my Amex, I initially had trouble using the card at the pump even with my PIN until I used the physical card somewhere else first. This was odd because USAA PIN verification is online (it's not on the chip) but in any case that was my experience... after that initial 'glitch' everything has been fine.

One additional observation about gas pumps and USAA cards... some will simply ask for the PIN in lieu of the ZIP code (Kroger fuel island) and some insist on PIN and ZIP code (for me, Pilot). Having to wait for the separate prompts to enter both takes a few extra seconds, but for 5% cash back isn't too much trouble.

digitek · ‎05-21-2022

@UncleB wrote:

One additional observation about gas pumps and USAA cards... some will simply ask for the PIN in lieu of the ZIP code (Kroger fuel island) and some insist on PIN and ZIP code (for me, Pilot). Having to wait for the separate prompts to enter both takes a few extra seconds, but for 5% cash back isn't too much trouble.

Mine started asking for PIN at Kroger gas stations a while ago and I was surprised, but right next to it on the screen there was a button for "Bypass PIN" and I kind of hoped it wasn't that simple to get around, but it definitely worked and it just accepted it like normal no PIN required...

collics · ‎05-22-2022

If the gas station(s) you use have an app, pay that way.

As a general rule, try to avoid inserting/swiping your card at pumps.

Added bonus: you'll always have a receipt

BK 7 Discharged May 2014. Removal Feb 2024! Let the countdown begin!!
Last App: Apr 2023
Newest to Oldest:

FICO8s Dec 2019

FICO8s Oct 31 2023

SUPERSQUID · ‎05-23-2022

@Vitte wrote:
Maybe I'm dated, but a couple times I went to use my USAA AmEX card (for 5% cashback on gas) at the gas pump, but then the system asked for a PIN number. I would hit "Enter" thinking it would process it as a credit but no luck. I then had to swap to a different credit card.
Anyone know what the deal is?

I will second @NoMoreE46, although i dont have the mc version of the target card i have to enter my 4 digit pin to use it.

{ BK7 DC 12/2019 } target 1600/ kohls Visa 7000/ discover IT cb 6500 / 2nd discover IT cb 6000/mercury 4100 / firestone 2800 /legacy 3000 /first savings bank cc 3000/ cap1 QS 5000/ cap 1 savor one 3100 /Bread rewards Amex 4k, Penfed PCR signature visa 10k/ penfed gold 7.5k NFCU >signature visa cash rewards 21700/bread cashback amex 8000

>/ nfcu platinum 15k, BABY NEEDS NEW SHOES !!!!!
closed-- reflex, applied bank, first digital, mission lane, ikea, fingerhut, big lots, valero gasoline, ollo, more to come
Rebuilding since September 2020
who i burned - chase, cap 1, TD bank, Sync, were the biggies
Income 40k
Total utilization around 20 pct depending on my current usage/needs
Ficos in the 680 - 690 range, the 9's slightly higher than the 8's
My vantage scores 708 - 711
TCL - about 110k
Retired since 2017

NoMoreE46 · ‎05-23-2022

@collics,

I have my Apple card as the payment source for the ExMo app.

collics · ‎05-23-2022

@NoMoreE46 wrote:
@collics,

I have my Apple card as the payment source for the ExMo app.

Same! :-)

BK 7 Discharged May 2014. Removal Feb 2024! Let the countdown begin!!
Last App: Apr 2023
Newest to Oldest:

FICO8s Dec 2019

FICO8s Oct 31 2023

SoCalGardener · ‎05-23-2022

I have a hard and fast rule, implemented back in the '80s after learning my lesson the hard way: I NEVER assign a PIN for any *credit* card, only *debit* cards. EVER.

So if I came up against this issue at a gas pump, I guess I'd go inside and see if there was a way around it, like the cashier swiping the card and me signing for it.

Although I can't drive right now, when I was still driving I always used my Chevron card for gas; it asks for my ZIP code, not a PIN, when inserted in a pump. My daughter--in another state--is currently keeping the card alive for me and she's never had an issue using it this way. Also, it's a cash back card! I don't recall its percentage, maybe 2% or 3%, but it's a nice little perk.