Credit Cards for gas purchase

[robsryder]

Credit card companies are always on the lookout for theft. One of the early indicators of a stolen credit card are frequent small gasoline purchases.

When I travel in hot weather I tend to stop frequently to hydrate myself and also purchase a couple of gallons of fuel. I normally use my credit card at the pump for the fuel purchase. After the third or fourth such stop I've found that the fuel pump will no longer authorize the credit card. Sometimes this can be "fixed" by entering my home zip code at the pump, other times action by the station attendant is required (usually involving waiting in line, ID check, etc.).

To reduce the likelihood of unnecessary problems it may be worthwhile to contact your credit card issuer and let them know of your pending travel plans. The credit union that issued my credit card wanted to know my date of departure, approximate route, and time of return.

I also carry a second credit card for backup purposes.

Have a safe trip!

[PAULBACH]

Good advice - have had the same problem myself. If you go out of the country be sure to notify your credit card company. This can save yourself some big problems especially if you make some big purchases.

[The_Veg]

I've never had any problem, but one time several years ago I got a call from a card company. At the time I was a 'road warrior'- a very frequent business traveler, in my case traveling out of state three or four days of most weeks. I had been doing this for about a year when the card-issuer called me to say that they noticed an odd pattern of out-of-state fuel purchases. This was a card that I used exclusively for business travel. I asked them what took them so long to notice. Have you ever heard a credit-card phone rep get embarrassed and try to regain ground when there's none to be gained?

[skidgillen]

A couple years ago we went to Washington D.C. to visit my brother. Of course, we had to stop at Bob's BMW and I made quite a large purchase. I got a call on my cell phone from BMW Visa inquiring about the sale. I happily confirmed the sale and told them I was still in the store and thanked them for checking on it.

[SheRidesABeemer]

Good advice. It's also worth calling your CC companies if you are traveling out of the country, one gas stop in Canada will raise a flag.

[Charlie_K]

Earlier this summer I was on the road a couple of thousand miles from home. A few times the pump asked for my zip code. I'd never encountered that before. When I entered it the pump came on with no problem.

[The_Veg]

Earlier this summer I was on the road a couple of thousand miles from home. A few times the pump asked for my zip code. I'd never encountered that before. When I entered it the pump came on with no problem.

A few gas stations around my area use that, I presume instead of a PIN. Most Chevrons do, and I think Valero too.

[beemerdon]

Thanks for the good advice. I called the bank card company to tell them I was going to WY and then realized I had to tell her to clear the card for ALL the states between here and there since I am not flying, as she had presumed. I listened while the keys clacked and it sounded like she wrote the great American novel on my account info file so I hope I'm golden!

Don Sprinkle
Charlotte, NC

[Charlie_K]

A few gas stations around my area use that, I presume instead of a PIN. Most Chevrons do, and I think Valero too.

I was in your area, Dallas and Austin. I thought is was because I was from out of town.

[awagnon]

My card started getting rejected on the way back from a rally a few weeks ago. The clerk checked and was told it was due to "too frequent use". First time it's happened, but I'll call the cc company from now on. I do carry two cards just in case. More and more, the pumps are requesting you input your zip code. One station asked for the last four numbers on the card. That's stupid. Who couldn't read it.

[SCQTT]

A couple years ago we went to Washington D.C. to visit my brother. Of course, we had to stop at Bob's BMW and I made quite a large purchase. I got a call on my cell phone from BMW Visa inquiring about the sale. I happily confirmed the sale and told them I was still in the store and thanked them for checking on it.


Without question BMW Visa is the best service I have ever found. They pretty much lock your card for out of country purchases unless you call them. It is the only card I use. Plus I get a check from them every year or so for $200 good towards BMW service parts or :thumb bikes

[MLS2GO]

When my buddy and I did a 50CC this spring, at all of the western Chevron stations, the machine would ask for our zip code and then tell us to go inside, where the credit card would work. We asked one station owner why they did that and he said he had complained at a dealer meeting, but to no avail. We avoided Chevron after that, too much hassle.

[vetbmwrider]

The only time had my card rejected was when I made several purchase at the same gas station in the same day. Just had to go in let the clerk run the card.

[Montauk]

I travel to Toronto 3 to 4 times a year, and generally for the weekends. In Canada, I have to go in to pay. Outside payment at the pumps never work, and those attendants know that too, 'cause often when you go in to pay, they say "Are you from the US?". I have made several purchases anywhere from $10 to $150 at a given time, and perhaps totalling $200 to $250 per weekend, I have yet to face a problem.

Only within the US, when I go outside of my state, it will ask me my home zip code, and CC gets authorized at the pump.

One thing though. If you made a computer purchase, you may want to just let the CC know, cause any further purchases whether at the gas station or others, including grocery, gets denied. Luckly I have other various options, and didn't find much inconvenience.

[The_Veg]

I was in your area, Dallas and Austin. I thought is was because I was from out of town.

Give me a holler next time you're here! :wave :beer

[PHMarvin]

Hi, All,
In May I rode my K75 from El Paso to Raleigh, NC and back to El Paso. Prior to the trip I notified American Experss I would be making the trip, the dates, the approximate itinerary, and that it would be via motorcycle, requiring several small gas purchases daily. Even with all that, AMEX cut me off - TWICE! So be forewarned. Carry a back-up card with you and be prepared to call the credit card company while you are traveling.

[ben721364]

Without question BMW Visa is the best service I have ever found. They pretty much lock your card for out of country purchases unless you call them. It is the only card I use. Plus I get a check from them every year or so for $200 good towards BMW service parts or :thumb bikes

Which bank issues/services BMW branded VISA cards?

[glennhendricks]

https://www.bmwgroupfs.com/BMWBank/ccapplication.aspx