Gas Station Payment Forms

July 02, 2024 07:03PM

I wondered what everyone uses when they do multiple gas stations and have to pay at the pump. For one of my jobs, I can use the Bluebird AmEx reloadable card repeatedly with no problems. But I tried it at the P66 and it won't take the card so I am stuck using credit cards. However, they will only approve 3 maybe 4 purchases before turning off, so I am alternating between all my cards. Is there a better or easier way? I hate using my credit cards because my goal is to pay them off and get rid of them.

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July 02, 2024 08:45PM

I buy gift cards for the brand of the station for fuel purchases. I rotate out a credit cards for in store payment.

July 02, 2024 08:54PM

Can you use it multiple times for small amounts?

July 02, 2024 09:00PM

I have a couple different fuel brand reloadable gift cards, and I have multiple debit cards, but my bank also doesn't limit how many times I use my card in a 24 hour period. I had to abandon a shop in the middle because of my bank limiting my purchases. We went round and round, and now that's fixed. I have 4 visa/debit cards, I use each 2 times on debit and 2 times on credit. Then I use a different one.

July 02, 2024 10:10PM

The reason why you can't use a credit card multiple times is each transaction is authorized at $175-$200. Until the transaction is posted, your available credit is reduced by the authorized amount. The inside transaction is only authorized at the actual purchase.

July 02, 2024 10:40PM

I use credit cards for gas stations all the time but I usually don't do more than 3 in a day so I don't have any issues. I use whichever credit card has the best rewards for gas at the time. My Discover card just had 5% cash back at gas stations for the past quarter. I pay it in full so it doesn't accrue interest.

I also have a PayPal debit card. Someone here mentioned it (so thanks to that person!) and I use it for small purchases when I don't have cash. It's nice because it will come right out of PayPal balance. I get paid for shops, then I can use the debit card and skip the step of transferring funds to my bank. Maybe that's an option for you.

July 02, 2024 10:42PM

I love my Paypal debit card. I use it to as much as I can and leave my main bank account alone. I did 11 P66 jobs yesterday just rotating my cards.

July 02, 2024 10:43PM

Just re-read the op. Is it that P66 doesn't take Amex? There's a handful of places that don't, so might have to use another card brand (visa, mc, discover) for them.

July 02, 2024 10:57PM

I usually use one credit card and use it multiple times at stations. I have not had any problem. Because I use it so much for such small purchases, the credit card company seems to know that is my MO

July 02, 2024 11:17PM

While we're at it, now that most stations have jumped on the cash/credit dual gas pricing bandwagon, the $2 of gas reimbursement is even smaller!

I rotate my credit cards starting with what gets the most cash back for gas. Each gets used twice for gas purchases (three times for Shell) then switch to the next card. For 66, it's opposite since I only buy a dollar or less of gas and use the high cash back cards in the store for the bigger purchase. I have used the same card in store all day without it getting shut down.

July 03, 2024 01:46AM

The most practical thing to do is to use the debit option instead of the credit option whenever possible. You can usually make unlimited debit purchases up to a certain dollar amount, somewhere around $100, while you are limited to two or three credit purchases. Many pumps won't accept debit, so save your credit uses for those locations. Your bank may still freeze your account for suspected fraud, but most major banks send texts or emails that allow you to release the hold immediately. One problem with this approach is you may run into a string of stations that don't take debit, so having multiple cards helps.

Gift cards are by far the best option, as you can use them an unlimited number of times. But this requires more planning. You may have a hard time finding the right brand of card when you need it, and even then the clerk may not know how to activate it. Buying online is best, but you have to plan well in advance.

July 06, 2024 04:20AM

@tstewart3 wrote:

The reason why you can't use a credit card multiple times is each transaction is authorized at $175-$200. Until the transaction is posted, your available credit is reduced by the authorized amount. The inside transaction is only authorized at the actual purchase.

I doubt that is the reason. I have several credit cards that each have 5-figure limits which I pay off every month, and they still limit me to 3-4 purchases from the same company within 24 hours. The excuse given is fraud protection.

July 06, 2024 04:23AM

@mystery2me wrote:

The most practical thing to do is to use the debit option instead of the credit option whenever possible. You can usually make unlimited debit purchases up to a certain dollar amount, somewhere around $100, while you are limited to two or three credit purchases.

And why is this? It is probably because banks are liable for fraudulent credit card purchases, but debit cards are usually the customer's responsibility.

July 06, 2024 01:46PM

My banks cover fraudulent credit and debit purchases the same way. But you're probably right in that a fraudulent debit card transaction comes out of the customer's pocket first, so there is less exposure for the bank even though they eventually cover it if the claim is legit.

July 06, 2024 02:34PM

I try to use my corresponding branded card at gas locations, though lately I've been going with my Verizon VISA which pays 4% back on gas.

What's frustrating is the wildly inconsistent implementation of gas credit card procedures by brands that all use Synchrony.

My Chevron card is the best. I instantly get a text when a purchase is denied for questionable usage, and it instantly gets opened back up when I respond.

The Phillips 66 card can be infuriating. It gets denied at the pump a lot (so I use the Verizon card, also Synchrony, has never been denied for anything) but I can use the card for the store purchase.

Have synthesizers, will travel...

July 06, 2024 05:43PM

I think the best solution is to have several cards so you always have a backup when a credit card flags me for using the same one too many times. Some of my cards alternate rewards each quarter. I got 5% back at restaurants last quarter with one of them, 3% cash back on gas with another. I like my SoFi credit card best whenever the rotating categories of other cards do not benefit me. I always get 2% cash back, and I get an email receipt within seconds after pumping gasoline.

July 06, 2024 05:53PM

Thanks for all the comments. It appears that most people are using credit cards. I have had my cards skimmed so much i hate using them. I do use the tap options when available. My thought was NOT using credit cards at all and using prepaid debit cards. I use one for Valero and love it. I load less than $50 at a time and if it gets stolen or skimmed im not out a lot of money. I think im going to try the vanilla visa card and see how it works.

July 08, 2024 01:03AM

Maybe that is it but usually if there is a fraud alert, I get some notification. Who knows and even if you call, you probably aren't going to get a straight answer anyway.

July 09, 2024 05:30PM

I use PayPal. You can ask them to turn off restrictions. I have no problem with multiple purchases. I have not noticed the significant fund hold that other debit cards impose until the gas purchase clears. It may shut down when the balance is less than $25. Not sure. I also like that I may fund the card within minutes at no fee.

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