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Author	Topic: Pay at the pump zip codes in US	Post a Reply Back to Topics

jackpar Rookie Author Ontario Posts:4 Points:805 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 10:20:33 PM Ignore jackpar Report Abuse When travelling in the US with a Canadian credit card it drove me crazy when I would have to go into the store to prepay because I didn't have a zip code. SOLUTION:at the pump punch in only the digits in your Canadian postal code followed by two zeros (if your postal code is M9R 2N3 punch in 92300)and it works!!! Why wouldn't the VISA people tell us that???

jackpar

Rookie Author
Ontario

Posts:4
Points:805
Joined:Dec 2011

Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 10:20:33 PM

Ignore jackpar Report Abuse

When travelling in the US with a Canadian credit card it drove me crazy when I would have to go into the store to prepay because I didn't have a zip code. SOLUTION:at the pump punch in only the digits in your Canadian postal code followed by two zeros (if your postal code is M9R 2N3 punch in 92300)and it works!!! Why wouldn't the VISA people tell us that???

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jackpar Rookie Author Ontario Posts:4 Points:805 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2013 5:32:06 PM Ignore jackpar Report Abuse I understand the reason for asking for a zip code (security) and have no problem with it! My point was a means for Canucks to input a variation of the Cdn postal code that satisfies the zip code test and avoids the inconvenience of NOT being able to pay at the pump. BTW Marathon still does not require a zip code!!!
1007 All-Star Author Michigan Posts:564 Points:997,905 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2013 5:27:36 PM Ignore 1007 Report Abuse WOW
DI Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:20,196 Points:4,149,310 Joined:Apr 2001	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2013 4:59:02 PM Ignore DI Report Abuse jackpar - As you've noticed from most of the responses, unfortunately many (most?) Gas Buddies don't bother to actually read what was posted.
jackpar Rookie Author Ontario Posts:4 Points:805 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2013 2:08:57 PM Ignore jackpar Report Abuse I know the reason it's done and have no problem with it. My point is that there is a way for we Canucks to adapt and gain back the convenience of paying at the pump. The worst experience was just outside Detroit where I had to produce photo ID before I was allowed to prepay!!!!
WEPSMAN Champion Author South Dakota Posts:10,513 Points:2,024,175 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2013 12:08:31 PM Ignore WEPSMAN Report Abuse They use zip codes to match billing addreses to try and slow down theft.
OceanArcher Champion Author Mississippi Posts:5,713 Points:1,329,350 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2013 9:53:22 AM Ignore OceanArcher Report Abuse They are trying to minimize the use of stolen cards - figuring that the thief won't know the proper zip code to use.
RallyeRed Champion Author Cleveland Posts:3,400 Points:852,485 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2013 9:50:28 AM Ignore RallyeRed Report Abuse Had a friend who lives in Ohio have the pump in Indiana deny her credit card with zip code confirmation - because she didn't live in Indiana.
CptSteve Champion Author Illinois Posts:13,196 Points:2,646,190 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2013 9:21:15 AM Ignore CptSteve Report Abuse Sorry for the trouble it causes my Canadian friends, but honestly, I WANT them to verify it's me using the card so entering my zip is no big deal. Easier than walking inside.
Dennis783 Champion Author Des Moines Posts:13,599 Points:2,704,860 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2013 6:43:32 AM Ignore Dennis783 Report Abuse actually there is a court case whic makes it illegal for them to ask for personal identifying info when they take your credit card, but most do anyway
RalphHightower Champion Author South Carolina Posts:3,309 Points:690,455 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2013 6:01:12 AM Ignore RalphHightower Report Abuse I've had to enter my zip code at one gas station that was in the same zip code.
2Tall Champion Author Maryland Posts:12,782 Points:2,942,355 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2013 5:33:11 AM Ignore 2Tall Report Abuse they all do it.
Bus936 Champion Author Lexington Posts:16,449 Points:3,220,980 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2013 5:12:58 AM Ignore Bus936 Report Abuse Oh boo hoo for the poor little rookie that has to pre pay like the rest of us.
MIT05 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:4,172 Points:1,392,300 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2013 4:51:31 AM Ignore MIT05 Report Abuse Protection.
DI Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:20,196 Points:4,149,310 Joined:Apr 2001	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2013 1:20:20 AM Ignore DI Report Abuse HeavyDuty_cache - I believe jackpar's point was that Canadian postal codes use a different format from U.S. ZIP Codes. They are letter-number-letter space number-letter-number, rather than our five-digit format. It wouldn't be obvious to most how to make the conversion at the pump and, without it, you don't fill up. BTW, my favorite Canadian postal code is the one for the North Pole: H0H 0H0 (which some might read as Ho Ho Ho). [Edited by: DI at 1/7/2013 1:22:22 AM EST]
HeavyDuty_cache Champion Author Omaha Posts:12,980 Points:2,484,435 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:42:15 PM Ignore HeavyDuty_cache Report Abuse I live in the country and have to put my billing zip code in. It is to protect you from someone using your stolen credit card. I believe it is more the gas stations that are doing it since it happens at the BP's but not at Shell.