Probably a dumb question, but how do most of you get around the $ limits at most local filling stations? Do you just fill to the limit, place the pump back in the holster, and then pull it out again for another swipe of the credit card?
I haven't been on a long trip yet, but I'm assuming at larger highway filling stations we can fill at the truck pumps where I assume they allow for large fill ups without the $ limit?
Most service stations allow you to leave your credit card at the register and completer your fill up without interruptions.
We do exactly as you said -- fill to limit; put nossle back; start over. A credit card usually will work twice before having to switch to the next credit card in our wallet. Usually easier than going inside and waiting in line to give the credit card to a clerk plus we don't like leaving a credit card "unattended" with someone.
Benjie,
Sometimes if the local station is set up for large vehicle traffic (the Texaco on 183 and the Valero on 29 in Seward Junction are 2 we used when we lived in central Texas), the $ limit at the diesel pump is pretty high and we never ran into an issue. Scope out stations that have the diesel pumps set up separate and you might find the same (particularly on 79, which is a popular truck route).
Michelle
We find that the auto lanes are easy to do at most truck stops unless they have a RV lane. The last Loves we stopped the fuel was cheaper on the auto lane than the truck lane. Go Figure???
If you can get into Walmart you can save 10 cents per gal with a Walmart discover card or 5 cents at a Murphy's Station with their visa card. These are big savings at the pump. DAN
I agree about not wanting to leave a credit card with someone in a small station... so we use walkie-talkies (which we've had for years, and find all kinds of uses for). I go into the station and either pre-pay or pre-auth (depending on which they'll do), "guess-timating" how much fuel we'll probably need. Once the clerk swipes the card, I just stay inside near the counter and tell George - on the walkie-talkie - to start fueling. When he radios back that he's finished, I pick up my card and receipt and head out the door.
Dan, I found that out at a Loves re- the cheaper fuel at the Auto pumps and asked about it and was told that as long as the vehicle is under 24,000lbs you can fill up there and the public gets a bit of a break but if you are over that weight then they class you as commercial so higher cost ?? Most times I cannot get in the auto lanes as the stupid fuel station designs for placement of pumps does not allow me to turn and get out from there. I am towing which makes ot worse of course. I am Canadian so my credit card does not work at the pump as my zip # is not USA so I have to go inside before I can pump ??? You guys can use ours in Canada but not us down there, go figure.
John: You are correct in that service stations should allow for the rv er. I just keep swiping my card. Then after two times I change to another card. So you have to carry more than one card.
I have also noticed that at some RV parks you can get discount for cash, hum.
DAN
Everyone has their own idea on proper handling of this issue. I will leave my drivers license in place of a credit card. I never leave my credit card where I can not see it 100 % of the time.
Simple reason, I do not trust them any more than they trust me.
Have never had an issue where they would not accept the drivers license as security for payment. Besides they can not run your bill up with the drivers license. ;D
Most truck stops will pre-authorize the pump for so much I.E. they swipe your card and tell the pump to cut off at that amount. Make sure that if you are not using the full amount that only that amount is charged. Some place hold the full amount for several days! Also NEVER allow the credit/debit card out of your sight. Anyone can write down the numbers and the Z code on the back and use it at many places on line or by phone before you even know it. There are also cloning readers out there that allows the pros to make an exact duplicate of your card later.
Pilot/Flying J and Love's truck stops also have customer loyalty cards and will allow you to authorize a higher amount at the pump.
Keith
Cenex at Miles City Montana. Pull in, fill up, go inside and pay.
This pump limit continues to be one of my biggest pet peeves. I have a credit card that gives a 5%, unlimited rebate if one pays at the pump. So, I usually put up with the hassle of multiple transactions at the pump.
Mike Spitz
2003 U295
Truck pumps have a different highway tax structure on the fuel compared to the consumer pumps. Some truck stops will not allow a consumer RV to fuel at the big truck pumps. You are paying more tax on your fuel as a consumer. The trucks pay some tax but also pay state highway use taxes in addition to the pump price.
This all depends on what state the truck stop is in. Some states have a different "truck price" at the truck pumps and only DOT permited trucks are allowed to fuel at those pumps. The car pumps have the properly taxed price for a motorhome. One of these states is Indiana. I believe it was TA who was caught allowing motorhomes to fuel at the truck pumps in Indiana and they paid Indiana a $200,000 fine per location. I believe that there are two other western states who also do this. The truck pumps do not charge the state fuel tax, which the trucks have to pay in quarterly IFTA (International Fuel Tax Association) reports instead. More information can be found at: Indiana Sales Tax | Apex Capital - Factoring, Trucking Factoring, Account (http://www.apexcapitalcorp.com/services/apex-fuel-card/indiana-sales-tax) and at: IFTA, Inc. (http://www.iftach.org/)
Mike, you should get you 5% rebate even if you pay at the fuel desk. At least I do with my card. As long as the card company knows it was for fuel, the transaction at the fuel desk goes through just like it was at the pump.
What kind of card do you have? My Shell Oil card used to pay 5%, but they have given it up.
Discover for 3 months a year. July, August, September this year.
Mobil Oil gives .15 cents for GAS
My card is Platinum Cash Rewards Visa from Pentagon Federal Credit Union. It's 5% rebate for fuel with no rebate amount limit. The fine print requires purchase at the pump. Their web site says Visa USA determines which purchases are classified as paid at pump. Penfed has told me the puchase must be via an "automated fuel dispenser" whatever that is. I suppose it's possible that the indoor payment might sometimes qualify, but I understand usually not.
I should add that I've gotten conflicting information about who actually sets the pump purchase limit. I have been told several times by service stations over a period of years that it's the credit card company and I've been told as often by different card companies that it's the service station. Recently, a Penfed rep told me it's Penfed and it's always $75 per pump transaction. I'm skeptical since they're one of those that have told me in the past it's the service station owner. Furthermore, sometimes I've experienced no limit (Sam's, Walmart), sometimes it's $100 and sometimes I've been able to pump 3 times instead of the usual two. Whoever is behind it, I wish they'd increase the limit. It's been most commonly $75 for years, in spite of the increased price of fuel.
Mike Spitz
2003 U295
"Station owners say they simply are passing through policies of Visa and MasterCard, which won't reimburse them more than $75 per transaction at the pump if there's a disputed charge or a fraudulent card is used.
The card issuers say they aren't the bad guys.
"It's the merchants' decision to limit purchases," says Visa spokesman Paul Wilke. He adds: "Customers always have the option of paying with the card at the cash register" where its policy differs from the pump.
The $75 limit "ensures merchants and customers are protected from fraud," says MasterCard spokesman Tristan Jordan." So your guess is as good as mine.