Community Forums

Steve N Sal · 05-02-2011, 06:29 AM

We always use the CC. We fill well before empty so haven't had the $$$ limit issue. We normally stop every 1-1/2 to 2 hours to stretch the legs and let the little pups get some excersize. In doing so I always top the tank off. I like the security of having as much fuel on board as possible for any problems that could arrise down the road. Just what we do whether it be right or wrong.

Wayne M · 05-02-2011, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob and Inga

Puttin, it is not the bank setting the limit. The gas station has picked an amount that they pre-authorize before allowing you to pump.
Bob

Bob, I'm sorry I'm pickin' on you but I need to dispel that myth. It is the credit card company that sets the limit, not the establishment accepting the credit card. See Credit Cards dot com information.

At one time, my limit was $50, but the price of gasoline increased so dramatically those "many" years ago, the CC company raised the amount to $75. That is where my limit stands.

At a service station on our last Westerly trip I used the card at the pump. After $75 I had to swipe it again, but after the second time it would not accept my card. I went into the service station and he said there was nothing he could do since it was the CC company making the rules. Had I gone in there instead of using the pumps, I could have pumped as much as I needed.

I called the CC company and I explained that I was in a MH with a 90 gallon capacity fuel tank. The asked me when my trip would be over and I told them. The said I would still have a $75 limit but there would be no cut off. They said that all of this is to prevent credit card fraud at the pumps.

Consider that if the amount was settable by the proprietor, there would be many variances of the amount that could be purchased at the pump. In my case, every pump I ever visited and swiped my card would have a $75 limit. It would be highly coincidental that every proprietor of a service station in the US would have the same $75 setting.

Happy trails

Perry White · 05-02-2011, 10:33 AM

Wayne's right.

Cat320 · 05-02-2011, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne M

Bob, I'm sorry I'm pickin' on you but I need to dispel that myth. It is the credit card company that sets the limit, not the establishment accepting the credit card. Happy trails

Not necessarily so. In your case, it's YOUR credit card that has the limit. Mine has never had a limit and the pump has never shut off at $75 except when that limit has been imposed by the gas company. I have asked at the station...they said it's their corporate policy...also just called my CC company, there is no limit on my card.

townsendr · 05-02-2011, 06:33 PM

I have been at a few stations where I simply go inside, they swipe my card, and I can fill up completely, no limit on the pump. When I go back in after fueling, they print out a receipt for me to sign.

puttin · 05-03-2011, 08:42 AM

Bob and Inga,

Thanks for the great info...very educational. I'll let my wife know too- she does all the financial stuff.

Puttin

bucks2 · 05-03-2011, 08:27 PM

Hmmmm...... that's an interesting theory, that the CC puts the limit on the card. I can get $75 sometimes and $100 sometimes with my card at Fred Meyer, Shell, Arco, Valero and whatever other stations we stop at with the motorhome. OR, go inside and preapprove any amount we want, $350 is common, then get a credit of unused amount. OR I can pull up to the dock in my boat, take on $902 of fuel before even taking the card out of my pocket. (PS filled the boat and motorhome last week, actual dollar amounts)

My bet is that the CC company will stand behind charges up to a certain amount, $75 or $100. Anything over that the station is responsible for. Therefore the station uses the CC companys guaranteed amount as their limit.

rgvtexan · 05-03-2011, 09:02 PM

What AMEX pays 5% for fuel?

Stevepkam · 05-03-2011, 10:15 PM

Pentagon Credit Union credit card gives 5% for fuel purchases and 1% for everything else.

UFO Pilot · 05-03-2011, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgvtexan

What AMEX pays 5% for fuel?

I got my AMEX thru Costco. It pays 4% back on gasoline, not sure if it does the same for diesel.

bluepill · 05-03-2011, 10:42 PM

In the NY area many gas stations DO NOT take AMEX because they charge a higher fee to the merchant than Visa & M/C.

GaryKD · 05-04-2011, 05:57 AM

Hi rgvtexan,
You have a very good question. I went to the AMEX site and all I found was Cash Back Credit Cards Comparison - American Express The best cash back card they now have is 3% on fuel, etc. No more 5% cash back for fuel. I hope they keep my card at 5%.

Bob and Inga · 05-04-2011, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat320

Not necessarily so. In your case, it's YOUR credit card that has the limit. Mine has never had a limit and the pump has never shut off at $75 except when that limit has been imposed by the gas company. I have asked at the station...they said it's their corporate policy...also just called my CC company, there is no limit on my card.

Same for us, we just made the trip from FL to New England, our Shell MC was shut off at $75, $80, $99 and $100 depending on the gas station. One day we fueled twice and had two different shut off amounts. All allowed a second swipe. So the info at the website about a $50 or $75 limit is BS. I have called the credit card co. in the past and was told the same thing.