Gas Stations and credit card limit questions

[Wayne M]

Originally Posted by baraff

But is this a CC issue or an oil company issue? Speedway for example claims its not their policy to limit sales but the banks' policy. Some other gas stations are less clear as to whose policy it is.
All I know is in this time of $4.00+ gas & diesel the $75 limit makes no sense. Even my previous GMC p/u would exceed $75 on a single fill up.
Quite annoying!

In my case, after swiping the card two times, I went inside and the clerk tried authorizing it only to have it declined. I had to call the CC company and tell them I was in a MH with a 90 gallon tank. They told me they could not change the $75 limit but that they would make a note on my account and that I would be able to use the card at the pump more than two times. It worked for the rest of our trip.

It appears from the different answers that it differs from state to state, card to card, and station to station.

My CC company is one of the larges Federal Credit Unions in the world. They are very good, and very good on security. One time overseas I bought a laptop computer in the military exchange. At the register I had to call the credit union, toll free, and they authorized the purchase. I do not mind their security.

[baraff]

I called PenFed Visa about the limit situation and they told me Visa has raised it to $150. I think its still up to the station owner though.

[Cat320]

I have called my CC company...there is no limit on my card at any refueling station. Any and all limits, if my card is limited, are put in place by the station or the station's corporate office...those with different cards, obviously have different policies.

[Billieg]

Originally Posted by baraff

I called PenFed Visa about the limit situation and they told me Visa has raised it to $150. I think its still up to the station owner though.

Just fueled up at a Flying J in Brooksville Fl with my Visa. Put in $142.00 no problem. On the way back stopped at a Sanoco with the same card $75 max. That $75 max is a pain....

[baraff]

So, in addition to $4+ a gallon gas, the gas companies have figured out a additional way to stick to the consumer, the $75 limit.

[Renipladlo]

Ok, here is how I think these work. First gas companies dont put the limits on the card as a rule, the CC companies do I think. You can see if calling the customer service number on the card and talking to a person can get this changed for the card you want to use. American Express has a higher limit on it than other cards seem to do. Costco gas stations (provided you are a member) does not impose a limit on their branded AMEX card.

Your credit history has a bearing on this limit, and since 20 gallons is 80 dollars worth of gas, then you might have reached the limit by then.
Most stations are now charging a little surcharge for credit card use on the gas so I would pay cash if that is the case, I know that is true at most truck stops for diesel and gas. Flying J/Pilot has a loyality card, which waives this extra charge, read about it in this forum. Yeah, I know it's not safe to carry a lot of cash, so you have to guage which is important to you, paying the little extra for the credit card or having a little cash on you.