That's the way of the world now. I'm sorry, but it's really not a big deal. Having been on both sides of that fence, I can tell you that there is a reason for these policies and it wasn't created to screw the customer(although the oil companies themselves are doing that).

Not all stations have a $1 authorization. The local Chevron started doing a $125 authorization. Had a friend learn that one the hard way when he went to fill up and used a small credit card ($500 limit) that he only had about $100 left on it.

 

I didn't realize you went both ways Brent...

 

Pay at the pump solves this problem and my stations of choice have this option.

 

Andre - Sorta - If you are empty or are filling up your aux tank, it will click off at a certain dollar amount. I find this caries by oil company and credit card.

HOWEVER, the Fred Meyers up here in AK will allow you to pay at the pump and pump the 35 gallons you are entitled to get a discount on with their reward card. I was stunned when I passed $125- I was almost out of fuel and even with the discount it was still almost $4/gal.

 

See you guys have bigger tanks than I do...sorry.

 

I don't agree that the dollar cap is set by the credit card. I have used the same card at various pumps up and down the East Coast and have seen limits from $75 all the way up to $150.

My bank will also cut the card off for multiple fuel transactions especially when they are out of state. I now give them a courtesy call before I take long trips and they make a note of my travel plans and don't cut me off.

 

I have the RV advange card with pilot/flying J.

Pumps don't shut off with them.

I avoid loves if I can.

 

Genetics... Sorry 'bout that...

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Matt - I think it is a combination of Credit Card Company and Oil Company. It certainly is NOT uniform. Not from one station to the next and even the same brand of stations in different areas are different...

I do the same thing with my CC when I travel, but they still call me. Now I have AMEX setup to just text me if they think there is suspicious activity so I can logon and clear the block.

 

Nah, you guys are just compensating

 

I heard that was true about the guys that jacked their trucks up...

 

Yep. No limit. Pump till you drop! Works great with my 50 gallon Transfer Flow tank.

 

hahahaha...oh wait

 

I guess I hit a sore spot. Great feedback. I have the Pilot RV card and get a 6 cent discount. It works great and of course I can get DEF there also. It also works at Flying J. But on the day under discussion the next Pilot I knew of was close to out of range.

I posted to give folks a heads up on the policy. In my humble opinion the companys that demand that customers jump through all these hoops are just making us do more work in lieu of them investing in automation. I do not believe that it would be difficult to sync credit cards and fuel stations to read the CC limits. I have a 10,000 dollar card and can't get a tank of fuel without jumping through hoops for those who should be jumping through hoops to get my business. I just won't do that.

Yes, it's not that big a deal to go in and say 1000 gallons like someone above said but I'm not gonna do it unless I'm in a real bind. But it's only the fuel stations that do this. I can walk in to most any store and buy a couple thousand dollars in goods and they just swipe the card and have me sign. I was in Wilson NC and pumped $450 or so. The young lady swiped my card ask me to sign and we were both happy. That is how it should be. When I'm not on the road I have a rewards card I swipe and then I can pump and go in and pay cash, or I can pay at pump. Works great for the cars, but to fill the truck (even just the stock tank) I have to redo for over $100 so I don't buy there for the truck. I guess I'm just hard headed. Might be an age thing, I still remember when they came out cleaned the windows, emptied the ash trays, checked the tire air level and pumped the fuel. Sometimes they even gave away a prize. I liked it.

 

A lot of truth in this.

All nationwide and regional publicly and privately owned Fuel Stops/C-Store operations hold to this policy. Unless there happens to be a manager there to authorize a different approach all you are going to get is the policy that is set by the head office...and the clerks who deviate from this are putting their job at risk. I hate it myself but if you buy fuel there that is what you have to deal with. Some operations do set a limit on credit card transaction at the pump...a fraud issue...however if you take that card inside and transact the sale you can often get a several hundred dollar transaction...I have seen them as high as $750.00. So the limit is not always set by the bank/credit card issuer...it is a software control. Just a little bit about the business that I know first hand.

 

I don't know how feasible it would be for them to check the CC limit. You're getting into privacy issues that are regulated by federal law there.

Perhaps they should have a higher shut-off limit on the truck pumps.

Remember, the difference between you buying goods in the store and paying for fuel at the pump is that the fuel transaction does not go through(and subsequently decline) until after the fuel is sitting safely in your tank and you could take off. If your card declines in the store, it's much easier for them to stop you from leaving with all the stuff in your cart.

I know of one station where you can get around the fuel limit by leaving your credit card with the cashier while you pump, and they turn on the pump without a limit. I think that's a risky move because you could easily drive off and not go back for your card. And they have been bit in the *** by it already.