Re: Self Serve Fuel Warning

[Robert M. Gary]

Same thing when you go buy gas for your Pinto.
-Robert

[Jessica]

"Robert M. Gary" wrote:

> Same thing when you go buy gas for your Pinto.

$1 vs $150

[Robert M. Gary]

> $1 vs $150

What gas station only puts a $1 hold on your card? Most are between
$30-$50. $150 makes sense at the gas pump because the pump doesn't know
how much you are going to put in. If you don't like it you can tell the
pump an exact amount.

[B A R R Y]

Robert M. Gary wrote:
>> $1 vs $150
>
> What gas station only puts a $1 hold on your card?

All of them that I use, Sunoco, Citgo, Mobil, and Texaco. I have never
typed an amount into a pump, and if it isn't pay at the pump, I don't
stop. I just swipe the card, push "credit" and fill up.

I have a Visa that has GREAT web access. If I use the card, "Temp
Authorizations" are there before I can drive home, literally within
minutes. The "Temporary Charge" will sit there until the real charge
clears, which is normally about three days.

Typical temp charges I see:

Auto Gas: $1
Restaurants: The actual check amount minus tip (corrected amount with
tip clears with actual charge)
Hotels: The amount the establishment runs as a pre-auth - very variable
Everything else (retail): The actual amount

Again, I don't necessarily care. I've never been over billed, and I've
never had a problem. I posted this for folks who prefer debit cards
with credit card logos.


FWIW, My other Visa never shows the temp charges, only a reduction in
available limit with no explanation.

[Robert M. Gary]

> All of them that I use, Sunoco, Citgo, Mobil, and Texaco. I have never
> typed an amount into a pump, and if it isn't pay at the pump, I don't
> stop. I just swipe the card, push "credit" and fill up.

Right, for aviation fuel you usually get to choose your pre-auth amount
at the pump but not for cars. For credit cards they often only hold $1,
however, I believe the original post was talking about ATM cards. When
I run my ATM at the auto gas station, they require a minimum of $30
account balance or the pump will not turn on.

-Robert

[Jessica]

"Robert M. Gary" wrote:
>>> Same thing when you go buy gas for your Pinto.

Really?

> Jessica wrote:

> > $1 vs $150
>
> What gas station only puts a $1 hold on your card? Most are between
> $30-$50. $150 makes sense at the gas pump because the pump doesn't know
> how much you are going to put in. If you don't like it you can tell the
> pump an exact amount.

Just about any gas station that I could buy gas for a Pinto only holds $1.
That includes all of the major oil companies. What filling stations do you
go to that hold more?

[Jessica]

B A R R Y wrote:

> Robert M. Gary wrote:
> >> $1 vs $150
> >
> > What gas station only puts a $1 hold on your card?
>
> All of them that I use, Sunoco, Citgo, Mobil, and Texaco. I have never
> typed an amount into a pump, and if it isn't pay at the pump, I don't
> stop. I just swipe the card, push "credit" and fill up.
>
> I have a Visa that has GREAT web access. If I use the card, "Temp
> Authorizations" are there before I can drive home, literally within
> minutes. The "Temporary Charge" will sit there until the real charge
> clears, which is normally about three days.
>
> Typical temp charges I see:
>
> Auto Gas: $1
> Restaurants: The actual check amount minus tip (corrected amount with
> tip clears with actual charge)
> Hotels: The amount the establishment runs as a pre-auth - very variable
> Everything else (retail): The actual amount
>
> Again, I don't necessarily care. I've never been over billed, and I've
> never had a problem. I posted this for folks who prefer debit cards
> with credit card logos.
>
> FWIW, My other Visa never shows the temp charges, only a reduction in
> available limit with no explanation.

That's exactly right. Sounds like you have an MBNA card for your first
Visa :) The other companies can tell you what is causing the hold if you
ask their customer service in many cases.

[Jessica]

"Robert M. Gary" wrote:

> > All of them that I use, Sunoco, Citgo, Mobil, and Texaco. I have never
> > typed an amount into a pump, and if it isn't pay at the pump, I don't
> > stop. I just swipe the card, push "credit" and fill up.
>
> Right, for aviation fuel you usually get to choose your pre-auth amount
> at the pump but not for cars. For credit cards they often only hold $1,

>
> however, I believe the original post was talking about ATM cards.

ATM cards? Holding is not applicable for ATM cards/online debit.
Now if you mean using the Mastercard or Visa logo without a PIN, then holding
is exactly the same as if it was a credit card -- the machine doesn't know
the difference anyway. The OP was warning about using debit cards where
held funds in your checking account can be a real issue.



> When
> I run my ATM at the auto gas station, they require a minimum of $30
> account balance or the pump will not turn on.

Sounds like your bank's limitation for self service gasoline merchant codes
if you are using offline debit. They have something similar for online
debit.

[B A R R Y]

Jessica wrote:

>
> That's exactly right. Sounds like you have an MBNA card for your first
> Visa :) The other companies can tell you what is causing the hold if you
> ask their customer service in many cases.

You're good! <G>

It's a credit union card issued by MBNA.