Driving Central America & South America.
Canucks and cardit cards at gas stations
January 18, 2009 - 8:13pm
I don't know if this has been covered before, but we have travelled from the Toronto, Canada area to Brownsville, Texas where we are now, and noticed that in the last few states, Texas and Louisianna, not all gas stations are able to process a payment with our credit cards. The process asks for your zip code, and does not accept Canadian postal codes. (I tried 90210, but apparently it attempts to verify with the address associated with the card.) Ended up having to pay cash.
Just wanted any canucks out there coming down to be aware of this. It's not all gas stations, but the major ones. I think Citco was ok.
January 20, 2009 - 7:31am
#2
Also note that almost no gas stations in Mexico accept credit cards.
If you can't pay at the pump in the US because of zip code problems, you should still be able to pay with a card inside - the zip code thing is instead of a signature.
January 20, 2009 - 7:36am
#3
credit cards from Canada
THanks for the info on Mexico....going to cross the border today at Brownsville. Just leaving now, actually.
Also, we weren't able to pay inside either with the credit card at those places that won't accept the postal code, not just at the pump.
April
January 22, 2009 - 3:18pm
#4
good point, ATG... don't go w/o $$ and assuming they'll take a card! make sure to ask "se accepte tarjetas"
Never thought of that problem! Good point.
No, places in latin america dont' have pay-at-the-pump. So you're fine.
Well, let me re-phrase. They *do* have pay-at-the-pump. But it's becuase it's full service and you pay the guy that pumps your gas. There's no zip code BS. Make sure you call your company and tell them you're travelling!