Card was declined at a gas station

Using Your Gift Card at Gas Stations

When using your gift card at a gas station, follow these recommendations to avoid pre-authorization holds and potential declined transactions:

Do Not Swipe Your Card at the Pump

• Pre-Authorization Charge: Swiping your card at the pump may result in a pre-authorization charge ranging from $75 to $200.
• Recommendation: Always pay inside at the cashier and request a specific amount to be charged to your card.

If You Swiped Your Card at the Pump

• Pending Charge: The pre-authorization charge will appear on your card's transaction history until it settles to the correct amount, usually within 3-7 business days.

Virtual Gift Cards

• Usage Restriction: Virtual Visa or Mastercard gift cards cannot be used for purchases at gas stations.

Helpful Tips

1. Declined Fuel Purchase Attempts:
   • Pump Transactions: Swiping the card at the pump often leads to declined transactions due to the high pre-authorization hold.
   • Insufficient Funds: If the cashier attempts to authorize an amount greater than the available balance, the transaction will be declined.
2. Pre-Authorization Holds:
   • Duration: These holds typically last for 4 days before the funds are released back to your card.
   • Availability: After the hold expires, the funds will be available again without any further action required.
3. Cashier Transactions:
   • Exact Amount Requests: Cashiers can often process your card for the exact amount requested, but this is not always guaranteed.
   • Potential Issues: If the cashier authorizes an amount greater than your card balance, the transaction will be declined, resulting in a pre-authorization hold for about 4 days.