Tips for using your card at a gas station

Using Your Gift Card at Gas Stations: Tips and Guidelines

Avoid Swiping Your Card at the Pump

• Reason: Swiping your card at the pump usually prompts the merchant to request a pre-authorization hold, typically around $200.
• Recommendation: Always pay inside at the cashier.

Authorize for Exact Amount

• Request: Ask the cashier to authorize the card for the exact amount you intend to purchase.
• Card Balance: Ensure the requested amount is available on the card.

Pre-Authorization Holds

• Insufficient Funds: If the card funds are insufficient for the merchant's request, a pre-authorization hold will occur for about 4 days, and the sale will not be authorized.
• Excess Funds: If the available funds exceed the merchant's requested authorization amount, the sale will be authorized, but a hold on the unused portion may persist for about 4 days.

Expiration of Holds

• Duration: Pre-authorization holds typically expire in 4 days.
• Availability: Once the hold expires, the funds will be available again without any further action required.

Virtual Gift Cards

• Usage Restriction: Virtual Visa and Mastercard gift cards cannot be used for fuel purchases.