Using Canadian Credit Cards in the US

[terrydale]

Someone on this site posted this last year and I can confirm that it still works!!

So, you are in the US and pull up to the gas pump. You insert your credit card and it asks you for your Zip Code which, being Canadian, you don't have meaning that you have to walk inside like a doofus, hand over your card (always a gut-wrenching moment), fill your car and then go back inside to collect your receipt and credit card, right? WRONG!

When the screen on the pump asks for your zip code, instead enter the three numbers of your postal code follwed by 'zero, zero'.The card will be immediately approved and the pump turned on. No 'Doofus Walk' to the cashier first. It has not failed me yet in the past three weeks travelling through the US. Magic!!!

[ScotcH]

Someone on this site posted this last year and I can confirm that it still works!!

So, you are in the US and pull up to the gas pump. You insert your credit card and it asks you for your Zip Code which, being Canadian, you don't have meaning that you have to walk inside like a doofus, hand over your card (always a gut-wrenching moment), fill your car and then go back inside to collect your receipt and credit card, right? WRONG!

When the screen on the pump asks for your zip code, instead enter the three numbers of your postal code follwed by 'zero, zero'.The card will be immediately approved and the pump turned on. No 'Doofus Walk' to the cashier first. It has not failed me yet in the past three weeks travelling through the US. Magic!!!

Tried this at every single pump on the way down to Sebring in January. Didn't work a single time. Maybe it depends on what bank the card is ... mine is a TD visa.

[ayseven]

Why is it a problem going into the store and paying inside? Then you can have virtually any type of junk food known to man, as well as really bad pizza, and the worst coffee ever brewed. I do it every time in Ogdensburg. I'm hooked!

[ScotcH]

Why is it a problem going into the store and paying inside? Then you can have virtually any type of junk food known to man, as well as really bad pizza, and the worst coffee ever brewed. I do it every time in Ogdensburg. I'm hooked!

If it were only that simple ... unfortunately, most places are "pre-pay" ... so you have to guess how much it will cost to fill your tank, then if it's too much, you have to go in a second time and get a refund for the difference. Guess how much the CC company rapes you on exchanges in this case?

It's just a matter of priciple ... you're treated like a criminal before you've even attempted anything. Yes, I hate US the mentality

[sb_600]

Yeah it hasn't worked for me either the last few times i've tried.

I've used 90210, 13669, and other random numbers.... i eventually always have to go inside

[runwhatyabrung]

I guess it depends on your card issuer. It worked for me every time I tried it last summer when I went to Virginia .

[Rolling-stone]

I just get US dollars at my bank before I go ,and use it for fuel money :>)and sometimes use Truck-Stops as the food is a bit better..only a bit tho

[gully]

I use a RBC VISA Gold card on trips to New Orleans 2010 and New Hampshire 2011 I have not been asked for postal code

Perhaps I have just been lucky on places I stopped I know on New Hamshire trip stayed mostly off Interstates and enjoyed a slower more scenic drive

Pete g

[GoesFilled]

I didn't try the zip code trick when I was down last...

I just wish the pumps would pre-auth over $100, as the Audi takes about $120 to fill.

[ScotcH]

I didn't try the zip code trick when I was down last...

I just wish the pumps would pre-auth over $100, as the Audi takes about $120 to fill.

Yup ... 160l in the suburban ... I've had to swipe 3 times in the past to completely fill it!

[ayseven]

In BC, it is not allowed to NOT prepay or pay at the pump.

[terrydale]

Not sure if it made a difference or not - and I have never done it before - but this time I called my credit card companies before I left to tell them that I would be travelling in the US from when to when.

Not sure why it didn't work for some of the above posters but we are into week 4 with only one backfire a couple of weeks ago.

[jkcashin]

Instead of adding 00, add 01. No ZIP code ends in 00.

[ScotcH]

Instead of adding 00, add 01. No ZIP code ends in 00.

But you see, that's the problem ... even trying 90210 or 13669 (Ogdensbug) does not work, because they want the zip code that attached to the billing address.

[terrydale]

Again, my postal code is K1S2H2 so I input '12200' and that has worked perfectly almost 9.5 times out of 10 for 2 years now.

[Alf]

I was in Orlando last week. My CT MC, failed at 7-11 but worked at the place I went.

[ScotcH]

Well I guess we just chalk it up to random, and if it works, great ... I'll keep trying!