Pay less for gas | save at the pump | Fidelity (2024)

FAQs

What happens if you use less gas than you paid for? ›

When you prepay for gas with a credit card in the store, you won't have to go back inside unless you want a receipt for the exact purchase amount. However, if you prepay for gas in cash and end up pumping less gas than you paid for, you will have to return to the store to get your change.

Pay the clerk inside for the gas before you start pumping.

Most gas stations require you to prepay with cash so you can't drive away without payment. Go inside the gas station and tell the clerk the pump number and the amount of money you want to put in your tank.

Spend less at the gas station.

Pay less for gas and maximize every drop of fuel with these tips: Fill your tank in the morning when it's cooler outside.

The vast majority of gas pumps with pay-at-the-pump capabilities will place a temporary hold on a certain amount of money, generally $75-$150, in a customer's account following the use of a debit or credit card to make a purchase.

Don't panic if you see a large credit card charge

When you use a credit card to fill up your car, gas stations are allowed to place a hold on your card for a certain amount. The Wall Street Journal reports that Visa and Mastercard recently raised that hold limit to $175.

When the fuel level drops too low, the pump is more exposed to air, which can lead to overheating. An overheated fuel pump can impact its efficiency and your vehicle's overall fuel economy. By maintaining a half-full tank, you help ensure consistent and optimal fuel efficiency.

If you're like most consumers, you use your credit card to pay at the gas pump. It's so easy, right? But this convenience comes with a cost. The gas you're paying for might be more expensive than you thought by 5- to 10- cents per gallon.

You've got to pay for the gas before you select your variety of gas and pump it. You can pay with a credit or debit card directly at the pump, or with your card or cash at the counter inside. To pay at the pump, just slide your card to get started and follow the instructions.

But you may not realize you're spending more because of the payment method you use. Gas stations are legally able to charge extra for using a credit card. A surcharge passed on to the customer allows them to recoup the fees that the Visa and Mastercard payment networks charge them for transactions.

While it may be more convenient to pay at the pump, the best way to avoid debit and credit card fraud may be to pay for your gas inside the gas station.

Is it better to pump gas slow or fast? ›

You should be pumping on the slow or medium modes, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some of the liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor.

Buy Gas on Monday or Tuesday

Be strategic about the days you fill up at the pump. “For gas, Mondays and Tuesdays tend to be the cheapest days to fill up your tank as demand is lower at the beginning of the week,” Anderson said.

For debit card users, even when they are using the card like a credit card, they must still have that amount in the bank account.

The $100 hold ensures that there are enough funds on your card to pay for gas. When you're finished pumping, the station will charge you for the actual purchase amount, and the $100 gas hold will be released once the transaction is completed, which can take several days.

Under new industry requirements mandated by VISA and MasterCard, self-service pumps at Sainsbury's Petrol Forecourts will request a £100 pre-authorisation amount before starting the fuelling process; this is to ensure that customers have sufficient funds to cover the cost of fuel dispensed.

Gas stations put a hold on the card to make sure you have the money to cover what you bought. Sometimes it takes a while to process, so they hold an amount they know is more then what you owe. (It's a hold, so you're not actually paying more.).

The $50 hold will remain until the transaction clears, which can take 48-72 hours. In these transactions, gas stations determine the amount of the hold and card issuers determine its length. Gas stations, however, do not keep the difference between the hold amount and the amount purchased.

Since pumping gas is an open-end purchase, gas stations will typically pre-authorize your payment card for a larger amount to ensure that your card has enough funds to cover the amount of gas you'll leave with. This pre-authorization is typically $100.

The quickest way to solve this is to call the number on the back of your card. That will connect you with the fraud detection team. They have full access to view all your transactions and will see the double charge. Explain to them that you have made attempts to call the gas station and cannot reach them.