Canadians Driving to a port in the US for a Cruise

[toberman]

Or driving into the US for any reason. A problem I've been having recently is -the gas pumps in the US are mostly pay-at-the-pump. But.. you have to have a US Zip Code in order for that to work.

 

The alternative (for me) has been to go into the kiosk and either give them a credit card to hold (don't care for that idea), or give them cash to unlock the pumps. I don't qualify for a US Credit card... so does anyone have a solution for this??

Looking at an extended US land vacation and really don't want to have to carry cash for gas.

 

Thanks in advance.

[taglovestocruise]

Use a debit card, they only require a pin code.. happy cruising

[navybankerteacher]

Paying cash in advance is probably best - but it means that you have to estimate how much you want - or else have to go back into the kiosk for change.

[Calgary North]

I recall reading somewhere (could have been on Cruise Critic) that your own postal code can be used but just use the digits, not the letters and add two zeros at the end; ie TiV 3R5 becomes 13500. I tried it once and it seemed to work.

 

Could be, of course, any 5 digit number might work.

 

Can't hurt to try!

[toberman]

Use a debit card, they only require a pin code.. happy cruising

 

You have to be kidding?? Would never use a debit card.

 

I recall reading somewhere (could have been on Cruise Critic) that your own postal code can be used but just use the digits, not the letters and add two zeros at the end; ie TiV 3R5 becomes 13500. I tried it once and it seemed to work.

 

Could be, of course, any 5 digit number might work.

 

Can't hurt to try!

 

Tried that... US Zip Codes do not have any letters. Therefore our postal codes won't work. Thought of just entering a random (but ligit) US postal code to see if it would work.

[JanineM]

It really can be a problem. We buy our gas at Costco & they don't take debit cards, nor do many other pumps. You may need to stop at stations with a cashier.

[Gizmo88]

Or driving into the US for any reason. A problem I've been having recently is -the gas pumps in the US are mostly pay-at-the-pump. But.. you have to have a US Zip Code in order for that to work.

 

The alternative (for me) has been to go into the kiosk and either give them a credit card to hold (don't care for that idea), or give them cash to unlock the pumps. I don't qualify for a US Credit card... so does anyone have a solution for this??

Looking at an extended US land vacation and really don't want to have to carry cash for gas.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Tip that was given on a recent bill i had and shown on MasterCard site:

 

When paying at the pump in the US with a Canadian Credit Card when asked to enter ZIP code, use the numbers in your Postal Code and add 00.

 

EX: K1N 6B3 become 16300

 

source http://www.mastercard.ca/education/travel-tips/US-gas-code.html

Edited August 5, 2014 by Gizmo88

[toberman]

Tip that was given on a recent bill i had and shown on MasterCard site:

 

When paying at the pump in the US with a Canadian Credit Card when asked to enter ZIP code, use the numbers in your Postal Code and add 00.

 

EX: K1N 6B3 become 16300

 

source http://www.mastercard.ca/education/travel-tips/US-gas-code.html

 

Understand.... But have you tried it.... And does it work???

[Gizmo88]

Understand.... But have you tried it.... And does it work???

 

So far, It was worked at a few gas stations, not every gas station will accept the '00' part. Use it as an option. Sometimes it doesn't work so I send one person inside to pre-pay with cash and I am at the pump.

 

the person inside would get the change after tank is full.

 

If you do not want to do it, i heard people using 90210 (although I would not do it due to security problems).

Edited August 6, 2014 by Gizmo88

[garlinn]

Or driving into the US for any reason. A problem I've been having recently is -the gas pumps in the US are mostly pay-at-the-pump. But.. you have to have a US Zip Code in order for that to work.

 

The alternative (for me) has been to go into the kiosk and either give them a credit card to hold (don't care for that idea), or give them cash to unlock the pumps. I don't qualify for a US Credit card... so does anyone have a solution for this??

Looking at an extended US land vacation and really don't want to have to carry cash for gas.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

It is the same for us when we buy gas in Canada. The pumps will not accept a US card. I always have to go inside.

[canadarocks]

Gizmo88 is right. We winter in Florida every year. The 3 digits of your Canadian postal code followed by two zeros. So, for example, J4V 2Y7 would become 42700. Works everytime! :cool:

Edited August 6, 2014 by canadarocks

[LHT28]

we just keep cash for that purpose... it is a pain to have to pay first then go back for change if need be

 

for some shops I use 99999 as a postal code not sure if it work at the pumps

[JanineM]

Tip that was given on a recent bill i had and shown on MasterCard site:

 

When paying at the pump in the US with a Canadian Credit Card when asked to enter ZIP code, use the numbers in your Postal Code and add 00.

 

EX: K1N 6B3 become 16300

 

source http://www.mastercard.ca/education/travel-tips/US-gas-code.html

 

 

GREAT info. Thanks for sharing!

[sapper1]

When we used to drive to Florida and encountered the problem we found that the clerk inside would give us a throwaway zip code to enter at the pump and all was well.

[iancal]

The postal code numeric thing works-well at least 90 percent of the time.

 

Have used it for the past several years many times.

Edited August 6, 2014 by iancal

[sparks1093]

Huh, and all this time I thought that entering the zip code was a security feature (i.e. the zip entered had to match the billing zip code).

[sandyh85]

I use 00922 for my postal code of N9C2W2. Works 90% of the time

 

Sent from my HTC One using Forums mobile app

[donnatello]

I also though putting in the zip code was for security reasons. Awhile back I was traveling with relatives. My car.... they offered to pay for the gas and gave me their cc but I pumped. I put in my zip and it would not accept it. I asked them for their zip, put it in and sho-nuff......it accepted it. But back to OP....I've had to do it other places, other reasons, I didn't feel uncomfortable having the clerk hold my cc while I did "whatever". I'd do that before I took a wad of cash, plus, if you take Canadian $$$$$'s, you're going to have to convert them as well. Too much hassle....just use your card and have the clerk hold it if a makehshift zip code doesn't work.

Edited August 6, 2014 by donnatello

[canadarocks]

Those that have used this method successfully are not the ones saying use a "made up" zip code. Use the numbers in the zip code (followed by two zeros) that matches the billing info on the credit card you're using.

 

Easy breezy. :rolleyes:

[toberman]

It is the same for us when we buy gas in Canada. The pumps will not accept a US card. I always have to go inside.

 

Yes but... At most places in Cda you do not have to pay in advance. You just pump your gas and then go into the clerk and pay what is owing. We're so honest !!

[toberman]

Thanks everyone for the replies and suggestions. I'm definitely going to try the 'change your postal code to a zip code' method.

 

I've also decided to get another credit card with a $500 limit. But I won't activate it - they won't be able to tell ! I can give this one to the clerk and if they decide to copy the # to use later - it just won't work. I'll pay with a good card after I've filled up. Seems like a plan ??

[cruising cockroach]

I've tried eliminating the letters and adding 00 to the postal code but no luck, in WA state anyways.

[thinfool]

Thanks everyone for the replies and suggestions. I'm definitely going to try the 'change your postal code to a zip code' method.

 

I've also decided to get another credit card with a $500 limit. But I won't activate it - they won't be able to tell ! I can give this one to the clerk and if they decide to copy the # to use later - it just won't work. I'll pay with a good card after I've filled up. Seems like a plan ??

 

It might work.

 

However, locally I can take my card to the booth and, rather than leave it, have the attendant authorize/charge a set amount on the card (say $60.00), she will do that and I can go pump my gas. In this example we'll say that I pump $55.00 worth of gas. The remaining balance is automatically returned to my CC account. I then get in my car and drive away. I don't have to make two trips to the attendants booth.

[peety3]

Or driving into the US for any reason. A problem I've been having recently is -the gas pumps in the US are mostly pay-at-the-pump. But.. you have to have a US Zip Code in order for that to work.

 

The alternative (for me) has been to go into the kiosk and either give them a credit card to hold (don't care for that idea), or give them cash to unlock the pumps. I don't qualify for a US Credit card... so does anyone have a solution for this??

Looking at an extended US land vacation and really don't want to have to carry cash for gas.

You already have two solutions: let them hold a credit card, or pay cash. Apparently you don't like either of those...why not? The credit card is going to be in plain view for the security cameras to record, so on the miniscule chance that someone tries to steal it, they're going to be tracked. If you plan ahead, it won't be hard to calculate how much cash you'd need so that you'd have spent it all (or nearly so) before boarding the ship (or perhaps half of it) so it's no longer at risk of being stolen from you.

 

Plus, others have indicated that you can use your Canada zip code >90% of the time. Sounds to me like you have three options, so it's a question of what you're willing to use.

[SnowshoeCat]

Not all gas pumps require a zip code. I wonder if you can do some sort of internet search to find out. I'm sure the thieves would love that app ;)