British credit cards used for fuel

[Marjie]

Hi All
We're taking the bikes to France this summer . In the past when the supermarkets were closed it wasn't possible to pay at the pump in their fuel stations with a UK card. Can you advise if that's still the case or is it not a problem now?
Thanks for the help
Marjie

 

[Blackal]

Not much of a problem, if at all - these days

Al

 

[Gargy]

I have had a few issues over the years on Sundays with pay at the pump stations.

I have found that if you find a 'Intermarche' supermarket, of which there are lots, your English cards will work.

Good luck.

 

[gerarddwatts]

Marje..

Get a SAGA credit card....no non-sterling transaction fees..

regards

G

 

[cookie]

not had a problem at credit card controlled pumps for years.

 

[stolzy]

This used to be very common, but, thankfully is now rare.

Depends on the petrol station - some are worse than others (I seem to have problems with the ones displaying the 'DATS' logo).
Depends on the credit card - frustratingly I'm regularly unable to use my Caxton FX Euro card in unattended sites - car parks etc, not just petrol stations on a Sunday.

 

[stolzy]

This used to be very common, but, thankfully is now rare.

Some petrol stations are owrse than others (I seem to have problems with the ones displaying the 'DATS' logo).
And some credit card are worse than others (frustratingly I'm regularly unable to use my Caxton FX Euro card in unattended sites - car parks etc, not just petrol stations on a Sunday.

Some cards don't work on Autoroutes either (annoyingly my Caxton FX doesn't)

 

[mcinlb]

I've had no problems with my Post Office chip & pin Mastercard at pumps or on motorways.

 

[Wapping]

It's now probably easier to buy petrol in France than in Blighty, there being a greater number of small unmanned stations attached to rural supermarket or simple 'automatic only' stations plonked around the place.

The problem with Caxton type cards is down to the type of card they are. In a real sense they are nothing more than pre-charged charge cards, rather like an Oystercard for use on TfL is here in London. The card reader ( or maybe more importantly the vendor) cannot say with absolute certainty if the funds are 'real' and might not at that very moment being used for something else. Coupled to the occiasional problem that an automatic pump often creates say an EUR 90 debit against, say an EUR 25 transaction, the EUR 65 difference often only being reconciled maybe some hours later.

I have all but given up with paper cash when abroad and here in the UK, other than in the pub and the odd coffee bar. 'No charge' credit and debit cards (readily available) are much easier.

 

[stolzy]

It's now probably easier to buy petrol in France than in Blighty, there being a greater number of small unmanned stations attached to rural supermarket or simple 'automatic only' stations plonked around the place.

The problem with Caxton type cards is down to the type of card they are. In a real sense they are nothing more than pre-charged charge cards, rather like an Oystercard for use on TfL is here in London. The card reader ( or maybe more importantly the vendor) cannot say with absolute certainty if the funds are 'real' and might not at that very moment being used for something else. Coupled to the occiasional problem that an automatic pump often creates say an EUR 90 debit against, say an EUR 25 transaction, the EUR 65 difference often only being reconciled maybe some hours later.

I have all but given up with paper cash when abroad and here in the UK, other than in the pub and the odd coffee bar. 'No charge' credit and debit cards (readily available) are much easier.

Exactly so.

 

[seadog]

No problems with either of my debit/visa cards at all.

 

[dave hendy]

We have had more trouble in Switzerland than France these days for some reason

 

[dbaldwin4]

No problem using visa debit card last september.

 

[Engineer]

Hi All
We're taking the bikes to France this summer . In the past when the supermarkets were closed it wasn't possible to pay at the pump in their fuel stations with a UK card. Can you advise if that's still the case or is it not a problem now?
Thanks for the help
Marjie

In my experience over the last 5 years or so of trying to buy petrol on a Sunday in rural South of France is that some do and some don't - haven't been stranded yet - just don't let your tank run too low on Sunday as you just might have to go another 25 miles or so to find one that works. If I am passing a garage and have less than a quarter of a tank I always fill up.

 

[The Grey One]

It's now probably easier to buy petrol in France than in Blighty, there being a greater number of small unmanned stations attached to rural supermarket or simple 'automatic only' stations plonked around the place.

The problem with Caxton type cards is down to the type of card they are. In a real sense they are nothing more than pre-charged charge cards, rather like an Oystercard for use on TfL is here in London. The card reader ( or maybe more importantly the vendor) cannot say with absolute certainty if the funds are 'real' and might not at that very moment being used for something else. Coupled to the occiasional problem that an automatic pump often creates say an EUR 90 debit against, say an EUR 25 transaction, the EUR 65 difference often only being reconciled maybe some hours later.

I have all but given up with paper cash when abroad and here in the UK, other than in the pub and the odd coffee bar. 'No charge' credit and debit cards (readily available) are much easier.

No such thing as a no charge card, it's just that some don't charge the cardholder, the person/company taking payment always gets charged.

John

 

[Toddy]

Good idea to let your bank know your plans. Here's a bit from the RBS web site.
Remember to let us know your travel plans when you’re travelling abroad
If you intend to use your debit card abroad it is advisable to let us know your travel plans at least 24 hours in advance. Registering your trip will notify our transaction monitoring systems that you will be using your card abroad. This will significantly reduce the likelihood of your transactions being blocked.
Registering your trip with Digital Banking

If you are signed up for Digital Banking, you can log on and register details of your trip, it only takes a few minutes. All you need to do is select ‘Using your card abroad’ from the ‘Our Products’ menu and enter the details of your trip. This can be found on the right hand side of the page. Alternatively pop into your local branch where our staff would be happy to help.
You should be aware that there are certain countries where use of payment cards may be restricted or limited due to government sanctions or political situations. Currently we are aware of such issues in Cuba, Iran, Burma (commonly known as Myanmar), North Korea, Sudan and Syria. However you should check for the up to date position with your tour operator or that issued by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

 

[Bumpkin]

Had some issues in 2010, since then we did get turned down in 2011 in Germany and had to wait until the bank got back to the garage owner, they refused all of our collection of 5 or so cards. All very decent, he apologised and made us some very nice coffee whilst we waited. Bank rang back eventually and confessed that there was something wrong at their end Since then no problems at all.

However, be warned that from my experience the pay at pump machines pre-authorise for €100 or so and don't re-credit your account/release the amount for 4-5 days. Can really piss on your chips if you go with a pre-paid card and use up your budget only half way though to only get it back again just before you come home. We now fill two or three bikes at the same pump and pay in rotation as a precaution.

 

[Marmalade]

Only very few cards take the 100€. It's usually the prepay type cards, visa debit and credit should have no issues.
The only card that I've had it happen to is my paypal card which acts like a prepay MasterCard.
He cash goes back in a few days later but as above, it is a ball ache.

The only place I have any troubles with these days is the Netherlands, whatever it is you are buying, make due you have enough cash to cover it on you, loads of places have their systems decline visa and MasterCard cards.


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On the road to nowhere

 

[Packer]

I had two cards rejected in Italy trying to fill up a hire car on the way to Genova airport on the Sunday of a holiday weekend last November. Had to use cash in the end, I was lucky that I still had enough on the way back home.

 

[Shunt]

Just let your bank know when you are going an enjoy the ride