They are supposed to with Debit cards as well, and its also part of VISA's mechant terms and conditions, so its entirely fair
British credit cards used for fuel
- Thread starter Marjie
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They are supposed to with Debit cards as well, and its also part of VISA's mechant terms and conditions, so its entirely fair
mike6631
Registered user
From the Caxton FX site!
Avoid using your prepaid card at automated petrol stations
Automated petrol stations on the continent usually take a security deposit when you first swipe your card. No money actually leaves your account at this point, but your available balance is reduced. A couple of days later (it can be up to 15 days), they will process a settlement increase for €120 (for example) which will raise your available balance by €120. Simultaneously, they will process a settlement decrease where they will remove funds from your card to cover the actual amount of fuel you purchased for example €45. In the period between the two your account will appear to have been debited by €120, but it has not. Only when the settlement decrease goes through has money actually left your account. This procedure is not unique to Caxton FX cards, or indeed any prepaid card. All cards issued by any institution are treated in the same way whether they are debit, credit or prepaid cards.
They also advise against using them for toll payments too!
Avoid using your prepaid card at automated petrol stations
Automated petrol stations on the continent usually take a security deposit when you first swipe your card. No money actually leaves your account at this point, but your available balance is reduced. A couple of days later (it can be up to 15 days), they will process a settlement increase for €120 (for example) which will raise your available balance by €120. Simultaneously, they will process a settlement decrease where they will remove funds from your card to cover the actual amount of fuel you purchased for example €45. In the period between the two your account will appear to have been debited by €120, but it has not. Only when the settlement decrease goes through has money actually left your account. This procedure is not unique to Caxton FX cards, or indeed any prepaid card. All cards issued by any institution are treated in the same way whether they are debit, credit or prepaid cards.
They also advise against using them for toll payments too!
The person / company always has the option of refusing to accept credit cards. Alternatively, levying a modest charge themselves to offset the cost; the DVLA does the latter.
Whether that will suit their customers is a different matter entirely.
Merchants are not obliged to take any specific card. Most autoroute booths in France have signs saying they don't accept VISA Electron cards. Presumably for the same reason.
I wonder if any French bike forums have 87,000 posts about how to buy petrol in Britain ?
Bien sure.
In France just now. Used a couple of those unmanned auto fuel stations with my RBS credit card and no issues at all. Brilliant system, wished they had it back in Glasgow
Grim up north.
We have a number of unmanned petrol forecourts here (mainly Asda), or some supermarkets with dedicated pay at pump lanes to separate motorists from grocery shoppers.
MeinMotorrad
Registered user
In France just now. Used a couple of those unmanned auto fuel stations with my RBS credit card and no issues at all. Brilliant system, wished they had it back in Glasgow
You should take a look at this: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/overseas-card-charges. All that soon mounts up.
Deleted account 251212001
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Im getting stung with a fee on every foreign transaction with a halifax mastercard (varying from a few pence to a couple of quid not had a proper look yet) and it doesnt seem to work at those pre pay pumps in italy. Small amounts here and there but agreed it does all add up.
Just back from France and didn’t have any problems with my (Lloyds debit) card in any of the automated pumps I used.
R
R
mcinlb
Registered user
Have you tried the Halifax 'Clarity' card, no charge for foreign transactions...........
Given that Halifax offer several cards, backed by MasterCard, you might need to narrow your gripe down a bit.
http://www.halifax.co.uk/m/credit-cards/clarity/
There is a section of their website explaining, in very dull language, the difference between the various cards they offer and their assorted charges.
Piaf
Registered user
Correct.
I posted this topic on another Forum and thought it would also be pertinent here as a note of caution to those visiting France by car or motorcycle.
Please be aware that when paying for Petrol /Diesel by card there is a possibility that your Bank account will have an amount blocked ( known as a 'Caution' in French) until the transaction has been cleared by the Bank.
The amount varies from Supermarket to Supermarket and can be as much as €500 if you use a pump that dispenses to H.G.V.'s as well as cars .
In our case in 2012 we filled up our Motor bike at a large Supermarket close to the C.W.G. cemetery in Bayeux. We put in €27 worth of petrol on Saturday Lunchtime and in addition had €500 blocked from our account until the following Thursday.
After enquiring at our French and English Banks we were told that this is normal practice and theoretically can happen on each occasion when using a card for purchasing petrol/diesel.
We only became aware of this after having lived in France for ten years, it now happens more frequently and affects French citizens in the same way.
The following link ( in French) is one of many which can be found on the internet concerning this practice which is causing problems.
http://lesmoutonsenr...-sur-le-compte/
And a reply from someone living in Belgium,
It certainly happens in Belgium as well. It seems to be a feature of countries with a large number of 'pay at the pumps' service stations. It's designed to stop those with too little in the way of funds from obtaining a pecuniary advantage.
In theory and in the past, it seemed to be a maximum of about 100 euro and to clear within a few minutes once the final debit has been processed. However, thanks to 'improvements' in the software, it seems to be an increasing feature here for the 'reservation' to remain in place for days, although the money doesn't leave the account. As has been mentioned, if the amount is sufficient to cover a fill-up on a 40-tonner then it can be substantial.
It's the responsibility of the debit card processing companies.
Consumer groups here have been kicking up merry hell about it but only seem to receive the usual mealy-mouthed excuses. It shouldn't be happening in the way it is and officially, it doesn't....but it certainly is in reality...
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