Major problem on Sundays in France

[Wapping]

Just got back as well from 3.5 week in France however took the Volvo and dogs. (700miles to the tank)

I never had any success with the unmanned fuel pumps. As such I haven't tried them for a few years. As for the tolls I use the use a Liber-T telepeage tag (using the French version rather then the UK option). Great system made better by the 30kph option gates.

Tunnel was in mega busy on the Sunday.

So your contribution to this thread is nothing to do with the apparent sudden inability of French petrol pumps to accept ALL British cards at unmanned fuel stations, as you haven't tried for several years. But, plenty to do with a dull report of your holiday in your Volvo, your canine companions and your car's tank range, finishing up with an indication of the Chunnel's crowded state last Sunday.

I'm going out on Friday morning (no dogs, no Volvo, mpg irrelevant) returning the following Monday.... I'll report back in this thread what the queues were like.

 

[billynomates]

Just got back from a week around Troyes 9 bikes not a single problem with any cards.
Im not sure if it makes any difference but I always phone the bank/card suppliers and give them the details and duration of use abroad and use a Thomas Cook prepaid debit card.
Ian

 

[Browny]

The best tip? Use pre-loaded Caxton cards to withdraw cash from ATM's and for settling known 'definite amount' bills, for instance in shops, restaurants, hotels and manned petrol stations. Do not use them in unmanned petrol stations and motorway tolls.

Entirely agree with the above. I've just returned to the uk from France, and had quite a surprise when my pre loaded card was refused at an unmanned petrol station (SuperU). All appeared to be going ok, with the code accepted etc; but then it was rejected and I was unable to obtain fuel. Fortunately, I was able to obtain fuel at the same location by use of a Uk MasterCard.

However, the same preloaded card was used elsewhere to pay for restaurant meals, and at manned fuel stations. Bizarre!!

No problem using the Mastercard at several other unmanned fuel stations, but had absolutely no joy with the preloaded card.

 

[pjm-84]

So your contribution to this thread is nothing to do with the apparent sudden inability of French petrol pumps to accept ALL British cards at unmanned fuel stations, as you haven't tried for several years. But, plenty to do with a dull report of your holiday in your Volvo, your canine companions and your car's tank range, finishing up with an indication of the Chunnel's crowded state last Sunday.

I'm going out on Friday morning (no dogs, no Volvo, mpg irrelevant) returning the following Monday.... I'll report back in this thread what the queues were like.

I've never had any success and therefore ceased trying. If you're saying that some work and some don't then that's all well and good and news to me.

Contribution to the thread.

- Don't rely on unmanned petrol stations
- On Sunday stick to the Autoroutes if you need fuel
- Use a Telepeage Tag system.
- Volvo has a big fuel tank and therefore I can plan my stops so less reliant then a bike.
- Can not take my GSA if I take my dogs. The panniers are not big enough.
- Possible Natwest card issue

 

[patzx12]

I always wait around until a local arrives at the pump and waive cash at them and they have always obliged and filled me up using their card.

 

[Wapping]

I've just returned to the uk from France.....No problem using the Mastercard at several other unmanned fuel stations, but had absolutely no joy with the preloaded card.

Meltdown, clearly postponed.

Four horsemen seen sitting in the shade, talking bollox.

Seven trumpets, turns out to be kid on a kazoo.

 

[Wapping]

I always wait around until a local arrives at the pump and waive cash at them and they have always obliged and filled me up using their card.

When waiting patiently, do you set yourself a time limit according to the weather, day of the week, time of day, distance to be travelled?

 

[Browny]

Meltdown, clearly postponed.

Four horsemen seen sitting in the shade, talking bollox.

Seven trumpets, turns out to be kid on a kazoo.

So you might as well put your feet up and celebrate the occasion with another bouteille....!!

 

[Wapping]

Santé!

 

[snelly]

errr at an unmanned forecourt ?

Most have a provision for notes.

 

[B4ndit]

Just had a couple of weeks in France. Used the credit card for all fuel and didn't have a single problem. Although I did expect it so kept plenty of cash as a back up option. Big stations and small stations. Things seem much better than they ever used to be.

 

[snelly]

We always used to fill up on the sat when went to the Bol,but I thought that was a thing of the past. Saying that , never use my card whilst abroad , call me old fashioned, but I prefer the folding stuff,and keep the card for a real emergency.

 

[Redboots]

I always wait around until a local arrives at the pump and waive cash at them and they have always obliged and filled me up using their card.

That is the top tip.
Second tip is never use any outlets except supermarkets. There you have the best chance of the top tip working and generally a better chance of your card being accepted.
The independents charge up to 12 cents per litre more and the fully automatic sites can be up to 20 cents.

Credit cards are not that common in France, or Germany for that matter. Most have Debit cards.
If I travel to foreign parts from here, I have to tell the bank or an automatic €250 per week limit kicks in for cash withdrawals.

The unmanned pumps in France always set a limit on how much you can spend at a pump... usually €98 to €130. You are usually "debited" that amount, regardless of how much fuel you take. The transaction is debited for the correct amount later... overnight at weekends.

French cards do not have any problems with pumps. Maybe you just need to notify your bank that you will be using it out of country.

I guess the French are still dragging their feet in regards to homologating to the latest chip/PIN technology.

I think you will find that west Europe had them 5/6 years before the UK even trialled them

 

[Toddmeister]

Perhaps they just still haven't forgiven us for Waterloo!

 

[Wapping]

It's amazing how difficult it's becoming going to France and Germany.... And they rip you off at every opportunity.

We'll be out of the EU soon. That'll show 'em.

 

[Nutty]

So your contribution to this thread is nothing to do with the apparent sudden inability of French petrol pumps to accept ALL British cards at unmanned fuel stations, as you haven't tried for several years. But, plenty to do with a dull report of your holiday in your Volvo, your canine companions and your car's tank range, finishing up with an indication of the Chunnel's crowded state last Sunday.

I'm going out on Friday morning (no dogs, no Volvo, mpg irrelevant) returning the following Monday.... I'll report back in this thread what the queues were like.

 

[Straydog]

Only issue I have ever had and I am with NAtwest, is a credit card being blocked strangely in France on one occasion, the bank calls me within 15 minutes and problem sorted.
Friends have had problems with their Barclays cards in Europe, I generally don't have issues unless say you're in Sicily, where credit cards are blocked automatically due to fraud issues.
It also depends on the clearinghouse who accepts the payments, they may have issues with certain banks, or limits or restrictions.. this is sometimes the case.

Belgium has a funny thing, only local cards in some supermarkets and stores... luckily there is an atm never too far away when you're there..

 

[harry]

What on earth is so funny about the increasingly rude, tiresome, and predictable Wapping's reply to that nice man?

 

[littleredrooster]

None now have a provision for notes.

Corrected for you. I don't know when you last visited France, but I haven't seen this facility for about ten years.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I've been riding/driving on the continent for a few years now, sounds like I really need to get with the programme and try one of these automatic pumps, they sound great fun and as of yet I trully haven't ever used one

Andres