Buying gas in the USA - Zip Code

Last time I wanted to fill up a car with when visiting the USA, the petrol(gas!) pump would ask me to insert my credit card and enter my zip code.

As, being a UK resident I don't have a zip code, I could never do this, and I used to have to give my card to the attendant and ask them to release the pump.

Is there any other way to bypass this problem, given that I want to pay by a UK credit (or debit) card?

Reply to
Michael Chare
Loading thread data ...

Use 20500-0001

Reply to
Huge

I lived in the US for 30 years until November 2010, and never found this, despite travelling to many States, so it must be something new. I would suggest contacting some of the major suppliers and asking them, to see if they have any suggestions. Maybe it's just one or two suppliers, or possibly a local thing. Good luck. These things have a way of being "beyond our control", especially to the guy behind the window.

Reply to
Davey

I would imagine the reason for asking is an anti-fraud measure ... I've had some web payment gateways check me by asking for *my* postcode, and the postcode the card bills get sent to. I suspect an incorrect answer would lead to the card being declined.

Sadly a lot of USians just forget about the other 95% of the world when it comes to a lot of things. Even if you can find a US company that ships overseas (in itself a rarity) it's not uncommon to discover their web forms don't have a "Country" option.

Reply to
Jethro_uk

What's even more common is US companies - and some so called UK ones using US software - demanding a county as part of the address. Which is irrelevant for much of the UK.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

Its all about tracking and they will tell you security, but who knows. Brian

Reply to
Brian Gaff

Come on, it's worse when UK companies demand "state".

Reply to
polygonum

you can also tell if it's US software by the word "Expiration". We tend to say "Expiry".

Reply to
charles

I notice that the software used by DPD and Interlink is probably US- derived.

My package spent part of last night at their "sortation facility". You wonder if GW Bush was involved.

Reply to
Bob Eager

Quite - although it's obvious when it's simply changed to county.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

Get those London centric blinkers off again Dave.

Most of the UK *is* in a County. What is more annoying is asking for a "state" or "City". B-)

Reply to
Dave Liquorice

Pissed?

Reply to
Onetap

Speak for yourself! :-)

Reply to
polygonum

Or when UK companies ask for your country and United Kingdom is right at the bottom of the drop-down list. It wouldn't take much to put it at the top.

Reply to
Mentalguy2k8

Or when a DVD offers you a language menu, and it's on the last of about five pages.

Reply to
Ivan Dobsky

I had this a few times when on holiday last year in CA but it was no problem. The attendant always sorted it out. They are starting to believe that there is life outside of the US of A

24Hr places usually have a pump that accepts notes.
Reply to
Bob Minchin

Most of London is in a county too.

Reply to
harry

They are buggered when they come over here with unchipped cards.

Reply to
harry

no they aren't, they just sign - as we used to.

Reply to
charles

Comes from starting with "U"!

(as a shortcut, just click the dropdown, then hit U a few times until its selected (it will cycle thorough all the "U"s in sequence))

Reply to
John Rumm

HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.