Us zip code cc automated machines

reclusive46

I'm going over to the US and I know that alot of their paypumps and other automated machines it asks for a ZIP code. What should I put when using my normal uk card?

reclusive46

Anyone have any idea?

Enterprise_1701C

I personally would use the one for where I was staying.

jackieblack

We have never got any machines at gas station pumps to accept our cards.
We gave up after the first few trips and now we just pay at the counter.

TadleyBaggie

Jane_Blackford wrote: »

I personally would use the one for where I was staying.

I don't think that would work, the point of enteriing the ZIP code is that it has to match the ZIP code on record for the holder.

Voyager2002

Two things you can try:

Contact your credit card provider, and change your statement address to your address in the USA;
Join something like 'verified by visa'.

agrinnall

How would Verified by Visa work at a petrol pump? I've never seen one of these that requires a zip code, is it clever enough to allow you to enter a VbV password?

GunJack

play it safe and pay at the counter....don't start trying to mess with changing your address details and stuff like that..

eddddy

Hi reclusive

A quick google suggests that Canadians driving in the US have the same problem (i.e. they dont have Zip codes in Canada either), and there's a lot of internet discussion about it - but a lot of it is conflicting.

But based on that, here are some suggestions:

1) If you use a debit card (rather than a credit card), it seems you will be asked for a PIN instead of a Zip code. I guess this also works for a UK debit card. (I know that I can withdraw cash at US ATMs with a UK debit card and PIN)

2) Whilst all pumps request Zip codes, only some of them actually validate them. So at some pumps you might get away with a Zip code of "11111" etc. (But more and more are adding validation.)

3) The following link suggests that you can put cash on a Walmart Gift card, and then use it to pay at the pump: http://www.orlandovillas.com/florida_guide/us-gas-petrol-stations-and-filling-your-car.aspx

If you can't pay at the pump, there's also discussion about having to pre-pay the cashier with your credit card - and also some dodgy practices like having to leave your credit card with the cashier while you're filling up, or the cashier making a big charge on your card before they let you fill up, then refunding the difference. (I wonder if this general practice in the US, or only in high-crime areas.)



Let us know if you have any luck with these, or other ideas.

eddddy

bengalknights

Sometimes 00000 or the numbers of your postcode work ie 000??

eddddy

bengalknights wrote: »

Sometimes 00000 or the numbers of your postcode work ie 000??

From what I've read, these are just pumps that don't do validation. They are not really checking your postcode - you could have keyed in any numbers.