AA Spend and Eran Card at Pay-at-pump?

Chrisblue1962

Hi, I recently signed up for an AA spend and Earn prepaid Credit card for use with my train travel and petrol purchases. This way, I am able to transfer my whole month's travel budget onto the card and know that I've always got enough money to get to work .

However, yesterday, I tried to use the card at a Tesco petrol station using the Pay-at-pump facility and the card was refused.

Has anyone else had the same problem at pay-at-pump facilities, Tesco or elsewhere for that matter?

Ben8282

No but I have heard it can happen. I think it is connected to the way the pump pre-authorises the transaction.

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

Chrisblue1962 wrote: »

Hi, I recently signed up for an AA spend and Earn prepaid Credit card...

Just a slight aside, if I may. I've heard of Prepaid Cards and I've heard of Credit Cards but what's the advantage of a Prepaid Credit Card? It sounds like an oxymoron.

agrinnall

As you say, prepaid and credit is an oxymoron, the Spend and Earn card is a straightforward prepaid card.

http://www.theaa.com/prepaid-card/index.html

"Simply load the card with funds and then use it in the same way as you would a debit card for your everyday shopping, earning AA Reward Points on all purchases, including double points on motoring" [my highlighting]

OP, I can't see anything to suggest that it can't be used for pay-at-pump transactions, so it might be worth calling their customer services (0845 872 0822 or 0207 096 9457) to get a definitive answer - let us know what you find out.

Plxply

It is normally related to the way the money is authorised. When you use Pay@Pump it will typically attempt to pre-authorise a large amount I've heard £70 to £90 and if you haven't got that money available on the prepaid card then it will be declined. Another thing is that prepaid cards are often "online authentication" meaning that the terminal must contact the issuer to check the balance available, if the terminal is unable to contact your issuer (for example if it doesn't have an internet connection/phone line) then the card will be declined.

Rather than you using a prepaid card is it possible to open a second current account and transfer your monthly allowance to that? You will normally get much better features and prepaid cards often come with charges.

Chrisblue1962

" OP, I can't see anything to suggest that it can't be used for pay-at-pump transactions, so it might be worth calling their customer services (0845 872 0822 or 0207 096 9457) to get a definitive answer - let us know what you find out. "

I may give them a call this evening. Will let you know any useful information obtained.

"Rather than you using a prepaid card is it possible to open a second current account and transfer your monthly allowance to that? You will normally get much better features and prepaid cards often come with charges."

I have two basic bank accounts, cannot open a normal current account due to a less than perfect credit history and a DMP.

jonnyenglish

Why don't you want to use one of your basic bank accounts to hold your monthly travel budget?

The only benefits I have found between holding a current account against a basic bank account is that you are allowed to go overdrawn and have a cheque book facility. Neither of these benefits are available with prepaid credit cards anyway and most basic bank accounts do not charge any fees for simple day-to-day transactions.

agrinnall

jonnyenglish wrote: »

Why don't you want to use one of your basic bank accounts to hold your monthly travel budget?

The only benefits I have found between holding a current account against a basic bank account is that you are allowed to go overdrawn and have a cheque book facility. Neither of these benefits are available with prepaid credit cards anyway and most basic bank accounts do not charge any fees for simple day-to-day transactions.

I would assume that the OP's basic account comes with an ATM card but not a debit card, so therefore couldn't be used for train travel and petrol purchases. Although it's not clear why cash couldn't be used for those anyway (obviously not pay-at-pump).

Gromitt

The benefit is that the AA Prepaid card gives you cashback (1% on fuel if your also an AA member).

The credit card version gives you 2% cash back, assuming the same conditions. So I use this one and pay it off at the end of the month.

But if the OP can't or doesn't want to use a CC, then the PP varient is the next best thing.

Road_Hog

agrinnall wrote: »

I would assume that the OP's basic account comes with an ATM card but not a debit card, so therefore couldn't be used for train travel and petrol purchases. Although it's not clear why cash couldn't be used for those anyway (obviously not pay-at-pump).

Basic bank accounts usually come with a debit card. But they're different to ordinary bank accounts, they're Electron or similar and they don't do the pre-authorisation thing because you're not allowed to go overdrawn.

I think the pay at the pump (and all similar) just check your card is working and try a minimum £1 authorisation. They know the bank will pay the money even if you go overdrawn, because they will chase the customer. The basic bank accounts refuse this and only allow a charge for whatever the bill is for and if there isn't sufficient funds (when you get to the kiosk) then they will decline the transaction, leaving the retailer to deal with the motorist, who now has a tank of fuel but perhaps no means to pay for it.

Gromitt

Road_Hog wrote: »

leaving the retailer to deal with the motorist, who now has a tank of fuel but perhaps no means to pay for it.

Had this before when the card reader thingy wasn't working - it said "Pay at kiosk" and then I found the card reader wasn't working at the kiosk either. I just had to sign a form saying I would pay the agreed amount within 7 days. I assume if you refused to pay, it would then be reported as theft, and your not likely to get away with it considering they have photographic evidence of you and your vehicle.