Credit cards have long been a popular and convenient way to pay for most things — including filling up at the gas station — and there are benefits to using one at the pump, such as bonus points or cash back on fuel purchases.
However, if you’re not cautious, your tendency to pay for gas with a credit card could end up costing you more money. That’s something Pat Igo of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida recently learned the hard way.
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Igo, like many consumers, had noticed an uptick in gas stations charging more money per gallon for credit card purchases than cash purchases. Making matters worse, some area gas stations are even trying to hide the extra charge for credit cards.
Gas stations are taking advantage
In most states, it’s legal for businesses to impose a surcharge on customers who are paying by credit card. One of those states is Florida.
The only requirement is that businesses must inform customers of those surcharges ahead of time. However, some Florida gas stations are testing that concept to an unfair limit.
Igo told WPTV News that his company, North County Cooling, has a fleet of 12 trucks and fueling them all costs his business about $3,000 per month. He recently went to fill up one of his trucks when he noticed something that shocked him at the pump.
“I noticed this little box at the bottom,” Igo shared with WPTV. “And it didn’t match the price that was out on the street.”
Igo says a small sign on the pump showed that those paying with a credit card would pay $1 more per gallon, so he asked the station’s manager if that was an error. “And he said no,” Igo said. “‘I can make it any number I want.’ And so I walked out.”
Reporter Dave Bohman looked into the matter and found that a number of local gas stations were charging $1 more per gallon for credit card payments than cash. When he started asking questions, two stations dropped the surcharge down to 90 cents per gallon.
Bohman also reached out to consumer attorney Thomas Patti to see if this practice is legal. His response? Yes.
"If they say ‘listen, we’re going to provide you a discount for cash-based services and we’re going to charge you a standard price for a credit card,’ that’s seemingly a lawful way to go about it," said Patti.
The Florida Attorney General’s Office also confirmed to Bohman that the practice is legal. However, Patti confirmed that gas stations must disclose the price differences to consumers — the problem is that some stations don’t advertise the price difference in big print on their street signs. Rather, they post it in small print on the actual pump.
Igo, meanwhile, now makes sure his crews don’t use gas stations that charge $1 more per gallon for credit cards. He also thinks there should be stricter rules in place so that consumers don’t get duped.
“There should be a law showing what they’re going to charge you if you use a credit card,” he said.
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How to avoid overpaying for gas
In 2023, the average U.S. driver spent $2,449 on gas, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If your spending is similar, a few changes could help you save some money at the pump.
First, use apps like GasBuddy to compare gas prices in your area. Secondly, pay attention to price differences at local gas stations and aim to avoid those that impose a credit card surcharge — but don’t just rely on the big signs you can see from the street. Instead, pull up to the pump and read the fine print.
Of course, paying cash is also an option if you want to avoid overspending on gas. But if you have a larger vehicle, it may not always be feasible to carry enough cash on you in order to fill up your tank.
A recent YouGov survey found that Americans prefer to pay for gas using a credit card more than any other method. However, you may not face a surcharge on gas if you pay by debit card, so that could be a reasonable alternative. In addition, YouGov found that debit cards are the second-most preferred payment method for consumers to use at the pump.
It’s also a good idea to try to avoid gas stations at rest stops or along major highways, as you could potentially pay a higher price per gallon for the convenience. Along these lines, keep a close eye on your tank so you’re not forced to fill up at the nearest station just because you’re about to run out of gas.
Finally, the more efficiently you drive your vehicle, the less fuel you’re likely to use. To that end, try not to speed, make sure your tire pressure isn’t too low and consider using cruise control for longer road trips.
With a few tweaks, you can set yourself up to stretch each fill-up and enjoy some savings along the way.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
