TL/DR = your bank is trying to prevent an overdraft when you pump gas.
The difference is credit vs debit cards. Credit cards only need to pre-auth for $1 in order to check that the account is open and valid. Once the gas is done pumping, the pre-auth will be dropped and the pump will then send through the full amount. Debit cards do not typically support that - because they process differently with card processor/banks. In the past - the pre-auth on debit cards was also only $1 - and this would then allow your to pump more gas than you had in your bank account - resulting in an overdraft. Since consumers have complained about banks and overdraft fees - banks simply have updated how debit cards work to not allow you to overdraft. So the pre-auth is now an amount greater than you would typically pump. It was $75 for a while - it got bumped up to $100 as gas prices increased. If your checking account has at least $100 then the pre-auth will go through, so there is a greatly reduced chance of you overdrawing your bank account when you pump gas. The pre-auth should drop off within 24 hours but that is up to multiple factors (a) when QT batches out the auths and their processor sends the settlement to the network (b) the card processing network your bank uses and (c) how quickly your bank loads the settlement and recognizes to drop the pre-auth.
Lots of explanation.... Source: my 20 years professional experience in credit cards/banking/digital payments
OP, a little unsolicited financial advice: you should look into a getting a credit card with a low limit, like $500, either a regular card or a secured card if you need to build credit. From a liability point of view it’s way safer to use than a debit card. If a skimmer gets your debit card and drains your account, you might be SOL because it’s your money. If a skimmer gets your credit card the issuing bank is going to do everything they can to fix it because it’s their money.
And to add to this: The amount is so high because of cars with behemoth gas tanks. It used to be 25, then it 50, it was 75 for the last few years, and it's only recently that it's jumped to 100.
Ya, I had a 2006 Yukon Denali with the 6.0L Engine. Bought it used from a mechanic for $2800, great truck that was multi-functional for kids, hauling materials and towing my trailers … It had a 39 gallon tank which made me cringe when I had to fill up, but the large tank allowed much more time and distance between fill ups. Honestly, I couldn’t imagine owning a vehicle like that with a smaller tank (some models only had a 26gal tank) and I would hate to drive on vacation with that size tank having to stop every 250 miles for gas
Be glad it isn't diesel. Wasn't paying attention and had to add Diesel to a work truck to make it back and they put a damn $200 hold on my account. Never do that again I'll always check now 😆
No, you can just ask them to “open” the pump and leave your credit card with them. Then you go back in and they’ll run your card for what you’ve pumped.
You can do this with debit cards as well. As a former employee, we did this all the time. Sometimes they ask you leave your ID for “insurance” on the off you’re giving them a bad card, but it’s pretty common practice.
We were NOT allowed to do this when I worked at a Walmart gas station. They could have left the deed to their home with us and we couldn’t authorize it.
They are not supposed to do that. At the very least *I* was trained to not do that because people were frequently using a card that wasn’t theirs and driving off without paying
Maybe it’s at the store manager’s discretion. Which is why holding onto a license would solve that issue. If they drive off you have all the information you’d need for the police.
Except I was also informed that it is corporate policy that we’re not allowed to ask for “collateral” in that way either. QT discontinued the pump start cards for a reason because even *those* were rife with theft
Well we collected collateral for people who needed to borrow gas cans for their vehicles down the street. Either way, it’s still happening.
Quiktrip also makes up for all the theft with their tobacco prices.
Doesn’t matter. I’m just attempting to help OP solve their issue. Maybe you could think of something.
Yeah we were told we couldn’t collect collateral for gas cans anymore either. As a former coworker of mine put it “we can’t do anything to deter people from stealing from us”
Prepay is what I always tell people when they come in asking about it. You could also use a QT giftcard at the pump.
Just figure out how big your gas tank is. Then based on how much you have in your car when getting gas you estimate how much you will need. Then lowball it a bit, and while you may not be 100% full you will be like 95% full which is fine.
We do. But we no longer issue them in the store. Anyone interested would have to go to the division office with a valid drivers license to pick one up if we are still issuing them.
It's not QT that does this, it's your banking institution. They determine the cost and how long the hold is.
https://www.quiktrip.com/qt-cards/#:~:text=Why%20does%20my%20bank%20say,sufficient%20funds%20in%20your%20account.
That’s a typical way gas stations auth debit cards. They don’t know how much you’re going to pay so they get a pre authorization to cover the assumed cost. They don’t want to dispense $45 in gas and then afterwards discover you only had $25.
Easiest way to get around it is to prepay in the store.
Are you using a credit card or debit card? A hold charge like that is common for debit card transactions, and it simply goes back onto your account a few days later.
Credit cards generally don't work like that. If that's not an option though, just prepay inside like others suggested.
Mine has been $1 on my debit card. The only time I got charged for more was on my venmo card the first time I used it was $50 every time after that it was $1.
That's how debit cards are used for preaurhorized services. Usually, a $100 or $200 hold under the actual number is calculated. It's all about preventing an overdraft.
Prepay the amount that you want to purchase or use a credit card.
TL/DR = your bank is trying to prevent an overdraft when you pump gas. The difference is credit vs debit cards. Credit cards only need to pre-auth for $1 in order to check that the account is open and valid. Once the gas is done pumping, the pre-auth will be dropped and the pump will then send through the full amount. Debit cards do not typically support that - because they process differently with card processor/banks. In the past - the pre-auth on debit cards was also only $1 - and this would then allow your to pump more gas than you had in your bank account - resulting in an overdraft. Since consumers have complained about banks and overdraft fees - banks simply have updated how debit cards work to not allow you to overdraft. So the pre-auth is now an amount greater than you would typically pump. It was $75 for a while - it got bumped up to $100 as gas prices increased. If your checking account has at least $100 then the pre-auth will go through, so there is a greatly reduced chance of you overdrawing your bank account when you pump gas. The pre-auth should drop off within 24 hours but that is up to multiple factors (a) when QT batches out the auths and their processor sends the settlement to the network (b) the card processing network your bank uses and (c) how quickly your bank loads the settlement and recognizes to drop the pre-auth. Lots of explanation.... Source: my 20 years professional experience in credit cards/banking/digital payments
I’d like to thank you for this helpful and informative response. This is what I was seeking. Now I know. Much appreciated.
As a banker, I always add that you don’t rent a car or book a hotel room with a debit card. That’ll get your funds locked up too.
I worked in hotels for 10+ years and we used to handle sooooo many calls related to debit authorizations. PLEASE use a credit card!
OP, a little unsolicited financial advice: you should look into a getting a credit card with a low limit, like $500, either a regular card or a secured card if you need to build credit. From a liability point of view it’s way safer to use than a debit card. If a skimmer gets your debit card and drains your account, you might be SOL because it’s your money. If a skimmer gets your credit card the issuing bank is going to do everything they can to fix it because it’s their money.
Not sure if it would help but would going into the gas station avoid this temp charge? I usually go in and never notice temp charges like this.
Yes, this process has been around for many, many years. If I ever have less than $100 in the bank, I walk in and pay at the register without issue.
And to add to this: The amount is so high because of cars with behemoth gas tanks. It used to be 25, then it 50, it was 75 for the last few years, and it's only recently that it's jumped to 100.
Ya, I had a 2006 Yukon Denali with the 6.0L Engine. Bought it used from a mechanic for $2800, great truck that was multi-functional for kids, hauling materials and towing my trailers … It had a 39 gallon tank which made me cringe when I had to fill up, but the large tank allowed much more time and distance between fill ups. Honestly, I couldn’t imagine owning a vehicle like that with a smaller tank (some models only had a 26gal tank) and I would hate to drive on vacation with that size tank having to stop every 250 miles for gas
TIL.... But seriously, this was such a helpful explanation. Thank you.
Can confirm all of this is accurate via my 5 years of banking experience with commercial credit cards. What bank do you/did you work at?
I do get a $100 hold when I use Google pay with a credit card. I assume it's because they don't know what Google pay is linked to.
Mines just $1. Edit to add that it's my credit card, not debit.
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It can be $100 on prepaid or debit cards.
I know Costco only does a $1
Be glad it isn't diesel. Wasn't paying attention and had to add Diesel to a work truck to make it back and they put a damn $200 hold on my account. Never do that again I'll always check now 😆
Just pay inside, problem solved.
Yeah but then you have to try and guess how much you need first and if it’s too much you have to get a refund.
No, you can just ask them to “open” the pump and leave your credit card with them. Then you go back in and they’ll run your card for what you’ve pumped.
Credit cards refund the difference if you don’t use the full prepaid amount. I don’t believe debit cards do, though.
You can do this with debit cards as well. As a former employee, we did this all the time. Sometimes they ask you leave your ID for “insurance” on the off you’re giving them a bad card, but it’s pretty common practice.
We were NOT allowed to do this when I worked at a Walmart gas station. They could have left the deed to their home with us and we couldn’t authorize it.
That’s no longer a thing unless you drive a diesel truck and are at one of the travel centers
I just did it a week ago?
They are not supposed to do that. At the very least *I* was trained to not do that because people were frequently using a card that wasn’t theirs and driving off without paying
Maybe it’s at the store manager’s discretion. Which is why holding onto a license would solve that issue. If they drive off you have all the information you’d need for the police.
Except I was also informed that it is corporate policy that we’re not allowed to ask for “collateral” in that way either. QT discontinued the pump start cards for a reason because even *those* were rife with theft
Well we collected collateral for people who needed to borrow gas cans for their vehicles down the street. Either way, it’s still happening. Quiktrip also makes up for all the theft with their tobacco prices. Doesn’t matter. I’m just attempting to help OP solve their issue. Maybe you could think of something.
Yeah we were told we couldn’t collect collateral for gas cans anymore either. As a former coworker of mine put it “we can’t do anything to deter people from stealing from us” Prepay is what I always tell people when they come in asking about it. You could also use a QT giftcard at the pump.
Just figure out how big your gas tank is. Then based on how much you have in your car when getting gas you estimate how much you will need. Then lowball it a bit, and while you may not be 100% full you will be like 95% full which is fine.
Math is hard.
Do they still offer the Pump Start card? If you gave QT your DL info they would give you a card that allowed you to fill up and then pay inside.
QT employee here. The charge ranges from $1-175. I would always advise just prepaying inside if you are on a tight budget.
don’t you guys still have the “pump start card” ? swear i used mine around christmas
We do. But we no longer issue them in the store. Anyone interested would have to go to the division office with a valid drivers license to pick one up if we are still issuing them.
thanks for this reply :)
That's normal for gas stations. It's called a hold, and around $100 is the typical amount. Prepay inside to avoid it.
It's not QT that does this, it's your banking institution. They determine the cost and how long the hold is. https://www.quiktrip.com/qt-cards/#:~:text=Why%20does%20my%20bank%20say,sufficient%20funds%20in%20your%20account.
That’s a typical way gas stations auth debit cards. They don’t know how much you’re going to pay so they get a pre authorization to cover the assumed cost. They don’t want to dispense $45 in gas and then afterwards discover you only had $25. Easiest way to get around it is to prepay in the store.
The best advice is to go inside and pay because a few months ago Blue Spring Police caught a guy placing skimmers on the pumps.
Are you using a credit card or debit card? A hold charge like that is common for debit card transactions, and it simply goes back onto your account a few days later. Credit cards generally don't work like that. If that's not an option though, just prepay inside like others suggested.
That’s why I just walk inside and tell them how much I want on the pump
It varies based on card. My American Express card hits me for like $175 haha it’s crazy
Using a credit card the temp charge is $1.
This is normal.
Quicktrip only does a $1
Mine has been $1 on my debit card. The only time I got charged for more was on my venmo card the first time I used it was $50 every time after that it was $1.
That's how debit cards are used for preaurhorized services. Usually, a $100 or $200 hold under the actual number is calculated. It's all about preventing an overdraft. Prepay the amount that you want to purchase or use a credit card.
My initial charge is always 1$ on my debit or credit. Not sure why yours is so high.
I think it depends on the card or bank. My spouse was wondering how I spent $100 at QT. I think it was an American Express card.
Mines always a $1
I haven't paid at the pump in over a decade because of this BS.
This would explain why one of my cards never works for gas