FabSwingers.com forum: Using UK bank cards

By *eachcpl OP Couple
over a year ago

blackpool/preston/normandy france

Anyone travelling into France in their vehicles should be aware of something that is happening here in this area of Normandy. Not sure if it is happening elsewhere in France.

If you use a UK bank card to buy fuel the petrol station is taking a minimum charge of 120 euros from your card regardless of how much fuel you take. The remainder of the 120 euros is being paid back into your bank account 4 to 5 working days later, once your bank has basically paid for your fuel costs and it has been received in France. It seems that the normal practices that used to be in place have been stopped. Our local garage owner told us it was to do with brexit as French banks can no longer know you are good for an immediate transaction so are taking 120 euros as a standard charge. If your card does not allow that much then the card is rejected and you cannot draw any fuel.

This is happening at all the fuel stations in this area.

This does not happen on any other cards than UK ones.

Be warned as you could find yourselves seriously overdrawn very quickly and not getting the balance back into your account for nearly a week.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Anyone travelling into France in their vehicles should be aware of something that is happening here in this area of Normandy. Not sure if it is happening elsewhere in France.

This is happening at all the fuel stations in this area.

This does not happen on any other cards than UK ones.

Be warned as you could find yourselves seriously overdrawn very quickly and not getting the balance back into your account for nearly a week.

It is happening in some petrol stations in U.K. too - £99. Mostly seems to be the ones attached to supermarkets, like Sainsbury’s.

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By *istalloverCouple
over a year ago

Pays de la Loire -Normandie -Brittany borderFrance

It's common practice in Mayenne 53 too.

,and the limit varies 99 euro to 250 .but the difference is returned in a few days.

Best way to avoid this is to buy your fuel from the manned supermarket stations during daytime hours and you will only pay for what you put in.

Hope this helps

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By *uietlykinkymeWoman
over a year ago

kinky land

This changed a while ago. Seems the automated machines only charged the card £1 then allowed fuel to dispense.

Now they charge more to the card and it covers the cost of a full tank.

You only actually get debited the amount you spend though

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By *ot Wife BeckyCouple
over a year ago

Torrox Costa Spain

We don't use our UK cards for fuel, but it's normal to get a message on the screen after you punch in your pin saying that you can fill up to a max of €120.

Not saying you're wrong as we only use our French cards, but has anyone actually checked to see if they are being debited €120 and getting a refund for the balance..?

We certainly only pay for the fuel used when on a bank card.

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By *eachcpl OP Couple
over a year ago

blackpool/preston/normandy france

We never use UK cards so it is not a problem for us but our friend used a UK card and had the problem. When she got back home (in France) she checked her UK account and it had debited 120 euros. The remainder was put back in her account 4 days later.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

This is common practice in France and has been for a number of years.

I run motorcycle tours for UK motorcyclists and this is always a problem especially on a motorcycle where a full tank costs about 25€.

It is something to be aware of.

It also happen in other European countries and the UK service stations intended to do the same but there was so much bad press about it that they reneged.

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By *amissCouple
over a year ago

chelmsford

The rules have been changed by the card companies and applies to all supermarket, pay at pump services.

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By *rFunBoyMan
over a year ago

Longridge

ASDA had signs warning when using a Debit card for less than £20 around 18 months ago and unsure if still present to say they would Authorise £20 and the difference was to be paid back later.

Not sure if it was stopped as effects those with little funds and only access to Debit cards and not seen it happen on Credit Cards, only Debit.

I caught someone late at night Authorising all the pumps at a Tesco and then filling many cars and petrol cans. By chance a police car was at the store and when told him, he shot over to the petrol station and arrested them all.

It appeared they had stolen a card and used it simultaneously at as many pumps as they could as by the time the transactions hit the bank and triggered fraud prevention, it would be too late. They managed to draw over £1500 in fuel from multiple pumps.

Noticed now at ASDA that only one pump at a time per card can be Authorised and must be to prevent this.

They will be taking the full value as a Debit card only transfers funds on completion of the sale which a pump does not know the value until finished. It leaves retailers wide open as what happens once finished and not enough funds in the account to cover. Hence your situ in France.

Have you tried a Credit Card?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It's happening in the UK as well.it is to stop the £1 scam.

If you have no Money in your bank.the garage used to take £1 then you fill up even if you had £5in your bank.in other words taking goods without the means to pay.

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By *erwyn55Man
over a year ago

South Manchester

I use Starling debit card and I get a text with amount taken before the transaction is printed out

It gives Sterling conversion, while paying in Euros with no conversion charge or foreign use charge

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By *alisburycplCouple
over a year ago

Salisbury

"I use Starling debit card and I get a text with amount taken before the transaction is printed out

It gives Sterling conversion, while paying in Euros with no conversion charge or foreign use charge"

We do as well.

Excellent!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I use Starling debit card and I get a text with amount taken before the transaction is printed out

It gives Sterling conversion, while paying in Euros with no conversion charge or foreign use charge"

Yes I have Starling as well - I originally opened it for travel in India but now use more than my main account. I have a personal and business account and a Euro Account I can pay all my bills in France with. Fab customer service too.

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By *erwyn55Man
over a year ago

South Manchester

Should be Beziersish around the same time .. drop me a line if interested…. Can play very straight as required

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By *rivateshooter2Man
over a year ago

Stoke

"I use Starling debit card and I get a text with amount taken before the transaction is printed out

It gives Sterling conversion, while paying in Euros with no conversion charge or foreign use charge"

Starling is brill. You are advised of spend within minutes and the shock ' You have spent 120 Euros at Leclerc' is quickly rectified.

Don't use anything else. Great service.

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