Self-service petrol payments with Visa
The way you pay for fuel at self-service pumps is changing, making it easier to keep an eye on your finances.
Working with retailers and our payments partners, we are improving the experience at petrol forecourts across the UK. Our innovative payments solution means you can make a quick pit stop to fill up your vehicle without entering the shop and keep control of your budget at the same time.
In the past, when you used a self-service pump to buy fuel, the exact cost would only show up against your account balance one or two days after you filled up. This could make it hard to track your daily spend.
Soon, the way you pay for fuel at self-service pumps will change. When you insert or tap your card at a self -service pump, your bank will temporarily reserve an amount from your available balance while you fill up. This could be up to £120.
But not to worry, once you’ve finished filling up, this will be updated to your bank and you’ll only be charged for the amount you’ve spent.
Before you start filling up, insert your Visa debit or credit card at a self-service pump. The pump will send a funds-check to your bank to reserve an amount. This could be up to £120. This is to check that you have sufficient funds in your account to cover the cost of your fuel.
Your bank will get this check and, depending on the funds available in your account, will either accept the full amount or propose a lower amount.
As soon as you’ve finished filling up, the fuel pump will immediately notify your bank of the actual value of the petrol you’ve purchased. That means your bank is able to update your balance, giving you greater control of your budget.
If your account balance is below £120, for example £50, this would be communicated back to the fuel pump by your bank enabling that amount of fuel to be dispensed. This means the pump will automatically cut out once you have reached the approved amount (or before if you choose to dispense less). This is called ‘partial authorisation’ and ensures you can get the fuel you need.
You can buy fuel with your Visa card at automated pumps across the UK. In fact, if you’re filling up at some supermarket service stations, you might find that all pumps are automated.
The new pay at pump process is already live at many petrol stations across the UK and has been for some time. It's a convenient way to pay for fuel and is already used in most petrol stations across Europe, too.
If you are using a mobile banking app then you may see two pending transactions, the funds check amount and then the actual amount. The funds check will not leave your account and you will only be charged the amount displayed on the pump when you finish. If this is not the case, then please contact your bank.
There is no charge to use pay at pump. When you insert or tap your card at a self-service pump, your bank will temporarily reserve an amount from your available balance while you fill up. This could be up to a maximum of £120 but each retailer may request a lower amount. Once you’ve finished filling up, the petrol pump will immediately notify your bank of the actual value of the petrol you’ve purchased and your bank will be able to update your balance right away.
A hold has not been placed on any funds in your account. When you pay at pump, your bank will temporarily reserve an amount from your available balance while you fill up. This could be up to a maximum of £120 but each retailer may request a lower amount. Once you’ve finished filling your vehicle, the petrol pump will immediately notify your bank of the actual value of the petrol you’ve purchased and your bank will be able to update your balance right away. This should happen in real-time. Please contact your bank if this is not the case.