$100 Gas Gift Cards | Give the Gift of Fuel & Savings on the Road

1. The Recommended Way: Pay Inside

Paying inside the convenience store is the most reliable way to use the full value of a gas gift card and avoid pre-authorization issues.

1. Go Inside First: Before pumping gas, go inside the station.

2. Tell the Cashier: Tell the cashier which pump number you are at and that you want to put $\text{100.00} on that pump using the gift card.

3. Swipe the Card: Hand your gas gift card to the cashier for them to swipe or process.

4. Pump Your Gas: Go outside and pump your gas. The pump is now authorized for up to $100.

5. Stop Pumping: Once the amount reaches your desired fill level (or exactly $100.00 to use the full balance), stop the pump and hang up the nozzle. You do not need to go back inside unless you bought other items.

Note: If you only pump $85.00, the remaining $15.00 stays on your gift card for future use.

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2. Using the Gift Card at the Pump

You can use the gift card directly at the fuel pump, but you need to be aware of a potential issue with pre-authorization holds.

The Pre-Authorization Issue

Gas pumps are designed to check a card for a certain amount—often $75.00 to $175.00—before they let you pump gas. This is called a pre-authorization hold.

• If your gift card only has a $100 balance, but the station’s policy is to hold $150.00, your card will likely be declined at the pump, even though you only intend to pump less than $100.

At-the-Pump Steps (Use with Caution)

1. Swipe the Card: Insert or swipe your gas gift card at the pump terminal, just like a credit card.

2. Follow Prompts: Follow any on-screen prompts (like selecting your fuel grade).

3. Wait for Authorization: Wait for the pump to authorize the card.

4. Pump Gas: Begin pumping. The pump will stop automatically once the limit of the gas station’s pre-authorization (or the card’s balance) is reached.

Tip: If you have a specific gas station chain gift card (like Shell or BP), you may be able to link it to their mobile app and pay directly through the app, which often bypasses the large pre-authorization holds.

3. Using the Card for Other Items

Your $100 gas gift card can almost always be used inside the convenience store to purchase:

• Snacks, drinks, and coffee

• Car washes

• Auto supplies (oil, wiper fluid, etc.)