French petrol station - card only?

[1198]

Hi,
The French are now leaning towards automated card payment petrol pumps. While this is great for convenience and speed,its a pain in the wallet as I get charged a couple of pounds handling charge for a foreign card transaction every time. I wouldn't mind too much in a car with a range in the hundreds, but by bike I'm having to stop three or four times a day.
I've been lucky on occasion and found a manned one where I can just hand over Euros, but more often than not now they seem to be the minority, even in towns.
Is there a debit card in the UK which don't charge? Or is it just a 'suck it up Buttercup' thing?

[SophR so good]

https://www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-money/card

Other suppliers are available
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[Matt B]

Nationwide Select credit card if you are eligible has no commission fees.

Prepay cards can often cause issues at unmanned fuels stations and it's something that has been discussed here a lot. It's down to the pump authorising the maximum amount of fuel you could take. Look through the Touring section of the forum.
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[bugeye_bob]

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money

[Polarbear]

[t121anf]

Halifax Clarity
https://www.halifax.co.uk/creditcards/clarity-card/Default.asp

[DrSnoosnoo]

For travel, I use a Creation Everyday card. This has 0 transaction fees while abroad, and the currency is calculated at the day's mastercard rate. Pay the bill off on time and it's free.

The extra benefit is you can also withdraw cash. Pay the balance off immediately, by online banking and again, the conversion is very favourable.
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Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R

[winz]

Halifax Clarity card user here! It's great when abroad if you pay it off in full.
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Current Bikes: BMW K1200S
Previous: Honda CBR929RR, Honda CBR1100XX, Honda CB600F

[Gunhawk]

I used a Sainsbury's pre-pay travel card without any issues in France, Belgium, Lux & Germany earlier in the month, didn't pay for any fuel with cash
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[weasley]

Another Halifax Clarity use here - I got this specifically for use abroad and don't use it for anything else.
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[rubyhorse2]

just got back from France, only came across one petrol station that was unmanned and wouldnt take my credit card so used debit.

all other stations were manned that i came across.

[kawakid]

I'm overseas quite a bit

Get a Caxton card.

Had one for a few years now, when the rates good (Even last year you were getting 1.30), when you load the card.

Then it stays in the card in Euros.

Most of my mates and work colleagues now use this.

------------

Though my barclaycard (Credit) has a low charge rate for use in Euro land, soemthing around 2% off the offical exchange rate, even works for contactless.
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I've a twin and a 4.

[Freddyfruitba...]

Also worth pointing out that exchanging sterling to foreign cash before you travel is not the cheapest way of doing things. You pay commisison or (in the case of "zero commision" deals, receive a loaded exchange rate) and it's far more economical to make overseas purchases with a 'decent' credit card (ie as suggested by others), making sure you use it properly (eg, rejecting Johnny Foreigner's kind advice to convert the cost of your card purchase to sterling on your card 'for your convenience').

Although I always do carry foreign currency when abroad, it's not unusual for me to come home after short trips not having used cash at all (or, if out of the Eurozone) to end up spending it all on the last night's meal out to avoid taking it home).
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KC100->CB100N->CB250RS--------->DL650AL2->R1200RS->R1250RS

[Wobbling Dog]

when i used my current account card in France 2 years ago,my statement showed approx £60 per fill up had been taken from my balance ! When i queried it, the bank said it is quite common with foreign petrol purchases to 'safeguard' the transaction with that amount and given a few days, the corrected amount was finally paid out. Might cause a problem ?

[dodsi]

Another Halifax clarity user here, very happy with using this card. near perfect exchange rate and 0 fee's on transactions or cash withdrawals.

You only pay interest on the cash withdrawals from the time that you withdrew the money so its worth paying these off with online banking as soon as possible. However, in reality it's pennies.

I returned from France last week having driven to Le Mans and back - although there was some sort of motor sport event happening in and around the town when I was there.

Fuel stations I found were manned, preference for a card at pump but there was someone available to hand euros too.

[Tracer1234]

Slightly off topic, but France related. I read somewhere today that you have to carry a breathalyser thing when driving in France. Is this true and if so, does it also include riding in France?
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[BrownTrousers]

[Matt B]

[Copycat73]

and again Halifax Clarity ..
but I do tell them when I`m traveling abroad
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[dodsi]

[iooi]

[rubyhorse2]

there are so many silly rules for riding in france but i've never had any trouble.

Only ever take a hi-vis but this is actually a water proof jacket so doubles as hivis.

Had 3 holidays riding France now and not been stopped once. Had one officer approach me at a petrol station and ask me to turn the bike off as it was too noisy and another one beeped me on a roundabout cos i didnt signal, other than that its been trouble free riding

Has anyone actually had any issues?

[Copycat73]