Drivers using pay-at-pump services at supermarkets and other petrol stations are being warned about a pre-authorisation charge of up to £100. The practice, introduced gradually since 2021, checks the card's available balance before fuel is dispensed, reserving up to £100 temporarily.
Major supermarkets including Sainsbury's, Tesco, Morrisons, and Asda have adopted or are planning to adopt the new system. The pre-authorisation is an industry change mandated by Visa and Mastercard, designed to ensure customers have sufficient funds to cover the cost of fuel.
Unlike the previous active card check, which reserved only £1, the new check reserves up to £100, though the amount is not taken from the account. It is released immediately after the exact amount of fuel is charged. Banking apps may show the reservation, but it does not result in a charge.
The change means customers with basic bank accounts, prepaid cards, or non-mainstream bank cards can now use pay-at-pump services. However, those concerned about the temporary hold can avoid it by paying inside the petrol station, as advised by Morrisons on its website.
A Mastercard spokesperson told Express.co.uk that the temporary hold is applied before pumping, and the precise sum is withdrawn after fuel is dispensed, with any remaining hold released. Visa confirmed that there is no charge for using pay-at-pump, only a funds check, and customers are charged only the amount shown on the pump.
