There’s a growing trend at gas stations that’s catching some consumers off guard — and it’s a twist on an old trick. If it feels like you’re paying more at the pump lately, depending on how you pay, you’re not imagining things.
Everything Old Is New Again
If you’re old enough to remember, there was a time when gas stations gave a discount for paying with cash. In reality, that just meant you paid extra if you used a credit card. Back then, using cash was common, and credit cards were rare. I still remember the attendant taking a card inside the station and using one of those clunky machines to make an imprint of the card number.
Fast forward to today: paying at the pump with a card is the norm, and paying with cash means you have to go inside — a less convenient and less common option.
Credit Card Fees Add Up — For Stations, Too
Gas stations pay a fee to credit card processors like Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. To offset this cost, many stations charge more when you pay with a credit card. Typically, this surcharge is about 10 cents per gallon — roughly 3%.
But Now? It’s Getting Out of Hand
Some stations are pushing the surcharge much higher — even up to $1 more per gallon for credit card purchases. And the kicker? It’s perfectly legal… as long as the station discloses the pricing difference before you start pumping.
Back in April 2025, a local news report from West Palm Beach uncovered several stations charging significantly more for credit card transactions. (WPTV investigation). They had previously reported on this trend as early as November 2024. The Florida Attorney General’s Office confirmed that the practice is legal in the state — but only if the price difference is disclosed. The problem? Some stations only post that information on a sticker on the pump — not on the large street sign visible to drivers.
What Does the Law Say?
The legality of these surcharges varies by state:
- Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts: Outright bans on credit card surcharges.
- California: As of July 1, 2024, all fees must be included in the listed price.
- Colorado: Surcharges allowed, but capped at 2%.
- New York & Texas: Permitted with strict signage and disclosure requirements.
(Source: Kiplinger)
What Can You Do?
Honestly? Not much.
If you’re hoping there’s some easy way to fight a surprise surcharge at the pump, you’re likely to be disappointed. As long as the price difference between cash and credit is disclosed somewhere before you pump — even if it’s in small print — it’s legal in many states, including Florida.
Ned Bowman, executive director of the Florida Petroleum Marketing Association (which represents 7,000 stations across the state), put it bluntly:
“You have a fair market and a free market,” said Bowman. “You hate to say it, but buyer beware. But if you do get caught up in it, you have the right to never go back there again.”
It’s not exactly comforting, but it’s true: your best weapon is your wallet. If a station uses sneaky pricing practices, don’t reward them with your business. Tell others. Leave a review. Choose a station that’s more transparent — or even better, one that charges the same regardless of payment method.
Some people also use apps like GasBuddy or Upside, which sometimes include payment method information or list stations with better pricing transparency. But even those aren’t always up to date.
So yes — buyer beware. And check the pump before you tap your card.
Should You Pay With Cash?
It’s a fair question. If paying with cash saves you 10 cents (or more) per gallon, should you skip the card?
For many people, probably not.
Besides the convenience of swiping or tapping at the pump — and the fact that fewer people carry cash these days — there’s also the rewards factor. Many credit cards offer bonus points for gas station purchases, making the extra fee worth it (at least when the surcharge is reasonable).
Several popular cards offer 2x, 3x, or even 4x points or cashback at gas stations. If you want to see which cards give the best return, we’ve put together a list of some of the best credit cards to maximize earnings on gas purchases.
As for whether the rewards offset the surcharge? It depends.
NerdWallet crunched the numbers to determine if it’s worth paying the extra 10 cents per gallon — and the answer isn’t always clear-cut. If the surcharge is about 3% and your card earns 3% or more back at gas stations, you’ll likely break even or come out ahead. But if you’re only earning 1.5% back, the fee eats into any potential benefit.
In the end, paying with a card can still make sense — but it pays (literally) to check the math if the surcharge is steep.
Final Thoughts
This is one of those cases where knowledge is power. If you know your local stations, you can easily learn which ones tack on exorbitant credit card fees — and avoid them. But if you’re on the road, low on gas, and have no choice, you’re stuck paying whatever’s on the pump.
The best strategy is to pay attention to signage, check the pump before you start fueling, and, when possible, choose stations that keep their prices fair and transparent.
Want to comment on this post? Great! Read this first to help ensure it gets approved.
Want to sponsor a post, write something for Your Mileage May Vary, or put ads on our site? Click here for more info.
Like this post? Please share it! We have plenty more just like it and would love it if you decided to hang around and sign up to get emailed notifications of when we post.
Whether you’ve read our articles before or this is the first time you’re stopping by, we’re really glad you’re here and hope you come back to visit again!
This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
1 comment
Sneaky bastards