825 posts
This happens sometimes. The card reader at the petrol pump does not « communicate » in real time with the bank, so initially a withdrawal in the magnitude of a maximum refill of a large tank is made. Things should be sorted out within a few hours. So don’t panic.
The next time obtain a receipt (insert your card again in the card reader), or, even better, use public transport.
6279 posts
Hi Dilu,
I’m sorry you had this happened during your travel.
My guess is it’s probably a glitch like what Snowman mentioned. You should check with your credit card issuer, and see if there have been similar complaints from other customers.
I hope you will get this sorted out somehow. Sorry I’m not much of a help 🙁
Anna
72625 posts
From my experiences the money will credit back to your card with in a couple days. 150 CHF – (15*1.59) = 126.15 CHF.
7567 posts
I ran into exactly the same phenomenon at a gas station (Tankstelle) in Brienz a year or two ago. Saw the charge on line, but, by the time my statement issued for the month, it was fixed.
Slowpoke
72625 posts
Hello Dilu,
I am sorry about your experience with Swiss gas stations. However, don’t worry, this is standard procedure for self-service gas stations in Switzerland. Give it a day or so to check back with your credit card again. You should be able to see the actual amount of gas you purchased on your card and the 150CHF should already be credited on your credit card.
I would suggest in the future if you need to get gas, try to find a gas station that has an attendant that can process your purchase- that way they just charge the actual amount. The only thing you need to remember is which pump you were at when they ask you, and they confirm the amount of gas purchased.
I hope that helps!
Best regards,
Suzanne
80 posts
Hi,
this is normal. The credit card reserves 150 chf on starting to pump to allow you to fill up and to make sure you have enough credit. Similar as the hotels do to make sure you do not rob the mini bar.
The actual amount is what the pump shows when you finished.
On new card like revolut you instantly see this, with the traditional monthly bill, this would go unnoticed.
Traveling Switzerland by train saves you from such surprises 😉
Have a nice trip.
Lothar
82 posts
Hi,
This happens to me in Gstaad this summer, even in a petrol station with several attendants. Fortunately, I was staying in Gstaad for a few more days when I found out about the large charge. The manager was quite perplexed, and made several calls to ascertain the error, but assured me they would get to the bottom of it. It was as the other commenters suggested and fixed on my account within a few days.