The way we pay for fuel at supermarkets and pay-at-pump fuel stations is about to change.
Drivers all over the UK will face a 'hold charge' at these outlets, which will see retailers place a temporary charge on customers' payment cards.
It's in a bid to ensure that each customer has enough money to cover the transaction - and the charge could be up to £100.
After the payment has been taken for the petrol purchase, customers will be refunded the difference back onto their credit or debit card, Wales Online reports.
The change has been tested out at select UK petrol stations and will soon be rolled out to the whole country, as payment companies Visa and Mastercard update their policies.
Visa has said that it had brought in the change to help customers "keep an eye on [their] finances] - and Mastercard will follow suit.
A statement on the Visa website explains: "The way you pay for fuel at self-service pumps is changing, making it easier to keep an eye on your finances. Working with retailers and our payments partners, we are improving the experience at petrol forecourts across the UK.
"Our innovative payments solution means you can make a quick pit stop to fill up your vehicle without entering the shop and keep control of your budget at the same time."
In the past, self-service petrol stations would show the exact cost against your account balance one or two days after you filled up - which made it difficult for people to keep track of their daily spends.
Visa's statement continues: "Soon, the way you pay for fuel at self-service pumps will change. When you insert or tap your card at a self-service pump, your bank will temporarily reserve an amount from your available balance while you fill up.
"This could be up to £100. But not to worry, once you've finished filling up, this will be updated to your bank and you'll only be charged for the amount you’ve spent."
How does the new system work?
People have taken to social media to express their concerns about the new holding charge, with some fearing that they wouldn't be able to buy petrol if they didn't have £100 in their account.
But Visa has confirmed to WalesOnline that this is not the case. The financial company explained people would still be able to fill up, but only if they had enough funds in their account for the amount of fuel they were buying.
Mastercard has also reassured its customers by detailing a five-point plan when it comes to buying fuel.
A statement reads: "The way you pay for your fuel at an automated fuel pump in the UK is changing. Your card issuer/bank will temporarily reserve up to £99 of your available balance while you fill up.
"Then, when you have completed fuelling, you'll be charged for the correct amount of fuel you have used and the remainder of any reserved funds will be released back to your available balance."
When will the new system come into place?
Asked when the process would be rolled out to all UK petrol stations, a spokesperson for Visa said: "The new pay at pump process is already live at many petrol stations and has been for some time – in fact, the service has been available across Europe for more than five years.
"In the UK, it is already used by many independent petrol stations and rollout is being completed across the major supermarkets."
They also explained that previously, basic bank account users often couldn't use automated fuel pumps - but now, pay-at-pump means that all cardholders can use them.
The spokesperson continued: "When you insert or tap your card at a self-service pump, your bank will now temporarily reserve an amount from your available balance while you fill up. This could be up to £100 (a standard tank of petrol).
"Once you’ve finished filling up, this will be updated, and you’ll only be charged for the amount of petrol you bought. The funds-check will never be taken from your account.
"If your account balance is below £100, for example £20, this would be communicated back to the fuel pump by your bank enabling that amount of fuel to be dispensed. This means the pump will automatically cut out once you have reached the approved amount (or before if you choose to dispense less).
"This is called ‘partial authorisation’ and ensures you can get the fuel you need. This should happen almost instantly but occasionally it may take a little longer. Please contact your bank if this is not the case."
Which fuel stations will be affected?
The new change will be rolled out to all petrol stations in the UK, although the date for this is not yet known.
However, it's understood that customers paying by Visa or Mastercard at any UK petrol station will see a "hold charge".
As the change has been introduced by Visa and Mastercard, customers should talk to their card provider or bank if they have any questions or concerns.
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