Many supermarket chain forecourts across the UK have launched a new rule that will impact every driver who chooses the 'pay at pump' option when buying fuel.
Previously, motorists who chose to pay at the pump were issued a £1 authorisation charge and then the full value of the petrol or diesel was taken off the account between one and three days after.
However, as reported by the Daily Record, motorists who fill up their vehicle at a Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury's forecourt will now be issued a pre-authorisation charge of £99.
READ MORE — ITV The Chase viewers slam Bradley Walsh for 'embarrassing' and 'distracting' behaviour
Visa and Mastercard brought in the change in 2021, and it means that drivers' bank are able to reserve £99 of their money on a temporary basis whilst they fill their car up.
The final amount owed will be taken off after the transaction is finished, which results in the £99 pre-authorisation charge being removed and the reserved funds transferred back into the account.
The finance corporations stated that the change was brought in so that drivers can "pre-check" they have enough money in their accounts to pay for fuel.
Scottish motorists have since taken to social media to issue warnings to fellow drivers of the temporary £99 charges.
Although some supermarkets are still testing the new rule, others have fully rolled it out — here's what you need to know.
Sainsbury's
In 2021, Sainsbury's stated that they will be applying the new rule under Visa and Mastercard's requirements.
The supermarket's website stated: "Under new industry requirements mandated by Visa and MasterCard, self-service pumps at Sainsbury’s Petrol Forecourts will request a £100 pre-authorisation amount before starting the fuelling process; this is to ensure that customers have sufficient funds to cover the cost of fuel dispensed.
"When the transaction has completed, the Pay at Pump terminal will send a message to your bank with the actual transaction amount which will be charged to the customer; the pre-authorisation amount will be almost immediately released back to the customer’s account.
"The introduction of this change means that the customer will almost immediately see the actual value of fuel dispensed in their bank account.
"Previously, customers had a £1 pre-authorisation was taken from their account to confirm that their card was valid before they began to fill up.
"The exact cost of the fuel would then appear on the customer’s account typically one or two days after the transaction, which could make it difficult for customers to track available spend."
According to the Express, around 60 pay-at-pumps sites operate on this system.
Tesco
Motorists who top up their vehicle at Tesco forecourts will be subject to the new charge.
The supermarket said: "We are currently trialling this change in selected locations. So you may find this payment change happens at one petrol station but not at another.
"If you have a problem with a payment, please contact your bank that issued the card, as this new payment rule is not under our control...
"There may be a small number of occasions where your card issuer doesn’t update your balance in real-time.
"We’ll only ever charge you for the value of the fuel you’ve purchased, but if you do have concerns, please talk to your bank for further details."
Asda
Asda is currently working on implementing the £99 hold payment.
The supermarket said: "On completing the transaction, the actual amount is deducted immediately from your account and the pre-authorised amount is immediately cancelled.
"The solution makes it easier for you to keep control of your finances when you pay for your petrol at the pump, however, if an issue does arise you should first contact the bank that issued your card."
Morrisons
Morrisons implemented the £99 pre-authorisation charge back in November last year.
Morrisons said: "Under new rules, implemented by Mastercard and Visa, we must now request authorisation from your card issuer for up to £100.
"Don't worry - once you’ve finished filling up, the final transaction amount is sent to your card issuer.
"We will only charge you for the value of the fuel you’ve actually purchased, the remainder of your pre-authorisation amount will be released without charge."
