Overview
Fuel charges are made at a gas pump. Customers typically swipe or tap their cards to get as much gas as they need. Ramp uses the Visa network, which processes fuel charges in a very specific way.
How it works
The final purchase amount is uncertain when the card is swiped because the swipe occurs before the gas fill-up. This means that an authorization hold (a pending charge) is temporarily put on your card, which is later changed to the amount actually spent on the gas purchase (note that if the temporary authorization exceeds the amount on your funds, your transaction will be declined).
Here's an example of how a fuel transaction works:
- I swipe my card at the gas pump
- A pending charge between $100-$300 is immediately put onto my card
- I fill up my tank with $35 worth of gas and leave the gas station
- The pending charge is later changed to $35 and clears
Best practices
- Set up a category restriction to only allow fuel purchases
- Give fuel cards or funds a high limit to account for the temporary authorization holds that will be added by the gas station
- Create a specific submission policy for fuel funds
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the limitations of using a Ramp card for fuel purchases?
The maximum authorized authorization amount may vary by gas station. Different stations may have lower caps for the maximum amount you can spend on fuel. You may pay for gas at the pump or the store. If you are paying at the store, then you may add items that'll still be categorized as a gas purchase as long as they are below $100.
- Note: Cards or funds restricted to gas stations will also work for in-store purchases.
How can I get more than the merchant is authorizing per swipe?
We understand that this limitation is frustrating, and we're working on a solution for our customers. In the meantime, there are two things you can do to get more gas per swipe:
- Pay inside. When you pay at the cash register, you are not limited to their authorization amount.
- Pay multiple times. Although a single charge can only provide a certain amount of gas, you can immediately rerun the card and fill it up with more gas.