When you pay at Automatic Fuel Dispensers (AFD) — self-service fuel pumps without a cashier — our system automatically places a $175 USD hold on your balance, regardless of the actual fuel amount.
Why does this happen?
Automatic fuel dispensers are classified as high-risk merchants in the Visa network. Since the final transaction amount is unknown at the time of authorization (you haven't pumped fuel yet), the system places a maximum hold of $175 USD per transaction to ensure sufficient funds.
What happens next?
The merchant processes your actual fuel purchase (e.g., €30)
Within a few days, the remaining amount is automatically released back to your balance
Where does this typically occur?
🇨🇾 Cyprus, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇮🇹 Italy, and other countries where pay-at-pump fuel stations are common.
Tips
Make sure you have at least $175 available on your card before using self-service fuel pumps.
If you prefer to avoid the hold, pay inside with the cashier instead.