When you pay for fuel at the pump, the petrol station temporarily reserves a set amount, usually £120, to ensure you have enough funds for your purchase. This is called a "pre-authorisation hold." Once you finish refuelling, the station sends the actual cost to your account, and the difference is released back to your available balance. This system helps you track your spending in real-time and prevents you from accidentally going overdrawn. ⛽
How to use pay-at-pump
Using self-service pumps is a straightforward way to fuel up quickly without going into the kiosk:
Insert your card into the pump and follow the on-screen instructions.
Enter your PIN to authorise the temporary hold of funds. 🔒
Fuel up. Once approved, select your fuel type and fill your tank.
Finish and go. The petrol station will send the final amount to your account automatically.
Capture your receipt. We recommend taking a photo of your receipt in the app to attach it to the transaction for your records. 🧾
Understanding the pre-authorisation hold
The £120 hold is a temporary security measure required by card networks like Mastercard. If you have less than £120 in your account, the pump will usually perform a "partial authorisation," allowing you to fill up only to the value of your available balance.
Once you’ve finished, the held amount is typically updated to the actual cost within a few hours. In some cases, it can take a few days for your statement to reflect the final amount. While Mastercard’s standard rules allow for holds to remain for up to 30 days, most UK petrol stations release these funds almost immediately.
Why did I see two notifications?
It is normal to see two notifications for a single visit. This happens because some pumps send an initial alert for the temporary hold followed by a second notification for the final fuel cost. Don't worry, your account will only be charged once for the actual amount of fuel you used. ✅
When to contact support
If the full £120 hold is still showing as "Pending" on your account after seven days, or if the final amount seems incorrect, please send us a message in app.