ASDA has implemented a significant policy change, ceasing cash payments at 82 petrol stations across the UK. This shift, which began taking effect in 2022, has raised concerns among motorists who now face unexpected temporary holds on their bank accounts when refueling.
Research indicates that the transition to card-only payments at these locations has led to a pre-authorisation hold of up to £99. Previously, the standard hold amount was only £1. This new policy has generated frustration among drivers, particularly those with limited financial resources who may struggle to manage the temporary block on their accounts.
While ASDA is at the forefront of this change, the pre-authorisation hold is a requirement set by Visa and Mastercard. This process reserves funds to ensure that the cardholder can cover the fuel costs before any fuel is dispensed. For many drivers, especially those with lower bank balances, this alteration poses significant challenges and creates short-term financial inconvenience.
A representative from ASDA clarified the situation, stating, “This was the case at their forecourts, with the fee only applied to pay-at-pump transactions, and drivers can typically avoid paying it by using their card at the filling station kiosk.” This option allows customers to bypass the pre-authorisation hold by paying inside, but it may not be practical for everyone.
Impact on Motorists and Cash Usage
The change reflects a broader trend in the UK, where more than 90% of transactions are already conducted digitally, leading to a decline in cash transactions. Although alternatives exist, the policy has raised alarms for those who prefer cash or who find themselves inconvenienced by temporary freezes on their funds.
The 82 ASDA locations that no longer accept cash payments for fuel include:
– Aberdare
– Ashington
– Barnsley
– Bideford
– Birchwood
– Bolton
– Bootle Strand
– Bradford
– Bridge of Dee
– Bristol Whitchurch
– Byker
– Caerphilly
– Cannock
– Canterbury
– Cardiff Bay
– Chadderton
– Charlton
– Clayton Green
– Colchester
– Colne
– Corby
– Cumbernauld
– Darlington
– Derby
– Donnington Wood
– Dudley
– Eastlands
– Eastleigh
– Elgin
– Falmouth
– Fareham
– Fleetwood
– Gloucester
– Golborne
– Govan
– Grantham
– Great Bridge
– Great Yarmouth
– Greenhithe
– Hartlepool
– Havant
– High Wycombe
– Horwich
– Hulme
– Hunts Cross
– Ipswich
– Kettering
– Kilmarnock
– Kingswood
– Kirkcaldy
– Leigh
– Lincoln
– Mansfield
– Merthyr Tydfil
– Middleton Park
– Minworth
– Morley
– Newport IOW
– Newtonards
– Norwich
– Nottingham
– Oldbury
– Patchway
– Pentwyn
– Portlethen
– Queslett
– Queensferry
– Radcliffe
– Rochdale
– Runcorn
– Shirley
– Skelmersdale
– Slough
– Sunderland
– Swansea
– Swindon
– Swindon (Haydon)
– Watford
– Westbrook
– Woking
– Sheerwater
– Wrexham
– York
As the landscape of payment methods continues to evolve, many drivers may find themselves grappling with the implications of these changes. The complete withdrawal of cash payment options at these petrol stations serves as a reminder of the shifting dynamics in consumer transactions and the challenges faced by those who rely on cash.
