Asda axes major service at 82 petrol stations across UK

MOTORISTS across the UK are facing unexpected temporary blocks on their bank accounts when filling up at selected Asda petrol stations.

As of now, a total of 82 Asda petrol stations have switched to card-only payments.

This means cash is no longer accepted, and drivers are required to use pay-at-the-pump systems.

These pay-at-the-pump systems frequently impose a pre-authorisation hold of up to £99.

The change began rolling out in early 2022, coinciding with the introduction of new drive-thru kiosks at these sites.

The pre-authorisation hold is a requirement set by Visa and Mastercard. It temporarily reserves funds to confirm that the card can cover potential fuel costs before dispensing begins.

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Previously, the standard hold amount at most pay-at-pump stations was just £1.

The significantly higher figure can come as a surprise to many drivers, particularly those with lower bank balances.

Although the excess funds are typically released shortly after fuelling is complete, the temporary hold can still create short-term inconvenience or issues for some users.

Asda has emphasised that the hold applies exclusively to pay-at-the-pump transactions. Motorists can usually avoid it by paying inside at the kiosk instead.

As a spokesperson told The Mirror: “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.”

At many locations, more than 90% of transactions are already conducted digitally.

Nevertheless, the policy has raised concerns among certain drivers who prefer using cash or are wary of even brief freezes on their available funds.