Zipcar is a popular car sharing alternative to traditional car rental services or an app like Uber or Lyft.
You can book a car by the hour, by the day, or for a roundtrip.
Customers only pay for the time they use the vehicle, and they can drive themselves anywhere they want.
The app makes it easy to find a car and even unlock it when you arrive.
As such, Zipcar has a unique position in the marketplace.
However, many customers wonder how Zipcar gas fees work.
Do you have to pay for your gas, or does Zipcar pay for it?
This article will break down exactly how the Zipcar gas card works, including some tips to make sure you know exactly how to use the card during each of your trips (without incurring unnecessary fees).
Let’s get started:
Table Of Contents
Is Zipcar Gas Free?
Zipcar gas is free, so customers don’t need to worry about paying for it themselves when they take a ride.
Does Zipcar Pay For Gas?
The company covers gas fees for every ride using the Zipcar gas card.
This card acts as a company credit card.
Any gas charges to the card go directly to Zipcar.
Customers can use this card to fill up the vehicle instead of their own.
About the Zipcar Gas Card
What is the Zipcar Gas Card?
Customers can use the Zipcar gas card to pay for gas whenever they need to fill up the tank.
It’s a small card around the same size as a debit or credit card.
Zipcar provides these gas cards to their customers, so a Zipcar member doesn’t have to pay for the gas themselves.
The Zipcar gas card makes it much easier to use the service instead of making customers pay for the gas first themselves and submitting a reimbursement request for each fill-up.
How Does the Zipcar Gas Card Work?
The Zipcar gas card works exactly like a debit card or credit card.
Insert it into the slot at the pump and immediately pull it back out so the computer can scan it.
Then wait for the on-screen prompts and follow the instructions to fill the Zipcar vehicle and process the payment.
How Do You Use The Zipcar Gas Card?
First, you need to locate the Zipcar gas card behind the driver’s side sun visor inside the car.
Pull down the visor, and it should be inside a little pocket.
If it’s not there, it might have been misplaced by the previous driver.
Check the glove compartment, armrest compartment, or underneath the seats, just in case it fell.
Pull up to the station and swipe the card to use the gas card, just like a regular credit or debit card.
The station will then ask you for the driver’s ID or PIN.
This number is the first six digits on your Zipcard – your Zipcar identification card.
Go ahead and enter them into the payment station.
Next, the station should ask you for the car’s mileage.
The mileage can be found on the car’s odometer inside the vehicle.
Enter this number, and the payment should go through.
Are There Rules For Using a Zipcar Gas Card?
Yes, people with a Zipcar membership must follow a few rules when using the gas card.
First, Zipcar only allows users to use their fuel cards to fill up a Zipcar vehicle.
Customers cannot use the card for personal vehicles or anyone else’s car.
Also, Zipcar requires members to use the correct fuel for that vehicle.
The more expensive cars require higher quality fuel than lower-end cars.
Remember, there is no additional cost to you, so it is in your best interest to use the proper fuel when filling up the vehicle.
Lastly, Zipcar requires members to fill the tank using the gas card to at least a quarter full before returning it.
If you do not, Zipcar will charge you a $30 fee.
This fee is not worth incurring because you don’t even need to pay for the gas yourself.
Keep your trip as cost-effective as possible by making sure the car has at least a quarter gas tank in it for the next driver.
What Type of Fuel Can I Use?
Not sure what fuel to use?
That’s okay; Zipcar tells you exactly which fuel to use for the vehicle you are driving.
It is labeled on the vehicle itself, and it should be shown within the app.
If you’re driving one of their electric cars, make sure it is charged enough for your trip.
Zipcar handles charging their electric vehicles.
In addition, Zipcar asks that petrol vehicles only be filled with standard petrol – not premium.
Their team services and maintains the cars regularly, so premium petrol isn’t required.
In What Locations Can I Use a Zipcar Gas Card?
All major gas stations should accept the Zipcar gas card.
Some people have trouble at smaller stations that a larger company does not run.
However, just about any gas station should accept the Zipcar gas card as payment.
Do all gas stations accept a Zipcar Gas Card?
Theoretically, all stations should accept a Zipcar gas card.
It works just like any credit or debit card.
However, smaller stations might not recognize it as a form of payment.
All you need to do is pay for the gas yourself and keep the receipt if this happens.
Then contact Zipcar, and they will fully reimburse you.
Pro Tip: Check for the Zipcar Gas Card Before Your Trip
It’s possible you may unlock your Zipcar, go for a ride, and need to fill up gas.
But when you check behind the visor for the gas card, it isn’t there, and you can’t find it anywhere.
To avoid this happening to you, check and ensure the card is there before you start your trip.
If it isn’t there, contact Zipcar and let them know.
To let Zipcar know the gas card is missing, open the app and go to the Drive screen.
Then choose Report and notify the team.
What Happens If I Accidentally Take a Zipcar Gas Card?
In the past, Zipcar charged a fee if you accidentally took the gas card and didn’t return it.
However, to improve customer experiences, this isn’t the case anymore.
However, if you accidentally take the Zipcar gas card, try to return it to the car itself if you can find it.
It’s much easier for the next customer to enjoy their ride if the gas card is available.
Troubleshooting: Zipcar Gas Card Not Working
Is your Zipcar gas card not working?
This happens sometimes, but it’s nothing to worry about.
Here are a few ways to troubleshoot this problem:
Reasons a Zipcar Gas Card Wouldn’t Be Working
Gas cards can sometimes get bent or scratched, making the machine unable to recognize the card.
In addition, your gas card may not work if you are trying to purchase something other than gas.
These cards only work for gas purchases, so the payment may not go through if you try to buy something else with the card.
Some customers also get confused when the pump requests a pre-authorized dollar amount to fill the tank.
If this happens, Zipcar wants you to input an amount of $50 or less.
Then fill up the tank.
Zipcar gas cards also may not work when trying to pay at the cash register.
The best place to pay is at the pump.
Also, some stations won’t allow you to complete the transaction unless you enter a zip code.
Zipcar doesn’t have a preset zip code for customers to input.
They recommend entering your billing zip code, and the payment should go through.
Finally, if you’re filling the tank with tiny amounts each time or filling it too frequently, the card may get declined.
To avoid this, make sure you fill an adequate amount each time and only when necessary.
What Do I Do If My Zipcar Gas Card Isn’t Working?
If your Zipcar gas card isn’t working, Zipcar has an easy work-around to make sure you don’t pay for the gas yourself.
You need to pay for the gas with your credit or debit card and keep the receipt.
Then contact Zipcar, and they will reimburse you for the total cost.
Since losing or misplacing gas cards can happen often, Zipcar is good about reimbursing customers promptly.
Reimbursement requests can be made here.
To Summarize
All in all, the Zipcar gas card is a handy feature of this car sharing service.
Zipcar pays for all of the gas, meaning no additional out-of-pocket expense for the customer.
And the card functions just like any credit or debit card.
The only difference is needed to input the six-digit code on your Zipcard.
The card works at all major gas stations, making using Zipcar much easier.
If you have any questions about the Zipcar gas card, leave a comment below and we’ll be happy to help you out.
