Quick Summary:
- Choose a pump number, then tell the cashier your fuel type.
- Pay an amount up front, then pump until it clicks off.
- Unused prepay is refunded to your card, or paid as change.
- Keep the prepay receipt and final receipt if a dispute arises.
On Florida roads, especially around airports and busy tourist routes, it is common to pull up at a petrol station and see the pump screen say ‘See cashier’ or ‘Prepay only’. For visitors on a Florida car hire, this can feel odd if you are used to paying after you fill. The good news is that it is straightforward once you know the sequence, and it can actually protect you from surprise authorisations on your card.
This guide explains exactly how prepay works in Florida, what to say to the cashier, what happens when you spend less than you authorised, and which receipts you should keep if you ever need to query a charge.
What ‘See cashier’ and ‘Prepay only’ actually mean
In Florida, many stations require payment authorisation before fuel will flow, either because it reduces drive-offs, or because card fraud controls are strict. ‘See cashier’ usually means the pump is not available for pay-at-pump at that moment, or the station wants you to start the transaction inside. ‘Prepay only’ means you must pay first, then the cashier unlocks the pump for up to the amount you selected.
It is worth knowing there are three common payment patterns you will encounter during a Florida car hire:
1) Pay at the pump with your card. You insert or tap a card, the pump places a temporary authorisation hold, then you pump. The final charge settles later.
2) Prepay inside with card or cash. You tell the cashier the pump number and amount, then fuel up. Any unused amount is handled as a refund or change, depending on payment method.
3) Prepay at the pump (less common). The pump itself asks you to select a dollar amount before fuelling. The logic is the same as paying inside.
Step-by-step: how to prepay inside and fuel up
If the pump says ‘See cashier’ or ‘Prepay only’, follow this exact sequence.
Step 1: Park by a pump and note the pump number. The pump number is usually on a large sign above the pump, and sometimes on the pump face. Make a quick note of it, especially at busy stations.
Step 2: Decide your fuel type. In the US, regular unleaded is usually labelled 87 (octane), mid-grade 89, and premium 91 or 93. Most hire cars are fine on regular unless the fuel door or manual states premium. Diesel is separate and usually clearly marked.
Step 3: Go inside and tell the cashier the essentials. A simple script works almost everywhere: “Pump 6, regular, twenty dollars please.” If you want to fill the tank rather than guess a number, say: “Pump 6, regular, fill up please.”
Step 4: Pay with card or cash. If paying by card inside, the cashier will either charge a set amount, or place a pre-authorisation. If paying cash, you hand over the amount you want to spend.
Step 5: Return to the pump and start fuelling. Lift the nozzle, select the grade if prompted, and pump. Most pumps stop automatically when the tank is full.
Step 6: If you did not use the full amount, settle the difference. This is where Florida prepay differs from many other places. What happens next depends on whether you paid cash or card, and on the station’s system.
How much should you prepay in Florida?
If you are not sure what to prepay, pick an amount that comfortably covers a full tank for your vehicle size. For many compact and mid-size cars, USD 30 to 60 often covers a near-empty to full fill, but prices and tank sizes vary. If you are in an SUV, or driving longer distances, you may want a higher cap. If you overestimate, you generally will not lose money, you will just have a refund or change process.
When you are returning a vehicle to an airport location, you might be fuelling near hubs such as Orlando MCO or in South Florida around Fort Lauderdale FLL. In those areas, queues can be long, so prepaying “fill up” can be faster than calculating a precise amount.
Refunds and change: what happens if you spend less?
The key rule is simple: you only pay for the fuel you actually pump, but the way the difference returns to you depends on payment method and station policy.
Paid by cash: you usually collect change inside
If you prepaid USD 40 in cash and only pumped USD 32.15, the pump will stop at USD 32.15 and you have USD 7.85 remaining. Typically, you go back inside, tell the cashier your pump number, and ask for your change. Many stations print a receipt automatically showing the final amount dispensed and the unused balance. Some stations require you to request the receipt at the till.
If the forecourt is busy, do not be shy about returning for your change. Cash prepay is designed for exactly this, and it is normal.
Paid by card inside: unused funds are handled as a reversal or refund
Card handling varies, but there are two common outcomes:
Option A: Exact settlement for what you pumped. The cashier runs a transaction cap, but the system posts only the final pumped amount. You may still see a temporary authorisation on your banking app, then it disappears or adjusts.
Option B: A higher authorisation first, then a refund. The system charges the prepay amount, then refunds the unused portion after the final total posts. Refund timing depends on the station’s processor and your bank, often 1 to 7 days.
If you are managing travel spending during a Florida car hire, this timing matters. A large prepay can temporarily reduce available funds on a debit card, even though the money is not ultimately spent. If you are worried about holds, use a credit card where possible, or choose a closer estimate rather than a very high cap.
Paid at the pump: why your card may show a larger hold
Even if you can pay at the pump, some Florida stations place a sizeable authorisation hold first, commonly USD 75 to 200, then later replace it with the actual fuel purchase. This is not a ‘charge’ in the final sense, but it can look alarming in-app.
If you encounter repeated issues with pay-at-pump card verification, paying inside is often smoother, especially if your card is foreign issued. Tourist-heavy areas such as Downtown Miami can have pumps that are fussier with ZIP code prompts, and the cashier can usually bypass that by running it inside.
Exactly what to say to the cashier (copy-friendly scripts)
Keep it short and specific. These phrases work well in Florida:
To prepay a set amount: “Hi, pump 4, regular, thirty dollars.”
To fill the tank: “Pump 4, regular, fill it up please.”
To use premium: “Pump 4, premium, forty dollars.”
To correct a mistake: “Sorry, I said pump 4, I meant pump 6.”
To collect cash change: “Can I get the change on pump 4, please?”
Cashiers are used to this all day. The two details that matter most are the pump number and the fuel grade.
Which receipts to keep, and why they matter
If there is ever a dispute, either with your card provider or when reconciling travel expenses, receipts are your best evidence. For a smooth paper trail, keep:
1) The prepay receipt from the cashier. This shows the pump number, the authorised amount, and a timestamp. If you paid inside, ask for it if it is not automatically offered.
2) The final fuel receipt showing gallons and total. Many pumps let you print a receipt after fuelling. If the pump says “receipt paper out”, go inside and ask them to reprint for your pump number.
3) Any refund or change slip (if issued). Some stations print a separate reversal or adjustment record.
For travellers returning an SUV after theme-park driving, it is common to fuel near busy corridors such as those around Disney in Orlando. Those stations can be hectic, so take 10 seconds to grab the printout before you drive away.
Troubleshooting common prepay problems
The pump will not start after I paid. Double-check the pump number you gave. If correct, wait a few seconds, some systems take a moment to activate. If it still does not start, go back in and say the pump is not authorised.
The pump stopped early and I still have money left. It may have reached the prepay cap, or the nozzle auto-clicked due to splashback. If your tank is not full, hang up the nozzle, then lift it again and try continuing. If it will not dispense more, the cap may be reached and you will need to prepay again.
I prepaid “fill up” but the pump stopped at a low amount. This can happen if the station set a default limit. Go inside and ask them to increase the limit or reauthorise.
The card charge is higher than the amount on my receipt. Look for a pending authorisation versus a posted transaction. If the posted amount remains higher after several days, contact the station with your receipts, then your card provider if needed.
The pump receipt did not print. Ask the cashier to print a receipt for your pump. If the station cannot, at least keep the inside receipt and take a photo of the pump screen total before it clears, if safe to do so.
Practical tips to avoid holds and confusion
Use a credit card rather than a debit card where possible. Temporary holds are less disruptive on credit.
Avoid very high prepay caps unless you need them. You will usually be refunded, but it can take time to release.
Match grade to your vehicle’s requirement. Most standard cars take regular, many performance models require premium.
Keep receipts until your fuel charge has fully posted. This matters if your itinerary includes multiple cities, for example driving from Miami towards Tampa and back, where you might use several different stations in a few days.
Check for full-service lanes. Rare in Florida, but if present, an attendant may help and still require prepay.
How this ties into your rental return and fuel policy
Many car hire agreements expect you to return the vehicle with the same fuel level as collected, often “full to full”. Prepay pumps are simply one of the last practical steps before you return the keys. Plan a fuel stop 5 to 10 miles from drop-off, so you are not hunting for petrol at the last minute.
If you are travelling via Tampa, you may fuel near the airport before returning a vehicle connected to Tampa TPA. Allow extra time, because prepay inside can add a few minutes during peak periods.
FAQ
Do I lose money if I prepay too much in Florida? No, you pay for what you pump. If you paid cash, you collect change inside. If you paid by card, the unused amount is typically reversed or refunded after settlement.
What does “fill up” mean at the cashier? It means you want the pump authorised until the tank is full. The system sets a maximum limit, then you are charged only the final dispensed amount.
Why does my card show a higher amount than my petrol receipt? That is usually an authorisation hold or pending charge. Once the transaction posts, it should match the receipt total. Keep both receipts until the final amount settles.
Which receipt should I keep for a dispute? Keep the inside prepay receipt and the final receipt showing gallons and total. Together, they prove the authorised amount and the amount actually dispensed.
Can I prepay with cash even if the pump accepts cards? Yes. Many drivers choose cash prepay to avoid large card holds, and it also makes the change process clear if you spend less than expected.
