Dubai: Motorists are relieved following the announcement that they can once again pay for their petrol using their credit cards — even if it means paying an extra Dh2 charge for the service.
Starting from August 4 motorists can pay via credit card at Enoc, Eppco and Emarat petrol stations across Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
Petrol stations stopped accepting credit cards in 2007 because of the high costs sustained by local oil companies, which were not able to pay their petrol costs as oil prices continued to increase.
Electrical engineer Yousuf Hamad, who commutes on a weekly basis between Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, welcomed the return of the service.
“It is a good thing because it will make payment easier. It will also help me track my money since I get a text message whenever I withdraw money via my credit card. As for the Dh2 charge it will personally not affect me much, however, in principle I don’t think that it is fair to turn the burden from the supplier to the consumer.”
“I am relieved because it is my absolute pet peeve when I am all dressed up, especially when I have heels on and I have to get out of the car and walk between petrol puddles to withdraw money from the station’s mini-mart. The Dh2 is definitely worth the service and those who don’t want to pay it can withdraw the cash first,” said advertising student Batool Al Khateeb who lives in Ajman and studies in Sharjah.
Dubai sales and marketing employee Zaid Atique said that people will eventually get used to the extra charge.
“I am happy that the new service is back because I usually do end up getting out of the car to withdraw money almost every time. As for the Dh2 charge, living in Dubai I have got used to the extra charges here and there.”
