Dubai: Residents of Sharjah and the northern emirates are making a beeline for Adnoc fuel stations because they can still pay by credit card, and their petrol is cheaper as well.
Adnoc has over 180 fuel stations in Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates.
It is the only company to sell E+ (octane 91) petrol, at Dh5.75 per gallon, a dirham less than Super petrol.
"Work at the fuel station has doubled with Sharjah residents coming to fill up their cars at Adnoc stations. They can pay by credit card and the petrol is cheaper," said an Adnoc attendant at the fuel station on Al Ittihad Road in Sharjah.
"Motorists who own ordinary cars choose E+, but those who have luxury cars choose Super quality," he said.
Emarat, Eppco and Enoc petrol stations stopped accepting credit cards last October, citing high bank charges. Since then motorists have to pay either in cash or with smart cards.
Adnoc said motorists can look forward to more savings once self service is introduced at their fuel stations.
Motorists in the northern emirates, especially those who own saloon cars, said they saved money by using E+ petrol.
Majid Abdullah, an Indian resident, said he has not visited a fuel station in Dubai since Adnoc opened their outlets in Sharjah.
"The best thing is paying by credit card and the E+ petrol. I hope they do not stop accepting credit cards."
Mahmoud Ali, an Iraqi from Sharjah, said: "I used to fill my car with Special [octane 95], but with prices going up all the time I switched to E+. Now I pay much less."
Ashraf Siddique, a Pakistani resident from Ajman, said he shifted to E+ only a couple of weeks ago when fuel stations in the emirate ran out of Special.
"It was an Eppco gas station attendant who told me to go to Adnoc and get E+ because they only had Super on that particular day. Now I plan to use this type of petrol regularly as it suits my wallet," he said.
E+ petrol is sold only at Adnoc fuel stations. It costs Dh5.75 per gallon. Diesel costs Dh8.50 per gallon at Adnoc. Diesel costs Dh15.30 per gallon at other stations.
The price of other types of petrol is the same at Adnoc, Emarat and Eppco stations. Special (octane 95) costs Dh6.25 per gallon, and Super (octane 98) Dh6.75 per gallon.
Do you think more petrol stations should start accepting credit cards again? Have you ever faced difficulties in filling up petrol because of lack of cash? What happened?
Your comments
I was surprised when petrol pumps stopped accepting credit/debit cards. It is ridiculous. All petrol stations should accept credit/debit cards and should resolve the matter with credit card agencies so that we don't have to suffer.
Adnan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 28, 2008, 10:17
I fill up at Emarat and Enoc only if I have no other option. If it is for a full tank, I always prefer E+ from Adnoc, because of its price as well as payment through card.
Rafeeda
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 28, 2008, 09:46
What is the use of a credit card in outlets will not accept it? I think all gas stations should follow the price of a gallon at Dh5.75. It's very reasonable.
Claude
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 28, 2008, 09:42
I am surprised why other petrol stations stopped accepting credit cards. Every company is trying to provide more and more facilities to the consumer. These companies do not have intelligent advisors. They should look towards Adnoc.
Asif
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 28, 2008, 09:39
Yes it is meaningless that payment by card is not accepted due to a senseless misunderstanding between card agencies and fuel stations. Like everyone, I face a cash crunch at one time or the other, mostly at end of the month. I filled Dh10 worth of petrol in Dubai and after reaching Sharjah I filled up my tank at Adnoc.
Arif
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 28, 2008, 09:11
Of course! Other petrol stations should start accepting credit/debit cards, as it helps a lot when people don't have money in their pocket and they are running short of gasoline.
Aamir
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 28, 2008, 09:11
Cards are accepted worldwide, and those who don't accept them might be losing out on business as well.
Prakash
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 28, 2008, 08:50
I believe Adnoc should extend operations to Dubai as well. It will benefit residents who are struggling to cope with the high cost of living and also could act as a policy measure to contain inflation in the country.
Sivakumar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 28, 2008, 08:37
Most people do not carry enough cash in their wallets or cannot run to an ATM in an emergency. Credit cards should be accepted in all the petrol stations with a minimal service charge if needed.
Asadhulla
Fujairah,UAE
Posted: April 28, 2008, 07:54
Many times I am running low on fuel and I come across an empty petrol station. I do not carry cash all the time and prefer to use my card. But because some petrol stations do not accept them, I have to carry on. These petrol stations should at least have an ATM installed somewhere on their premises so customers can withdraw money and pay.
Mohammed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 28, 2008, 06:18
