Credit Card ZIP Code: What to Enter With a Canadian Card
Loading article…
At a U.S. gas pump, enter the three digits of your Canadian postal code followed by “00”: A2B 3C4 becomes 23400. Online, enter your full Canadian postal code as it appears on your statement. The ZIP code is the U.S. postal code: five digits, no letters, such as 90210.
Travelling to the United States soon? Below, we explain what each terminal expects, why your issuer checks this code and what to do when the pump rejects it. Canadian postal codes and U.S. ZIP codes differ in format and length.
Postal code vs. ZIP code: the difference
The Canadian postal code: six characters
According to Canada Post, a Canadian postal code has six characters in the format letter, number, letter, number, letter, number (A1A 1A1). The one for Montréal’s Olympic Park, for example, is H1V 3N7. You will find yours on your statement, with your billing address.
In addition, credit card issuers may compare the code you enter with the billing address on file: it is one more check against fraud.
The U.S. ZIP code: five digits
The ZIP code (Zone Improvement Plan) is the U.S. postal code, launched in 1963 by the United States Postal Service. It has five digits and no letters. The best known, 90210, is Beverly Hills, California.
Why does the terminal ask for this code?
Online or at a U.S. gas station, the terminal asks for the postal code linked to your credit card. This check confirms that you are the cardholder.
Someone who has only your card number, without the right code, is likely to see the purchase declined. You will find yours on your statement, with your billing address.
At the U.S. pump: the three-digit trick
You insert your card at the pump and the terminal asks for a ZIP code? The question comes up often in the Milesopedia Facebook group. The pump’s card reader accepts digits only: the letters of your Canadian postal code are rejected.
The trick: enter the three digits of your Canadian postal code, followed by “00”. With H2J 2L1, type 22100. With A2B 3C4, type 23400.
If adding “00” does not work, try another credit card you have with you. Carrying more than one credit card is especially useful when travelling. Consider one of the best credit cards for gas and transit, or a credit card with no foreign transaction fees (to save on the conversion fees charged on top of the exchange rate).
Finally, pay inside: the attendant processes your card at the counter, with no ZIP code to enter.
- Annual fee
- $191.88
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$255Total$255Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $255
- Welcome offerGet 1,250 points after $750 in purchases per month for 12 months
- Up to 15,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Frequently asked questions about credit card postal codes and ZIP codes
What is a ZIP code?
A ZIP code (Zone Improvement Plan) is the postal code used in the United States. It has 5 digits and no letters, for example 90210 for Beverly Hills. A Canadian postal code has 6 characters that alternate letters and numbers, such as H1V 3N7. When a U.S. website or terminal asks for a “ZIP code”, it wants the postal code of your card’s billing address.
What ZIP code should I enter with a Canadian credit card?
On a website, enter your full Canadian postal code, with or without the space, in the “ZIP code” field. If the field does not accept letters, as on some U.S. gas pumps, enter the 3 numbers from your postal code followed by “00”. To avoid the 2.5% fee on purchases in U.S. dollars, read our guide to saving on foreign currency transactions.
Where can I find my credit card ZIP code?
To find the postal code or ZIP code associated with your credit card, check your billing address in your online banking account or on your credit card statement.
Do Canadian credit cards have a ZIP code?
No. Canada uses postal codes, and the term “ZIP code” only refers to the U.S. code.
The postal code on your card has six characters that alternate letters and numbers, such as H2J 2L1.
Why does a website reject my Canadian postal code?
Most often, the form accepts only five digits and rejects letters. Enter the three digits of your postal code followed by “00”. If the payment still fails, check that the billing address you entered matches your statement: a mismatch can get a purchase declined.
Does the three-digit trick work everywhere?
No. The method comes from travellers, and neither Visa, Mastercard nor your issuer guarantees it. If the pump rejects your code, pay inside with the attendant or try another card.
Is it safe to enter my postal code or ZIP code online?
Yes, on a secure site whose address starts with https. A postal code alone cannot complete a payment: it confirms that you are the cardholder, alongside the card number, the expiry date and the three-digit security code.
Do the letters and numbers in postal codes have a meaning?
Yes. According to Canada Post, the first character identifies a broad area: H for Greater Montréal, M for Greater Toronto, V for British Columbia. A 0 in second position marks a rural area. The last three characters narrow it down to a street section or a building.
