Dubai petrol stations to allow credit card payments as ban ends

DUBAI // Enoc, Eppco and Emarat petrol stations in the emirate are to allow customers to use credit cards at the pumps.

A six-year self-imposed ban on the use of cards will come to an end on Sunday as the companies end their feud with banks over charges.

Customers using a card will be charged an extra Dh2 for the privilege.

Although a spokesman for Enoc and Eppco dismissed it as just rumour, a manager at an Enoc station on Sheikh Zayed Road confirmed that a circular was distributed to all Enoc, Eppco and Emarat petrol stations.

"We will be serving customers from August 4 on petrol pumps only - we will not allow credit cards on retail purchases," he said.

Managers at Eppco and Emarat petrol stations also confirmed the move.

Credit cards were banned at Enoc, Eppco and Emarat petrol stations across Dubai and the Northern Emirates in 2007 because of charges levied by banks.

At the time, the Ministry of Economy said that the action was permissible because it did not break any laws.