“As No Credit Needed pointed out, this presents the concern that one day you may find yourself needing gas in an area where no gas stations would accept credit. While this is perhaps an unlikely scenario given that cash discounts are becoming more widely permitted and accepted, it is still a frightening prospect.”

Oh, no!!! Seriously, dude – it’s really not that big of a deal. It’s not difficult to carry some cash if this is the way things are going. It’s not tough to keep a couple of twenties stashed in the glove box for this or a real emergency. What is truly frightening is how reliant people have become on credit cards. Has it really gotten to where you’re fearful of the day when certain places won’t accept them?!

It’s honestly sad what these companies have done to our culture. If they wanted to, they could enable paying cash at the pump. They could ad a bill acceptor to those massive gas pumps just like a coke machine or a self-checkout. They have simply chosen not to – or been contractually obligated not to…..

@NtJS — You raise an excellent point about it really only being lucrative when they get you in the store, especially given the (apparent) tight margins on gas — I wonder if there is some middle ground?

“Why do gas companies suddenly need to deviate from this?” Well it’s not sudden and you answered your own question pretty effectively. The ‘your customers will spend more’ sales pitch only works at gas stations if you get them in the store. Pay at the pump keeps them *out*. I think the question is more, ‘Why would they NOT offer a discount for cash?’

Fear not, they’ll keep accepting debit/credit for the same reason they started – a larger base of potential customers. They just have no reason to cater to plastic.