LOWI was cash only last year.
EHTE went from “pay at the tower (only)” (cash/credit card) to “Air BP automaton”. Having the Air BP card, I just used it, but it may still be possible to pay at the tower. Didn’t check.
Beware. The VAC for Orleans St Denis de l’Hotel states:
Carburant / Fuel : 100LL, JET A1
H24 uniquement Carte BP / H24 only BP card.
Autre moyen paiement (CB, Espèces) HOR ATS ou PPR 24 HR.
Other means of payment (Credit card, cash) ATS SKED or PPR 24 HR.
My only reason to stop there earlier this year was because it was exactly half way to my destination and so the best place to get fuel. As such I called to double check I would be able to get Avgas and pay with a credit card during ATC hrs as I dont have a AirBP card and I was assure this would be OK. So we stop over and I tell ATC I need Fuel but dont have a Air BP card. So a guy comes out and slots a card in the machine, says " Et voila", motions to me to fuel and he then stands there looking bored while I hook up the static line, get out the hose, fuel & put everything back – doesnt lift a finger to help.
I then go to pay up in his little office and discover that Im being charged a “fuel handling fee” of 25 Euros…. Very unimpressed…
Regards, SD..
Going back many years, the frequently given reason for having the AIR BP card was to avoid pricing scams which were operated in certain countries. With AIR BP, the price is determined by AIR BP and not by the airport so they can’t scam you.
SD,
the rule is to never ask for fuelling assistance when you have a way to do self-fuelling /paying.
That‘s why it remains mandatory to have both TOTAL and BP when flying in France.
…Even if there is now a very noticeable trend across France to find more and more normal credit card self serve machines and less and less Carnet only machines.
I have never needed the TOTAL card in France, but then – with rare exceptions such as Quessant – in France I fly only to airports with customs/immigration.
What I have seen quite a lot is that with AIR BP you can use it at the machine while a credit card option is available but is a lot more complicated. However this doesn’t apply in the “new GA” countries such as Slovenia and Croatia, where they take credit cards.
You will need Total Card at LeTouquet (for cheaper avgas) but you would not need to refuel at L2K I suppose :)
