Travel During Covid 19

[Lee]

For entertainment, I'll usually watch the folks creating a disaster with the waffle machine.

[36654]

...In Iowa 91 is ethanol free.

Huh. How is it the farmers and politicians in Iowa, who are pushing for universal availability of E15, are able to fill their Harleys with ethanol-free gas?

I had the impression that corn to bean ratio in the fields was up this year. Might be the Chinese market - and Darrell probably has a better perspective - but seems like a lot of corn is going into our gasoline.

USDA direct payments (price subsidies) used to be around $10B per year. This year, I've heard they'll approach $50B. Therefore, the crop will be there and the ethanol plants will need to get their subsidies to support employment in those towns. Thus, how much ethanol will have to be blended so it's consumed?

[Lee]

I buy exclusively from Exxon now and it has the smartphone app which I use to do the transaction.

How do you activate the pump without touching the touch pad or buttons?
Does it only work with new Exxon pumps?

How do you activate the pump when using the iPhone app.

[Grumpy Goat]

How do you activate the pump without touching the touch pad or buttons?
Does it only work with new Exxon pumps?

How do you activate the pump when using the iPhone app.

Where available, once you arrive at the pump you fire up the app, it recognizes the gas station, select Pay for Fuel, it asks what pump you're at and once you enter the number, it prompts to Authorize the pump, at which point you'll have to put in your PIN. Once authorized I lift off the nozzle with my gloved hand, gently poke the button to select the grade with the tip of the nozzle, and pump the gas. You can setup the app to automatically give you a receipt every time, which is what I do. It also automatically sends you an emailed receipt within 30 seconds.

[Lee]

Where available, once you arrive at the pump you fire up the app, it recognizes the gas station, select Pay for Fuel, it asks what pump you're at and once you enter the number, it prompts to Authorize the pump, at which point you'll have to put in your PIN.

I like that. It would be great if it was available for a group of different brands.

[Grumpy Goat]

real good tip, thanks. just checked we have the same options with Esso and Shell in canada. much better then using credit card. just set up on phone. .. thx. ... nice trip report lee..

Yes, I am a big believer in paying electronically. I even tried the Apple Wallet on my phone at a drug store and that was very convenient and quick. Better than the swipe / chip credit card process. I just forget to try and pay with my smartphone and whip out the card.

I also have a Shell Card that allows app-based payment I believe - have never used it because where I am Exxon is more competitive.