A business method prompts users of electronic payment cards and automatically
adjusts
automobile fuel pricing based upon the number of passengers in a vehicle at a refueling
station. When the driver stops to refuel the vehicle, the system prompts the driver
to insert a payment card to pay for the fuel. If there are other passengers in
the vehicle, they too are prompted to insert their cards to indicate that they
are riding with the driver. The system is provided with numerous protocols for
ensuring that the system is not inappropriately circumvented. For example, the
system can verify that the additional cards are not from other patrons at the same
service center, or that the additional cards are not from other family members
of the purchasing card holder. After all cards have been read and verified, the
reduced price of the fuel is displayed and the fuel is dispensed.