Cumberland Farms, PayPal Partner on New Payment Option

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- Cumberland Farms customers who use smartphones have a new payment option when they fill up their gas tanks. The New England convenience store chain now accepts payment via PayPal through its new SmartPay mobile application (app).

The app automatically locates the gas station where the driver is and allows the customer to turn on the pump and pay without leaving their car, PayPal's Director of Communications Anuj Nayar reported on the company's official blog. SmartPay is part of a pilot program rolled out at 50 Massachusetts locations last week, and may expand to other stores in the coming months.

SmartPay, which is available for both iPhones and Android devices, also provides a 5-cents-per-gallon discount for a limited time. Using the app pre-authorizes a $100 charge on one's PayPal account, but it reverts to the correct amount following the fuel purchase.