URL-encoded internet access card for retrieving and viewing e-mail at a fuel dispenser

An Internet-enabled fuel dispenser includes a card reader adapted to retrieve a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) data element encoded on a card-type device furnished by the customer. The URL data element defines the Internet address of a server that hosts an e-mail messaging account preferably belonging to the customer. A client machine at the dispenser position accesses the server specified by the retrieved URL data element and receives the email messages downloaded by the server in response to the e-mail request. The customer views the downloaded e-mail messages on a display installed at the dispenser position. The dispenser position is provided with a suitable connection facility to make a networked connection to the Internet, which preferably includes the World Wide Web.