Independent trucker drivers and freight carriers leverage fuel cards in an effort to reduce costs and improve their profits. These loyalty products are neither new nor uniquely part of the trucking landscape. Sectors such as airlines, hotels, and even fast-food chains market discount cards to help attract customers.
To some degree, fuel cards used by long-haul drivers may prove more beneficial than everyday motorists. Given the average diesel use of an 18-wheeler reaches upwards of 20,500 gallons annually, saving even pennies on the dollar can be a game-changer. But it’s also essential for decision-makers in the freight-hauling sector to choose wisely. Not every fuel card delivers enhanced benefits. Transaction and renewal fees, among others, can offset some of the cost benefits. These are things truckers may want to consider when selecting a loyalty card.
What Companies Offer Truckers Fuel Cards?
Fuel cards, sometimes called fleet cards, are offered at truck stops and fuel stations across the country. Big oil outfits are not shy about offering discount cards to increase consumer loyalty. Corporations such as Shell, Exxon Mobil, and Chevron, among many others, offer truckers discount cards. It’s also important to know that a wide range of companies market fleet cards under different names or co-branded with organizations. Recent reports list the following among the favorable opportunities for CDL professionals.
- WEX Fleet Cross Roads
- Fuelman Deep Saver
- Comdata
- RTS Fuel
- Exxon Mobil BusinessPro
- Shell Fleet Plus
- BP Business Solutions Mastercard
A recent flap between the FTC and Fuelman highlights an issue that indicates truckers would be wise to exercise due diligence when selecting a discount card. These products are not necessarily cost-reducing golden eggs. Many involve sign-up and other fees that typically reduce the savings benefits.
How Do Hidden Fees Impact Fuel Card Benefits?
While fees may be required in many cases, the massive amount of diesel OTR truckers use typically make them worthwhile. A recent Forbes magazine article dove deep into the numbers and peripheral benefits. The findings included the following.
- WEX reportedly offers a massive network that involves upwards of 95 percent of American fuel stations. Offering more than 70 different products and no setup or annual fees, truckers save $0.03 per gallon. Exxon Mobil and Sunoco cards are also associated with WEX.
- Fuelman may be taking heat from the FTC, but Forbes also ranked it among the sound options for truck drivers. The Fuelman Simple Saver Plus product offers $0.10 per gallon savings at select stations such as Speedway and Kwik Trip locations. Fuelman stations offer a rate of $0.02 within its 50,000 fuel stop network. This outfit reportedly charges $8 monthly but provides added benefits such as tax reporting, roadside assistance, online protection, and an annual loyalty bonus to offset some of the monthly fees.
Like Fuelman, other products involve something of a balancing act between money-saving usage and recurring fees. Savvy owner-operators and freight industry decision-makers can certainly reduce diesel costs by leveraging these products. Weighing the savings and benefits against anticipated fuel usage appears to be the starting point for due diligence.
Sources: fleetnetamerica.com, ontruck.com
I say that they should get rid of all the fuel discounts, that way the truck stops actually have compete normally like EVERY other gas station. People complain about prices of things at truck stops, part of that pronlem comes from the massive discounts that are being given. They have to make that money back somewhere.
One of the problems is, they don’t compete normally, if there even is such a thing as normal competition in fuel. The stations seem to set the price in areas to a point, and they all price the same to keep their profits up. If it’s not that way, why are all the signs in a given area showing prices within a cent of each other? And the fuel programs named in this article, aren’t ones I’d want to use. Fuelman appears to be a lousy program compared to the much better discounts offered by others such as TCS (Transconnect Services). A program isn’t very good if they only offer .10 cents a gallon or less off. TCS is usually around .30 cents, sometimes close to .50. I don’t doubt the .10 cent off cards are getting the .30-.50 off, they’re prob just keeping it for themselves. This is coming from an owner ops’ perspective, the bigger companies get way better discounts than that, and some even have their own fuel depots scattered around the country. I know a company driver that’s seen some invoices, and they’re buying fuel for .80 to more than a $1 a gallon less than I can buy it for. If we need better competition somewhere, maybe it’s in the fuel discount card industry. Despite advertising hype, fuel programs are likely just like all commercial enterprise, there to make $, not just to help customers save it. Regardless, I’m loyal to TCS and TA/Petro, which is where most of the really good discounts through the TCS program seem to be at. I take the money I save, and give it back through tips to the people that clean the showers we use to do our job. Thanks TCS/TA Petro!
Ive used all kinds of cards ,tried them all comdata efs and some other ,but i think its all bs cause big companies negoitiate big deals ,and little guys dont have purchasing power ,so ive been told,do the math