Fuel card VS Business credit card

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by FiveRiversFreightlinesLLC, Jun 7, 2022.

  1. FiveRiversFreightlinesLLC

    FiveRiversFreightlinesLLC Bobtail Member

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    Hi everyone

    This is all new to me, so I just wanted to ask around to get some clarification.

    I thought fuel cards were used similar to credit cards, where you use it to get fuel at a discount while also charging it to the fuel card directly. So, does it make sense to get a business credit card from AMEX that offers 4x points on fuel purchases? Wouldn't we just use the fuel card to purchase diesel instead of the AMEX?

    Sorry, I know it's a bit weirdly worded, thanks in advance.
     
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  3. Jed2009

    Jed2009 Light Load Member

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    Depends mate. If you for instance use the WEX Truckers Advantage card it offers discounts but you have to charge it to that card. On the other hand, you can link your 4% AmEx to an App like Mudflap that offers a discount and charges using your chosen card on file.

    I like using Mudflap plus my AmEx that gives 2% cash back. So if Mudflap is offering (today for example) $4.93 your price, $5.40 actual price, you get it at $4.93 plus 2% cash back so altogether it ends up being $4.83 (assuming you’re strict with your cash back and just apply it as statement credit).

    There may be other times the WEX (or whatever dedicated fuel card) comes out better than using the CC. Just have to compare whenever you’re ready to fuel. In that case yea. That card has a credit limit and in my experience set up on weekly auto pay for the full limit.

    would you mind sharing what card AmEx offers 4% on fuel? I use the Blue Business Cash but that’s only 2% and limits to X amount per year until it goes down to 1%.
     
  4. FiveRiversFreightlinesLLC

    FiveRiversFreightlinesLLC Bobtail Member

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    American Express Business Gold Card

    There is a $295 annual fee, but it should be more than worth it for the points. It says 4x points on upto $150k/year in certain purchases, including gas stations.

    Does Mudflap provide good discounts as opposed to other major fuel card services?

    Thanks
     
  5. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    You can use a points credit card like you describe and tie it to your Mudflap account and get your points and a fuel discount. From what I’ve seen it’s a toss up on discounts. Sometimes Mudflap is better, sometimes the fuel cards are better.
     
  6. Jed2009

    Jed2009 Light Load Member

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    Are those travel points though? Or can it be cash back? They always send me garbage saying the points can be redeemed for travel. All I care about is cash back.

    I would say that I use Mudflap 80+% of the time, but I’m in the Midwest so I have a lot of Kwik Star and Casey’s which Mudflap does a lot of. It varies greatly. I don’t support the big chains like Pilot either so I can’t speak to cards or prices on those big stations.
     
  7. FiveRiversFreightlinesLLC

    FiveRiversFreightlinesLLC Bobtail Member

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    The points hold highest redeem value for travel, but they can also be used for gift card or cash value.

    From what I saw, 100k points would be the equivalent value of;
    -$1,000 in travel
    -$700 in gift card (major companies, including amazon)
    -$500 in cash

    So it definitely makes the most sense for travelers.
     
    Jed2009 Thanks this.
  8. GYPSY65

    GYPSY65 Road Train Member

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    I quit using NASTC a year ago but at the time they had told us they were setting up their system to take a CC as payment
    Not sure if that ever happened but might be worth a call
    They, at the time had a pretty decent discount on fuel
     
  9. overtheroad5

    overtheroad5 Bobtail Member

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    I am in the fuel and factoring industry. It's a whirlwind right now man. If you have any specific questions or just want opinionated advice send me a message.
     
  10. Timm1q

    Timm1q Bobtail Member

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    The point is that mudflap is not gas station category, it's general retail. So i don't think 4% category works for it.
    If somebody knows does amex gold card with 4% category works for mudflap?
     
  11. kwswan

    kwswan Road Train Member

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    I don't know about AMEX but it shows as fuel on my Capital one Spark business card.
     
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