Comdata card

Only the company can load money to the Comdata card.

 

May is pretty good about loading some dough onto your card while you are in training on the truck. When I used work and train for them, they did it fairly often for the student. Usually like a hundred bucks to tide you over until you get your first big whopping check

 

It's just a company thing. I don't know how involved May is but a Comdata card has two sides to it. One side is the company side for fueling which is the cards main purpose. Then issuing comdata checks (comchecks) for repairs, lumpers, personal cash advances are issued off the same side with the company giving you a code to put on the comcheck. You dispatcher has software that is directly tied with Comdata. He simply enters the info, the system gives him a code and he passes it on to you. You fill out the check, give it to the person, they call Comdata and are issued an authorization number which goes on the check and it insures payment.
Some places like Pilot are tied in with Comdata on their computers and can handle miscellaneous transactions by swiping your card.

The other side of the card is an employee payroll side if you so chose. Your employer can direct deposit your payroll on there. But this is a poor option because you are limited to writing your own comchecks or using ATM's. The fees add up quick. They have been promising for years to set the card up as a debit card but never had.

Your better options are to set up your own bank account at home and have your check direct deposited. Then you and your wife can each have debit cards.

Another option is many places offer these prepaid VISA's which really aren't a bad option if you pick the right one. There's that Walmart money card which I don't know much about but heard good things. I use to use Netspend.com and still do on occasion for online purchases. That one is a flat $5 a month with unlimited transactions and no fees unless you use ATM's which can be avoided. Anytime I needed cash if I didn't get it while at home I would simply get cash back at places which doesn't cost you a dime. Many grocery stores you can walk up to customer service and get $200 at a time with no charges. Money transfers are free and easy from you to wife or you to bank or bank to you with that card and online.

Be smart out there an avoid fees the best you can. One ATM withdraw once a week can add up to $300 a year easily.

Like scooter said if you need money just ask your dispatcher if you are allowed to have a cash advance. They'll put money on your comdata card and walk in to a truck stop like Pilot and tell the clerk you want a cash advance off your card. They'll ask you how much, you swipe, sign and you're done.

 

Company I left loads per diem on the card every Monday around 5 and by 5:05 I would do a transfer to my bank account because if you waited until 5:10 it was possible they would take the money back. I'm serious too. Never left my money on the card.

 

most companies will also allow you to split your check, direct depositing part to a bank account and, if you wish, depositing either a percentage OR a flat amount to the comdata card. i agree with the above post tho, comdata shouldnt be used for that if you have other options. bank account is FAR preferable. i have 2 accounts..one my wife has access to that gets a portion of my check, and one that she does not have access to that gets the rest. the "my access only" part used to be a smallish percentage, til i found out how blasted bad she is with money. now, since she makes 30k_ as a nurse, the only thing she has access to is just enough to pay the mortgage...shes responsible for all other bills on her salary and the rest of my check goes toward road expenses (small portion), and then kids' college and our retirement.came home one time expecting to find over 8k in our account and had just under 2k. that was the last time she had access to anything substantial that she did not earn from her job. i love her, but im kinda forced into being the money guy. someone's gotta do it i guess

 

My comdata card and I think all comdata cards can be setup to be used as a debit card. Just call the 800 number setup a pin for your pay side of the card. You can use it anywhere a MC is accepted. I dont get any fees. My debit card from my bank i get points not on comdata