Rajan Wilcox
Diesel fuel cards are a great way to save money on fuel costs. With fuel prices soaring, fuel cards offer carriers and drivers per-gallon discounts on fuel and other services specific to trucking. Companies that offer fuel cards partner with truck and fuel stops to offer discounts, and in return, they receive a percentage of the fuel sale. There are several fuel card options available, including the DAT One Fuel Card, the Fuelman Diesel Fleet Card, and the TCS Fuel Card. Each card has its own application process and requirements, but they all offer significant savings on diesel fuel purchases. Some cards also provide additional benefits, such as access to discounted fuel rates along a particular route. With fuel cards, small business carriers and owner-operators can find long-lasting success and keep their vehicles running longer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To save money on diesel fuel |
| Offered by | Truck stops, fuel providers/oil & gas companies, trucking and driver associations, or companies whose only service is their fuel card |
| Requirements | A checking account tied to the card (in some cases) |
| Discounts | Per-gallon discounts, rebates, and other benefits |
| Additional Features | Access to smartphone apps for locating discounted fuel rates and in-network fuel stops |
| Funding Methods | Zelle®, ACH credit, Western Union, third-party checks |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Types of fuel cards
Fuel cards are a cost-effective and efficient way for fleets to fill up. They are similar to credit cards in that they are both convenient, cash-free options for drivers to refuel and make other necessary purchases. However, fuel cards are not linked to a bank or other financial institution and can only be used at gas stations.
There are several types of fuel cards:
- Branded fuel cards: These are issued directly by fuel companies such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP (British Petroleum), and Shell.
- Universal fuel cards: These are not tied to specific fuel providers and can be used at many different locations. Examples include Comdata, Fuelman, and U.S. Bank Voyager.
- Merchant-branded cards: Fuel merchants partner with fuel companies to offer branded cards. CircleK, Thorntons, and 7-Eleven have fuel card programs.
- Electric fuel cards: These are a newer type of fuel card, offered by companies such as AllStar and Paua.
- Prepaid fuel cards: These cards streamline the financial side of fleet operations. They can be used anywhere that accepts the card type, including for purchases such as hotels or meals.
Changing Diesel Fuel Filter: Volvo XC90 Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Discounts and benefits
A diesel fuel card is a specialised payment card that enables the cardholder to purchase diesel and sometimes other vehicle-related expenses. Diesel fuel cards offer a range of discounts and benefits to help businesses and individuals save money on their fuel costs.
One of the main advantages of diesel fuel cards is the potential for significant fuel discounts. For example, the TCS Fuel Card offers unbeatable fuel discounts with zero transaction fees at their in-network truck stops, and cardholders can save an average of up to 44 cents per gallon. Fuelman, another popular fuel card provider, offers savings of $0.12 on every gallon of diesel fuel at their 40,000+ fueling locations.
In addition to fuel discounts, some diesel fuel cards also offer rewards programs or points systems that can provide additional benefits to cardholders. For instance, the Comdata Fuel Card offers discounts and rebates on fuel purchases while also providing access to a network of maintenance and repair service providers. The Coast Fuel Card offers cash back on non-fuel purchases, allowing cardholders to save on gas, restaurants, hotels, and more.
Diesel fuel cards can also help streamline expense management and administrative tasks for businesses. Fuel cards often allow users to set card limits, monitor spending, and track fuel expenses, providing greater control over fleet fuel expenses. This can be especially beneficial for small businesses and owner-operators who may have tighter budgets and fuel expenses as a major concern.
Lastly, diesel fuel cards can provide flexibility and ease of use by allowing truckers to fuel up at various stations within their network. This can be helpful for businesses operating across different locations, ensuring their drivers can easily find a participating fuel station and take advantage of the card's benefits.
Cleaning Diesel Fuel Off Metal: Effective Strategies
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Smartphone apps
This is where smartphone apps come in. Apps such as Greenlane, Mudflap, and Fuelbook can help you get discounts on diesel fuel. Greenlane, for example, offers discounts of 50 cents per gallon and up to $1.30 off the cash price at truck stops such as Love's, TA, Petro, and more. Mudflap focuses on independent mom-and-pop truck stops, which are usually 20 cents cheaper than major chains, and offers additional savings of 25 to 50 cents per gallon. Fuelbook automatically looks up fuel prices so you can find the cheapest option.
Other apps, such as the TCS Mobile App, offer features like Fuel Finder, which helps you locate in-network fuel stops and amenities on your route. The Open Roads App allows you to view in-network locations and real-time prices before you get to the pump.
These apps provide a modern solution for efficient, secure, and fast fuel payments, giving greater control to carriers, confidence to drivers, and savings to businesses. They eliminate the need for physical fuel cards, reducing the risk of fraud and theft, and provide digital receipts and transaction history for better expense management.
So, while fuel cards offer benefits such as fuel discounts and cost control, smartphone apps offer similar advantages with added security and convenience.
Changing the Fuel Filter on Your Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Application process
The application process for a diesel fuel card will vary depending on the provider and your specific needs. Fuel cards are offered by a variety of companies, including truck stops, fuel providers/oil & gas companies, trucking and driver associations, and dedicated fuel card companies.
- Research: Begin by researching the different fuel card providers to find one that suits your needs. Consider factors such as discounts, network of fuel stations, additional benefits, fees, and customer reviews.
- Eligibility: Different fuel cards cater to different types of customers. Some cards are better suited for individual drivers, while others are designed for small or large fleets. Check if the fuel card you're interested in requires a checking account to be tied to the card.
- Application: Most fuel card providers offer an online application process. Visit the website of your chosen provider and look for an "Apply Now" or similar option. You will likely need to provide personal and financial information, as well as details about your vehicle(s) and business.
- Approval: After submitting your application, the provider will review it and make a decision. They may contact you for additional information during this stage.
- Enrollment: Once your application is approved, the provider will contact you with information on how to enroll in their program and receive your fuel card. This may include setting up an account, linking a checking account, and/or making an initial deposit.
- Activation: Follow the instructions provided by the fuel card company to activate your card. This may involve calling a customer service number or activating it through an online portal or mobile app.
- Usage: Start using your diesel fuel card at participating fuel stations to take advantage of discounts and benefits. Remember to adhere to any terms and conditions associated with your card.
It is important to carefully review the terms and conditions of the fuel card program before applying, as there may be specific requirements or limitations that could impact your application and usage.
Cleaning Contaminated Diesel Fuel: DIY Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Payment methods
TransConnect Services (TCS) offers a cash-secured fuel card for truck drivers with no transaction fees and significant savings per gallon. The card can be funded through Zelle®, ACH credit (bank-to-bank transfer), Western Union, and third-party checks. Similarly, the Comdata commercial fuel card can be used at various locations, but it charges a monthly fee.
Some fuel cards require a checking account to be linked to the card, such as the Open Roads card, which is ACH debited like any other online payment. This means that if the account is overdrawn, the purchase may be denied, and the bank may charge a fee.
It is important to consider the different payment methods, discounts, and additional benefits offered by each fuel card provider to determine which option is the most suitable for your needs.
Cleaning Diesel Fuel Systems: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Diesel fuel cards are offered by a variety of companies, including truck stops, fuel providers/oil & gas companies, trucking and driver associations, and dedicated fuel card companies. They are designed to offer per-gallon discounts on fuel and other services specific to trucking.
Companies that offer fuel cards set up partnerships with truck and fuel stops to drive sales through discounts. When a fuel card provider sends one of its member drivers to a partnering truck or fuel stop, the fuel card provider receives a percentage of the fuel sale.
There are many companies offering diesel fuel cards, each with its own application process. Some companies offer an online application portal with clear, step-by-step instructions. Some fuel cards require a checking account to be tied to the card.
