In the world of commercial trucking, fuel cards are essential tools that no carrier can do without, regardless of the size of their operations — whether you’re running a massive fleet or just a single vehicle. These cards bring a host of benefits, allowing carriers to enjoy significant savings at the fuel pump through exclusive deals and discounts. They also simplify the task of keeping tabs on fuel expenses and consumption patterns, ensuring that your financial records are well-organized.
Fuel cards serve as reliable allies for fleets of all sizes, providing a practical way to cut costs and maintain meticulous records of every fuel transaction throughout your fleet’s journey. For carriers overseeing a team of dedicated truckers, these cards serve an extra purpose by setting limits on individual fuel purchases over specified timeframes. It’s a finely tuned tool for managing your business, where the cardholder defines the boundaries.
What is a fuel card?
A fuel card, often referred to as a fleet or trucking card, is like a special payment card tailored exclusively for covering fuel costs and other vehicle-related expenses. It’s a financial tool that simplifies the entire process of buying fuel for commercial truck carriers and fleet operators. What’s great about them is that most fuel cards are linked with major fuel networks, giving carriers diverse choices when it’s time to refuel. This convenience can be particularly valuable for long-distance trucking ventures.
The benefits of fuel cards for truckers
Here are some key advantages of using commercial fuel cards:
Overall, fuel cards for truckers provide a range of benefits, including cost savings, streamlined expense tracking, and enhanced control over fuel-related expenditures. It’s an essential component of efficient and cost-effective fleet management.
However, with so many different ones on the market, it can be difficult to know which to choose. Let’s take a look at the best fuel cards for truckers and the benefits that make them stand out.
The top 5 best fuel cards for truckers
1. DAT One Fuel Card, powered by OTR Solutions
Empower your fleet with a fuel card backed by the industry-leading DAT load board network. Seamlessly integrate load booking and fuel expense management to streamline operations on the road.
With access to an extensive network of fuel providers, the DAT One Fuel Card offers highly competitive discounts. This card is accepted at 8,000 locations with discounts at over 2,200 locations across the country and delivers an average savings of $0.50 posted cash price per gallon, which is the highest average discount compared to what competitors offer. And the savings can go as high as an impressive $1.70 per gallon, leaving you with extra cash for things like truck upgrades and driver compensation.
Moreover, handling the DAT One Fuel Card is a breeze. You don’t have to worry about credit checks because the DAT One Fuel card is a prepaid card. What’s more, you can streamline your finances by establishing automated card loading or utilizing funds from invoices factored with OTR Solutions to top up your fuel card.
2. Fleet One
Fleet One’s solutions have been thoughtfully crafted to cater to the needs of growing fleets, making their fuel card an excellent choice for both owner-operators and small fleet owners. The Fleet One EDGE Card stands out as one of the top diesel fuel cards, offering impressive savings of $0.12 per gallon off the regular cash price for fuel purchases at TA, Love’s, and various independent fuel stations.
Much like the other leading fuel cards designed for trucking companies in our selection, the Fleet One EDGE Card grants access to an extensive network of truck stops. Currently, it is accepted at 4,500 stations, without any additional charges or hidden fees. Moreover, this card offers additional savings opportunities on essential aspects such as equipment, parts, maintenance, and accommodations. Notably, it also delivers substantial savings of approximately $40 per tire on popular tire brands available nationwide.
However, it’s crucial to take into account feedback from reviewers. Although Fleet One promotes itself as an excellent option for small fleets, some cardholders have voiced the opinion that the comprehensive benefits seem to be better suited for larger fleets. Furthermore, there have been instances reported where delays in card issuance suggest that the application process may demand a certain degree of patience.
3. RTS Carrier Services
The RTS program has a primary focus on enhancing efficiency and cost savings for fleets, particularly through the Pilot Flying J network and its affiliate One-9 locations. These locations are the core of its fuel card for small fleets, offering tailored solutions to help you streamline your operations.
While RTS provides cost-plus pricing options at select locations, it’s worth highlighting the exceptional value of its Pilot Flying J offering. It includes an impressive Retail Minus discount, ranging from a substantial 10 to 25 cents per gallon. This exclusive discount ensures that carriers can access some of the most competitive rates available in the industry.
The RTS program is all about delivering tangible benefits, giving you the insights and tools to make informed decisions about where and how you refuel.
Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that a subset of cardholders has shared their experiences regarding the accessibility of the customer service team. Some have encountered challenges in reaching out for assistance, citing difficulties in connecting with their support. Additionally, there have been observations that suggest the services provided by this company may be less advantageous for smaller fleets, potentially due to specific features or offerings that cater more to the needs of larger, more established operations.
4. TCS
TransConnect Services (TCS) stands as a reliable fuel card provider, known for its fair pricing and round-the-clock customer support, making it a top choice for carriers. With a TCS fuel card, you’ll enjoy the convenience of zero transaction fees at over 1,500 in-network locations, and there are no activation or membership charges to worry about. Additionally, TCS’s user-friendly website keeps all your account information in one place, and its handy app helps you quickly spot opportunities for fuel savings.
TCS goes the extra mile to simplify funding your fuel card, offering various payment options, including Zelle, ACH credit, bank wire, third-party checks, and Western Union. They also provide a secure fuel management system that allows you to set limits on fuel transactions and itemize fuel statements, making IFTA reporting a breeze. Moreover, TCS offers card customization to cater to the needs of owner-operators, small trucking companies, and large fleets alike.
It’s important to bear in mind that there are some noteworthy experiences shared by a small number of cardholders. Specifically, a handful of individuals have reported instances where they encountered double charges for fuel purchases or discrepancies between the amount they were billed and what was initially indicated on their mobile app.
5. TVC Pro-Driver
If you’re seeking a smaller network, TVC offers a tailored solution with a primary focus on two key truck stops: TA/Petro and Love’s.
Fueled by Expediter Services and widely accepted at over 15,000 locations, the TVC Pro-Driver Fuel Card is designed to boost your savings. On average, cardholders enjoy savings of $150 per week, which adds up to a substantial $7,800 per year. It’s important to be aware of the associated costs, including a $60 monthly fee and transactional fees of $2.50 for both in-network and out-of-network usage. Additionally, if you opt for the TVC Prepaid option, note that there may be a charge of up to 4% for same-day ACH transfers to the fuel card.
Some reviewers report they’ve experienced difficulties getting the help they needed or were provided confusing or contradictory information.
Save money at the pump and take control of your fuel costs with the DAT One Fuel Card
The DAT One Fuel Card empowers drivers to find the cheapest fuel — no matter where the road takes them. Accepted at 8,000 locations nationwide, the DAT One discount fuel program for truckers ensures that drivers will always find a place to refuel, offering discounts and steep savings along the way.
Explore the full spectrum of benefits that the DAT One Fuel Card, powered by OTR Solutions has to offer.
Whether it’s unlocking substantial savings at the pump or helping to manage your financials, there’s plenty to love about the industry’s top-tier fuel card provider. Don’t wait — save money with the DAT One Fuel Card today!
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