Best fuel discount program

As a trucking company owner, fleet manager or driver, one of the biggest expenses you face are fuel costs. Fortunately, there are discounts available to help truckers save money on fuel and other common operational expenses. This article highlights our top fuel discount program recommendations to help you identify the best fit for your specific needs.

Along the way, we’ll also explain what to consider in your decision and answer some frequently asked questions. Let’s get started!

Quicklook: Best fuel discount programs

• Best for comprehensive solutions: eCapital featured ad
• Best for rewards: Fuelman
• Best for biggest diesel savings: TruckSmarter
• Best for customer service: TCS 
• Best for small fleets: Comdata
• Best for fleet fueling purchases and financial controls: EFS
• Best for in-network fuel discounts: FleetOne
• Best for national networks: WEX Fuel Cards

8 best fuel discount program options

Finding the best fuel discount program depends on your business and what you’re looking for. In this section, we’ll highlight the features, benefits, disadvantages and fee structure of each recommendation.

eCapital

Best for: Comprehensive benefits

eCapital offers comprehensive solutions to help truckers run their businesses, from load boards to freight factoring services. It also offers a fuel discount program through its fuel cards. eCapital’s fuel card is accepted at more than 16,000 truck stops across North America with up to $0.20 off per gallon.

Special features: 

• High cash back on gas
• $100 per day cash advance option
• Able to calculate fuel tax

Benefits:

• Simple-to-use Fuel Management Portal with access to IFTA reporting
• Deep discounts on fuel and more
• Strong security controls with ability to set product, volume, and dollar limits

Disadvantages: No APR range information available online

Pricing: No monthly or annual fees

Fuelman

Fuelman fuel cards come packed with features. The customizable dashboard and data visualizations make it effortless to ensure that this card will streamline your accounting operations. With several card options available at varying price points, you can find one works well for your business. Real-time monitoring and alerts can keep your account secure, even when you don’t have time to check in yourself. With generous rewards for each card type, it’s hard to lose when you sign up with one of Fuelman’s fuel fleet cards. 

Best for: Rewards

Special features: 

• More than 50,000 stations nationwide
• Maintenance management and payment program
• Customizable dashboard and data reports
• Real-time fraud monitoring
• Fraud-loss coverage of up to $25,000 per year

Benefits: 

• Eight-cent-per-gallon diesel rebate
• Five-cent-per-gallon unleaded rebate
• Two points per eligible gallon
• $100 annual loyalty bonus

Disadvantages: Coverage gaps in some states outside of the Midwest

Pricing: $59 a month for all the fuel cards your business

TruckSmarter

TruckSmarter partners with hundreds of truck stops across the country to give drivers and owner-operators large discounts on fuel. Customers typically save up to $1.50/gallon or $500 on a full tank. No fuel card is needed because transactions are done directly in the TruckSmarter app.

You will find fuel discounts on your route nationwide at mom and pop truck stops, travel centers, and chains like Maverik, Roady’s, GrubMart, Quicklees, Davis, Taylor Quik Pik.

Best for: biggest diesel savings

Special features: 

• Easy-to-use
• Up to $1.50/gal savings, average 50¢/gal savings
• No fuel card needed
• No transaction fees

Benefits:

• Interactive fuel finder map to find fuel savings along your route
• Itemized fuel statements for IFTA reporting
• Driver support from US-based support team
• Additional fuel savings for factoring customers
• Access to load board for free

Disadvantages: 

• When you reserve a code, you will see a temporary pre-authorization charge. This charge will be applied toward the total fuel purchase or be removed if code is unused.
• Fuel transactions are all managed through the TruckSmarter mobile app. Desktop management likely won’t come until 2024.  

Pricing: No transaction fees, no hidden fees

TCS

Best for: Customer service

TCS offers one of the best trucking fuel cards around. They offer discounts on fuel purchases at more than 10,000 fuel stations across the U.S. The company offers flexible payment options and detailed reporting on fuel usage with no setup or transaction fees.

Special features: 

• Client portal to access account information
• Interactive fuel finder map to find fuel savings along your route
• Card customization for owner-operators, small trucking companies and fleets

Benefits:

• Discounts on fuel, tires and services
• Itemized fuel statements ideal for IFTA reporting
• 24/7 customer service

Disadvantages: Additional fees may apply for optional services, late payments, and/or credit risks

Pricing: No activation, membership, monthly or annual fees

Comdata Fuel Cards

Best for: Small fleets 

Comdata Fuel Cards offer discounts and rebates on fuel purchases at thousands of gas stations across the U.S. Their truck fueling cards also offer access to a network of maintenance and repair service providers. Pricing options on these fuel cards for small businesses can vary depending on the size of your fleet. With customized solutions for small fleets, their program is among the best for new businesses. 

Special features: 

• Truck fuel card is accepted at more than 8,000 locations nationwide
• Savings up to 65% on tires and retreads at over 3,000 locations
• 24/7 driver support
• Online account management and fast track gas station membership

Benefits: 

• Cash price plus additional $.25 off per gallon at TA Petro
• $.10 off per gallon at Pilot Flying J
• Up to $.08 off per gallon at Love’s, AMBEST, Speedway and 7-Eleven locations.

Disadvantages:

• Subject to a $8/card per month fee after a one-time $50 account setup fee
• Additional fees may apply for optional services, late payments, and/or credit risks

Pricing:

• No transaction fee for purchases at in-network locations
• $3 transaction fee for purchases at out-of-network locations

EFS Fuel Cards 

Best for: Fleet fueling purchases and financial controls 

The EFS fuel discount program offers a range of fuel card features, including volume discounts and cashback rewards. If security’s your top concern, with an EFS account you can set purchase limits in real-time, down to the individual card level. These truck fuel cards also offer a mobile app for easy management and tracking of fuel purchases. Pricing varies depending on the services selected.

Special features:

• Seamless integration with leading third-party-software
• Real-time online account reconciliation
• Cash advances and ATM access/withdrawal

Benefits:

• Accepted at 12,000+ truck stops across North America
• Many add-on solutions, like online permit order submissions and access to trend analysis
• Easy, instant access to pay or settlement funds

Disadvantages:

• Transaction fees out of network
• Better for larger fleets

Pricing:

• No transaction fees or card fees within the WEX EDGE network
• No setup fees or monthly charges

Fleet One Fuel Cards 

Best for: In-network fuel discounts

One of the best gas discount programs, Fleet One Fuel Cards offer discounts at more than 4,000 U.S. gas stations. They also offer flexible payment options, prepaid fuel cards and reporting on fuel usage. Pricing options vary depending on the size of your fleet.

Special features:

• Save thousands per year on fuel discounts alone
• Savings on repair and maintenance services at TA Truck Service locations
• Part of the WEX edge savings network

Benefits:

• Discounts on major tire brands
• Savings on mobile phone plans, maintenance, hotels and more

Disadvantages: 

• Each card has a unique fee structure, with individual monthly fees and charges 
• Can be costly if you have a large fleet of drivers

Pricing:

• No setup fees
• No fuel transaction fees at participating EDGE network locations

WEX Fuel Cards

Best for: National networks

Worried the nearby gas station won’t be part of the network? It’s a risk for any fleet card holder, but WEX Fleet Fuel Cards minimize this risk. The WEX fuel discount program has a 95% coverage rate which makes it a popular choice. WEX offers spending reports and an app that includes a station locator and options for mobile payments. The company offers card options for large fleets and small businesses. 

Special features:

• Mobile payments through DriverDash
• Fuel spending reports generated by ClearView
• Employee spending controls
• Automatic fuel expense tracking

Benefits:

• Helpful driver app
• Specialized cards for various fleet sizes
• Ease of payment

Disadvantages:

• Unlisted fees for some services
• Low rebates 
• Some WEX cards that allow you to carry a balance have high interest rates

Pricing:

• No setup or annual fees

What is a fuel discount program?

Trucking fleet managers and individual drivers enroll in fuel discount programs to reduce fuel costs and enjoy additional in-program discounts. Companies offering fuel discount programs are typically directly associated or have established business partnerships with regional or nationwide gas station chains. They may make money from annual, monthly or transactional fees, for instance, or interest charged on lines of credit. Some companies don’t charge fees, relying instead on a percentage of the volume discounts they negotiate on behalf of their customer base.

How does a fuel discount program work?

When you utilize your truck gas card at participating locations, you may receive rewards that include discounts, points and cash back, for instance. The best programs usually include customized reports, tax forms, alerts, and discounts at hotels and more. Some companies also offer prepaid fuel card options. 

What to consider with fuel discount programs

When choosing a fuel discount program that includes a truck stop fuel card, there are many factors to consider. They include the:

• Number and location of in-network gas stations
• Discounts or rebates offered 
• Payment options available 
• Additional features or services included

Many fuel discount programs require a membership or loyalty card to be presented at the point of purchase. Some may have restrictions on the type or amount of fuel that qualifies for discount.

Fuel discount programs are valuable to truckers

Overall, fuel discount programs can be a great way to save money, but it’s important to research your options thoroughly. Read all terms and conditions carefully and understand how each program works. Consider the features of each card, the rewards and costs to find the best fit for your business needs.

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