There is nothing wrong with issuing drivers with multiple fuel cards, provided all of the cards carry discounts. Steve Clarke, marketing manager, said, “Discounts can vary fractionally, but saving £40 instead of £41 to refuel a truck is hardly a problem. The major cost and cashflow difficulties arise when drivers carry one discount card and one pump-price-plus card.”

His observation was prompted by seeing the ‘transaction charge’ controversy continuing, a year after some suppliers upset customers by introducing addditional fixed costs. One supplier has now provoked further public discontent by offering a discount card and suggesting that customers carry it alongside their old-style pump-price-plus card.

“As our fuel cards all offer discounts and we have never imposed transaction charges, maybe we ought not to comment,” said Steve Clarke. “But, it is not rocket science what can happen when a driver has one of each card type. You might save 4p per litre, but are more likely to pay full pump price, plus an extra transaction fee. The uncertainty prevents you planning ahead and you have to go through invoices later, line by line, to know who spent what, where and when.”

He said, “If fuel cards are supposed to save customers money and time, this seems an odd way to go about it.”

Check your fuel card invoices for transaction charges, and if you don’t like what you find, ring your dedicated account manager and complain.

If you don’t have a dedicated account manager, but are expected to queue for a random call centre operator, take that as another good reason to look for a new supplier.

Contact Clare today for friendly assistance to help find the best fuel card for you and your business, with no more transaction fees.