TSD Logistics Fuel Program

[cavediver]

Has anyone used the TDS logistics fuel program? They seem to have a sizeable diesel fuel discount at places like Love's, Petro, and other big dealer's.

[JRTJH]

Few (probably NO) things in life are "free".

From what I've learned about the TSD fuel discount program, there are some "considerations" that make it OK for some, not OK for others.

Consider that it's only available at "commercial fuel outlets" (truck stops, commercial refueling centers, etc).

Typcially, the "per gallon price" of diesel at those outlets is significantly more expensive than the "Exxon station" across the street. As an example, Love's truck stop near here is $3.599/gallon for diesel, WalMart is $2.969 (with a 3 cent discount if you use a prepaid WalMart card, it's $2.939/gallon. That means WalMart is 66 cents a gallon cheaper than Love's...

If the TSD discount is 50 cents a gallon and they charge you a 10% fee, then the actual "cost to you" is 3.599-.50+.05= 3.149/gallon. That's still 21 cents/gallon MORE than WalMart.

This type "program" works for truckers. You simply can't get an 18 wheeler with a 53' trailer into the diesel pumps at WalMart or at the local Exxon station. This type "discount program" is targeted for "LARGE vehicles" and needs volume purchases to be effective. They are opening it up for RV'ers to increase that volume. I'd suspect it's a great program for those with large vehicles that can't access "tightly located pumps" but an expensive option for those who can fuel their pickup at the local "cheaper price/gallon" station.

So, look at the "fine print" on the TSD program. It may work for some, not so much for others.....

I always say, "The BIG print giveth and the small print taketh away." READ THE SMALL PRINT !!!!!

[Canonman]

Always wondered why the Flying J, Pilot and Love's diesel prices were so much higher than the other stations. I just figured they had a captive audience with the truckers. I try and use Gas Buddy to get around the excessive diesel costs at the freeway truck stops. We've had some interesting adventures getting the Cougar in and out of several of these "local" stations. So far no mishaps:)

[Customer1]

I signed up a couple weeks ago and got my card earlier this week. I haven't used it yet.

My primary focus is NOT the discount. I already have a credit card that gives me a 4% reward at any station. At a price of $3 per gallon that is a savings of 12 cents on each gallon. I'm also a life member of Good Sam which saves me another 8 cents at Pilot/Flying J. Both combined is 20 cents per gallon.

What I wanted is the convenience of a fleet card. I can pull up to the truck pumps, swipe my card, fill and git. Easy peasy. Previously I had to pull up to the pump, take a hike inside with my credit card, walk back to the truck, pump fuel, pull forward clear of the pump, take that long hike back into the station, sign my sales slip, walk back to the truck and finally leave. Convenience is the goal, the discount is a bonus.

[JRTJH]

It's my understanding they want your banking account information (so they can deduct the charges as they occur AND the part that concerns me most, they want your SSAN. They say it's so they can pursue collections in the event of a banking problem.... Maybe it's completely legitimate ??

If I were to make an application, I think I'd establish a separate account at my bank and only keep an appropriate amount of money in that account. My biggest concern, though, is giving a "discount card" my financial info and SSAN..... Maybe I'm just too cautious? Maybe not... IDK...

[cavediver]

It's my understanding they want your banking account information (so they can deduct the charges as they occur AND the part that concerns me most, they want your SSAN. They say it's so they can pursue collections in the event of a banking problem.... Maybe it's completely legitimate ??

If I were to make an application, I think I'd establish a separate account at my bank and only keep an appropriate amount of money in that account. My biggest concern, though, is giving a "discount card" my financial info and SSAN..... Maybe I'm just too cautious? Maybe not... IDK...

These are my concerns also. That's why I started this post. I can carry 62 gallons of fuel, the large stops are a convenience, but I usually can find fuel much cheaper. Along I-75 in Chattanooga exit 11 has the cheapest fuel I've seen.

[Customer1]

It isn't complicated, it is a debit card. Betcha you all have a debit card already and I'll bet you gave the issuer your SS number.

Since you all are smart people, proven by the fact that you are RVers, you froze your credit years ago. Right? My credit has been frozen for years, even I can't get a loan unless I thaw my credit first so my SS number is worthless to anyone.

[brlr2000]

I always get 5% Discount when using Credit Card, so the Program savings would have to exceed 5% since you would be using cash. If I purchase at Flying J, I also get 8 cents off per gallon. At $3 a gallon, that's about a 7.5% discount (about $2.77 gallon). Does anyone know if you typically save more that .25 or .35 cents per gallon. If not, I don't think it's worth the effort.

[K_N_L]

Here is my real world experience using TSD on my 2500 mile round trip to the Keys this month. I re-fueled 13 times start to finish, 4 times were either at off name or rv lanes (which had no discount), so 9 times there was a discount received. The costs below include the TSD 10% fee. The discounts were at either Loves or Pilot /FJ.



Total trip:
Gal. Purchased- 274
Fuel cost - $672
Avg Gal. cost - $2.45

When i exclude the non discounted stops, this is a better estimate of the TSD savings.
Gal Purchased - 195
Fuel Cost - $467
Avg Gal. Cost - $2.39

If I add back the discounted amount to the average cost - the average retail price was $2.93

I saved about $115 - could have been more had I picked better stops. I keep my TSD card for now. The actual card is provided by EFS payment solutions which handles fuel and OTR for many companies , TSD is their 'customer'.

[jsm180]

The best price with the TSD is at Loves, Pilot/FJ is a little higher. My local Loves retail price today is $2.78, with the TSD card it is $2.19. The Pilot/FJ discounted prices range from $2.21-$2.29

[larryflew]

I check gas buddy b4 stopping and trip from MN to MS to TX to AZ only 1 time was a gas buddy price cheaper than the Loves with discount. Just wish you could use at pumps other than truck lanes.

[SummitPond]

Pilot Flying J issues official statement on diesel discount debacle
(https://www.rvtravel.com/diesel-939/)
FYI, a statement on RV Travel about the end of the TSD fuel discount program at Flying J/Pilot. This does not affect Love's.

[larryflew]

TSD program updates:

TA/petro has given us new pricing and you will start to see them being the lowest price on your app. You might consider looking for TA's and Petro's instead of Loves. We are working on some of the smaller chains as well.

Kwik Trip now offers 10 cents discount which in our case puts them 10 cents below anyone local since they all seem to be at the same price.

Loves has been our goto on freeway trips but both of these news from today blurbs will change our local and trip purchases.

the current discount network is TA, Petro, Loves, Road Ranger, SAAP Brothers, Ambest, Kwik Trip and Kwik Star.

[cavediver]

Well I went ahead and got the card. On a trip from northern Ohio to the Florida Keys we saved about 30 percent. We paid between 1.41 to 1.61 per gallon, pump prices ran from 2.23 to2.59. One place in southern Florida I only saved 3 cents per gallon. I don't know if that's the norm, we thought that's better then the 5% on our credit card. Your mileage may vary. I'm not connected to TSD in any way. You have to use the truck pumps and enter your code number. The major problem is that you are limited to 900 gallons a day.

[larryflew]

Update on TSD EFS and Kwik Trip. They are WAY behind on updating their pumps so you have to pay inside to get your discount. Trying it at the pump will tell you it isn't recognised.

[Whitewolf]

I'm going to resurrect this old post.:) I agree with K_N_L, I believe TSD is a good thing. I actually carry both the TSD card and the Gas Buddy card that I pay $10 a month for. If you pay the higher Gas Buddy fee, you get a better discount.

If I'm traveling along the Interstate, I use TSD at truck stops. If I don't need fuel until we're unhooked, I use Gas Buddy. If there's a truck stop near that has better prices than Gas Buddy, I use TSD.

TSD recently upgraded their app called Open Roads. When you open the app the first thing that pops up is 'Your Best Fuel Option', the truck stop name, where it's at and the price. Of course you might not be going in that direction as the app doesn't know what direction you're going.

When you open the map, it gives you prices in a 150 mile radius. Figure which way your going and start looking at prices. The prices you see are the discounted prices. Tap on the price you like and it tells you the name and address and the option for directions. It also tells you the pump price, discount price and the transaction fee.

Here's a screenshot of my transaction. I only wish I needed more that 16 gallons at the time. Sometimes the discount is more and sometimes less. That's one of the nice features of using the map.

[jasin1]

It's my understanding they want your banking account information (so they can deduct the charges as they occur AND the part that concerns me most, they want your SSAN. They say it's so they can pursue collections in the event of a banking problem.... Maybe it's completely legitimate ??

If I were to make an application, I think I'd establish a separate account at my bank and only keep an appropriate amount of money in that account. My biggest concern, though, is giving a "discount card" my financial info and SSAN..... Maybe I'm just too cautious? Maybe not... IDK...

In Delaware, in order to get a temporary fishing license for fishing off the jetty on vacation,you need your SS number.
It seems crazy to me that you are expected to give your name ,address and SS number to someone at the counter of a little tackle shop. You have no idea if the person taking the info has a criminal record or not.
That is a law that has probably been in place forever and not challenged. Probably don’t need all that info to vote though

[flybouy]

Many years ago I went to a doctor's office for an IME (Independent Medical Examination) due to a work injury. The receptionist asked me for my SS#. I asked why and she replied "it's how we track you". Not me honey, figure out a different method. Years ago a lot of entities used your SS number as an ID number. Bad idea then, worse idea now.

[JDDilly]

I have had the card for about a year with no issues. I use my regular bank account, but I never keep much money in there. I move money as needed because a few years ago I used my debit card at a restaurant while traveling. Within 5 hours there we over $1000 charged online to my card.

I have no concern with the TSD card.

[vampress_me]

Many years ago I went to a doctor's office for an IME (Independent Medical Examination) due to a work injury. The receptionist asked me for my SS#. I asked why and she replied "it's how we track you". Not me honey, figure out a different method. Years ago a lot of entities used your SS number as an ID number. Bad idea then, worse idea now.

Doctor’s offices here in MN still routinely try to get your SSN. I just leave it blank or tell them no.

When we first moved to Montana in 1998, I went in to get a drivers license. The default drivers license number was your SSN. I was dumb-founded. At least if you asked, they would give you a different number, but I couldn’t believe even then they used your SSN on your license. Luckily, they changed that in the state law a couple of years later.

[JRTJH]

When I joined the Air Force "many years ago" we were given a AFN (Air Force Number) that was our "identity" on everything. Then, around 70-75 (can't remember the exact year) that was converted to using the SSAN, reportedly to simplify the amount of special identifiers. We all complained and pointed out that on the social security card, it plainly states, "NOT TO BE USED FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES" Didn't matter to the "4 stars" do it anyway.... Now, the military is/has moved away from the "9 digit SSAN"....

There was a time that it was printed on my checks because I had to write it on the face or I couldn't cash a check on base.... In today's society, identity theft is just too easy to accomplish. I'm reluctant to help someone "steal me"....

[LewisB]

Wow - 13 stops to purchase 274 gallons - that means you averaged using 21 gallons between stops!!! I could never do that. Getting into and out of fuel stations can be a real pain.

With a 45 gallon tank + 90 gallon auxiliary, I fuel at home and then make 1 or 2 stops for fuel to travel the 274 gallons worth. I simply can't imagine having to stop every 20 gallons....JMHO

How do we pay? Credit card with 4% rebate. Plus we buy most of our fuel (before and after trips) at the local Fry's and typically get $1/gallon off from our grocery credits. I figure we have just about paid for the auxiliary tank at this point plus I've saved countless hours of hassle getting into all those fuel stations.