Tip Diesel "discount" card

[kerry53406]

(Edited for clarity and typos 4/28/26, after reading the first response.) On recommendation from a couple of other RVers, I've been using the Open Roads fleet diesel discount card for the last 7k miles or so. I started to notice a pattern: the participating stations always seemed to have the highest pump price in their area; the discount seemed to yield a price that was in the same range as the local competition. So, on my most recent fill-up, I noted the price ($4.899) at the competing truck stop across the street (comparing truck diesel to truck diesel). Here's the breakdown:
Participating station advertised price $5.549
Open Roads advertised price $4.769
I pumped 63.441 gallons, for an "at-the-pump" cost of $352.03
Open Roads gets/keeps 10% of the discount, plus a $.40 transaction fee, for a net cost to me of $307.35
When not using the fleet card, I use a Visa with a 2.25% cash rebate on every purchase. Had I used that at the other station, it would have cost me $310.80 (63.441 x $4.899) at the pump; after my card issuer's rebate, the net cost to me would have been $303.80--$3.55 LESS than the Open Roads "discounted" cost. The fleet "discount" actually cost me 1% MORE than the open market price!
The true discount is NOT the difference between the pump price at "their" station; it's the difference between the actual Open Roads final cost and what you would actually pay at the competing station. I suspect few people consider that, or take the time to do this level of net-cost comparison. While the fleet card gets you back to roughly open-market parity, I suspect that they, and the stations to which they guide you, are making their money from a numbers game of financial sleight of hand. Not technically a scam, but even at best, not a significant benefit, either.
Just my two cents (or -$3.55) worth.

 

[Underboss]

The difference lies in the location of the "local competition" do they have truck lanes, the proximity to the highway offramp and ease of accessibility. When traveling I want ease of access and getting back on my way. I also like to plan my route prior to driving and use the open roads app to chart my fuel stops.

On the topic, people raved about Greenlane and I have found it to be consistently .25 to .30 cents higher then OR. In Florida and GA anyway

 

[NWIP]

I have just started to look at Greenlane fuel program, using it twice from Indiana to Montana. I have found it cheaper at locations where Love’s is co-located next to a Speedway or Maverick’s. I always use google map to see if there is truck fuel lanes. It just pays to do some research for fuel price.

 

[kerry53406]

The difference lies in the location of the "local competition" do they have truck lanes, the proximity to the highway offramp and ease of accessibility. When traveling I want ease of access and getting back on my way. I also like to plan my route prior to driving and use the open roads app to chart my fuel stops.

On the topic, people raved about Greenlane and I have found it to be consistently .25 to .30 cents higher then OR. In Florida and GA anyway

They were both truck stops. Thanks for prompting me to clarify that I'm comparing like to like.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

We have Open Roads, Greenlane and Mudflap.
We have found what the OP said can be true, that these discounts bring the price down to what other stations may be charging. But, it does vary from location to location and from region to region.
We like to use high volume locations that are kept clean, making it easier to keep the coach interior clean. And when on trips it helps reduce stress to stick with a known chain and how the pumps will operate.
So this means we stick with the discount cards. Based on the region we will use each card more or less.
Mudflap tends to get used more out west when away from high traffic interstates, Open Roads in the southeast and Greenlane has become our default for everywhere else.
Open Roads used to be our default, but Greenlane has taken that default role as they have been building out their network consistently and their pricing is competitive.