Not knowing the limitations of ARCO’s closed-loop fuel card system can leave truckers stranded, leading to costly out-of-network fill-ups, missed deliveries, and scrambled logistics.
To prevent such disruptions, this guide will help your fleets understand where ARCO cards are accepted and if the trade-offs on fuel purchases are worthwhile.
Topics
Arco Fleet Card: Arco Business Solutions Fuel Card vs Arco Business Solutions Mastercard
ARCO is a smaller partner but with excellent rewards. It currently offers two card solutions for fleets and owner-operators — the Fuel Card and the Mastercard.
Key Takeaways:
- Fuel card available only at ARCO stations
- Mastercard option for service purchases
- High annual fees
- No other perks or savings offered, even with the Mastercard
- Best for small businesses and owner-operators on the West Coast
- Card issuance fees
The ARCO Fuel Card is best suited for smaller trucking companies located in the western US near ARCO’s 1,500 stations. The ARCO Mastercard expands capability to additional services like maintenance and repairs with expanded reporting, yet remains limited to areas where Mastercard is taken.
Investing in a fuel and fleet card that’s closed-loop is a risk, although it’s worth checking out depending on the client agreement. Let’s break down this fuel and fleet card payment information to determine if an ARCO Fuel and Fleet card is for you.
| Features | ARCO Fuel Card | ARCO Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Where Accepted | Participating ARCO locations | Anywhere Mastercard is accepted |
| Reporting | Basic fuel reporting | Expanded reporting on fuel and other spending |
| Highlights | Tracking options by vehicle, driver, or odometer | Allows payment flexibility |
ARCO Business Solutions Fuel Card
The ARCO Business Solutions Fuel Card will give your drivers access to high-quality fuel. It’s a closed-loop card available at ARCO stations only, which could be challenging when you operate primarily on the East Coast.
The card offers savings and provides a secure way for drivers to fuel up at any of the 1,500 locations available, mainly in the West.
The fuel card provides reporting and newer tech options like geofencing and customized usage solutions to cut down on fraud. You can assign a PIN for greater security, and there’s a monthly issuance fee with per-card fees if you need more than one.
- Require driver IDs and odometer prompts prior to purchase
- Deactivate lost or stolen cards immediately
- Card controls
- Basic reporting and savings at ARCO locations
- Trusted supplier for small businesses with more local reach
- Available to most users with a minimum of a 580 credit score
ARCO Business Solutions Mastercard
With a flexible card management system, the ARCO Business Solutions Mastercard operates more like a credit card, expanding your solutions to maintenance and service wherever Mastercard is accepted. The logo’s circular design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.
The card provides fuel savings and service purchases, but the biggest reason to switch over to the Mastercard option is the expanded reporting features. If data is vital to you, you’ll see a more comprehensive view of your monthly expenditures and location data.
- TOP TIER™ Gas AP1
- Drivers’ access to high-quality fuel and diesel at ARCO locations
- Detailed reporting and individual spending controls
- Card controls and purchase restrictions
The Benefits
Both options offer basic reporting and savings at ARCO locations. The cards are available to most users with a minimum of a 580 credit score, making it accessible for various businesses.
It’s a trusted supplier for small businesses with more local reach, allowing them to take advantage of a fuel card or Mastercard for savings and service. You get security and fraud controls built into the card, allowing users freedom but restricting misuse.
You can also set controls for odometer readings and driver ID prompts when filling up. You can deactivate a lost or stolen card immediately with no wait time. And with reporting for tax and fuel purposes, it makes life simpler.
Decide if the proximity of your fueling stations are close enough to take advantage of. ARCO has traditionally refused card payments in all but the most restrictive manner, so the fuel or Mastercard could be a way to finally get around those limitations if you plan to visit often.
The Downsides
The biggest downside for the fuel card, especially, is the closed-loop feature. Drivers can only fuel up at an ARCO station. That’s not a problem if you’re located on the West Coast near the ARCO hub, but anywhere else could be an issue.
There are only about 1,500 ARCO stations around, compared to BP, which has nearly seven times that amount. Without access to the right station, you’re out of luck with this option.
The ARCO card also has a slightly higher fee structure than some other options, with users paying up to $180 in annual fees. The late payment fees are also high, and issuance fees never get waived.
The savings offered through an ARCO card may not outweigh the fees and limitations for larger establishments, considering you’ll pay for each card issued. More than a handful of drivers, and that’s prohibitively expensive.
The fuel card doesn’t offer your drivers the option to pay for service or repairs. This may not be a deal-breaker for owner-operators, but fleets must carefully consider this downside.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is an ARCO Fleet Card?
ARCO fleet cards allow commercial drivers to purchase fuel at ARCO gas stations and provide reporting for those businesses. The cards unlock lower ARCO fuel prices and offer controls to optimize spending based on the weighted average industry street price.
What Bank Is an ARCO Credit Card?
ARCO does not issue its own branded credit card. The ARCO Mastercard fleet card provided in partnership with FleetCor allows payments anywhere Mastercard is accepted by linking to existing card networks.
Where Can I Use My ARCO Business Card?
The standard ARCO Business Solutions Fuel Card is limited to ARCO gas stations only, whereas the ARCO Mastercard option expands capability anywhere Mastercard is taken. While Mastercard remains optimized for fueling up at ARCO locations, the usage depends on the specific card.
The Final Verdict
An ARCO Business Solutions Fuel Card delivers localized convenience yet lacks nationwide utility. Fleets operating solely on the West Coast near ARCO stations may benefit, yet most long-haul truckers need more flexibility and acceptance locations. Before committing to ARCO fuel cards, weigh your routes, fill-up patterns, and needs.