In searching for the best fleet card for your business, you’ve likely run across Comdata—and no surprise there. This company came out with the first universally accepted fuel card in the transport industry, which is probably why you’ve heard of them and may also be considering Comdata as an option.
But is a Comdata fleet card the right solution for your business? Do we recommend these fleet cards? We’ll cover these questions and more in this Comdata Fuel and Fleet Card review.
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Comdata Fuel Card Reviews
The Comdata fuel card is a widely recognized and accepted fleet payment method. It’s also an EFS fuel and fleet card provider. Drivers can use it to pay at any of the more than 160,000 stations nationwide that accept the Comdata Mastercard.
The following table shows you how the different card types compare.
| Features | Comdata Fleet Card | Comdata Mastercard | Comdata OnRoad Card | Comdata Connect Card |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Small fleets | Large fleets | Large fleets | Small fleets |
| Perk | Enhanced reporting and spend controls | Includes network of charging stations for hybrid and EV fleets | Business and banking card | No credit check required |
| Coverage | Over 8,000 locations | Everywhere Mastercard is accepted | Universal mastercard acceptance | Limited to pre-funded locations |
Comdata Fleet Card
The Comdata Fleet Card is designed for simpler fueling needs. Offering cost controls through set spending limits and basic reporting, this card provides an affordable fueling solution for smaller fleets.
While the Fleet Card does not have as many advanced features as Comdata’s OnRoad Card, its lower costs and ease of adoption make it accessible for operations with tighter budgets.
Comdata Mastercard Fleet Card
The Comdata Mastercard Fleet Card provides the flexibility and convenience of a universal commercial card. Accepted at hundreds of thousands of fuel and maintenance locations worldwide, this card gives your drivers a reliable payment option wherever they go.
While it lacks some of the strict controls of a dedicated fleet card, this Mastercard still enables basic restrictions and reporting. Many fleets use it as a complementary payment method to fill gaps in network coverage.
Comdata OnRoad Card
The Comdata OnRoad Card is one of Comdata’s most popular cards. This card provides extensive coverage with over 90% acceptance at fueling locations across the US and Canada.
It offers robust security features and gives truckers detailed control over purchases with customizable lane restrictions and other tools. With competitive rebates, strong reporting, and easy accounting integration, the OnRoad Card receives high marks for helping optimize costs and streamline fuelling.
Comdata Connect Card
The Comdata Connect Card offers flexible fueling paired with an existing payment method. Fleets can link the card to a bank account or credit card, taking advantage of those funding sources while accessing Comdata’s discounts and controls.
Without needing a credit check, your drivers can get started quickly with this card. The card allows instant access to pre-set credit lines and rewards programs. At the pump, drivers can save on fuel prices through Comdata’s network while managers remotely monitor spending and receive alerts.
Benefits of Using Comdata Fuel Cards
Here are just a few of the things you can expect when you sign up for this fleet card:
- 24/7 account and driver support
- Access to real-time reporting tools
- An online portal for account management
- Customized fuel discounts for fleets of all sizes
- Savings of up to 10 cents per gallon and up to six cents off the cash price per gallon
- Access to cash price
Additionally, fleet managers receive access to FleetAdvance, a proprietary Comdata product that provides real-time transaction data and reporting. FleetAdvance helps fuel managers make the best fuel purchase choices, while drivers receive access to FleetAdvance Mobile. This allows them to find the lowest fuel prices in their area and help control their spending.
When it comes to rebates, Comdata stands out. With other cards, reading the fine print is vital to ensure you understand what you’re getting, as some are only available for short periods. But Comdata has set up a system with its accepting locations that allow users to save every time you use your card to purchase fuel.
The different Comdata card types offer varying benefits depending on the nature of your fleet business. That means you need to choose the right card for your business to enjoy the maximum benefits. Overall, you can expect to enjoy the following benefits regardless of your card type.
Fuel Management
Fuel expenses often constitute a significant portion of a fleet’s overall operating costs. Proper fuel management can help you maximize profits.
Comdata allows you to implement customizable spending control. This helps you establish spending limits for individual drivers. For example, you can restrict purchases to specific gas stations, fuel types, and spending amounts.
You can also monitor fuel purchases and identify unauthorized transactions. The system gives you real-time alerts for the transactions. This helps you stay informed about driver behavior and prevent possible fraud.
Discounts
Comdata offers a variety of fuel discounts. These discounts help you save money on fuel expenses. For instance, Comdata offers cash price discounts to businesses that pay for fuel with cash.
This can be a significant savings when purchasing large amounts of fuel. Generally, the discounts are the same for both the Comdata Connect Card and the Comdata Fleet Card. Here are the cash discounts that Comdata offers.
- 10 cents off per gallon at Pilot Flying J
- 25 cents off per gallon at TA Petro
- 7 cents off per gallon at Sheetz locations
- 8 cents off per gallon at Speedway, AMBEST, and Love’s
Network Coverage
Fuel cards are typically associated with a specific network of fuel stations. This may include major brands or independent stations. A card with limited coverage restricts cardholders from using their cards within a specific area or state.
With Comdata cards, the network coverage depends on the specific card you select. If you choose the OnRoad or Mastercard fuel card, you’ll have the advantage of having universal Mastercard acceptance at over 160,000 stations. In contrast, the Fleet card is only accepted at around 8,000 gas stations.
With the Comdata Connect Card, it doesn’t work in Washington, Nevada, Hawaii, Oklahoma, California, or Alaska.
What Comdata Customers Say
Now that you have some information about the Comdata fuel cards, it’s time to explore another critical component of this review: what people say about their experience with this company.
We looked through online forums to understand what reviewers thought, and the results were lackluster.
There were plenty of complaints on both Comdata’s Better Business Bureau and Yelp pages, mostly by employees who had received Comdata cards to use as part of their jobs. Of the 102 reviews on their Yelp page, there’s only one 5-star review, and it’s from 2018.
And though not all the reviews spoke explicitly about the fuel cards, several general themes emerged: namely terrible customer service, hidden fees, and funds being withheld.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Comdata a Good Fuel Card?
Comdata is a good fuel card for fleet businesses that are looking for a fuel card with wide network coverage, a variety of options, and good fraud protection. The real-time reporting on fuel transactions helps you to track your spending and identify areas for savings.
How Much Does Comdata Charge for Fuel Cards?
Comdata charges $3 per transaction if you are fueling in out-of-network locations and $0 for in-network locations. Note that you may be charged a foreign transaction fee if you use your Comdata fuel card outside of the United States.
Does the Comdata Card Provide a Fuel Discount?
Yes, Comdata fuel cards offer fuel discounts in cash prices to fleet businesses that purchase fuel with cash. However, the company doesn’t clearly outline their discounts and how much you can save.
The Bottom Line
So do we recommend Comdata fleet cards for business owners?
It’s hard to deny that Comdata’s fleet cards have plenty of advantages, like making it simple for business owners to control their fleet and easy for drivers to find low fuel prices. They also seem to have some good benefits and are accepted at lots of points around the nation.
However, the overwhelming amount of negative reviews makes it hard to endorse Comdata fully. Although many of the complaints were not specifically about the fuel cards, all the talk about poor customer service and hidden fees does not inspire confidence in the company.