Quote:
Originally Posted by Musicman
Flying J does not accept Comdata or other fuel cards because they do not want to have to pay the fee associated with those cards. They use TCH, which is owned by Flying J. They (other truck stops, because the J quit allowing this completely at the commercial diesel fuel islands) also (illegally, I believe) charge more for fuel being purchased with a credit card because the credit cards charge merchants a fee based on a percentage of the purchase. These fees are customarily 1.5% to 3% of the total purchase price. When fuel was $4.50 a gallon, that would cost the truck stop as much as $33.75 for one 250 gallon fill up. The J stopped accepting credit cards completely because of proposed lawsuits by OOIDA and others, because the credit card companies (specifically Master Card) make their merchants sign agreements that state that the merchant will not charge credit card customers any more than cash paying customers.
The only fuel card that is not accepted by Flying J, as far as I know, is Comdata. I've seen both EFS and T-check used. The fued between Flying J and Comdata started years back. And, more recently, T/A has joined the fray and refused to accept TCH.
Back in about the mid '90s, Comdata decided to charge the driver an extra dollar on all transactions. Flying J said that the driver was already being charged enough and in protest, refused to accept Comdata. Over a few years, Comdata was negotiating with Flying J and thought they were nearing an agreement so that Flying J would accept the card again, and Flying J came out with the TCH card. When that happened, it made Flying J a competitor and Comdata will no longer permit their card to be used at a J. A Comdata rep told me that if they allowed the cards to be used at Flying
Js, Comdata would no longer be in business.
Over they years, their fued reminds me of a couple of kids in a schoolyard. The "hard-on" they have for each other makes me think someone on both sides of the issue is immature.
And, as to the food, I've done a lot of eating at a J. I tend to get far better service than at a T/A, and it ranks far above a Pilot or Loves. Some of the places I do like to eat are at Wilderness Crossing, junction of US-45 and WI-29 at Wittenberg, WI. The 51 Truck stop north of Wausau, WI, and Abbeyland Truck stop at Curtis, WI, exit 127 (I think) of WI-29.