What are Pilot Flying J Fleet Cards? Alternatives for Axle Fuel Cards

Pilot Flying J fleet cards, now branded as the Axle Fuel Card, are a trucking-focused fuel management solution designed for commercial transportation operations across North America. They've rebranded from "Pilot Flying J fuel cards" to the Axle Fuel Card to reflect Pilot Company's emphasis on providing fleet services through their network of Pilot and Flying J travel centers and One9 Fuel Network locations.

If you're looking for the best fuel card alternatives, competitor cards go well beyond Pilot's truck stop network, offering businesses different approaches to fleet expense management. You can explore business credit cards like Ramp that deliver broader spending oversight with superior fuel savings, traditional commercial networks such as Comdata and CFN specializing in truck stop coverage, or fleet solutions like WEX that prioritize geographic flexibility.

Here's what you need to know about Axle Fuel Cards and alternative fleet management solutions to help your business choose the right gas card for you.

What are Pilot Flying J fleet cards?

Pilot Flying J fleet cards, currently called the Axle Fuel Card, work as fleet payment solutions made for the trucking industry and transportation businesses that need access to truck-friendly fueling infrastructure. The name change reflects Pilot Company's shift from simply operating Pilot and Flying J travel centers to becoming a commercial transportation services provider.

The Axle Fuel Card system gives you access to over 950 Pilot and Flying J locations across the United States and Canada, alongside One9 Fuel Network partners, creating a network focused on commercial vehicle accommodation. This system includes over 7,600 diesel lanes, 78,000 parking spaces including premium reserved spots, and 5,400 shower facilities designed to support professional driver needs during mandatory rest periods.

Account management works through digital platforms that let fleet administrators monitor fuel transactions, set up spending controls, and track driver activity across the entire network. The system captures detailed transaction information including location data, fuel quantities, pricing information, and driver identification for detailed expense analysis and operational oversight.

The card program emphasizes cost savings through point-of-sale discounts averaging 27¢ per gallon (this value is based on customers enrolled in Pilot's net price program fueling at Pilot and Flying J locations in the United States as of December 2024).

Business credit requirements remain flexible, with options available for operations ranging from single-truck owner-operators to large commercial fleets, including no-credit-check alternatives for businesses with limited credit history. The application process works with various business structures while providing quick approval timelines designed to meet operational urgency requirements.

Understanding fuel card terminology: Fleet cards, fuel cards, and gas cards

Many businesses run into confusion when researching fuel management solutions due to overlapping terminology used throughout the industry. The terms "fleet cards," "fuel cards," and "gas cards" are often used interchangeably, though there are subtle differences that can impact program selection and expectations.

Fleet cards

Fleet cards are the broadest category, covering payment solutions designed for businesses managing multiple vehicles regardless of fuel type or operational scope. These cards typically include management tools such as spending controls, detailed reporting capabilities, and driver accountability features that support fleet oversight responsibilities.

Fuel cards

Fuel cards focus specifically on fuel purchasing and related automotive expenses, with features tailored for businesses prioritizing fuel cost management over broader fleet services. These cards typically offer fuel-specific discounts, detailed consumption tracking, and simplified account management designed for operations where fuel is the primary expense management concern.

Gas cards

Gas cards traditionally refer to payment solutions for gasoline purchases, though the term has evolved to include diesel and other fuel types as commercial applications have expanded. Gas cards may include basic spending controls and reporting features but generally offer less fleet management capabilities compared to dedicated fleet card programs.

So, which type of card should you choose?

In practice, most modern commercial fuel payment solutions combine features from all three categories, making terminology differences less relevant than specific program capabilities and business alignment. You should focus on operational requirements such as network coverage, discount structures, management tools, and administrative features rather than categorical labels when picking fuel management solutions.

Key considerations for choosing commercial fleet cards

Commercial fleet card selection requires looking closely at your operational patterns, network coverage needs, and administrative requirements specific to transportation businesses. You should analyze your typical route structures against participating station locations to ensure practical accessibility during daily operations, particularly focusing on geographic coverage in your primary operating territories.

Here are other key considerations to take into account:

Fleet size

Fleet size significantly influences program value propositions. For example, smaller operations often benefit from simplified billing arrangements from small business fleet cards. On the other hand, larger fleets can use volume-based pricing structures and sophisticated management tools to get operational efficiencies. The administrative complexity should match your internal resources available for fleet management activities.

Network quality

Network infrastructure quality is a critical factor for commercial operations, as standard gas stations often lack adequate truck parking, diesel fuel availability, or proper turning radius accommodation for large vehicles. Programs focused on truck stops and commercial fueling locations provide operational advantages over universal acceptance networks that include unsuitable retail locations.

Driver amenities

Driver amenities and support services impact operational efficiency through reduced out-of-pocket expenses and improved driver satisfaction. Programs offering shower access, reserved parking, meal options, and maintenance services can provide significant operational value beyond pure fuel cost savings, particularly for long-haul operations that need extended road time.

Cost structure

Cost structure analysis should look at total program economics including monthly fees, transaction charges, discount rates, and additional service costs. Many programs offer volume-based fee waivers or enhanced benefits based on monthly fuel consumption levels, making accurate volume projections essential for proper cost comparison between different options.

Top alternative commercial fleet card solutions in 2025

1. Ramp Business Credit Card

Ramp provides business credit cards and expense management software through a platform that treats fuel spending as one component of unified financial oversight while providing savings averaging 5¢ per gallon. It's a spend management software with universal Visa acceptance, detailed controls, and no personal guarantee required.

The system captures detailed fleet transaction data including odometer readings and VIN numbers while offering flat cashback rewards on almost all business expenses, not just fuel purchases. Companies benefit from automated receipt processing, real-time policy enforcement, and seamless accounting software integration that gets rid of manual reconciliation work for finance teams.

However, Ramp requires $25,000 minimum bank balances and you must pay full monthly balances on your card.

2. Comdata Fleet Cards

Comdata focuses on over-the-road trucking through access to 8,000+ truck stops and commercial fueling locations along major transportation corridors throughout North America. The program delivers volume-based discounts reaching 8¢ per gallon at partner locations while providing real-time purchase authorization systems and FleetAdvance analytics tools for spending visibility.

Comdata's commercial network focus and authorization controls are designed for long-haul logistics operations. The program works best for established trucking companies with predictable high-volume fuel consumption, though smaller fleets may find limited value in the advanced features and volume requirements.

3. WEX Fleet Cards

WEX operates a broad acceptance network covering approximately 95% of U.S. fuel locations, providing geographic flexibility for diverse routing requirements. The fuel program states that businesses can potentially save up to 15¢ per gallon within preferred merchant networks, supplemented by 3¢ per gallon discounts at non-participating locations, though actual savings vary significantly based on network participation and program terms.

Companies that need maximum operational flexibility often find value in WEX's universal acceptance, but the network may include locations unsuitable for commercial vehicles and savings depend on merchant participation levels.

4. CFN Commercial Networks

CFN focuses on western United States markets through 3,000+ commercial fueling locations designed specifically for heavy-duty equipment and truck operations, offering both cost-plus and retail-minus pricing structures that provide wholesale rate benefits. The network serves construction and equipment operations through specialized off-road diesel access.

CFN's pricing flexibility and equipment-focused approach provide value for businesses operating large trucks and construction equipment in western markets. However, geographic coverage becomes limited outside western regions, and the network primarily serves diesel operations rather than mixed fuel fleets.

5. Shell Fleet Programs

Shell operates dual business fuel programs through their network of 12,000+ locations, with Shell Card Business providing up to 6¢ per gallon savings at branded stations and Shell Card Business Flex extending coverage to 95% of U.S. fueling locations with reduced Shell-specific discount rates.

Both programs include maintenance benefits through participating Jiffy Lube partnerships and automated accounting capabilities designed for smaller commercial operations. Shell's network provides good coverage for light-duty fleets operating in areas with strong Shell presence, though the program focuses more on general business fleets than specialized trucking operations and offers limited truck-specific amenities compared to dedicated commercial networks.

Key takeaways

Pilot Flying J fleet cards, now branded as Axle Fuel Cards, provide transportation businesses with truck-focused fuel management through a network designed for commercial vehicle operations. Their fuel program's effectiveness depends on whether your operational routes align with Pilot Flying J network coverage, which concentrates on major interstate highways and commercial transportation corridors throughout North America.

If you need maximum geographic flexibility or operate outside primary truck stop corridors, you may benefit more from universal acceptance programs or expense management platforms like Ramp that integrate fuel spending with broader business oversight capabilities. Your choice depends on balancing network convenience against your operational requirements and the relative importance of truck-specific amenities versus broader fuel management flexibility.

Improve your fleet fuel management with Ramp

Most teams don't overspend because they drive more. They overspend because they can't clearly see who bought what, where, and when. The Ramp business credit card pairs everyday corporate spend management with fleet-oriented oversight. It's accepted anywhere Visa is, has no foreign transaction fees, and is available to businesses with at least $25,000 in a U.S. business bank account. On average, companies see about 5¢ per gallon in savings, and finance teams can capture odometer readings and VINs while reporting costs by driver, vehicle, or date.

If you run multiple vehicles or spend $1,000+ a month on fuel, Ramp can provide the control and transparency traditional fuel programs often miss, helping you cut waste and account for every dollar.

Explore how the Ramp business credit card works as a powerful fleet card and spend management software with universal acceptance, detailed controls, and no personal guarantee.

Information about third-party card providers is based on publicly available sources and may change over time. Details have not been independently verified or endorsed by the providers themselves.