AtoB vs RTS Fuel Card: Which Fleet Fuel Card Delivers Better Savings?

Choosing the right fuel card can save your trucking business thousands of dollars annually on fuel costs. Both the AtoB fuel card and the RTS fuel card offer fuel card programs designed for owner-operators and small fleets, but they differ significantly in fuel discounts, network size, fees, and fleet management features. This AtoB vs RTS fuel card comparison breaks down everything you need to know about these fuel card services to make the right choice for your operation.

The trucking industry faces constant pressure from rising fuel prices and maintenance costs, making fuel card selection critical for profitability. A quality fuel card helps fleet managers control fuel expenses, track expenses efficiently, and improve fuel management across their operations. Whether you're an owner-operator with one truck or managing a growing fleet, understanding the differences between these fuel card options determines how much you'll save.

Key Takeaways

• The AtoB fuel card delivers deeper fuel savings, averaging 45¢ per gallon on diesel compared to RTS's 25¢ per gallon discount
• AtoB offers universal acceptance at 99% of gas stations and truck stops nationwide, while the RTS fuel card works at 3,500 locations
• Both fuel cards offer options for truckers with poor credit and credit challenges through prepaid or self-funded accounts
• The AtoB fuel card provides $250,000 fraud protection; the RTS fuel card includes maintenance discounts at 290+ service centers to reduce maintenance costs
• AtoB eliminates personal guarantee requirements; the RTS fuel card offers flexible credit lines up to $3,200 weekly

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AtoB Fuel Card Overview

The AtoB fuel card has quickly become a leading fleet fuel card provider, serving over 30,000 fleet customers and 100,000+ drivers across the United States. This fuel card operates on the Mastercard network, providing universal acceptance at virtually any fuel station nationwide. The AtoB fuel card stands out in the trucking industry for its combination of deep fuel discounts and comprehensive fuel management tools.

Key features of the AtoB fuel card include:

• Average fuel discounts of 45¢ per gallon on diesel at truck stops, with savings up to $2.00 per gallon at select locations
• Discounts of 5¢ per gallon on unleaded fuel at 30,000+ partner gas stations
• Fuel card acceptance at 99% of fuel stations plus 3,500+ truck stops
• No personal guarantee required for qualified trucking businesses
• $250,000 fraud protection guarantee
• Comprehensive fleet management tools, including IFTA reporting and driver payroll
• 24/7 multilingual customer support (English, Spanish, Hindi, Punjabi)
• Mobile app with real-time fuel prices and route optimization for improved fuel management

The AtoB fuel card offers two primary fleet card options. The AtoB Flex fuel card is a credit-based fleet card with customizable spending limits and advanced features for expense tracking and expense management. The AtoB Unlimited fuel card is a prepaid card requiring no credit check, making it ideal for trucking companies with credit challenges or those looking to build business credit.

AtoB Fuel Card Pricing:

• $35 one-time setup fee
• AtoB Flex fuel card: $15/month for 1-5 cards, $3/card for additional cards
• AtoB Unlimited fuel card: $3 per active card per month
• No transaction fees or hidden fees
• Optional Premium upgrade: Additional $3/card/month for FuelMap optimizer, secure card unlock, and telematics integration

RTS Fuel Card Overview

RTS Financial (RTS Carrier Services) has been serving the trucking industry since 1995, primarily through invoice factoring services. The RTS fuel card is designed specifically for owner operators and small fleets who want straightforward pricing without contracts or annual fees. Unlike some competitors, like Shell Fleet cards, that focus on brand-specific networks, the RTS fuel card targets truckers who frequently use Pilot Flying J locations.

Key features of the RTS fuel card include:

• Average fuel discounts of 25¢ per gallon at participating locations
• RTS fuel card acceptance at 3,500+ fuel stations, including Pilot Flying J, Casey's, Speedway, Circle K, and Sapp Bros
• Weekly credit limit of up to $3,200 per truck
• No setup fees, monthly fees, or annual fees for any RTS fuel card
• Self-funded option for truckers with poor credit (load funds via debit or credit card)
• Maintenance discounts at 290+ service centers, including Boss Shop and Southern Tire Mart to reduce maintenance costs
• RTS Pro mobile app for finding fuel prices and tracking fuel expenses
• IFTA reporting and detailed reporting tools for fuel management
• Option to bundle the RTS fuel card with the RTS factoring services for additional savings

The RTS fuel card program offers three fuel card options: the RTS Fleet One fuel card for diesel-only fleets, the RTS Self-funded fuel card for those with credit challenges, and the RTS Mixed Fleet card for trucking businesses operating both diesel and gasoline vehicles.

RTS Fuel Card Pricing:

• No setup fees for any RTS fuel card
• No monthly fees or annual fees
• No contract required
• Net-7 or Net-10 payment terms on credit purchases
• Interest charges apply on credit line usage (reportedly 18-24% APR)

Head-to-Head Comparison

Fuel Discounts and Savings

The most critical factor for any fleet fuel card is how much you'll save on fuel purchases. Here's how the AtoB fuel card and RTS fuel card compare on per-gallon discounts:

For a truck consuming 1,000 gallons of diesel monthly, the difference in fuel savings is substantial:

• AtoB: $450/month in fuel savings ($5,400 annually)
• RTS: $250/month in fuel savings ($3,000 annually)

That's an additional $2,400 per year in savings per truck with AtoB—money that goes directly to your bottom line and improves cash flow for your trucking business.

Network Coverage and Acceptance

Network size directly impacts fuel efficiency and route planning. Drivers shouldn't have to detour for fuel discounts when using a fuel card.

AtoB Fuel Card Network:

• 99% of all fuel stations nationwide (Mastercard acceptance)
• 30,000+ gas stations with partner discounts
• 3,500+ truck stops including TA, Petro, TA Express, 7-Eleven, and Speedway
• No out-of-network fees—fuel anywhere with your AtoB fuel card

RTS Fuel Card Network:

• 3,500+ participating locations for RTS fuel card holders
• 850+ Pilot Flying J truck stops
• Additional locations: Casey's, Speedway, Circle K, Sapp Bros
• RTS fuel card only works at in-network locations

The AtoB fuel card's universal acceptance means your drivers never waste miles searching for in-network stations. The RTS fuel card's smaller network works well if your routes consistently pass Pilot Flying J locations, but it can create challenges on unfamiliar routes or in areas with limited network coverage.

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Fees and Transparent Pricing

Hidden fees can quickly erode fuel savings. Both fuel cards emphasize straightforward pricing, but the fee structures differ:

AtoB Fuel Card Fees:

• $35 one-time setup fee
• $3 per active card monthly (Unlimited) or $15/month for 1-5 cards (Flex)
• No transaction fees
• No out-of-network fees
• No hidden fees

RTS Fuel Card Fees:

• No setup fees
• No monthly fees
• No annual fees
• No contract
• Transaction fees may apply (not publicly disclosed)
• Interest charges on credit line usage (18-24% APR reported)

While the RTS fuel card appears cheaper upfront with no monthly fees, the interest charges on credit purchases and smaller fuel discounts may result in higher overall fuel costs. For small fleets using 5 fuel cards, AtoB costs $15-50/month in fees but delivers approximately $200/month more in fuel savings per truck—a clear net positive.

Credit Requirements and Personal Guarantee

Both fuel cards offer options for truckers with credit challenges, but their approaches differ:

AtoB Fuel Card Credit Options:

• AtoB Flex fuel card: Credit-based card, no personal guarantee required for qualified businesses
• AtoB Unlimited fuel card: Prepaid card, no credit check, no SSN required
• Apply with EIN, driver's license, and 3 months of business revenue
• Fuel card approval typically within 5-7 business days
• Helps build business credit through regular reporting

RTS Fuel Card Credit Options:

• RTS Fleet One fuel card: Credit-based card with a credit limit of up to $3,200 weekly per truck
• RTS Self-funded fuel card: Prepaid option, load funds via debit or credit card
• RTS Mixed Fleet Card: For gasoline and diesel vehicles
• No credit check for the self-funded fuel card option
• Reports to credit bureaus on a net-30 basis

Both cards accommodate owner operators and small businesses with poor credit through their prepaid options. However, AtoB's elimination of personal guarantee requirements provides an advantage for trucking businesses seeking credit without putting personal assets at risk.

Fleet Management and Expense Tracking

Modern fuel card programs should do more than just save money on fuel—they should help fleet managers track expenses and improve fuel management operations.

AtoB Fuel Card Fleet Management Features:

• Real-time mobile app with fuel prices and route optimization
• Customizable spending limits by card, driver, or time period
• SMS unlock and telematics integration for fraud protection
• IFTA reporting automation
• Driver payroll and instant payments
• Detailed reporting on fuel consumption and savings
• Integration with major fleet management systems
• Expense management dashboard for comprehensive fuel management

RTS Fuel Card Fleet Management Features:

• RTS Pro mobile app for fuel prices and expense tracking
• IFTA reporting tools for fuel management
• Daily savings reports
• ProTransport software integration
• Basic spending controls
• Detailed reporting on fuel purchases
• Bundling with the RTS factoring services

The AtoB fuel card offers more comprehensive fleet management tools, particularly for advanced features such as telematics integration and driver payroll. The RTS fuel card provides solid basic expense tracking, but focuses more on integration with their factoring business.

Fraud Protection

Fuel card fraud can cost trucking companies 7% or more of total fuel spend. Both fuel cards address this concern:

AtoB Fuel Card Fraud Protection:

• $250,000 fraud protection guarantee
• GPS-based transaction validation
• Secure card unlock via mobile app
• Telematics integration to verify vehicle location
• Real-time alerts for unauthorized fuel purchases
• Custom purchase controls (fuel type, time, location, merchant)

RTS Fuel Card Fraud Protection:

• Card lock feature for lost or stolen cards
• Driver ID verification
• Basic spending controls
• Real-time transaction monitoring

The AtoB fuel card's $250,000 fraud protection guarantee provides significant peace of mind for small fleets and large fleets alike. The telematics integration and secure card unlock add layers of protection that the RTS fuel card doesn't match.

Customer Support

24/7 support matters when drivers face issues on the road:

AtoB Support:

• 24/7/365 phone and chat support
• Multilingual support (English, Spanish, Hindi, Punjabi)
• Average call pickup time under 30 seconds
• Dedicated support for fleet managers and drivers

RTS Fuel Card Support:

• 24/7 customer support
• Phone and email support
• Generally positive reviews for knowledgeable staff
• Some users report slow response times

Both companies offer round-the-clock support, though AtoB's multilingual capabilities and faster response times give it an edge for diverse trucking operations.

FAQs

How do AtoB and RTS fuel cards compare for owner operators?

Owner-operators with one to five trucks benefit from both fuel cards, but the AtoB fuel card typically delivers greater value through deeper fuel discounts and no personal guarantee requirements. The RTS fuel card's $3,200 weekly credit limit per truck provides solid cash flow support, while the AtoB Unlimited fuel card offers flexible prepaid options without credit checks.

Can I get a fuel card approved with bad credit?

Yes, both fuel cards accommodate truckers with credit challenges. The AtoB Unlimited fuel card requires no credit check—just an EIN, driver's license, and three months of business revenue documentation. The RTS Self-funded fuel card lets you load funds via debit or credit card without a credit evaluation. Both fuel card options help trucking businesses build business credit through regular account activity.

Which fuel card has better fuel discounts?

The AtoB fuel card offers significantly better fuel discounts, averaging 45¢ per gallon on diesel compared to the RTS fuel card's 25¢ per gallon. For a truck consuming 1,000 gallons monthly, this translates to an additional $200 in monthly savings with the AtoB fuel card—more than enough to offset the $3 monthly fuel card fee.

Are there any hidden fees with these fuel cards?

The AtoB fuel card emphasizes transparent pricing with no hidden fees, no transaction fees, and no out-of-network penalties. The RTS fuel card also promotes no hidden fees, though interest charges on credit line usage (reportedly 18-24% APR) and potential transaction fees may apply. Review the full terms before signing up with either fuel card provider.

Which fuel card is better for very large fleets?

Very large fleets may negotiate volume discounts with either fuel card provider. The AtoB fuel card's scalable platform supports fleets from one vehicle to thousands, with consistent per-card pricing.

Final Thoughts

The AtoB vs RTS fuel card decision ultimately comes down to priorities. The AtoB fuel card delivers competitive discounts, universal acceptance, and comprehensive fleet management features that help trucking companies maximize fuel savings and streamline operations. The RTS fuel card offers simpler pricing with no monthly fees and works well for fleets whose routes align with its Pilot Flying J-focused network.

For most owner-operators and small fleets focused on reducing fuel costs and improving cash flow, the AtoB fuel card offers a stronger value proposition. The 80% higher per-gallon discounts (45¢ vs 25¢) generate savings that far exceed the modest monthly fees. At the same time, the AtoB fuel card's universal acceptance and $250,000 fraud protection deliver operational benefits that the RTS fuel card can't match.

Ready to start saving on fuel? Apply for an AtoB fuel card today and join thousands of trucking businesses already benefiting from industry-leading fuel discounts, no personal guarantee requirements, and 24/7 customer support.

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Citations:

1. https://www.rtsinc.com/product/fuel-discount-program
2. https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/establish-business-credit
3. https://factoringclub.com/factoring-company/rts-financial/