Fuel Cards

Captain Commie · 10-06-2011 02:09PM

i have 2 topaz cards through a scheme in work and over the 6 or so months that ive been using it i would say that i have saved a good bit.

Normal fuel bill is around 300 a month but is so much handier having it come out at once, alot easier to regulate

Vertakill · 10-06-2011 02:41PM

wet-paint wrote: »

It hasn't been that way for about two years, I'd say. They emailed round, saying they were stopping that practice.

Doesn't the benchmark/motorcheck card not work that way right now?

Matt Simis · 10-06-2011 03:47PM

wet-paint wrote: »

It hasn't been that way for about two years, I'd say. They emailed round, saying they were stopping that practice.

Which card? Benchmark did send some emails on this, announced this change but then sent a follow up that said it wouldnt be going through, you would continue to pay whichever is cheaper (card or fuel).

Did they change that policy back again?

10-06-2011 04:47PM

Matt Simis wrote: »

Which card? Benchmark did send some emails on this, announced this change but then sent a follow up that said it wouldnt be going through, you would continue to pay whichever is cheaper (card or fuel).

Did they change that policy back again?

I have the topaz card and iirc I read that if the price at the pump is cheaper you should pay in the station and not use the fuel card.

On the topic of price, I find its usually a few cent cheaper on petrol than the majority of stations, you might get the one of station here and there which has a similar price but overall its worth having one.

I don't buy diesel but from what I can see its usually possible to get diesel cheaper without the card.

_Kaiser_ · 10-06-2011 05:41PM

I've had a Benchmark/Topaz card for af ew years now as a private individual and the main benefit to me is it's one bill per month that I can more-or-less plan for, rather than constantly looking for money at the pump (which as 1000-1100km per week per tank is a fair bit!)

As far as I'm aware though they stopped the practise of getting the cheaper of the pump/card rates about 2 years ago (now it's caard only). I do remember them sending emails about having to use a PIN with the card but that was then restated as only applying to business users.
The website (motorcard.ie) isn't exactly clear and still refers to "Statoil" stations so may not be accurate either!

Be interested to know though!

Vicxas · 10-06-2011 06:08PM

So whats the best card to get?

L1011 · 10-06-2011 07:21PM

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

I do remember them sending emails about having to use a PIN with the card but that was then restated as only applying to business users.

My personal card had a PIN on it, which is always asked for abroad (I've an international card and do use it as such), and was asked for here for a few months after they introduced it - then when I phoned them about the card not being accepted in a Tougher garage that was on Topaz's accepted list - and the garage had taken them before - I never got asked for it again in Ireland!

Work recently changed from Topaz-specific cards to UK Fuels ones that are accepted at DCI and Topaz, which is handy, although the card design and "UK Fuels" on the back has got a few questions asked, it goes through as DCI.

Shane732 · 10-06-2011 07:24PM

I tend to get my petrol in Maxol on the Harold's Cross Road. I think the last price I paid was 147.9. Which is similar to the price offer by Benchmark.

The savings are pretty small for me as that particular Maxol garage is always pretty competitive.

cormie · 10-06-2011 08:51PM

Would also be interested in the "which is the best" question.

I never even thought of usage in the UK. That could be very handy, what way does the VAT work on that though with regards claiming back and everything? Do the card supplier charge @ 17% VAT, or is it still up to you to claim VAT back from UK?

I'd be looking for: the most widely accepted card, UK/Europe usage if possible, and obviously the most competitive with the best billing system (online account checks etc would be nice). Also multiple cards for the same account with pin (changeable by the user) would also be very good!

Do any of the companies meet these requests does anyone know?

cormie · 13-06-2011 09:27AM

Was in one of my local stations (esso) yesterday and they said they only accept DCI cards (and Esso card aswell). Does this mean they accept benchmark cards too then if Benchmark is also DCI?

Anyone have any idea on my above post and who would be the closest match for my preferences?

Matt Simis · 13-06-2011 10:17AM

cormie wrote: »

Was in one of my local stations (esso) yesterday and they said they only accept DCI cards (and Esso card aswell). Does this mean they accept benchmark cards too then if Benchmark is also DCI?

Anyone have any idea on my above post and who would be the closest match for my preferences?

Yes on Benchmark being DCI, no idea on pan-Euro usage though.

cormie · 13-06-2011 10:47AM

I'd be looking for: the most widely accepted card, UK/Europe usage if possible, and obviously the most competitive with the best billing system (online account checks etc would be nice). Also multiple cards for the same account with pin (changeable by the user) would also be very good!

Thanks Matt, I see in your earlier post that you indicated you have 2 cards and that you've never been request the PIN. Has this changed at all since?

You also mentioned that benchmark isn't generally competitive on diesel, is this still the same and I wonder would another card provider be better for me (high diesel usage)?

Can you confirm whether benchmark has an online billing and account check system (it doesn't look so from the website) where you can check your expenditure etc and whether it can be used in the UK also? (also doesn't seem to be mention of this).

dahamsta · 13-06-2011 10:12PM

I notice via some googling that the likes of the Gaelic Player's Association and some credit unions get their fuel cheaper than AXA and Motorcheck. Anyone got a comprehensive list of affiliates? Can we build one?

AXA
Motorcheck
Gaelic Player's Association (note price)
Eircom
Glen Fuels
St. Paul's Garda Credit Union
Dubco (note price)
National Guild of Master Craftsmen (outdated)

cormie · 29-06-2011 07:06AM

Interesting about the affiliation scheme but I guess that wouldn't be obtainable by most of us.

I wonder do any of the providers fit my request of "the most widely accepted card, UK/Europe usage if possible, and obviously the most competitive with the best billing system (online account checks etc would be nice). Also multiple cards for the same account with pin (changeable by the user) would also be very good!"

and does anyone know the situation where the card is used for example in the UK, with the different VAT and currency rate, how is it invoiced?

L1011 · 29-06-2011 07:31AM

My Benchmark card (my personal one) is EU-wide accepted. However I've no online account checks (emailed out once a month) and my PIN is set by them.

cjt156 · 29-06-2011 11:00AM

How does the Benchmark card work overseas? Who accepts it and how is rate set? Is it country by country or do you always pay the Irish rate?

cormie · 09-08-2011 03:35PM

Was just phoned by DCI trying to get me to sign up, I was asking them about it being used in the EU and they said it can't be and that no other Irish card can be either. She also said that DCI wasn't benchmark and it's nothing to do with them

_Kaiser_ · 09-08-2011 04:19PM

Benchmark/Topaz cards are NOT the same as DCI cards

I did apply for a DCI card since my last post in this thread, but despite me explaining to the girl it was going to be for my own private car she didn't seem to grasp that and started asking me to provide a reference from someone I'd done business with??

Jaysus it's a fuel card, not a job interview!

I left it at that and still use the Benchmark card.

cormie · 09-08-2011 04:21PM

Can I ask why did you apply for DCI if you already had benchmark?

The woman I was onto in DCI said Benchmark is only for personal users and not for businesses because the VAT etc. I can't see what difference it would make, surely they state the VAT rate which can then be claimed back on Benchmark too, I think she also said it can't be used for diesel?

_Kaiser_ · 09-08-2011 05:17PM

cormie wrote: »

Can I ask why did you apply for DCI if you already had benchmark?

The woman I was onto in DCI said Benchmark is only for personal users and not for businesses because the VAT etc. I can't see what difference it would make, surely they state the VAT rate which can then be claimed back on Benchmark too, I think she also said it can't be used for diesel?

Don't know about the VAT side as I can't claim it back anyway, but the invoice is a standard format that shows what VAT has been added.

Benchmark cards can be used for petrol and/or diesel - my card would let me fill both if I wanted so not sure what she's talking about there unless it's a sales tactic?

I wanted a DCI card more for flexibility rather than a replacement. Where I'm living now the local station stopped accepting the Benchmark card for a while (though it does again since) and the nearest Topaz is a 25-30 min drive away, whereas more garages generally seem to take DCI

cormie · 09-08-2011 09:50PM

Thanks for that

not sure if it was intended as a sales tactic or if she just didn't know, which she should have said if so I guess. As long as the VAT is mentioned on the invoice it should be fine for business aswell so that's good to know. DCI do have an onlin billing and check system, each account can have a few cards and each card its own pin and limit which is handy. Not sure if that's the same with benchmark..

_Kaiser_ · 09-08-2011 10:36PM

cormie wrote: »

Thanks for that not sure if it was intended as a sales tactic or if she just didn't know, which she should have said if so I guess. As long as the VAT is mentioned on the invoice it should be fine for business aswell so that's good to know. DCI do have an onlin billing and check system, each account can have a few cards and each card its own pin and limit which is handy. Not sure if that's the same with benchmark..

Yep all the same on Benchmark too

cormie · 10-08-2011 01:19AM

Ah cool, I might look into Benchmark instead so!

vector · 10-08-2011 11:52AM

I've had the "Motorcard" since about 2008 I think.

It was for "Statoil back then", its a great system,
mine has a magstip and no PIN though,

an annoyting thing is it puts me off buying other stuff when I'm in the shop,
because sweets/papers can't be put on the card whenI use it I tend not to buy anything else in the shop,

There was apparently a website where you could check your balance, but I could not register, and the email address given was a blackhole

cormie · 10-08-2011 11:58AM

Ah sure that's probably a good thing that you can't buy sweets

it would be for me anyway!

10-08-2011 12:19PM

Yeah same, dont buy stuff for the sake of it

Everytime i pay with my Topaz/motorcheck card, the person at the till asks me something about mileage, i never quite catch what they say. I just say no thanks :pac:

_Kaiser_ · 10-08-2011 01:18PM

cisk wrote: »

Yeah same, dont buy stuff for the sake of it

Everytime i pay with my Topaz/motorcheck card, the person at the till asks me something about mileage, i never quite catch what they say. I just say no thanks :pac:

They ask if you want your reg or mileage added to the receipt - which would be handy/required if you were claiming it as expenses, but a non-issue for me as I have to pay my own expenses! :P

_Kaiser_ · 10-08-2011 01:29PM

vector wrote: »

There was apparently a website where you could check your balance, but I could not register, and the email address given was a blackhole

Site is here: http://www.topazcard.ie/onlinedata

Example invoice/screenshot from the site attached - I have 2 cards on mine, for a petrol and diesel car, but as you can see it breaks it all down for you. Same thing is emailed to me 14 days in advance every month too.

Vicxas · 10-08-2011 01:30PM

Applied for a Topaz card, got it within 3 weeks, using it ever since, bloody handy as it bills every month

cormie · 10-08-2011 01:42PM

Something like that is handy alright, is Topaz only available to use in Topaz stations?

When you say about them adding mileage or reg to the receipt, I'm trying to think of how this would work in a reimbursement sense but I don't think I've had enough sleep to comprehend it.

So if I'm driving my own van and go to fill up, I know how much I'm putting in etc, but if I have some guy driving my van and he uses the card to pay, what difference does it make as it'll be coming out of my account anyway?

Fuel Cards

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