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Old 07-04-2012, 09:20 PM   #1
RussWhite
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Default FlyingJ / Pilot Travel Center

This is to advise anyone interested in my recent experience at FlyingJ/Pilot. Some time ago FlyingJ went into bankruptcy and was acquired by Pilot - based out of Knoxville, TN. FlyingJ was know in the RV community for being "RV Friendly" and a place where one could purchase fuel in a high volume station somewhat assuring fresh fuel. RVs could use the truckers lanes and the high flow pumps. It was always a moving target as to how to pay and get the small discount. There was even a time when Visa was refused and other cards accepted. Well, it is far worse now.

The discount card that I had with FlyingJ was no longer honored by Pilot/FlyingJ and they required another. I jumped through the hoops, even going to a FlyingJ to have it "activated" before the big trip west. It was called the "Frequent Fuel Advantage" Card and had the word RV written sideways on the right front of the card. I was my practice to use Pilot's web site to search for diesel prices and stop where it was best for me. I used strictly locations that had been FlyingJ previously and was even successful at completing the entire transaction at the pump. It worked like this - insert my Visa, then when prompted, insert the "loyalty card" which was the "Frequent Fueler Card" , enter zip code, enter 0 for truck number, and then I was authorized to pump. If I didn't want a receipt I could then drive away. I assumed I was getting some little discount, but didn't really check closely.

Then while driving north on I5 I looked for a FlyingJ, but found only Pilots which now indicated they had some RV lanes ( which I don't use ) and had a posted price of $3.499 / gal. The web site showed 9 trucking lanes and I pulled in. I used my normal sequence but was prompted for a new piece of information, the name for which I cannot remember. I was something like "fuel activation number". I picked up the phone at the pump and told them I was a private RV driver and asked what I was supposed to do at that prompt. They said, "Put in 58". So I entered 58 and the pump said see cashier. I called again and was told I would need to come inside. In I went and presented my Visa and they wanted to know how many dollars. So I asked them to pre-authorize $500. They pecked around awhile on the computer as I was holding out my "FF Advantage Card". They started over again and then a guy came up and said "Those cards done work anymore", took it and tossed it in the trash. He handed me a flyer and said apply for the "new" card.

I pumped my fuel and as that was being done I decided I wanted my card back. I asked my daughter to go inside and request the card be returned. I stayed at the pump and before it stopped, she returned and said they would not give it back. The pump stopped at exactly $400 - they had only authorized that amount, not what I had requested. I went back in and asked for my card back. I was firm and they finally dug it out of the trash. I received a receipt for the transaction. Now I see I was charged $3.859 and the web site still says diesel there is $3.499. I know, buyer beware, but I am letting you all know you might beware of Pilot.
Now the new card they want me to use is a card to be used in place of ones credit card and if you are not a Good Sam member you will be charged a $25 fee for the card and "given" a Good Sam membership.
Now maybe, just maybe, this is just a problem with the Pilot stations, not the stations that were previously FlyingJ - but I doubt it.

Please add any experiences you have with Pilot/FlyingJ to this thread. I hope mine is an isolated event. This was at the Pilot Travel Center Store 391 at 1600 East Pine Street, in Central Point, OR on July 3, 2012.

Thanks for reading and I hope this helps others in the future.
Russ
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Old 07-05-2012, 01:58 AM   #2
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Russ,

I have had to jump through the same hoops over the years: first it was a Frequent Fueler card, then a blue card that I can not name now, and now I have a Pilot Fleet Account charge card. I receive a monthly statement and send them a check; the advantage with this card is I get the CASH price discount and I've got 30 days to pay the bill.

It will change in the next 6 months so I guess that's just part of the hassle of getting a low price.

Another alternative is to do what I did when we went to Alaska; I paid cash and purchased diesel at the cheapest truck stop I could find. It was not always a Pilot/Flying J. No hassle - no special credit cards to find in your wallet - no going inside to pay in advance. I just gave them a MasterCard to "hold my account open" until I paid in cash at the end of the fill up.

It ain't fool proof but it works for now!
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Old 07-05-2012, 02:35 AM   #3
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Russ,
Oregon & Indiana(may be more states I am not aware of) post the no fuel tax price for fuel as truckers pay the tax in advance. That is the reason for the price descrepancy. I know there have been lots of hoops to jump through since Pilot purchased the Flying J's. I used to use Flying J's exclusively, but no more. I currently have a "RV Real Value Member" card that gives me pump start, the cash price and 3 more cents discount.
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Old 07-05-2012, 03:13 AM   #4
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we needed fuel today as we drove though the last bit of MO. we had a very hard time finding a truck stop on our side of the freeway that had an exit. very strange.

we paid $3.35 for 175 gallons today

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Old 07-05-2012, 07:00 AM   #5
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Elaine and I try to pay cash as often as possible as it is less hassle, and you do get a lower price. I've had good experience with Flying J's on our journey so far. I like their RV fuel islands as you can dump your waste water, fill up with fresh water, fuel up, and get propane if you need it....all without moving. It does take longer to fuel up, but I dump the tanks while I'm fueling, and add fresh water. By the time I'm done with that the diesel tank is full.
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Old 07-05-2012, 07:50 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rheavn View Post
Russ,
Oregon & Indiana(may be more states I am not aware of) post the no fuel tax price for fuel as truckers pay the tax in advance. That is the reason for the price descrepancy. I know there have been lots of hoops to jump through since Pilot purchased the Flying J's. I used to use Flying J's exclusively, but no more. I currently have a "RV Real Value Member" card that gives me pump start, the cash price and 3 more cents discount.
Steve,

How do I get an "RV Real Value Member" card?
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Old 07-05-2012, 07:52 PM   #7
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You know, I never could understand why truck stops give diesel customers a discount if they pay cash but don't give the same customer a discount if they purchase gasoline and pay cash!
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Old 07-05-2012, 08:01 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tuga View Post
Steve,

How do I get an "RV Real Value Member" card?

Tuga, the Flying J card I got is called "MY REWARDS" with "RV Customer" in red below it....good at Flying J and Pilot, of course. With it I get 50% off the dump station price of $10 (only $5----sometimes free), and in some cases they treat credit card purchases of diesel as "cash" transactions so you get the cash discount. You just go up to the counter and they issue it....they, of course, have to input all your information...takes 5 minutes.
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Old 07-05-2012, 09:39 PM   #9
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Clarke,

Steve said he gets a pump start, the cash discount, PLUS .03 per gallon discount with the RV Real Value Member card.

That's a lot of discounts!

I want one!

The cash price is usually 5 to 6 cents per gallon. And with another 3 cents off that totals 8 or 9 cents per gallon discount.
I like it!

Steve could you take a picture of your card and post it?
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Old 07-05-2012, 11:47 PM   #10
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When Flying J was bought up by Pilot there was a delay in restarting their rv rewards program. I waited until things got sorted out. About 2 or 3 yrs ago I went to the closest Flying J and requested a rv rewards card on their kiosk machine. I received it in the mail. I last used it on June 13, 2012 at the Joplin, MO Flying J. Using the truck islands, I am authorized for pump start, get the cash price on a credit card purchase, and it takes 3 more cents off at the pump. Only down side is you have to go inside for a receipt. I attached a picture of the card. It is not their credit card---just a rewards card.

Hope this helps..................
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Old 07-06-2012, 02:11 AM   #11
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Thanks Steve for posting a picture of the card.

I am on it!
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Old 07-06-2012, 04:48 AM   #12
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Here is a copy of my card......I got this one about 2 months ago.
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Old 07-06-2012, 05:07 AM   #13
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As I said when I started this thread, I think things are changing yet again. Here is a picture of the card they threw in the waste basket and also a picture of the "new" program for RV customers. Notice that they say details about the discount are on the back of the flyer - they are not. I included a picture of the back too.
Russ
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Old 07-07-2012, 02:18 PM   #14
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I use the Pilot orange Frequent Fueler Advantage Card for pump start at Pilot and Flying J with no issues. Just swipe the card, fuel, then go in and pay. I only use the truck side.
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