TCS Fuel Card Review (2025)

For truckers looking for a fuel card with no credit check or monthly fees, the TCS fuel card is a simple, lean option. It has $0 in-network transaction fees and instant, at-the-pump discounts at thousands of truck stops.

With average savings per gallon that outpace many mainstream cards, and handy web or mobile apps, it has plenty of appealing sides for both trucking fleets and owner-operators.

But the real value hinges on something most fleets overlook: where you fuel and how you manage funding. In this TCS review, we dig into the fine print behind those cents-off claims, what shows up (and doesn’t) on receipts, the routes where TCS shines and the scenarios where another card might offer a better option.

What Does the TCS Fuel Card Offer?

TCS keeps things straightforward: it offers one, cash-secured (prepaid) fuel card with $0 monthly/activation fees and $0 in-network fuel transaction fees.

Here’s what else you need to know at a glance, before we get into the details in the full TCS review.

TCS Fuel Card Pricing and Fees

TCS keeps pricing simple: $0 monthly/account fees, $0 activation, and $0 fuel transaction fees at in-network locations. Out-of-network transactions are allowed, but out-of-network transaction fees vary (TCS doesn’t publish a single public rate).

The card is cash-secured (basically meaning it’s a prepaid fuel card), too, so there’s no credit check and no interest charges.

What you’ll actually pay (and when)

• Monthly/account fees: $0 (no annual, membership or activation fees either)
• Fuel transaction fee (in-network): $0
• Fuel transaction fee (out-of-network): Varies by site. TCS does not publish a universal rate.
• Where “in-network” is: Discounts at 2,000+ participating locations. Total acceptance at 12,000+ truck stops across the US and Canada. Use the Fuel Finder (web or app) to confirm you’re in-network before you stop.
• How discounts are shown: Discounted price is not on the pump receipt. You’ll see it in MyTCSFuel or the TCS Mobile App after the transaction.
• Funding the card: Load funds by Zelle (blynk), ACH credit, wire, Western Union or third-party checks (Comchek, EFS check, T-chek). Third-party services may charge their own fees.

Does the TCS Fuel Card have any hidden fees?

TCS lists $0 for activation, membership, monthly and in-network fuel transaction fees, and it markets itself as having no hidden fees as a result.

Still, we’d argue the one area to watch is out-of-network transactions, where fees do apply but vary. In other words, your cost control hinges on staying in-network as much as possible and checking locations in the Fuel Finder before fueling (or using another fuel card with discounts for different networks).

Is the TCS Fuel Card good value for money?

If you can plan routes around TCS’s 2,000+ in-network sites, value is strong: $0 in-network transaction fees, no monthly/activation charges and instant, at-the-pump discounts that TCS reports averaged $0.47 per gallon in Q2 2025 for in-network fills.

For mixed or ad hoc routes, you’ll need to factor in potential out-of-network fees when you stray from the discount network. During the application process, it’ll be worth ascertaining exactly how much this could be.

Either way, the cash-secured, no-credit-check model keeps approval simple and avoids interest costs tied to revolving credit.

TCS Fleet Card Rebates and Discounts

For a free card with no credit checks, the TCS Fuel Card has some appealing discounts to its name. Let’s go through them all, starting with its fuel savings.

Fuel rebates with TCS

TCS doesn’t run a traditional rebate program. Instead, it gives instant, point-of-sale discounts at participating truck stops. You’ll see the savings in your MyTCSFuel portal or TCS Mobile App (they don’t print on the pump receipt).

• Average savings: TCS reports $0.47 per gallon average savings on in-network diesel purchases based on Q2 2025 client transactions. Actual savings vary by location.
• Where the discounts work: 2,000+ in-network locations (TA, Petro Stopping Centers, TA Express, AMBEST, 7FLEET Diesel Network, Kwik Trip/Kwik Star, Sapp Bros., Road Ranger, and more) within a broader 12,000+ site acceptance footprint across the US and Canada. Use the Fuel Finder (app or web) to spot the best-priced stops on your route.

Other discounts with TCS

• Truck service and tires (TA Truck Service): Cardholders get negotiated pricing on preventative maintenance, repairs and tires at TA/Petro/TA Express service locations. Show your DOT number at checkout for automatic application.
• DEF savings (7FLEET): $0.50 per gallon off DEF at participating 7FLEET locations.
• Hotel discounts (CLC Lodging): Up to 40% off published hotel rates via CLC Lodging.
• $0 fees when bundled with fuel: If you buy eligible non-fuel items (e.g. DEF, oil, shower, truck wash) in the same transaction as your in-network fuel purchase, TCS lists $0 transaction fees on that combined ticket.

TSC Fuel Card Apps and Account Details

TCS gives you two core tools to run the program day-to-day: the TCS Mobile App (iOS/Android) for on-the-road control, and the MyTCSFuel web portal for full account admin and reporting. Both show your real savings and make it easy to plan stops, fund the account and lock down spending.

TCS Mobile App: What you can do

• Find the cheapest diesel on your route: Use the in-app Fuel Finder to see discount fuel prices at 2,000+ in-network locations, search along a route (an extremely practical feature we look for in fuel card apps) and check site amenities. Some pages also show retail, ex-tax, and your TCS price.
• Fund the card from your truck: Make Zelle (blynk) payments to top up your cash-secured balance without calling in.
• Control cards in real time: Turn cards on/off, set product/category and one-time cash limits, and receive real-time account updates and alerts. You can also issue industry checks and order extra cards.

• See your savings: Track discounts for the last 30 days, year-to-date and lifetime, and review transaction and rejected-transaction reports. (Discounted pump price doesn’t print on the receipt, so you can only view it here or in the web portal.)
• Manage multiple accounts: Switch between accounts without logging out, contact support and handle basic admin from anywhere.
• Available on iOS and Android: Search “TCS Fuel” in the app stores.

MyTCSFuel (client website): What you can do

• 24/7 admin and dashboards: View balances, transactions and itemized statements to get a snapshot of account health at a glance.
• Deep card controls: Check limits, issue one-time cash advances, enforce spend controls and perform card overrides when needed.
• Reporting and compliance: Create reports for IFTA, payment history, and driver settlements. Track and manage driver discounts for incentive programs.
• Issue checks and view statements online: This can be done without calling support.

Nice-to-have integrations

If you fuel at TA/Petro/TA Express, you can link your TCS card inside TA’s TruckSmart app to earn and redeem UltraONE® loyalty points alongside your TCS savings.

This is a TA/Petro feature, not part of the TCS app itself, but it is something to consider if you already refuel at these locations regularly (or even if you are new to them).

How Do You Apply for a TCS Fleet Card?

Applying is quick and simple because TCS is prepaid, and so there’s no credit check, and you simply spend what you top up. Everything runs through TCS’s online application portal, which gives step-by-step guidance and status updates.

The application and setup process for a TCS Fuel Card

1. Start the online application: Go to TCS’s application portal and submit your details (it takes less than 10 minutes). You can also check your application status there.
2. Account is created: TCS says your account is created shortly after submission and you’ll get updates from the portal.
3. Cards ship to you: Physical cards ship via FedEx/UPS to your address in three to five business days (no PO boxes).
4. Activate and assign cards: When cards arrive, log into MyTCSFuel to activate the account, assign individual cards and lock down controls. You can also call 24/7 support for help.
5. Fund the account: Load funds by Zelle (blynk), ACH credit, wire, Western Union, or third-party checks (Comchek, EFS check, T-chek). There are no minimums or limits on funding.
6. Plan your first stops: Use the Fuel Finder in the app or website to target in-network locations (for $0 transaction fees and the best pricing).

What does TCS require from you?

• No credit check means accounts are cash-secured (prepaid).
• You fund before spending; discounts apply at in-network sites and show in the app/portal after the transaction.

How long does it take?

• Apply: Under 10 minutes online.
• Account creation: Shortly after you submit.
• Card delivery: Three to five business days via FedEx/UPS (no PO boxes).

If you hit a snag during activation or funding, TCS’s 24/7 customer service is at 844-827-7696.

How Does The TCS Fuel Card Compare With Competitor Fuel Cards?

EFS’s four-card lineup (EFS Fleet Card, Fleet One EDGE, EFS Fleet Mastercard, CrossRoads Freight) is strongest for over-the-road (OTR) operations: big truck-stop footprints, the EDGE discount network, and, in EDGE’s case, no fuel transaction fees at 4,000+ in-network sites. CrossRoads also covers 95% of US retail gas stations plus 16,000+ truck stops, giving mixed fleets wide coverage.

Here’s a topline comparison to other options, including notable alternatives in the WEX stable, that could be for you or your fleet.

OTR Solutions Fuel Card (Zero cost, prepaid and no credit check)

Savings and network: OTR markets ~$0.50 per gallon average (up to $2.25 per gallon) with discounts at ~2,500+ in-network sites and $0 transaction fees at participating locations. Plus, its Fuel Finder helps you plan cheaper stops.

Funding and credit: Prepaid funding via Zelle/direct deposit is supported. Carriers that factor with OTR can also access fuel credit with no credit check, keeping approval easy while preserving cash flow.

How it stacks up versus TCS: OTR’s posted average can edge TCS on some lanes, but TCS has broader total acceptance (12,000+) and especially deep benefits at TA/Petro. Check both apps for your exact stops, as one might be preferred in your usual driving region of the US.

Shell Card Business (Free, Shell-only network)

Acceptance: Shell-only at about 12,000 to 13,000 Shell stations in the US, plus participating Jiffy Lube locations. You can, alternatively, get universal acceptance via Shell with the “Shell Card Business Flex”, but this card has a monthly fee attached to it, unlike the Shell Card Business.

Savings: Typical ongoing rebates are up to ~$0.05 to $0.06 per gallon at Shell, with Jiffy Lube maintenance discounts (often ~15%).

How it stacks up versus TCS: If you’re already Shell-centric and want a traditional credit program, Shell Card Business is straightforward. But for mixed routes and truck-stop heavy fueling, TCS’s in-network cents-off pricing (and $0 in-network fees) often delivers larger per-gallon savings, provided you stay in network.

Comdata (Connect Card & Fleet Card)

Discounts and network: Comdata advertises cash price plus up to an additional $0.40 per gallon at TA Petro and $0.08 per gallon at Pilot Flying J, Love’s, Speedway/7-Eleven, Casey’s, AMBEST, Sheetz, for small fleets, across 8,000+ truck stops in its network.

Fees and program types: The classic Comdata Fleet Card (credit) currently lists $50 account setup and $8 per card, per month, in its fee summary. Comdata also offers a Connect Card (pay-as-you-go, no credit check) for owners/operators who prefer to avoid credit underwriting.

How it stacks up versus TCS: Comdata can deliver very high chain-specific discounts if you live at TA/Petro or the named partners, but comparatively high fixed fees (on the Fleet Card) can outweigh savings for tiny fleets.

TCS gives you $0 monthly and $0 in-network transaction fees and broad TA/Petro alignment, which can make it the lower-friction, lower-cost option for one to 10 trucks, provided you stay in-network.

How We Reviewed Fleet Cards Like TCS