Dive Brief:
- Pilot Co. is adding Relay Payments’ fuel payment technology to more than 800 travel centers and fueling network spots, according to a Wednesday press release.
- The digitized payment system allows drivers to use the Relay mobile app to pay for commercial diesel, diesel emission fluid and reefer fuel at Pilot, Flying J and One9 Fuel Network locations, said Spencer Barkoff, Relay Payments co-founder and president, in an email.
- Drivers receive a secure Relay code via the app, which they then enter at the pump and start fueling, said Barkoff. If a fleet has a pre-negotiated discount with Pilot, that will be honored when they use Relay, as will any loyalty benefits.
Dive Insight:
Going digital and using a secure code to pay at the pump instead of a card can help avoid problems like card skimming — which was up over 300% in 2022, according to analytics company FICO — as well as long delays for replacing lost cards or receiving payment approvals and authorizations.
"We take fraud protection seriously and are always looking for innovative solutions to support the needs of our fleet customers,” said David Hughes, senior vice president of sales for Pilot Company, in the announcement. "Digital payment technologies like Relay provide fleets with enhanced anti-fraud capabilities and improve the ease of commercial diesel transactions.”
More than just fuels can be purchased through Relay.
“[Customers] can also use the Relay app to pay for additives and get cash advances in the store,” said Barkoff. “Our app also allows drivers to pay for other over-the-road expenses like unloading fees at warehouses, scales and truck parking.”
Relay is used by more than 300,000 drivers and carriers, and Pilot is currently the only one of the top three travel center chains that accepts Relay transactions. Ambest, Roady’s Truck Stops, Sapp Brothers, Yesway and Road Ranger also allow payments through the app.
“We're adding new locations daily and are currently available at more than 1,500 truck stops,” said Barkoff.
Atlanta-based Relay, founded in 2019, also offers direct billing, 24/7 support and real-time APIs to access transaction details and receipts.
Knoxville, Tennessee-based Pilot, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, has more than 750 travel centers in 44 states and six provinces under its Pilot and Flying J brands, along with nearly 100 One9 Fuel Network locations.
