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GaryKD · 10-09-2010, 06:08 PM

The J is dead, long live the J.

I've been on the road since early June. Using the J has become a nightmare. For me it is no longer worth it. I used to be a 100% J customer. I have become a J customer only when I am desperate.

1. Forcing me to use the RV pumps to get RV Value Card benefits is a safety hazard. At 63 feet long maneuvering among the cars and delivery trucks is too much of a hassle.

2. Not providing RV Value card benefits at the truck pumps is just plain dumb on Pilot's part. There is no excuse for this bias. They quickly need to come up with a way to allow an RV Value Card holder to turn on the truck pump without going inside and to get the discount at the truck pumps.

3. In 5 years of using the J, I have waited to use a truck pump maybe 3 times at the most. All other times many of the truck pumps are open and not being used. I have rarely had a truck pull up behind me waiting to receive fuel.

Maybe one of these days we will receive another letter letting us know the truck pumps will provide the same RV Value Card benefits as the RV pumps.

Ding-a-ling · 10-10-2010, 02:14 PM

More Flying J changes.
Last week, as we headed south, we stopped at the Kenly, NC Flying J for fuel, propane and supper. The restaurant was deserted, maybe three other folks besides my wife and I. More surprising was finding they no longer have a buffet. All meals are order off the menu. Our waitress said, "It's a Pilot thing." The entrance area of the restaurant had recently been renovated and there was a small area from which to serve pizza, although it was not in business thursday evening.
As I was paying my bill we chatted with the cashier and asked about business since the buffet is gone. She said business is "way down." Also, she said, "I'm not a cashier, I'm a waitress and only make $2.50 an hour." There she was, standing around waiting for something to do!
I really felt bad for her and the other waitesses there.

Meandering Retiree · 10-10-2010, 05:41 PM

We stopped at they Oak Grove KY Flying J....had to tell the cashier how much I wanted instead of pumping and then going in to get my receipt. Asked for $150 as I figured that I could hold about 50 gallons. Asked her what was going on and she said they were now playing by Pilot rules....told her I was not happy about that and she said that I was not the first to tell her that....pump shut off at little less than $150 so I kept pulling the trigger until I hit $150. Worst part was that I did not receive any discount....got to Gatlinburg and found out that Haslim, who is running for Governor, owns Pilot...may have to go to his page and ask a few questions about how he runs his business. :-)

WOODYDEL · 10-11-2010, 08:20 AM

I'm still reading the replies here and still wondering why put up with these shenanigans. Costco is all across the U.S. and if you get their Amex card which has no fee you get 4% back on your fuel, 3% back on your restaurant bill, 2% back on travel and 1% back on everything else.

You don't have to worry where you go and you don't have a participating or not participating dealer making up rules as he see fit. Seems like if someone is going to jerk you around you should go somewhere else.

My wife never liked eating out and paying with a credit card. She stopped complaining with the 3% automatic discount. Pay your bill at the end of the month and it's the same as having an account at a local shop.

When I'm on the road I pay my accumulated bill online. Done.

wkdwitch · 10-11-2010, 08:00 PM

Does Costco offer diesel or only gasoline?

AFChap · 10-11-2010, 08:19 PM

How about because Costco isn't scattered along the interstate in thousands of easy to find locations?

Didn't have a Flying J where we needed one today so stopped at a Pilot at Port Wentworth GA near Savannah ...miserable place ...no RV island, and truck island were amazing tight ...and they were crowded. Of course, had to go inside to get the pump started, then go back in to close out the ticket when it didn't quite reach what I had "pre-authorized." I read on the pump that CCs for holders of "frequent fueler cards" could be authorized for use at the truck pumps, so I asked the clerk about that, telling her that unless it was possible I would not be buying fuel at Pilot again because it costs me my 5% CC discount "for fuel paid at the pump" when I have to take my card inside. She had a letter taped to the counter, and showed me where it said that would become the case on January 1, 2011. That won't make me like the typical cramped, filthy dirty Pilot any better, but it might get me to stop there when I can't get to a Flying J. ...and hopefully that will be the case at Flying J's too.

Triker56 · 10-11-2010, 08:20 PM

Yep! Try taking your 63' RV into the local Costco pumps.
But I also didn't know they had a restaurant buffet inside them.

The last Flying J I ate at, was a Denny's inside. Better coffee and food then when it was buffet style.
They are slowly changing many of the restaurants over to a Denny's.

WOODYDEL · 10-11-2010, 08:27 PM

"You don't have to worry where you go "

I didn't say to get gas and eat at Costco.

What I said was to get their AMEX CARD.

THEN use the Amex card anywhere you want. Including your favorite places.

12 cents back on 3 dollar per gallon fuel price.

BobGed · 10-11-2010, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkdwitch

Does Costco offer diesel or only gasoline?

Gas only and the AmEx rebate is for annual gasoline purchases of up to $3,000 (1% thereafter).

WOODYDEL · 10-11-2010, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobGed

Gas only and the AmEx rebate is for annual gasoline purchases of up to $3,000 (1% thereafter).

I'm not mistaken about what I get back. I've been doing this since late 2008.

It's not just for GAS.

Copied from my accounts page:(exactly not typed by me)
*****
YOUR CARD BENEFITS

Enjoy Unlimited Cash Back
Earn 4% cash back on annual gasoline purchases of up to $6,000 (1% thereafter), 3% cash back for restaurants, 2% cash back for travel, and 1% cash back everywhere else including Costco. See your Cardmember Agreement for full terms and conditions.
*****

Let's make believe you were right.

9 cents off each 3 dollar gallon.

Just what was the highest cents off stated from this outfit? I'm pretty sure it wasn't that high. In addition, nobody has to be disappointed by them anymore.

Discover is 5% but I don't use that so I didn't mention it.

There a couple others. I think Amex Blue has a 5%. Have to look it up.

Amex Blue Cash calculator. Yes you have to spend enough to get the 5% but it's easy to do. Here's their savings calculator. Slide the bars over and it does the projection:
https://www217.americanexpress.com/c...k=bluecashcalc

WOODYDEL · 10-12-2010, 12:26 AM

All I can say folks is you gotta believe. Maybe I wasn't too clear. Here is where you can see if I'm right or not about the percentages off my bill.

Costco American Express Business Card | Cash Back Credit Card

I always had an Amex Gold Business card at $75 per year but cancelled it and use this instead WITH NO FEE. Could never figure out why some merchants would balk at taking the Amex when a big company like Costco only takes Amex.

Anyway this is the way to solve your "J" problem and let THEM take a Flying Leap...

Use your Amex at the "J" and in their restaurant. Sometimes merchants will record the sales improperly like when the pump messes up. All I ever had to do was call Amex and explain my purchase which wasn't recorded properly for my cash back. Keep your paper receipts just in case.

GaryKD · 10-12-2010, 07:12 AM

Hi All,
Go to Cash Back | Credit Card Comparison | Earn Cash Rebates to see their two cash back credit cards. For me, I've been using the Blue Cash card for years. This year I'll get a little over $1K back!

WOODYDEL · 10-12-2010, 09:50 AM

Way to go Gary. Don't know if you noticed the link to the Blue Cash calculator up above. They do make you spend some money to get back more but $6500 should be easy to accumulate. Which you must have done to get back $1k. I actually thought most people were doing what I was doing.

Last year before my Alaska trip I called Amex about how much cash back while in Canada. Only 1% which was a disappointment since at that point the cash back was 5% on fuel. So I hit upon the idea of getting a gas company card with % off which could be used across Canada. I also used Superstores and used my Amex there while getting cash back by walking inside to buy food with my gas receipt. Superstore were the biggest savings which though pennies off, were by the litre so the gallon cents off multiplied. Well it didn't help so much as to negate the totally high prices in Canada but was still cash in our pockets.

CarlGeo · 10-16-2010, 09:59 PM

Stopped at the Flying J on Hwy 99 just north of Bakersfield CA today, Oct 16, and ALL their desiel pumps were shut down. They were still selling gas, but no diesel.
The restaurant has been converted to Dennys. Lots of trucks around but no one getting desiel
Nothing on web, or elsewhere on how long this will last. It appeared they were doing some sort of construction, but nothing too big. No large equipment around, only yellow tape closing off all desiel truck and rv lanes, and desiel at the car lanes were covered.
Anyone know what is going on?