Flying J May Not Accept Visa

[ChiefJohn]

This article was in "Land Line Magazine".

Visa no longer everywhere Flying J wants to be.
Beginning in late May, it seems customers will no longer be able to use Visa credit cards at Flying J outlets, a Utah-based truck stop chain which Forbes Magazine recently dubbed "the largest retail distributor of diesel fuel in North America."�

Last week, truckers reported to Land Line Magazine they had seen signs at Flying J pumps saying Visa would no longer be accepted.

A customer service employee for a local Flying J confirmed to Land Line that the new rule will take effect on Friday, May 25.

However, the credit card company is not aware of the truck stop chain's decision to not accept Visa cards, said Visa spokeswoman Randa Ghnaim.

Ghnaim told Land Line that any move to keep Visa users from paying at the pump could be bad for all parties because truck stop sales are driven partially by convenience.

"Any form of electronic payment in our eyes is definitely a good thing because it's helping consumers and businesses make more efficient payments and faster payments,"� Ghnaim said. "When was the last time you filled up at the pump and actually had to walk in to pay your bill?"�

A Land Line reporter called a Kansas City-area Flying J location and was forwarded to a customer service receptionist. The receptionist – who would only identify herself as Tori – told Land Line on Tuesday, May 15, that the decision to ban Visa cards was made "to continue to provide for our professional drivers with the most competitive fuel prices nationwide."�

Virginia Parker, a Flying J spokeswoman in Ogden, UT, said the company was crafting a response to questions posed by Land Line and declined to directly confirm whether Visa would be accepted at fuel pumps. Parker said the Visa issue was "complicated."�

Ghnaim said she didn't remember the last time a major retailer banned use of Visa cards.

"Any merchant has the choice of accepting Visa or not accepting,"� Ghnaim said. "I'm assuming you're calling me because customers like using our cards at truck stops... We're really out to help people use more convenient forms of payment versus cash and checks."�

[ChiefJohn]

This article was in "Land Line Magazine".

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Visa no longer everywhere Flying J wants to be.
Beginning in late May, it seems customers will no longer be able to use Visa credit cards at Flying J outlets, a Utah-based truck stop chain which Forbes Magazine recently dubbed "the largest retail distributor of diesel fuel in North America."�

Last week, truckers reported to Land Line Magazine they had seen signs at Flying J pumps saying Visa would no longer be accepted.

A customer service employee for a local Flying J confirmed to Land Line that the new rule will take effect on Friday, May 25.

However, the credit card company is not aware of the truck stop chain's decision to not accept Visa cards, said Visa spokeswoman Randa Ghnaim.

Ghnaim told Land Line that any move to keep Visa users from paying at the pump could be bad for all parties because truck stop sales are driven partially by convenience.

"Any form of electronic payment in our eyes is definitely a good thing because it's helping consumers and businesses make more efficient payments and faster payments,"� Ghnaim said. "When was the last time you filled up at the pump and actually had to walk in to pay your bill?"�

A Land Line reporter called a Kansas City-area Flying J location and was forwarded to a customer service receptionist. The receptionist – who would only identify herself as Tori – told Land Line on Tuesday, May 15, that the decision to ban Visa cards was made "to continue to provide for our professional drivers with the most competitive fuel prices nationwide."�

Virginia Parker, a Flying J spokeswoman in Ogden, UT, said the company was crafting a response to questions posed by Land Line and declined to directly confirm whether Visa would be accepted at fuel pumps. Parker said the Visa issue was "complicated."�

Ghnaim said she didn't remember the last time a major retailer banned use of Visa cards.

"Any merchant has the choice of accepting Visa or not accepting,"� Ghnaim said. "I'm assuming you're calling me because customers like using our cards at truck stops... We're really out to help people use more convenient forms of payment versus cash and checks."�
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[JC2]

If this is true, I won't be using Flying J.

[Hitchhiker]

I carry a Visa, a MasterCard, and a Discover Card. I'll just use whatever they accept.

Reading between the lines on this, it's my hunch that Visa may be charging Flying J higher transaction fees than the other cards charge and in order to keep their prices down, FJ has chosen not accept their card.

I wouldn't suggest any RV'r to take this personally and go stomping off from FJ. Kudos to them for standing up to Visa and trying to hold down their overhead expenses so they can continue with lower prices.

[Jestme13]

me either. and they are all I ever used ! I wonder how much business that may cause them ?

[Gary RVRoamer]

I have the official notice from Flying J - FJ will not accept Visa at the truck diesel islands beginning May 25th. Visa will still be accepted at the car and RV pumps, in the restaurant and in the store.

FJ gives most truckers (and RVers too) the cash price for credit card sales if they have an FJ Frequent Fueler or FJ Real Value (RV) card. I'm guessing they can no longer afford to do that and also pay high transaction fees to Visa. It could well be that they have negotiated lower rates with the other major cards and are trying to leverage Visa into doing the same. Or maybe they have targetted Visa to try to win the first concessions and will then turn on the others. FJ bills a tremendous amount of fuel charges thru trucker's credit cards each month, so the loss of business (commissions) to Visa could be substantial.

[rebelsbeach]

Gary, does the notice seem to indicate that just Visa is being targeted?

As one that uses the truck island due to the length of my rig and toad, it'd be nice to know.

[Route 66]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">It could well be that they have negotiated lower rates with the other major cards and are trying to leverage Visa into doing the same. Or maybe they have targeted Visa to try to win the first concessions and will then turn on the others. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

It's always about the money.

If someone says it's not about the money or it's a business decision, or it's about principle, then it's definitely about the money.

[76dc]

Of coourse it is money, what else would it be?
Most credit card processors have added an additional fee(transaction fees) and a company like FJ who has thousand of dollars in sales and givers truckers & RV's the cash price while eating the cost of the fee increases.

[Zimectrin]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">It could well be that they have negotiated lower rates with the other major cards and are trying to leverage Visa into doing the same. Or maybe they have targetted Visa to try to win the first concessions </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Know for a fact that the fees charged by the Credit Card houses are negotiated based on many factors with each side thinking the other side needs me worst than I need them. As in all disputes of this nature, look for a resolution in the near future that will be reported to benefit everyone. Neither of these companies wishes to walk away and they both need each other.

[rebelsbeach]

WILL FLYING J STILL ACCEPT MASTERCARD AFTER MAY 25TH?

I'm leaving here in a few days and need to know this information....will call FJ if need be.

[Dwain]

An interesting storyline has been running here in Washington State on the local Seattle news over the weekend, relating to charging fuel on your card.

Seems that consumers have been assessed a $100 charge to their debit card account when purchasing fuel. Regardless of the dollar amount you actually purchase, your account is being hit for a $100 hold. This is coming from the oil companies directly, and not the dealer. The minimal explanation that was given, was that the oil companies want to make sure they receive payment.

While the story did say that the hold was to be no more than a 24 hour period, one woman had this hold on her account for 7 days. She described that her account received some nsf charges because of this practice. She goes on to say that she knew she had sufficient funds to cover her minimal gas purchase, but certainly didn't expect to see a $100 charge to her account. Bear in mind that this sitaution was for a passenger vehicle and not an rv. How they charge an account for a larger quantity was not discussed in this particular news-story.

Again, this is for debit card purchases and not credit card purchases.

The specific oil company was not identified, and it may not be your favorite brand of fuel. Just thought that was an interesting tidbit to toss out......

[smlranger]

This was discussed on another forum. The word was (apparently someone called FJ), you could use your VISA for truck pump purchases if you bring the card to the fuel desk...the restriction applied only to electronic transactions at the pump??? Maybe it has just been bad luck on my trips, but I failed to find a Flying J that would take a card swipe at the pump...always had to go to the fuel desk and give them my VISA.

[rebelsbeach]

Gary, I was always able to use the Visa after swiping the FJ RV card first and then the credit card when prompted.
Would love to hear if they'll still take Mastercard at the pump...