MasterCard inks discount deal with Fuelman fleet fueling network

摘要

MasterCard has signed an agreement to offer automatic rebates on gasoline and diesel purchases at more than 15,000 stations across the U.S. that are part of the Fuelman fleet fueling network. The pact is a "first of its kind partnership," the Purchase, N. Y.-based card giant says. Under the program, cardholders receive a 1 % rebate on fuel and 5% rebate on all maintenance purchases made at 1,800 Fuelman Network maintenance locations. One snag, however: Fleet firms must enroll in the MasterCard Easy Savings program, which requires them to be MasterCard BusinessCard credit and signature debit cardholders. Interchange fees paid by marketers on signature debit are much higher than those charged for PIN debit cards. With fuel prices soaring, U.S. gasoline demand has reached its lowest levels since April 2005, according to MasterCard. "Clearly this indicates that high fuel prices are draining financial resources from business segments including small businesses, which are very susceptible to rising gas and diesel prices," the firm said in a statement. "Not surprisingly, recent MasterCard research shows that nearly 70% of small businesses are interested in saving on fuel."