Patent ID: 7729998

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for managing fuel costs, comprising: receiving, compiling, and storing transaction information at a Network Administrator loaded on a computer, the transaction information being associated with: (a) a shipper who has arranged for a shipment of goods from an origin to a destination; and (b) a corresponding carrier that has agreed to transport the shipment using (i) a pre-determined maximum number of eligible units of fuel, (ii) the fuel purchased by the carrier at a pre-set base price per eligible unit, and (iii) the fuel purchased from pre-selected fueling locations selected by the shipper; wherein the maximum number of eligible units of fuel and the base price per eligible unit for the shipment are established by the shipper, the base price per eligible unit of fuel is fixed before the shipment is made, and the fueling locations are established by the Network Administrator; and transmitting to the computer on which the Network Administrator is loaded carrier fuel purchase information associated with fuel purchases made by the carrier at the pre-selected fueling locations.