The new version of the AAFES fuel card sleeve, right, is displayed along with a previous version, left, on July 15, 2026. AAFES says advertising no longer covers the cost of the once-complimentary protective sleeves, which now sell for just under $1. (Zade Vadnais/Stars and Stripes)

Drivers in Germany who are used to receiving a free protective sleeve with their fuel ration cards are getting a small dose of sticker shock this summer after AAFES began charging just under $1 for the plastic holder.

Prior versions of the sleeve featured logos of on-base businesses such as Pizza Hut and Burger King. The new version displays only the Exchange logo.

“Previously, advertising support offset the costs to provide complimentary Esso card sleeves to authorized drivers,” an AAFES spokesperson told Stripes. “Today, the Exchange produces the sleeves at its own expense and offers them for sale for 99 cents.”

AAFES did not respond to questions about when the change took effect. While the spokesperson said the sleeves now cost 99 cents, customers in the Kaiserslautern Military Community have reported being charged only 95 cents.