Fuel is one of the biggest expenses for fleet businesses in the US, no matter whether you’re operating in trucking, construction, government, or other industries.
At the same time, it can be an unbearable challenge for fleet managers to manually monitor and record fuel purchases made by individual drivers on a daily basis.
Luckily, there’s a solution that is commonly used by fleet businesses – fuel cards.
But what exactly are they, how do they work, and why are they useful?
We answer these questions and more in the following sections.
What Are Fleet Fuel Cards?
Oftentimes, people confuse fuel cards (also known as fleet cards or fleet gas cards) as a solution designed solely to handle fuel expenses.
However, fuel cards for business are much more.
They’re designed to provide a reliable and convenient payment method that fleets can utilize to handle any expense related to their vehicles or mobile assets. Fuel cards can be relied on for the following:
- Paying for fuel
- Paying for emergency repairs
- Paying for toll charges
- Paying for maintenance work
- Authorizing expenses in real-time
- Tracking driver charges
And more.
Fleet fuel cards can come in physical form but can also be digital. They can either be created by a specific retailer with the intention of being used at specific locations. At the same time, they can also be universal and applicable to all vendors and merchants.
When spending on fuel, every driver can receive a fuel card.
Best Fleet Fuel Cards
So what are the best fuel cards for small fleets?
Remember, each fuel card can come with its own set of features and capabilities. According to industry experts and consumers, some of the most attractive fuel cards include:
- AToB Fuel Card
- ExxonMobil BusinessPro
- Axle Fuel Card
- Fuelman Mixed Fleet Card
- WEX Fleet Card
- Shell Small Business Card
Here’s what you need to know about each one.
AtoB Fuel Card
AtoB fuel cards come in two varieties – the AtoB Unlimited and the AtoB Flex.
Regardless of which one you go for, you’ll need to download the AtoB app where you can enjoy discounts and added extras, like cash back. For example, drivers can take advantage of saving up to 12 cents per gallon at designated gas stations.
For those using truck diesel, the discounts can be even more substantial.
You can use AtoB fuel cards in any location where Mastercard is accepted. However, the drawbacks are that there are monthly fees associated and the fact that your balance must be paid in full monthly.
ExxonMobil BusinessPro
Another popular choice for small and large fleets alike is the ExxonMobil BusinessPro fuel card. It’s suitable for fleets of different types, where the requirement is a one-off payment of $40 for setting up your card. After that, card owners are responsible for paying a $2 monthly fee.
There are more than 12,000 Exxon and Mobil locations you can use your ExxonMobil BusinessPro at, making this one of the biggest brand-specific networks.
In addition, this fuel card can be used by 95% of U.S. retail fuel locations that are not part of the ExxonMobil network.
Axle Fuel Card
On the other hand, the Axle Fuel Card is designed for fleets with mixed fuel usage. The card can be taken advantage of within the Pilot Flying J and One9 Fuel Networks.
The good news is that it’s also available for fleets of different sizes, making it a go-to choice for a lot of fleet businesses.
Best of all, there are no monthly fees, transaction expenses, or account management fees associated with owning this card. Drivers can also be pampered with rewards that they can redeem when shopping in-store, like free drinks and snacks.
Fuelman Mixed Fleet Card
The Fuelman Mixed Fleet Card stands out with the fact that it offers the largest discounts compared to most other options.
It comes with a base rebate of 8 cents per gallon during the first year of ownership, allowing users to receive volume-based discounts afterward. You can use this fuel card in more than 40,000 gas stations that are part of the Fuelman network.
There are no setup fees. Instead, you’ll be charged a flat monthly fee for all employee cards that you have active on your account. This is one of the main reasons why both small and large fleets have a preference for this option.
However, keep in mind that there are significant fees for late and returned payments. In addition, the monthly fee can reach $99 based on your usage.
WEX Fleet FlexCard
Another great solution for small fleets is the WEX Fleet FlexCard.
Overall, WEX provides a range of different fuel cards, some of which are branded by major fuel chains that are popular around the world (like Shell Small Business Card).
However, the WEX Fleet FlexCard is a top choice for small fleets as it doesn’t have any setup expenses and allows users to carry a balance. This is a benefit that is rarely provided by other fuel card providers.
For the first six months of card ownership, you’ll receive a rebate of 3 cents per gallon. After this time, the rebate will be calculated based on gallons purchased per month.
Shell Small Business Card
Last but not least, another one of the most popular small fleet fuel cards is the Shell Small Business Card.
With a rebate of up to 6 cents per gallon, this option is a volume-based discount. However, keep in mind that you’ll need to buy more than 10,000 gallons per billing cycle in order to enjoy this perk.
Also important to note is that this fuel card is only suitable for those fueling up at Shell stations and participating Jiffy Lube stations. Just like in the previous example, drivers can carry a balance with their Shell Small Business Card.
How Do Fuel Cards Work?
Unlike traditional credit cards, fuel cards typically offer rebates or discounts per gallon, making them an attractive tool for reducing operating costs.
However, the benefits and limitations of each fuel card depend on the card type, its issuing network, and any associated partnerships.
Let’s explore how different types of fuel cards operate to help you make the best choice for your fleet.
Branded fuel cards
Branded fuel cards are specific to a single fuel brand, offering higher-than-average rebates but only at the brand’s gas stations.
For example, major providers like Shell and Exxon offer branded fuel cards that provide up to 6 cents per gallon in rebates, but only at their locations.
Generally, the rebate percentage scales with fuel volume, meaning larger fleets have the potential to maximize these rebates. However, reaching the highest rebate often requires significant monthly fuel purchases, sometimes over 10,000 gallons per month.
Branded fuel cards are an excellent option if your fleet regularly visits a particular fuel brand, as they offer significant savings that align with loyalty to that brand.
Fleet cards that run on a major credit card issuer network
Fleet cards tied to major credit card networks, such as those from Coast and AtoB running on Visa’s network, offer flexibility in usage.
These cards are widely accepted, allowing purchases at virtually any gas station or business where Visa is accepted. This type of fleet card provides base rebates ranging from 2 to 3 cents per gallon, depending on the card provider.
Cardholders also have access to exclusive rebates through partner networks, which can be found on the card’s app or online platform.
Although the rebates may not be as high as those offered by branded fuel cards, the flexibility of using a Visa-backed fuel card allows fleets to access savings without being tied to specific gas stations.
WEX and Fuelman fleet cards
WEX and Fuelman fuel cards work by negotiating bulk fuel discounts with gas stations, passing these savings on to fleet owners through per-gallon rebates.
WEX and Fuelman boast extensive networks, with their cards accepted at over 40,000 and 45,000 fuel stations nationwide, respectively.
Generally, these cards offer a fixed rebate rate between 3 to 8 cents per gallon for the first year. Following this introductory period, the rebate amount is typically adjusted based on monthly fuel usage, incentivizing high-volume purchases.
While primarily accepted at gas stations and maintenance-specific retailers, like tire shops, these cards are ideal for businesses focused on maximizing fuel savings through large networks and steady discounts.
Pros and Cons of Fuel Cards
Now that we’ve covered the basics of fuel cards, it’s time to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages that these perks can bring to your fleet and your drivers.
Benefits
Without a doubt, fuel cards can be extremely useful and beneficial for any fleet business. There are several key advantages of taking advantage of fuel cards:
- Per-gallon rebates – Many fuel cards provide rebates on fuel purchases, ranging from 2 to 8 cents per gallon, depending on the provider and card type. This can lead to significant savings, especially for fleets with high fuel consumption.
- Discounted pricing – Some cards, like those from WEX or Fuelman, negotiate discounted pricing with gas stations and pass those savings to cardholders. For fleets with large fuel expenses, these discounts can directly impact profitability.
- Access to rewards points – The majority of cards offer extra perks for card owners, like rewards programs and special discounts on gas and other products or services. Usually, these can only be used once a certain gas usage threshold is hit or every time a specific gas station is used.
- Cost tracking instruments – The discounts and extras are not the only reason fleet businesses rely on fuel cards. These assets can also help fleet managers and owners monitor expenses and reduce costs associated with transportation.
- Authorization capabilities – Fleet businesses with fuel cards have the power to authorize purchases in real time. This means that you have full control over how your drivers spend your company resources.
- Advanced organization – In most cases, individual drivers have separate fuel cards, while in others, each vehicle has a designated fuel card. In order to use the card, the driver must provide an ID number at the pump. This enables fleet managers to monitor who is initiating purchases and keep costs organized according to individual drivers.
- Alerts – Oftentimes, fuel cards come with purchase alerts, notifying fleet managers or owners if drivers are spending on more gas than normal. This can help you take corrective measures to avoid overspending in the long run.
- Reduced paperwork – Electronic records from fuel card transactions eliminate the need for drivers to keep track of physical receipts, reducing the chance of lost paperwork and making record-keeping easier.
Naturally, these advantages make fuel cards a popular asset for fleets of different sizes.
Drawbacks
At the same time, there are a few drawbacks associated with fuel cards worth considering:
- Restricted gas stations – Some fuel cards, particularly branded ones, are accepted only at specific stations (for example, a Shell or Exxon card is usable only at those brand’s locations). This limitation can reduce flexibility, especially in areas where the brand isn’t available.
- Network limitations – Even cards with broader networks may still limit purchases to fuel-related expenses, and may not be accepted at certain locations, such as independent gas stations.
- Annual, monthly, or transaction fees – Some fuel cards come with annual fees, monthly service charges, or per-transaction fees that add to operational costs.
- Interest and late fees – If payments are delayed, fuel card companies may charge interest or late fees, potentially affecting a fleet’s overall cost savings.
- Minimum purchase requirements – Certain cards, especially those offering high rebates, may require minimum monthly fuel purchases to qualify for discounts or rebates, which may be challenging for smaller fleets.
- Fuel-only policies – Some companies may find the strict “fuel-only” policies restrictive, especially if the card doesn’t allow purchases of related items like windshield washer fluid, motor oil, or car washes.
- Risks of driver misuse – Although fuel cards provide security features, misuse can still occur if drivers share PINs or authorization codes, allowing unauthorized fuel purchases.
When considering fuel cards for your fleet, it’s key to address these obstacles to prevent discomfort or potential losses.
Who can get a fleet fuel card?
So, can you take advantage of a fleet fuel card?
If you’re a business, the answer is yes.
Fuel cards are not available to individual consumers but can only be utilized by businesses.
Fuel cards are most often used by businesses that operate multiple vehicles, regardless of size. Small businesses with just a few vehicles can benefit as much as large corporations with extensive fleets.
Common industries include logistics, transportation, delivery services, construction, and any other sector with regular fuel usage.
Wrap Up
Although it’s difficult to say what is the best fuel card for small business owners with a fleet, the information provided above can certainly help guide you in the right direction.
Having an in-depth understanding of fuel cards and the different options available on the market, you can make informed decisions that can help you reduce fuel costs, track expenses, and more.
