If you’re a small business owner with a fleet of vehicles, utilizing a fleet fuel card can streamline expense management and help you earn rewards. The most effective fleet fuel cards come with features aimed specifically at fleet operations, focusing on saving and tracking expenses.
These cards generally offer rewards that range from 2 to 8 cents per gallon of fuel purchased, with some providing extra discounts at select gas stations.
Unlike standard business credit cards, fleet fuel cards are dedicated only to fuel-related costs. Continue reading to discover some of the top choices in the fleet fuel card market and find the one that’s best suited for your business.
What is a fleet fuel card?
A fleet fuel card serves as an alternative to a business gas credit card and is particularly tailored for businesses that operate multiple vehicles (often referred to as a “fleet”).
Related: Essential tips for saving on fuel
These cards provide fuel rebates and tools that facilitate expense tracking and management.
Fleet cards usually operate like business charge cards, which means balances must be settled in full each month. Some fuel cards permit carrying a balance but offer lower fuel rebates in return.
Most fleet cards don’t require a personal guarantee, making them more accessible compared to traditional business credit cards that need personal credit checks.
Top Fleet Fuel Credit Cards
The best fleet fuel cards provide a blend of flexibility, control, and savings, featuring fuel rebates at numerous gas stations, along with additional benefits from extensive partner networks. They also enable you to monitor spending, manage receipts, and customize usage for each card. Here are some of the leading options available today.
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AtoB Fuel Cards
AtoB offers two types of fuel cards: AtoB Unlimited and AtoB Flex. Both cards provide discounts of up to 12 cents per gallon at gas stations and even up to 42 cents per gallon for truck diesel through the AtoB app. AtoB’s cards don’t tie you to specific fuel brands, though discounts are available at partnered stations.
The information for the AtoB Unlimited and AtoB Flex cards has been independently gathered by The Points Guy and has not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
Both options can be used for fuel purchases anywhere that accepts Mastercard and for other vehicle-related costs, such as maintenance, tolls, and tires.
Coast Fuel Card
The Coast fuel card provides savings of up to 10 cents per gallon on fuel and offers 1% cash back on non-fuel purchases like tires and oil changes. The Coast card can be used anywhere Visa is accepted.
The information for the Coast Fleet Card has been independently gathered by The Points Guy and has not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
With the Coast card, you can access an expense management platform that helps track spending across all active cards and set spending parameters for each individual fuel card, including restrictions on certain types of purchases.
Related: Amazon Prime members can now save on gas
Additionally, Coast provides fleet tool integrations that identify suspicious fuel transactions and automatically align odometer readings with fuel transactions using GPS safeguards.
WEX Fleet FlexCard
WEX has several fleet cards, but we recommend the WEX Fleet FlexCard for small businesses. This card has no setup or monthly fees and enables you to carry a balance (interest charges may apply). A promotional rebate of 3 cents per gallon is available for the first 180 days of use.
The information for the WEX Fleet FlexCard has been independently collected by The Points Guy and has not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
Though card usage is confined to the WEX network of over 45,000 gas stations, including major brands like BP, Exxon, and Shell, the WEX FlexCard offers standard expense management tools that most fleet cards provide.
Fuelman Mixed Fleet Card
Another viable option is Fuelman, which provides a variety of fleet cards, including diesel-only alternatives and access to a network of over 40,000 gas stations.
Cardholders can select from three different plans, each with associated costs and varying benefits (such as 24/7 customer service and fraud protection):
- Basic: $39/month
- Pro: $59/month
- Enterprise: $99/month
If substantial discounts are what you’re after, the Fuelman Mixed Fleet Card offers an 8-cent-per-gallon rebate during the first year. Note that additional fees and penalties may apply for missed payments or low credit scores.
The information for the Fuelman Mixed Fleet Card has been independently gathered by The Points Guy and has not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
The card also includes a rewards program where you can redeem for gift cards, merchandise, and more.
Shell Card Business
For businesses looking for a cobranded fuel card, the Shell Card Business can help small businesses save on fuel costs. It provides a 25-cent-per-gallon discount for the initial six months, and up to 6 cents per gallon thereafter.
The information for the Shell Card Business has been independently collected by The Points Guy and has not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
The Shell card is only valid at Shell gas stations (over 12,000 nationwide) and at participating Jiffy Lube locations, where cardholders can enjoy a 15% discount on maintenance services. Notably, there are no setup, annual, or monthly fees with the Shell Business Card, and it allows for a balance carryover (with potential interest charges).
Exxon Mobil BusinessPro
The Exxon Mobil BusinessPro™ Card is another cobranded fuel card option that provides up to 6 cents off per gallon without any setup, annual, or monthly fees. Its flexible usage across 95% of U.S. gas stations is an advantage compared to the Shell card. Like the Shell card, it supports monthly balance carryover (interest charges may apply).
While the Exxon Mobil BusinessPro Card is suitable for any business with vehicles, the Exxon Mobil FleetPro™ Card is another excellent choice for firms managing mixed or diesel fleets.
The information for the Exxon Mobil BusinessPro and Exxon Mobil FleetPro cards has been independently gathered by The Points Guy and has not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
Fuel Card vs. Business Gas Credit Card
Deciding between a fuel card and a business gas credit card hinges on several factors, with fleet size being a significant one.
If you oversee a fleet of five or more vehicles, a fuel card is likely the better choice, providing comprehensive expense tracking and management features. Conversely, if your operation consists of fewer than five vehicles, a business gas credit card may offer more attractive rewards, often delivering higher reward rates.
It’s important to consider your intended use for the card as well; fuel cards are mainly aimed at fuel and vehicle-related expenses, while business gas cards allow for a broader range of purchases, providing additional flexibility.
Conclusion
The features of fleet fuel credit cards vary depending on the issuer and partner networks. Branded fuel cards typically offer superior rebates at specific gas station chains such as Shell or Exxon.
In contrast, fleets using cards from major credit card systems like Visa or Mastercard might receive base rebates of 2 to 3 cents per gallon, with potential for higher rebates through partner networks. With various options available, it’s advisable to determine the type of fleet fuel card that best fits your business needs.
Related: Discover the best gas rewards program to maximize savings at the pump.
