Fuel cards

How do fuel cards work?

If you're on the road a lot, or run a business with a fleet of vehicles, fuel costs can quickly add up. A fuel card gives you a way to keep track of what you spend – and often provide discounts or other perks like reward points.

A fuel card works on the same way as a regular credit or debit card where you swipe your card at the pump or inside the service station to pay for fuel and/or other available products and services. This means that all of your business fuel costs can be tracked under a single account.

Unlike other cards, fuel cards usually only work at partnered service stations or other participating locations. Here's a look at some of the different types of fuel cards available:

• Business fuel cards. These generally cater to small and medium-sized businesses. Aside from petrol savings, business fuel cards usually offer monthly, ATO-approved statements that help make it easier to manage business costs and accounting. Additionally, these cards save drivers from using a company credit card or their personal credit card and expensing for regular fuel purchases.
• Fleet fuel cards. Similar to business fuel cards, fleet fuel cards are useful for businesses with larger vehicle fleets. They help with budgeting and fuel efficiency and can usually access petrol discounts at different fuel brand stations.
• Individual fuel cards. This type of fuel card is designed for the regular consumer and it offers cashless convenience and card security on top of petrol discounts.
• Prepaid fuel gift cards. These are gift cards or vouchers that an individual or business can use to pay for petrol and other goods. They do not extend any credit and must be paid for in full upon purchase.

How to compare fuel cards in Australia

Here are some of the factors to consider when comparing fuel cards:

• The brand. Where do you usually buy your fuel? If you're loyal to a brand or often travel on routes where one fuel retailer has more locations than others, choosing a fuel card that fits with your routine will help you make the most of its benefits without having to change your routine too much.
• Single brand vs multi-brand. If you have no brand preference but would rather shop for the lowest-priced fuel at any time, a fuel card offering access to multiple fuel brand stations could be the better option for you. For example, you can use the BP Plus fuel card at over 1,400 BP locations in Australia, while the WEX Motorpass fuel card has over 6,000 service station and industry partners in Australia – including select 7-Eleven, Ampol, BP and Shell locations.
• Locations.When researching fuel cards and the stations where you can use them, location should factor into your comparison, particularly for long-haul interstate drivers.
• Rewards. If you're interested in getting points through your fuel card, choose a loyalty program with rewards that you’d actually use.
• Credit vs charge. Most fuel card accounts are set up as charge cards that do not offer a revolving line of credit. This means you have a set amount of time to pay the full balance, instead of only paying part of it and being charged interest (as you would with a credit card). You can see if a particular fuel card is set up as a charge card or credit card by looking at the fees – if there is an interest rate it's usually a credit card.
• Fees. Fuel cards typically charge a monthly fee per card, or a separate account fee and an additional cardholder fee.

Why choose a fuel card over regular credit card?

• Control and expense management. Some fuel cards let you impose spending limits on the card and select what can be paid for with the card.
• Reporting. Especially useful for businesses, fuel cards come with monthly reports that consolidate all your vehicle expenses into one statement. This reduces accounting work and cost, and simplifies tax reporting.
• Non-fuel partners. Some fuel cards also provide other non-fuel benefits with its network of partners, including car washes, mechanical work and warranty servicing.

What is the best fuel card in Australia?

The best fuel card is one that gives you extra value for paying with it – and that you can easily use for all your fuel spending. This isn't a one-size-fits all set of qualities, but you can use hem to help you choose a fuel card by thinking about:

• What fuel card features you want.
• How much you're willing to pay for the fuel card.
• Whether you want to be loyal to one brand of service station, or want the widest acceptance possible.

As a basic guide, fuel cards for a single brand – such as those from Ampol, Shell or 7-Eleven – typically suit business owners that can easily refuel within that network or service stations. For businesses that cover a lot of ground and need flexibility with where they get fuel, a card with a wider network – such as those from Fleet Card or WEX Motorpass – could give them more options.

Pros & cons

Fuel cards can be an attractive option if you spend a lot on fuel or own a company with a large fleet of vehicles. There is no one best fuel card, so when considering which fuel card to choose, make sure to research and compare all available options before deciding on the right one for you, your business or your fleet.

Frequently Asked Questions