Small businesses operating a fleet of vehicles often seek ways to cut fuel expenses, and fleet fuel cards offer a solution. These specialized cards are similar to business credit cards with gas rewards but are designed specifically to provide cost savings on fuel for companies managing multiple vehicles.
Apart from the fuel savings, fleet fuel cards offer additional features to facilitate efficient fleet management. They allow businesses to track and manage fuel expenses effectively, set spending limits to control costs, and provide comprehensive reports on fleet activity and fuel usage.
By using fleet fuel cards, businesses can streamline their operations, reduce fuel costs, and gain valuable insights into their fleet’s performance and fuel consumption patterns. It becomes a win-win situation, combining convenience with cost savings for businesses that rely heavily on vehicle transportation.
What is a fleet fuel card?
Fleet fuel cards cater to businesses with vehicle fleets, providing a dedicated credit card for gas and vehicle-related expenses. Apart from earning fuel purchase rebates, these cards offer the advantage of setting spending limits for drivers and monitoring fuel usage, along with other vehicle data.
Moreover, fleet fuel cards are designed to streamline expense management for businesses with multiple vehicles. By providing a specialized credit card for gas and related costs, these cards enable companies to monitor and control their fuel expenses efficiently. Additionally, businesses can earn rebates on fuel purchases, saving money in the long run.
Another benefit of fleet fuel cards is the ability to track and analyze fuel usage patterns. This data helps businesses optimize their routes and driving practices to improve fuel efficiency and reduce costs. Furthermore, with the capability to set spending limits for individual drivers, companies can maintain better control over their budget and prevent unauthorized purchases.
How do fleet fuel cards work?
Fleet fuel cards operate similarly to standard credit cards, with some distinctive features. Apart from facilitating payments at gas stations, these cards provide valuable data to assist fleet managers or business owners in effectively managing fuel expenses. One of the significant advantages is the ability to set spending controls based on the driver, day, or time, enhancing budget management. Additionally, they offer comprehensive reporting capabilities that aid in accounting processes.
When considering fleet fuel cards, it’s essential to recognize that they come with varying types and amounts of rebates and discounts. The qualifications to obtain a card and the associated terms and conditions also differ between providers. Exploring these factors will help businesses make informed decisions when choosing the right fuel card for their fleet.
As the market for fleet fuel cards evolves, new features and options continue to emerge. These advancements aim to offer greater flexibility and benefits for businesses. Some of the latest developments include personalized rewards programs tailored to specific business needs, enhanced security features to protect against fraud, and seamless integration with fleet management software.
Gas station flexibility
When considering a fleet fuel card, it’s essential to weigh the options between co-branded cards associated with specific gas providers like Shell, BP, or Exxon Mobil, and cards that offer more flexibility to fuel up at various gas stations such as WEX or AtoB. While co-branded cards may still allow refueling at other stations for a fee, they provide a primary affiliation.
Monthly fees
The cost structure of fleet fuel cards can vary significantly. Some cards come with a set-up fee and subsequent monthly charges per card, while others have no opening fees and don’t incur ongoing costs. Additionally, card issuers often offer different levels to suit businesses of various sizes, accommodating both small fleets with a limited number of vehicles and larger organizations with extensive vehicle fleets.
Repayment options
Fleet fuel cards can differ in their repayment requirements. Some function as charge cards, meaning the full balance must be settled each month to avoid potential consequences like account freezes or penalty charges. On the other hand, certain cards allow for revolving balances, similar to regular credit cards, providing a more flexible payment approach for businesses.
Who needs a fleet fuel card?
Business owners and managers often face the hassle of collecting and managing gas receipts while also monitoring driver activities. To tackle these challenges and save money on fuel expenses for multiple vehicles, utilizing a fleet fuel card can be highly advantageous.
Unlike regular business credit cards that may offer gas rewards, a fleet fuel card takes things to the next level. It provides additional features like driver analytics and spending controls, enabling businesses to keep drivers accountable and efficiently manage their spending on fuel.
By adopting a fleet fuel card, businesses can streamline their fuel expense management process and gain better insights into their drivers’ fuel consumption habits. The analytics provided by these cards help in identifying areas where fuel consumption can be optimized, leading to potential cost savings in the long run.
Best fleet fuel card providers
Fleet fuel cards play a crucial role in managing fuel expenses for companies. The selection of the best fleet fuel card depends on several factors such as the company’s gas expenditure, the locations where drivers will fuel up, and the desired features.
WEX
is a prominent fleet fuel card provider that caters to around 300,000 U.S. companies. It offers various card options, including co-branded ones like the 7-Eleven Business Fleet Card and CITGO Fleet Card. The WEX Fleet Card is accepted at 95% of gas stations nationwide, making it suitable for companies with drivers operating in different regions.
AtoB
provides a fuel card that works in most gas stations accepting Visa. Notable features include a driver app that helps find the cheapest gas nearby and the ability to get discounts at partner auto mechanics, maintenance shops, and car wash companies. The AtoB Visa Card also boasts excellent custom controls and security features.
Shell
offers three different fleet fuel card options based on business needs. While two of them are fee-free only at Shell’s own stations, the third card can be used at non-Shell locations with associated fees. For companies with drivers frequently using Shell stations, these cards offer gas savings and other perks.
Sunoco
has two fleet fuel cards, the Sunoco Business Fleet Card, and the Sunoco Fleet Universal Card. The former comes with no setup or monthly fees but is limited to Sunoco locations, while the latter provides more flexibility. Both cards offer PINs to track employees’ transactions in real-time.
Exxon Mobil
provides two fleet fuel cards: the Exxon Mobil BusinessPro™ Card and the Exxon Mobil FleetPro™ Card. The FleetPro card is designed for mixed fleets that include diesel-operated vehicles. Access to non-Exxon gas stations requires a one-time setup fee and a small monthly charge.
5 benefits of a fleet fuel card
There are some attractive benefits that fleet fuel cards offer businesses.
Opportunities to save money:
Fleet fuel cards offer attractive benefits to businesses, and one of the key advantages is the potential to save money. These cards often provide rebates on gas spending, with earnings ranging from one to six cents per gallon purchased. The accumulated earnings are usually offered as a statement credit. Additionally, these cards come with detailed reporting features and spending controls, enabling businesses to ensure their drivers fuel up efficiently and avoid overspending.
Less paperwork and streamlined accounting:
By providing fleet fuel cards to drivers, businesses can bid farewell to the hassle of keeping gas receipts and filling out expense reports. The transactions made by drivers are automatically recorded in a centralized platform, simplifying accounting and providing easy access to data. This not only saves time but also reduces the chances of errors and discrepancies in expense tracking.
Driver tracking features for enhanced security:
Many fleet fuel cards come equipped with driver tracking features, contributing to enhanced security and accountability. Some cards require drivers to input their ID number, a PIN, or odometer reading at the pump, while others utilize advanced technologies like GPS tracking. These measures help prevent fraudulent transactions and unauthorized spending, ensuring that the cards are used responsibly.
Driver convenience and ease of use:
With fleet fuel cards, drivers can enjoy added convenience and ease of use. They no longer need to worry about tracking their gas expenses or going through the reimbursement process. Some fuel fleet cards even offer dedicated apps that assist drivers in finding the nearest or most cost-effective gas stations, simplifying the payment process through their smartphones.
Additional perks and partner offers:
Beyond the core benefits, certain fleet fuel cards come with extra perks for drivers and businesses. These perks may include partner offers and discounts for various services, such as car washes and vehicle maintenance, making the cards even more valuable to the users. Businesses can leverage these additional advantages to enhance their overall fleet management strategy.
