Top 5 Fleet Fuel Card Options For Small Businesses

Top 5 Fleet Fuel Card Options For Small Businesses

by Faisal Nadeem Jan 17, 2025

Share On:

Top Fleet Fuel Card Options For Small Businesses

Choosing the right fleet fuel card is a common challenge for small businesses. Small companies can save money with the right fuel card, thanks to rebates on gas and diesel. This article will guide you through picking the best option to manage your expenses better and keep your vehicles running smoothly. Find out more below!

Key Takeaways

  • Fleet fuel cards save money on gas and manage spending. They track each driver's purchases, helping small businesses control costs. Cards offer reports and set limits on what drivers can buy.
  • The WEX Fleet Card is best for most businesses. It has no setup or monthly fees, works at 95% of U.S. gas stations, and gives rebates on fuel for the first six months.
  • Edenred Essentials covers more than just fuel. It also pays for car washes and repairs. You can use it anywhere Visa is accepted.
  • The Comdata Card is good for managing a fleet with an app. It offers discounts on gas and tires plus controls over spending.
  • Shell Small Business Card suits small fleets well by letting them pay monthly and saving up to 6 cents per gallon at Shell stations with no card fees.

Understanding Fleet Fuel Cards

Fleet fuel cards let businesses pay for gas across many locations. They track spending and save money on fuel.

How do fleet fuel cards work?

Fleet fuel cards are special cards that businesses use to pay for gas. Drivers enter their personal ID numbers at gas stations before filling up. This system tracks every purchase, including the vehicle's odometer reading and the amount of fuel bought.

It replaces paper receipts and manual record-keeping with automatic reports. These can be daily, weekly, or monthly.

Fleet fuel cards simplify managing business expenses by automating tracking and reporting.

These cards help businesses control how much money drivers spend on fuel. They set limits on spending and track where drivers fill up their tanks. Each card links to a specific driver using a unique ID number, making it easy to see who spent what and where, which helps with budgeting and planning for future costs related to driving distances and fuel prices.

Fleet fuel card benefits

Fleet fuel cards save money at gas stations and help manage what workers buy. They set spending limits for each card, making it easy to control costs. These cards also give reports in real-time and monthly vehicle analysis, helping businesses understand how they use fuel.

For companies using more than 1,000 gallons a month, these cards offer big discounts and cash-back rewards.

Using fleet cards makes record-keeping automatic. This is great for tracking expenses without much work. Businesses can see where every dollar goes with purchase alerts via mobile payments or contactless payment methods.

Plus, managing a fleet becomes easier with tools for tracking vehicles and analyzing mileage. With all these features, fleet fuel cards are key for small businesses wanting to keep finance charges low and simplify expense management.

Best Overall Fleet Fuel Card: WEX Fleet Card

The WEX Fleet Card stands out as the top choice for businesses. It offers a mix of savings, control over spending, and wide station access across the country.

Features & Benefits (WEX Fleet Card)

The WEX Fleet Card offers special fuel discounts that help small businesses save money. 5 It also includes services for managing vehicles better. With this card, companies can track where their money goes with detailed reports on each purchase.

Unique PINs add security, making sure only the right people use the card.

With GPS tracking and customizable controls , the WEX Fleet Card is a powerful tool for monitoring fuel usage and protecting against fraud.

Businesses get to set rules on what can be bought with the card. This means they have control over spending. The GPS option helps keep an eye on where and how much fuel is used. This makes it easier to spot any unusual activity early.

Costs & Network Coverage (WEX Fleet Card)

Moving from the features and benefits, let's talk about costs and where you can use the WEX Fleet Card. This card has no setup fee or monthly fees, which is great news for small business owners.

You keep more money in your pocket. But watch out for high fees if you make a late payment or return a payment.

You can use this card at 95% of U.S. gas stations. That means nearly everywhere you go, your drivers can fill up easily. Plus, there's a perk: for the first six months, you get back 3 cents per gallon of fuel bought with the card.

This rebate helps save some cash on fuel costs over time.

Best for Additional Expenses: Edenred Essentials

Edenred Essentials stands out for handling more than just fuel. This card lets businesses pay for things like car washes and auto repairs, making expense tracking easy.

Features & Benefits (Edenred Essentials)

Edenred Essentials lets you control how much money your team spends on gas and other things. You can set limits and see when someone tries to spend too much. This card is from The Bancorp Bank and works wherever Visa cards do. For the first six months, you don't have to pay any fees. This makes starting easy. Your business can also get cash back on purchases, saving money over time.

The quick sign-up means your cards are ready fast. You won't wait long to start using them. Plus, watching every transaction helps stop unwanted spending before it happens. Moving on, let's look at what it costs and where you can use this card.

Costs & Network Coverage (Edenred Essentials)

Moving onto the cost details and network reach of Edenred Essentials, small businesses will find it budget-friendly. They charge a $3 monthly fee for each card. This makes tracking easy and affordable.

For fuel purchases, companies get discounts from 1 to 4 cents per gallon based on how much fuel they buy. There's also a $50 late payment penalty and a $10 fee for paper bills.

Edenred Essentials cards work anywhere Visa is accepted. This wide acceptance means truck drivers can refuel at many stations across the country without worry. Small business owners won't have trouble finding places where their drivers can use these cards, making life easier for everyone involved.

Best App for Fleet Management: Comdata Card

The Comdata Card stands out for fleet supervision with its user-friendly app. It helps track expenses and manage payments easily, making it a top pick for those overseeing vehicles.

Features & Benefits (Comdata Card)

Comdata Card offers many perks for business vehicle management. One key feature is allowing drivers to pay on both the Comdata Network and the Mastercard network. This means more places to use the card, making it very handy. Users can also get up to 25 cents off per gallon at gas stations. Plus, businesses can control fraud better and set spending limits with tools designed for keeping an eye on how much drivers spend.

Significant rebates on purchases like tires mark Comdata Card as a standout choice.

Another benefit includes discounts not just on fuel but also tires and retreads, helping businesses save more money in the long run. The wide acceptance of this payment card makes it easier for employees driving trucks or cars to find filling stations no matter where they are, adding convenience while on the road.

Costs & Network Coverage (Comdata Card)

The Comdata Card has a monthly fee of $8 and a one-time setup fee of $50. You can save 7 to 25 cents on each gallon of fuel. This card works at more than 15,000 places in the U.S.

It comes with the FleetAdvance app. The app helps you find cheap fuel and offers other tools for managing your vehicles. This makes it easier to keep track of spending and saves money on gas.

Now let's look at another option for fleet management, the Shell Small Business Card.

Best for Small Fleets: Shell Small Business Card

The Shell Small Business Card is great for companies with a few vehicles. It helps manage gas costs and tracks spending easily.

Features & Benefits (Shell Small Business Card)

The Shell Small Business Card is great for small fleets. It lets businesses pay monthly. This helps a lot with cash flow. Businesses also get a 15% discount at Jiffy Lube for oil changes and services to keep cars running well. Plus, this card offers interactive dashboards. Fleet managers find these very useful to track spending and fuel use.

This card offers flexible payment options too. That makes it easier for small businesses to manage money better. With the Shell Small Business Card, handling fuel costs becomes less of a worry and more of an advantage.

Costs & Network Coverage (Shell Small Business Card)

Shell Small Business Card users enjoy no card fees, making it a budget-friendly choice. This card allows savings up to 6 cents per gallon at Shell gas stations. It is welcome at nearly 13,000 Shell locations and some Jiffy Lube centers for maintenance.

However, to get the top rebate, your fleet needs to use a lot of fuel.

Save more on fuel costs with every gallon at Shell.

Business credit cards like this one help manage expenses easily. Plus, if you often visit Shell or Jiffy Lube spots, the wide network means less worry about finding the right place to fill up or fix your vehicles.

Keep in mind; big savings need high fuel usage with this card.

Most Customizable: ExxonMobil BusinessPro Card

The ExxonMobil BusinessPro Card stands out for its flexibility, letting businesses tailor their fueling needs with ease. With this card, companies can track spending and set limits at gas stations and service garages, making it a top choice for control over costs and usage.

Features & Benefits (ExxonMobil BusinessPro Card)

ExxonMobil BusinessPro Card offers savings up to 6 cents per gallon on fuel. This helps small business owners save money every time their fleet fills up. Each driver gets a unique ID number for transactions.

This makes it easy for each driver to track spending. You can set purchase limits too. These limits can be on the type of product, how much is spent, and when purchases are made.

This card also has automatic accounting features . They give detailed records of all transactions. This keeps bookkeeping simple for businesses. Plus, you get access to a network of gas stations across the country, making it easy for drivers anywhere.

Costs & Network Coverage (ExxonMobil BusinessPro Card)

After exploring the benefits, let's talk about costs and where you can use the ExxonMobil BusinessPro Card. This card has a one-time setup fee of $40 and a small monthly charge of $2. It works at over 12,000 gas stations that are either Exxon or Mobil brands. What's great is it offers rewards too - you can get up to 6 cents back on every gallon of fuel you buy.

For businesses needing more, this card stretches its reach. For an extra fee, your drivers can fill up at almost any gas station in the U.S., covering 95% of them. This makes it easy for your team to find a place to refuel no matter where they are, helping keep your fleet moving without hassle.

Fleet Fuel Card vs. Business Gas Credit Card

Fleet fuel cards and business gas credit cards might look the same, but they serve different needs. Fleet cards help manage a whole group of cars or trucks, while business gas credit cards are better for simple gas purchases with perks.

Key differences and when to choose each

Fleet fuel cards and business gas credit cards propose unique advantages for handling vehicle expenses. Recognizing the principal distinctions helps in making the optimal decision for your requirements.

  1. Fleet fuel cards are ideal for enterprises with numerous vehicles. Their primary purpose is to facilitate gas purchases and occasionally maintenance services. They offer comprehensive reports regarding expenditure and control over purchases.
  2. Business gas credit cards are more appropriate for single owners or independent contractors. These cards have a broader usability, enabling them to be used for a variety of purchases, not restricted only to fuel.
  3. Fleet fuel cards typically permit restrictions on purchase types, such as exclusive gasoline or diesel at fuel stations. This feature ensures expenditure is under control and targeted.
  4. On the other hand, business gas credit cards may present rewards points, cash back, or savings per gallon. These benefits can lead to significant savings over a period.
  5. Fleet fuel cards permit easy tracking of each vehicle's fuel usage and maintenance expenses. This becomes challenging with business gas credit cards due to their extensive use.
  6. There are fleet fuel cards that come with charges or request a certain credit score to apply for a business credit card with an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Conversely, several business gas credit cards do not have these prerequisites but may not provide as comprehensive reporting features.
  7. Opting for a fleet fuel card provides access to a network of locations accepting the card, like ExxonMobil or Shell stations. This aspect might restrict where drivers can refuel based on the card's reach.
  8. For enterprises aiming to supervise their fleets effectively via vehicle tracking or even EV charging options at certain stations, a fleet fuel card is appropriate due to its supplemental features directed at vehicle management.
  9. If you are an independent contractor who needs to cater to varied expenses beyond fuel—such as car rentals, parking, or even non-vehicle-related purchases—a business gas credit card could be more advantageous thanks to its versatility and potential rewards programs.
  10. The final decision is reliant on what your business needs: for strict control and detailed reporting with multiple vehicles, select a fleet fuel card; for wider spending needs with fewer vehicles, contemplate on a business gas charge card that provides rewards but doesn't offer comprehensive reporting features on expenditure and usage.

How to Choose the Right Fleet Fuel Card

Picking the right fuel card for your fleet depends on your company's needs, such as how much you spend on gas, where your vehicles drive, and what extra features you want. Check different cards for fees, rewards, and where they work.

Think about if a card saves time and gives data to manage costs better. Look for one that fits well with how you run things. This helps in making a smart choice that saves money and makes managing easier.

Explore options to find out more.

Factors to consider based on business needs

Choose the right fleet fuel card by thinking about your business needs. Think about how much gas you use, where your trucks go, and what extra features might help you. Do you need tools to track how much fuel each truck uses? Maybe you want reports to help manage costs better.

It's also vital to think about where your drivers fill up the tank. Some cards work at many places, while others only work at specific spots.

Pick a card that fits not just today's needs but tomorrow's growth.

Also consider if the card helps with things like keeping an eye out for fraud or offering rewards points that can save money over time. If working capital is tight, find a card with longer payment terms to ease cash flow pressures.

Lastly, look into customer service quality and tech support because when issues come up, getting quick help is crucial.

Incorporating Business Credit into Your Strategy

Adding business credit to your plan can help a lot. You can apply for a business credit card with an EIN instead of using personal credit. This move keeps company and personal finances separate.

It means better scores on your credit report, too. Good credit opens doors to more money options like loans or lines of credit .

Use this strategy to handle big expenses without worry. Paying off cards on time improves your score with bureaus like TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. A higher score may lead to lower interest rates.

It also makes getting future cash easier and cheaper.

Conclusion

Choosing the right fuel card is key for small businesses. Cards like WEX, Edenred Essentials, Comdata, and Shell offer unique perks. They help manage costs and track spending. With options for every kind of business need, finding a good fit is easier than ever.

This makes running your fleet smoother and more cost-effective.

FAQs

1. What are the top fleet fuel card options for small businesses?

The top fleet fuel card options include Exxon Mobil, Pilot Flying J, Fuelman Mixed Fleet Card, and Shell Fleet Plus Card. These cards offer different pricing structures, cashback incentives, and loyalty programs to accommodate varying business needs.

2. How can a small business apply for a business credit card with an EIN?

To apply for a business credit card with an EIN (Employer Identification Number), you would need to approach banking institutions like Bank of America or Citi. They will conduct a credit check using information from credit bureaus and evaluate your financial standing before lending any line of credit.

3. Do all fleet fuel cards require good credit scores?

Not all fleet fuel cards require high credit scores. Some companies offer pre-paid cards or debit card options which do not require a traditional credit check but may have different APRs (Annual Percentage Rates) and surcharges.

4. Are there any benefits in using these types of cards over regular payment methods?

Fleet fuel cards offer several advantages such as ease-of-use at the point of sale with tap-and-pay smartchip technology available on most Android devices; they also provide detailed price comparison data on miles per gallon and overall fuel consumption rates that help manage costs effectively.

5. Can these fleet fuels be used for electric vehicles too?

Yes! Many providers recognize the increasing prevalence of electric vehicles among fleets and now offer charging solutions alongside their traditional offerings making them more accessible to businesses transitioning towards greener alternatives.

6.Are there other perks associated with these fleet fuel cards?

Absolutely! Beyond just purchasing fuels, some companies provide additional perks like gift-card rewards or money market returns based on usage levels - providing tangible financial advice that helps maximize value from every transaction made.

References

  1. ^ https://www.wexinc.com/resources/blog/how-do-company-gas-cards-work/ (2024-04-15)
  2. ^ https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/forbes-advisor-guide-to-fleet-fuel-cards/ (2024-05-31)
  3. ^ https://www.simplyfleet.app/blog/the-benefits-of-fleet-fuel-cards-for-small-businesses (2024-01-11)

Social Links:

Social Links:

Read More article

Related Posts

Jan 12, 2024

Unlock financial flexibility for your business without the need for revenue proof.

1500

Project Completed

1205

Total Clients

2214

Service Providing

2450

Under Waiting