Fuel cards

Petrol purchases can make up a massive part of your personal and business' everyday expenses, so many of us are constantly on the lookout for fuel discounts and ways to simplify how we manage these costs. This is where a fuel card could help you, your business and your fleet.

Credit cards that earn points on fuel purchases

How do fuel cards work?

Fuel cards work 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, these will usually only work at petrol stations and any available partners. If you are looking for a prepaid fuel gift card or voucher, check out finder's types of fuel cards:

• Business fuel cards. These generally cater to small and medium-sized businesses. Aside from petrol savings, business fuel cards are attractive because they simplify accounting for business car costs thanks to monthly ATO-approved statements. 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 types of gift cards or vouchers are available for individual or business use to pay for petrol and convenience 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 petrol? If you’re loyal to a specific brand, it’s wise to see if it has its own fuel card to ensure it aligns with your spending habits. For instance, a Coles shopper would likely benefit from the Coles-Shell partnership.
• 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.
• 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. Choose a loyalty program with attractive rewards that you’d actually use.
• Credit vs charge. Most fuel cards are charge cards that do not offer a revolving line of credit. There are, however, credit cards that offer rewards points or savings on fuel.
• Fees. Fuel cards typically charge a monthly fee per card, but there are also no-fee fuel cards that can offer greater savings.

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.

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.

FAQs

• What else can I buy with it?

  Fuel cards are naturally limited in their access to spending. As such, you can usually only use them for fuel or car-related purchases. You may however also use fuel-branded cards at selected station convenience stores for products and parts.

• How does pre-authorisation work?

  Fuel cards are usually pre-authorised before a transaction to ensure that there are sufficient funds on the card for that transaction. However, once the transaction is successful only the actual purchase amount will be charged to the card and any "pre-authorised amount" released.

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