Fuel cards

If you're on the road a lot, petrol costs can quickly add up. Whether it's for your work or everyday life, finding a simple way to pay and save money can make it a lot easier to manage these costs. This is where a fuel card could help you, your business or an entire fleet.

Fuel Card Offer

Shell Card

Save 6 cents per litre on fuel

Offer ends 31 March 2022

Eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, fees and charges apply

Fuel Card Offer

Save 6c per litre off fuel purchases at Shell branded sites using the promo code 6FOR6 for the first 6 months with the Shell Card.

• Monthly fee of $2.50 per card ($30 per year)
• Earn 0.5 Flybuys points per $1 spent when you use your Shell Card at any Shell Coles Express site.
• Access to more than 1,250 sites

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Compare fuel cards

You can use this table to compare Australian fuel cards by the discounts offered, costs and locations where they are accepted to find one that's right for you.

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Name	Product	Discount	Monthly Fee	Additional Cardholder Fee	Number of Locations
Shell Card		Apply before 31 March 2022 using promo code 6FOR6 for the first 6 months: you’ll save 6c per litre off fuel purchases at Shell branded sites and pay no monthly card fees	$2.50	$30	1,250	Go to site More Info		loading Fetching your data...
7-Eleven Fuel Pass		- 4cents/L on Premium - 2cents/L on Regular Petrol & Diesel	$2.50	$8	550	More Info		loading Fetching your data...
AmpolCard		- 4c/L on Premium Petrol - 3c/L on Premium Diesel - 2c/L on Regular	$2.95	$35.40	1,900	More Info		loading Fetching your data...

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How do fuel cards work?

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, these will usually only work at petrol stations and any available partners. 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 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 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 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, petrol 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a fuel card a credit card?

No, fuel cards are different to credit cards because you can only use them at participating fuel outlets. Most fuel cards also limit what you can use the card to pay for. Plus, fuel cards will usually issue an invoice that you need to pay in full by the due date – a payment structure that is more similar to charge cards than credit cards.

In comparison, credit cards are widely accepted, can be used for most purchases and let you pay off the account over time – with minimum repayment requirements and interest charges.

What else can I buy with a fuel card?

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.