Petrol Credit Cards
Ready to earn points for your fuel expenses? Compare and apply for a petrol rewards credit card.
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Petrol is often a necessary weekly expense, and one that you could be earning points on. A petrol credit card earns rewards points on fuel and can potentially save you a cent or two per litre. There aren't many of these left in Australia anymore, but you can still be rewarded at the pump with a credit card.
Petrol cards that offer rewards points
for spending on petrol
How do petrol credit cards work?
A petrol credit card works similarly to a conventional credit card, allowing cardholders to earn rewards when they purchase petrol on plastic.
There are two card options to consider:
- Direct earn petrol cards. Direct earn cards allow cardholders to earn cashback and discounts directly from purchasing fuel. They are not linked with any other existing rewards program but are connected to specific fuel retailers.
- Indirect earn petrol cards. These cards reward cardholders for spending on a variety of eligible purchases. Points can then be redeemed for petrol discounts and vouchers. The reward programs for these types of cards also allow cardholders to redeem points for a range of other rewards.
Petrol Rewards programs in Australia
Fuel cards can provide discounts and savings just by purchasing petrol. How much you save really depends on your lifestyle and spending habits.
American Express Platinum Edge credit card
American Express Platinum Edge credit card currently charges an annual fee of $195. It earns 3 American Express Membership Rewards points per $1 spent at major petrol stations (BP, Shell, Woolworths, 7 Eleven, Safeway Petrol and Peak & Gull). Points can be redeemed for a range of rewards including travel, gift cards and merchandise. They can be transferred to one of your preferred partner programs including Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer or Singapore Airlines Krisflyer Frequent Flyer. At a one-to-one point transfer rate, this means that you earn 3 frequent flyer miles with each $1 spent on fuel at major petrol stations. Cardholders also enjoy 55 interest-free days, and a purchase interest rate of 20.74% p.a.
The following table calculates rewards based on the American Express Membership Rewards “Points for credit” program, whereby cardholders can redeem points for monetary credit to be spent on your credit card. A minimum of 8000 points is required to redeem $50 worth of credit, which is equivalent to a 0.625 cent per dollar spent earn rate. This rate changes progressively in tiers, where you receive a better earn rate at larger denominations, e.g. 14,500 points redeems $100 and 36,000 redeems $250, etc.
| Weekly petrol spend | How many points per year | Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| $20 | 2,080 | Nil. (You would have earned $13 worth in points but would be able to redeem $50 in credit only after 200 weeks) |
| $40 | 4,160 | Nil. (You would have earned $26 worth in points but would be able to redeem $50 in credit only after 100 weeks) |
| $80 | 8,320 | $50 (or $52 worth in points) |
| $200 | 20,800 | $100 (or over $143 worth in points at an earn rate of almost 6.9 cents per dollar) |
| $300 | 31,200 | $100 (or over $215 worth in points at an earn rate of almost 6.9 cents per dollar) |
If you are a frequent flyer and prefer to accumulate points for flight redemptions, this would be a good card to consider. Even when comparing the earn rate for cashback, this card offers a better earn rate than the Woolworths Everyday card. Do note that you have to spend at least $80 a week on fuel to get any rewards, and there is a higher annual fee.
Earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points refuelling at BP
If your credit card doesn’t earn rewards points when paying for fuel, you could also sign up for a petrol rewards card that lets you earn points when you pay for fuel and swipe your card at the register. For instance, BP and Qantas' partnership means you can earn up to 2 Qantas Points for every litre of fuel you buy at BP. Coles and Flybuys have a similar alliance, meaning you can earn Flybuys when you spend at Coles-Shell petrol stations.
What are the pros and cons of a fuel rewards card?
Pros
- Rewards. Any opportunity to receive rewards for necessary costs is a plus. The reward is also instant, with the savings added to your account immediately after your transaction has been approved.
- Additional cardholders earn rewards. You can often add a cardholder to your account, doubling the amount of points you could earn.
- Extra benefits. Credit cards often come with additional features such as a frequent flyer rewards program, complimentary insurance or interest-free days that could provide you with other benefits.
Cons
- High fees. Generally, there is a joining fee and ongoing annual membership fee when you sign up for a fuel rewards credit card. Some cards will also charge a service fee every time you fill up. Make sure that the value of the rewards exceeds the cost of the card.
- High interest.Typically, rewards cards expect you to pay your outstanding balance at the end of each month. If this is not possible for you, you could have to pay high interest rate charges on your credit card balance.
- Restrictions. Most petrol credit card providers are partnered with a particular service station. For example, if you have a Woolworths credit card, you’ll only be able to earn points. Make sure the card is partnered with the petrol station you usually go to each week.
- Reward card competition. With such a wide range of rewards cards available, the fuel rewards card may not offer as much value compared with the competition. Consider how much you spend on fuel and where you want to see your rewards go.
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Hi, I am a full-time Uber driver Melbourne and I average a 50 to 55 hr work week. I am turning over in excess of $2000.00 a week. I am seriously considering a fuel card which offers discounts at the pump. Your help and direction would be most helpful.
Regards
Lee
Hi Lee,
Thanks for reaching out.
If you are looking to apply for a fuel card that can give you benefits at the pump and lets you earn rewards on petrol expenses, you can check our guide and compare your options on this page.
To check the eligibility criteria to apply, simply click the name of the card on our comparison table. You can then send your application through the “go to site” button.
Cheers,
Anndy
there was a company recently who had a scheme for paying for fuel in advance, then getting a card for 5% discount at BP service stations,and if enough people come on board it will go Australia wide.. I live in perth and paid $50 in advance about a month ago but have not received card,,, I forget the name, but it was on TV advertising last month…do you know who this company was..??
Hi John,
That was with One Big Switch. This offer is no longer available but we definitely hope to re launch.
Cheers,
Marissa from One Big Switch
Hi John,
Thanks for your question.
Apologies, I have no idea. I did a bit of research on Google and ‘One Big Switch’ came up, could that be the campaign you’re talking about?
Cheers,
Shirley
hi, im wanting a fuel credit card that shows the litres, that also gives me points ?
thanks Michelle
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for your comment.
To our knowledge there aren’t any cards that actually show you how many litres you can get. How they work is that you earn points and redeem them for discounts off certain petrol purchases, or you earn more points for shopping at petrol stations.
Cheers,
Shirley
I purchase fuel at BP, which rewards card best helps me to earn points on my purchases.
Hi Steve,
Thanks for your question. You can have a look at our rewards card comparison. You can click the table headings to arrange the cards, or if you would like a side-by-side comparison of credit cards, you can click the checkboxes to the left of the card name, and then click compare.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Jacob
what is the best direct fuel card currently on offer????
Hi Peter,
Thanks for your question.
The ‘best’ direct fuel card will depend on your unique financial situation and how you intend to use the card.
With your individual financial needs in mind, you may wish to look over our petrol credit cards and visit the credit cards with bonus points for supermarket and petrol purchases to compare your options. Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you.
I hope this has helped.
Thanks,
Sally