How to Apply for a Gas Card

Applying for a gas card is much more straightforward than you might think – although there are typically requirements relating to your business’s financial situation. So, we’ve put together this handy guide for you so your gas card application can be as easy and stress-free as possible.

The best gas cards offer discounts on fuel at certain stations, provide rewards for using the card, and provide detailed reports on all spending locations and amounts, enabling you to save money and keep your finances organized. Along with applying, we’ll also cover our top picks at the end of this article.

How to Apply for a Gas Card: Checklist

Here is a step-by-step guide to applying for a gas card:

1. Check your credit score – most gas card providers require you to have a credit score of at least 640 or 670 in order to apply to for a card, with the exception of prepaid gas cards. Checking your score will give you a good indication as to which cards you’re eligible for.
2. Check the provider’s fees – most providers charge fees for gas cards, whether that’s a per-card monthly fee, or a monthly account fee. Make sure that you’ll be able to pay all the fees associated with the card you choose.
3. Check what savings and discounts you get on your card – a lot of gas cards give you access to discounts on fuel, and also sometimes fuel-related products and services, such as maintenance. Fuel discounts tend to increase the more you spend on gas, so if you know your usage, you can use this to see which card will save you more money.
4. Check the provider’s station coverage – most gas cards can only be used within a network of stations, so check that your chosen gas card can be used in the region you operate in. Most providers have a station locator tool on their website, so it’s easy to check if there are stations near you.
5. Apply! – once you’ve found the right provider, you’re ready to apply. You can typically do this online through the gas card provider’s website, via their phone line, or by mail. In some cases, you can even apply directly inside a gas station that’s part of your chosen provider’s network.

What information do you need to provide when applying for a gas card?

Requirements differ from card to card and provider to provider, but it’s a good idea to have these key bits of information on hand when applying for a gas card:

• Your legal name
• Your phone number
• Your email address
• Your street address
• Your personal credit score
• Your social security number
• Your business’s legal name
• Your commercial credit score
• Your business’s annual net income

Not all gas card applications will require all of the above information, and you typically won’t have to give it all out when you first submit an application.

Are You Eligible For a Gas Card?

The last thing you want is to waste time applying for a gas card you’re not eligible for. Eligibility does differ depending on the gas card and provider you select, but overall, the core requirements tend to stay the same.

To apply for most gas cards, you need to meet the following general requirements:

1. Be at least 18 years old
2. Have a business bank account and savings account
3. Have solid personal credit score and commercial credit score (at least 640-670)
4. Have a telephone number you can be contacted by
5. Own or operate a legal business

Are there gas cards with minimal eligibility requirements?

Prepaid fuel cards have minimal eligibility requirements, and are generally the easiest gas cards to apply for. They typically only require ID to be obtained, and don’t require a credit check, or for you to have a certain credit score.

Why is this the case? Well, since the card is prepaid, you don’t need to prove your financial trustworthiness with a credit score.

The reason regular fuel cards require a credit check is that you pay back the money you’ve spent on them at the end of each month, like with a credit card. The card issuer wants to ensure you can be trusted to pay what you owe on time, and a good credit score is proof of that.

How to Choose the Right Gas Card: 5 Top Tips

Before applying for a gas card, it’s important to first find one that suits your needs and the needs of your business. Here are our top tips for finding the right gas card program:

1. Figure out what you need from a gas card

Most gas cards offer the same basic package: fuel spend tracking and discounts (called rebates) on fuel. However, the level of control you have over spending, and the amount of discounts and rewards you get vary depending on the card. Here’s what you should pay attention to when researching cards:

• Fuel rebates: does the provider offer discounts on every gallon of fuel your drivers purchase, or every dollar they spend? If so how much, and for what type of fuel? Some gas cards only offer discounts on gasoline or diesel, while others do both.
• Other discounts and rewards: some cards offer discounts on products and services at particular stations, or have a rewards system where you can earn free or discounted items/services.
• Non-fuel purchases: while all gas cards can be used to purchase fuel, some can be used for other products, such as maintenance services, motel stays, and food. Depending on how far and for how long your drivers travel, you may want to choose a card that can be used for more than just gas.
• Reporting features: most providers offer reporting on fuel spending, but some give you access to real-time reporting, and other advanced reporting that lets you see when and where your drivers are using their cards, and what they’re spending it on
• Spending controls: some card providers allow you to set restrictions on spending or products that can be bought, so your drivers can’t make unauthorized purchases
• Gas station network coverage: you should also take a program’s coverage into account – in other words, the amount of stations your drivers can use their cards at, and where in the US they’re located. For example, if your fleet mainly operates in the Northeast of the country, you’ll want to discount any card programs that only have participating stations in the West.

2. Take the time to shop around

Once you’ve determined what your gas card needs are, rather than going for the first suitable card you find, take time to shop around. This way, you’re more likely to find a card that’s the best possible match, rather than just good enough.

Stepping out of a contract or agreement is more difficult than spending a little extra time comparing your options.

Plus, by delving into what the industry is offering, you may discover needs you didn’t realize your business had, and change your opinion on the requirements for your card.

3. Get recommendations

First-hand accounts are really valuable. By asking around in your network, visiting blogs, and checking out review sites, you might discover which options have a pretty face but poor service, or which are lesser-known but offer a fantastic service. For the best advice, we recommend asking your local businesses if they use gas cards, and whether they would recommend their provider.

If you’re too shy, or not yet ready to ask other businesses for advice, our honest reviews of gas card providers are a good starting point. We’ve compiled lists of the best fuel cards for small businesses, and the best fleet cards for truckers.

4. Be prepared to make compromises

No gas card is perfect, and it might be difficult to find one that meets all your needs and still fits your budget. If that’s the case, you need to separate your nice-to-haves from your must-haves.

For example – perhaps one card company has more participating locations in your fleet’s area, but fewer discounts on the price of fuel itself. Which is more important to you?

5. Get multiple quotes before from different providers

Not all gas card providers advertise their pricing upfront, which can make it difficult to know if the gas card you want fits your budget. So, we suggest first compiling a list of your preferred gas cards, and then requesting quotes from the providers.

If you want help getting quotes, you can use our quote-finding tool. Enter a few details about your business, and you’ll be contacted by gas card providers with personalized quotes.

The majority of card programs will come with either monthly or annual fees, while others come with both. Meanwhile, some card programs will require upfront admin fees, while others won’t. Some gas card programs are even free. The amount you’ll need to pay to integrate the gas card program into your business – and how you’ll be required to pay it – are important factors to consider.

With all these different potential fees, getting a quote directly from a provider is the best way to avoid surprise fees, and ensure you pick a gas card you’re sure you can afford.

When Might a Provider Be a Poor Fit with Your Business?

A gas card provider could be a poor fit for your business if at least on of the two following scenarios occurs:

1. The provider has policies you disagree with

Each provider will have their own policies restricting which locations you go to, how you use the card, and how much you can spend on each card. Some only allow you to use it as a prepaid fuel card, while others are exclusively pay-as-you-go.

Terms and agreements differ from company to company, so you’ll need to read through them in depth to determine whether an option is appropriate for you.

2. You have a poor credit score

Since fuel cards are very similar to credit cards, of course, you’ll have to make sure you qualify with the right kind of credit.

Most regular gas card providers require you to have a decent credit score to be eligible for their cards. Some will still accept you even if you have a poor credit score, but will charge you higher fees, often called “high risk account pricing.”

If you want to avoid these, learn how to get a fuel card without a credit check, or check out our guide to the best business fuel cards that don’t require a credit check.

What Are the Best Gas Cards for US Businesses?

As you’ve probably gathered from this guide, when it comes to gas cards, which one is ‘best’ highly depends on your business and your needs.

However, here are some of the best options out there that will suit a wide variety of businesses:

We researched and compared several gas cards to bring you this list. For more information on each card, and for details on how research and rate them, read our full guide to the best fleet fuel cards.

Gas Cards: What Happens After You Apply?

After you apply for a gas card, the card company will verify the information you submitted. If it’s accepted, you’ll be given your cards and your personalized PINs within a few weeks, and you can share these with your drivers.

Along with this, you’ll be issued all the necessary lists of emergency numbers, instructions on how to use the cards, registration, and a list of fueling stations at which your cards can be used.

Now that you know all about applying for a gas card, if you need help finding a provider, you can use our free quotes form. Simply answer a few questions about your business, and you’ll receive tailored quotes from our trusted fleet card providers that can cater to your unique needs.