The 9 Best Fleet Fuel Cards in 2021

We've done the research so you don't have to. Our detailed reviews of the best fleet gas cards on the US market will help you choose the right solution for your fleet

Do you want to save money on fuel and other expenses for your commercial fleet? Commercial gas cards (also known as fuel cards) allow you to track purchases and employee spending, give you detailed reports, help you manage maintenance expenses, and give you full control of spending for your business vehicles.

We’ve reviewed and rated the best fleet gas cards to bring you our top picks for 2021. Read on for the rankings, or request quick fuel card quotes to receive tailored, no-obligation quotes for free from suitable gas card suppliers.

The Top 9 Gas Card Providers of 2021

The top nine fuel card companies are WEX, Fuelman, ExxonMobil, BP, Shell, Arco, Comdata, RTS Financial, and Chevron Texaco:

There are plenty of fleet company gas cards, but only a few that offer significant savings and benefits for small and medium-sized fleets.

So, of all the options available, how did we single out the top nine? Well, we identified the criteria that would be most important to businesses, and conducted in-depth research into the fuel card programs available, analyzing a variety of factors including:

• Coverage: How many stations can your drivers use the card at, and where are they situated? Are they spread across the US or concentrated in a particular region?
• Savings: How many cents can you earn in rebates for each gallon of fuel your drivers buy with the card? In what other ways can the fuel card program help you save cash?
• Benefits: What handy features can the fuel card program offer to benefit your business? Does it have measures for fraud prevention, spending control, and more?

With all this in mind, we’ve compared national and regional fleet company gas cards to bring you the nine best fleet fuel cards for small businesses and beyond.

WEX Fleet Fuel Cards: Best Gas Station Network

WEX's Fleet Cards

Fee information accurate as of May 2021

WEX Fleet Card

Suitable for small businesses, the WEX Fleet Card aims to give you easy visibility and control over your fleet, with spending controls, automated accounting, purchase alerts, and customized reporting. You'll also benefit from the WEX EDGE Savings Network, which grants you discounts on fuel, tires, services, hotel rooms, and more.

There's also a variation of this card for large fleets – the WEX Large Fleet Card – which comes with advanced analytics and enhanced security. As far as we can tell, though, you won't get access to EDGE with this card program, as those discounts and deals are designed to help small businesses save much-needed cash.

WEX FlexCard

Also ideal for small fleets, this souped up savings machine gets you a 3 cent rebate at any station in WEX’s massive partner network. You'll also be able to carry a monthly balance on your cards for when cash flow is tight. Helpfully, you also won't need to pay any setup fees, annual charges, or card fees on this card program.

WEX Fleet Cross Roads Card

Aimed at trucking fleets big and small, WEX’s Fleet Cross Roads Card can be used at truck stops, including Pilot Flying J, Love’s, and TA, plus many other independent truck stops. Like the WEX Fleet Card, it also grants you access to the EDGE Savings Network.

WEX's Gas Station Coverage

There are over 160,000 stations and 45,000 service centers in WEX’s network, encompassing national and regional brands like 76, BP, Citgo, ExxonMobil, Gulf, Lukoil, Marathon/Speedway and Sunoco. Any WEX card – whether it carries the WEX name or a retailer’s brand – is valid at any member station. Note, however, that not all benefits carry across between brands within the network.

Fuelman Fleet Fuel Cards: Best Fuel Rebates

Fuelman's Fleet Cards

Fee information accurate as of May 2021

Fuelman Saver Cards

Fuelman's Saver fleet cards – which Fuelman recommends to fleets of all kinds and sizes – come in two varieties: the Simple Saver Fleet Card, and the Deep Saver Fleet Card. The Simple Saver Card will earn you rebates of 10 cents per gallon at select gas station brands, and 2 cents per gallon at other Fuelman locations. Meanwhile, the Deep Saver Card will get you rebates of 8 cents per gallon of diesel and 5 cents per gallon of unleaded at 40,000 locations in Fuelman's Discount Network.

How much you pay for your Fuelman Saver cards will depend on the service package you choose:

Fuelman Mastercard

The major benefit of the Fuelman Mastercard is that it can be used at any gas station where Mastercard payments are accepted – which is pretty much all of them! With this card, you'll get rebates for each gallon of fuel your team buys. The rebates get bigger the more fuel you buy, up to a top limit of 6 cents per gallon.

As with the Saver cards, you'll pay either $4, $8, or $12 per card, per month depending on the service package you choose.

Fuelman Clean Advantage

On this unique, environmentally-focused fleet card program, Fuelman will calculate your fleet's carbon emissions each month, based on the type of fuel and number of gallons your team has bought. The company will then invest the appropriate amount in certified carbon reduction projects in order to offset your fleet's carbon emissions. In 2021, we can't overstate the value of being able to tell your customers and clients that you're part of such a program.

To pay for this card program, Fuelman will charge you 5 cents for every gallon of fuel your business buys.

Fuelman's Gas Station Coverage

Finding a Fuelman location is easy, given the company’s extensive affiliate network. However, there are notable coverage gaps in southern Minnesota, central Massachusetts, and parts of New Mexico and Montana. You can find filling stations and amenities via the Fuelman Site Locator, or through the company’s free Android/iOS app.

If these gaps are going to cause a problem for you, you’ll be better off looking into another card program. Fortunately, we’re here to take the hassle out of finding the fleet card that’s just right for you! If you fill in our form to request quotes, we’ll match you with suppliers that can meet your needs, and they’ll be able to provide tailored quotes.

ExxonMobil Fleet Gas Cards: Best Customizable Fleet Card Program

ExxonMobil's Fleet Card

Fee information accurate as of May 2021

ExxonMobil BusinessPro Card

The unique thing about ExxonMobil's BusinessPro fleet card is that it can be either a branded or a universal card, depending on what you need it for. If you want to avoid card fees, you can use the card at any of Exxon and Mobil's 11,500 US stations. However, if you need more station coverage, you can upgrade your cards so that they can be used at 95% of US fuel stations – but for this benefit you'll need to pay a one-time setup fee of $40 per card, and a monthly fee of $2 per card.

ExxonMobil's Gas Station Coverage

Exxon and Mobil stations tend to be concentrated on the East Coast, with coverage outside this area being limited to interstates, state highways, and major cities. There’s no coverage in Nevada, Iowa and Kansas. You can locate stations near you via the web or a free iOS/Android app, which we’d definitely recommend doing if you’re considering the Business Fleet Card. The ExxonMobil card offerings also aren’t as easy to scale as those from other fleet company gas cards.

If scalability is going to be important to you, you should investigate and compare scalable fleet card programs. We can make this process easier – simply use our online form to tell us about your business needs, and you’ll receive tailored quotes from a range of suitable providers.

BP Fleet Gas Cards: Best for Large Fleets

BP's Fleet Cards

Fee information accurate as of May 2021

BP Business Solutions Mastercard

Aimed at medium to large fleets, BP's Business Solutions Mastercard can be used at any station that accepts Mastercard payments – but you'll need to pay an out-of-network transaction fee of up to $2 for any fuel you buy at stations that aren't BP or Amoco. Unlike the Business Solutions Plus Card, you can use this fleet card to pay for maintenance services as well as fuel.

BP Business Solutions Plus Card

Designed for smaller fleets, this gas card comes with 24/7 fuel spend reporting, customizable user profiles and spending limits, and  fraud prevention controls – as does the Business Solutions Mastercard – but it can only be used at BP and Amoco stations.

BP's Gas Station Coverage

Finding one of the 7,500 BP or Amoco stations is easy enough in a browser, but users should be aware that as of 2021, BP still doesn’t have a locator app for drivers in the US (though third-party station-finding apps do exist). While BP does operate several stations on both coasts, coverage west of the Mississippi can be unpredictable, so the Business Solutions Plus Card is better for fleets that operate in the east.

Shell Fleet Fuel Cards: Best for Small Fleets

Shell's Fleet Cards

Fee information accurate as of May 2021

Shell Small Business Card

This is a fantastic zero-fee card for small fleets. With it, you get purchase monitoring features, rebates, and full-time online account management. We really like the way Shell clearly itemizes different purchases in your card statements. For more great options for small businesses, head over to our guide to the best fuel cards (or ‘gas cards') for small businesses.

Shell Fleet Plus Card

The Shell Fleet Plus Card offers sliding-scale rebates based on your purchase volume. For medium-sized or regional fleets, this is a serious option.

Shell Fleet Navigator Card

This Mastercard-issued card offers top notch security, stellar customer service, and more in-depth reporting than most others. It’s also accepted at most filling stations nationwide. If you have a geofencing-enabled fleet management system, you can actually pair the two together to set up your own custom fuel network.

Shell's Gas Station Coverage

Shell has over 14,000 stations covering 47 of the lower 48 states (Montana being the sole exception). There are some coverage gaps in the less-populated parts of the Midwest, Southwest, and the Mountain Time Zone.

Shell offers some fantastic programs – but are they right for you? We can take the hassle out of comparing and help you zero in on your ideal fleet card – just pop some details into our short form, and we’ll match you with some great options. Those suppliers will then be in touch with bespoke quotes. Yep, it’s as easy as it sounds!

ARCO Fleet Gas Cards: Best for West Coast Fleets

ARCO's Fleet Cards

Fee information accurate as of May 2021

ARCO Business Solutions Fuel Card

ARCO’s signature card lets your drivers fill up at any participating ARCO station. Features include: detailed reporting, security controls (using PIN codes), digital statements, tracking (by vehicle, driver or mileage), instant deactivation for lost or stolen cards, ‘fuel only’ purchase restrictions, and full-time account access.

If you’re sticking to a budget, you’ll be well-looked after with ARCO, which is known for fair fuel prices. There are drawbacks, including a 1-2% per-transaction service fee that other providers waive. We also know that ARCO offers rebates on fuel purchases, but the company doesn't clearly specify how much you can earn back.

ARCO Business Solutions Mastercard

This universal fleet gas card comes with much the same benefits as ARCO's business solutions card, but can be used at any fuel station that accepts Mastercard, as well as ARCO's 1,500 stations. That said, purchases made at stations that aren't ARCO will be subject to an out-of-network fee. This card can also be used to pay for maintenance services, where the Business Solutions Fuel Card can't.

ARCO's Gas Station Coverage

ARCO has over 1,500 stations in the US, which are mostly concentrated across the West Coast. If you’re a local business with several ARCO stations nearby, the Business Solutions Fuel Card is worth a look.

Want to find the fuel card that fits your budget – fast? We can help you compare ARCO with other leading suppliers super quickly – just tell us about your needs, and you’ll receive quotes, tailored to you, from a range of fleet card companies. Easy peasy!

Comdata Fleet Gas Cards: Best Mobile App for Fleet Drivers

Comdata's Fleet Cards

Fee information accurate as of May 2021

Comdata Card

Aimed at fleets of fewer than 50 vehicles, the Comdata Card gives you get access to real-time reporting tools and an online portal for account management. Fleet managers can also set smart spending limits that maximize savings and help you stay compliant with fuel policy.

Comdata promises significant savings and 24/7 account and driver support. There’s also Comdata’s app, FleetAdvance Mobile, which is designed with drivers in mind. Drivers can connect via the Comdata Card to find the lowest fuel prices and manage their spending. Ultimately, Comdata supplies solid, all-around trucking company gas cards.

Comdata OnRoad Card

The interesting thing about Comdata's OnRoad Card is this: your employees will be able to use it to pay for fuel and vehicle maintenance and repairs, but also to access disbursements, such as pay, settlements, and reimbursements. This means that you can manage fleet spending and driver funding from a single hub, and your employees will be able to use the card to pay for personal things like hotel rooms or concert tickets – without your company being billed.

Comdata Mastercard

The Comdata Mastercard comes with much the same benefits as the Comdata Card – except for the fact that it can be used to pay for fuel and maintenance at over 400,000 locations (anywhere that accepts Mastercard). We're also unsure about the rebates and savings you can access with this card, as Comdata doesn't specify them clearly.

It’s certainly a strong option – but is Comdata the right fleet card provider for you? We can help you find out! Just enter some fleet details into our short online form, and we’ll match you with the fleet card companies that can best cater to your needs. They’ll then be in touch with tailored deals. Our service is fast, free and easy – why not give it a try?

RTS Financial: Best for Trucking Fleets

RTS Financial's Fleet Card

RTS Fuel Card

RTS Financial's single gas card program – the RTS Fuel Card – has been designed specifically for truckers and trucking fleets, with major discounts on diesel, and the ability to integrate with ProTransport fleet management software for trucks (which provides real-time GPS tracking, ETA alerts, and geofencing).

We're also fans of RTS Pro – RTS’ free mobile and web app, which enables users to plan routes, find the lowest per-gallon diesel prices across the RTS Carrier Services Fuel Network, and check out parking, dining, and other services information at fuel stops nationwide. You can also use it to upload images and documents from a mobile device to your online RTS Financial factoring account, with RTS’ invoice manager.

Chevron Texaco: Best app for fleet managers

Chevron Texaco's Fleet Card

Chevron Texaco Business Card

Chevron Texaco says this is a card for “businesses that keep it local and loyal”. It can be used at any of the country's 8,000 Chevron and Texaco fuel stations, which can mostly be found across the Northwest, Southwest, and Southeast. That's not the best coverage nationwide, but if your fleet operates within range of these stations, that won't be a problem for you.

Using Chevron and Texaco's online fleet cards portal, you can curb unnecessary spending with customizable purchase controls, monitor spending in real-time with automatic tracking, generate reports on day-by-day, month-by-month, or year-by-year spending, and take advantage of paperless, automatic accounting.

To top that all off, Chevron Texaco's Business card doesn't charge any setup or monthly fees – the only additional sum you’re at risk of paying with this card is a late fee (minimum $75).

Chevron Texaco Business Access Card

Chevron Texaco’s Business Access Card does everything the Business Card does. However, there are two additional benefits that set it apart. Firstly, it offers far better coverage, accepted at 95% of the country's fuel stations, making it a better fit for larger interstate fleets (though it's worth being aware that you'll be charged a $2 out-of-network fee for each transaction that isn't made in a Chevron or Texaco station).

Secondly, this card offers fuel rebates – starting at 1 cent per gallon when you buy 500 to 2,000 gallons, and capping at 6 cents per gallon when you buy 10,000 gallons or more. It's worth being aware, though, that these rebates only apply when you fuel up at a Chevron or Texaco station – so savings are limited to those 8,000 locations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Do Fleet Fuel Cards Work?

Fuel cards, or fleet cards, are payment cards that fleet drivers can use to buy gasoline, diesel, and other fuels at gas stations. If the fleet manager enables it, they can also be used to pay for maintenance services and other expenses. Many fuel card programs come with perks such as rebates on fuel costs, online spend tracking and controls, and loyalty rewards.

The majority of fleet fuel cards work like credit cards – your drivers use them throughout the month, and at the end of each month (or whatever billing period you've agreed on with your provider), you pay off the amount they've spent to your fuel card provider. If that doesn't suit you, it's also possible to get prepaid fuel cards, which work more like gift certificates – you load them up with a set amount of money, and that's the amount your drivers will have to spend until you load them up again.

How Do I Get a Fuel Card For My Fleet?

There are more than 100 commercial fuel cards marketed at fleets of all shapes and sizes across the mainland US. With such a dizzying array of options, the best way to find a good fit for your fleet is to take advantage of our free quote-finding service, which puts you in touch with the best fleet card suppliers for your unique needs.

What is the Easiest Fuel Card to Get?

Traditional credit-based fuel cards are generally easier to get approved for than prepaid fuel cards, so if ease is a priority for you, you'll want to look into the former. Your credit rating will have an impact on how easy you find it to join one of these fuel card programs, but don't be dismayed if your credit rating is poor – fleet cards for those with bad credit are available.

Is it Worth Getting a Fuel Card?

You can generally expect savings of up to 15% when you switch to a dedicated fuel card.

To understand just how much you can save with a fleet card, see the table below.

Note: The figures presented in this table are estimates. For an accurate quote, we recommend you compare bespoke quotes from leading fleet card suppliers.

What’s the Difference Between Fuel Cards and Credit Cards?

Fleet cards look and feel like credit cards. Fuel credit cards allow you to pay with credit at the pump, and can give you cash back on purchases your drivers make. Some also offer cash back on travel expenses like car rentals, airlines, and hotels. Fuel credit cards can also improve your credit rating. So, if you pay your fleet’s balance on time every month, you can boost your eligibility for all kinds of small business loans. On the other hand, if you carry a balance beyond the repayment date, you’ll be hit with eye-watering APRs.

All that said, there are some pretty big differences that mean they’re considered an alternative payment method.

The main differences between fleet fuel cards and credit cards are:

• Fuel cards have shorter payment terms
• No rolling balance is cleared (or partially cleared) each month
• Fuel isn’t paid at the point of sale – the bill is sent to your account to be paid at a later date
• Controls can be set up to allow only certain grades of fuel to be bought (e.g. petrol, petrol & gas, etc.)
• Fuel spending limits can be applied using Smartchip technology
• Liability for fraudulent purchases lies with the driver
• Card terminals are separate to those for credit cards (bunkered cards only)
• Some fleet card providers let you buy non-fuel products, including lubricants and Adblue

What is the Best Credit Card for Fuel?

Here are a few of the top credit cards on the market that can earn you rewards on fuel purchases in 2021:

What is the Best Fleet Fuel Card?

In this article, we list the best fleet fuel cards on the market in 2021, from the best fuel card providers the US has to offer. Those providers are:

• WEX
• Fuelman
• ExxonMobil
• BP
• Shell
• ARCO
• Comdata
• RTS Financial
• Chevron Texaco

Scroll up to our reviews to learn more about the excellent fleet fuel cards these providers have to offer.

Which Type of Fuel Card is Best: Branded or Universal?

Some fuel companies issue their own fleet cards. These branded cards work just like the store cards you scan when you buy groceries at a supermarket. You can use them at any location run by your issuing company to buy fuel and benefit from special discounts.

Other fuel companies partner with payment card companies like VISA and Mastercard to offer extra fuel card services. For example, BP’s Business Solutions Universal Fuel Program Mastercard carries Mastercard’s branding, meaning you can use it anywhere that accepts Mastercard. These universal fleet cards give your fleet wider coverage than a lot of fuel cards for companies based in specific regions.

You might think universal cards are the clear winner, but both options have their perks. For one thing, branded cards avoid the payment processing fees (typically 1-3%) associated with VISA and Mastercard. Instead, fuel companies set their own fees, and many offer generous ‘no fee’ arrangements for new customers.

On top of fee waivers, branded fuel cards often give you better rewards for sticking with the same fuel supplier. So, when you sign up for BP’s branded Business Solutions Fuel Plus Program, you get a 10 cent per gallon rebate on all BP fuel purchases for your first three months. Those savings soon add up:

In short, consider opting for a universal fuel card if:

• You have a large fleet that operates across a wider area than any single fuel company covers
• You want drivers to be able to make non-fuel related purchases anywhere that accepts VISA or Mastercard
• You want the option to earn rewards and the flexibility to shop around for fuel

Likewise, think about going for a branded fuel card if:

• You have a small or mid-sized fleet that operates at a local or interstate level
• You’re happy to rely on a single company for the bulk of your fueling needs
• You plan to utilize their rewards schemes and fuel rebates to save money

All five of our favorite fuel card companies offer brilliant branded and universal options.

What Are the Best Fuel Cards For Small Business?

Here are the top four fuel cards for small business:

For more information, check out our guide to the best fuel cards (or ‘gas cards') for small businesses.

What is the Best Uber Fuel Card?

If you’re an Uber driver looking for a great deal on gas, your best option is actually Uber’s own fuel card. The ridesharing platform rewards users with:

• 15% off gas at participating stations
• At least 1.5% off gas anywhere that Mastercard is accepted

To qualify for an Uber fuel card, you need to make at least 100 trips each month. You get a $200 weekly spending limit, which is automatically deducted from your earnings. All in all, the Uber fuel card makes purchasing gas both cashless and effortless.

What is the Best Fuel Card For Bad Credit?

This depends on your credit rating. Generally speaking, fuel credit cards are easier to obtain than prepaid fuel cards, and can even be helpful if you’re having difficulty getting approved for a traditional credit card. It’s also easier to control spending on a gas credit card vs a regular credit card, since they aren’t accepted outside of gas stations.

The PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card offers an APR of between 9.74 – 17.99%, based on your creditworthiness.

What is the Best Fuel Card for Truckers?

Whether you're manager of a trucking fleet or an independent trucker yourself, you'll know how trucking operating costs can add up. So, any fleet card program that offers discounts on services that you use, or decent rebates on diesel, is worth investigating. You should also be sure to get a card that'll be accepted at the gas stations that you or your team tend to frequent along your usual routes.

You might also want to find a card that you can use at truck stops, such as the WEX Fleet Cross Roads Card.

For more, check out our list of the best fleet cards for truckers, along with ratings and reviews.

Where Are Fleet Cards Accepted?

Fleet cards are designed to be used at gas stations, while some can also be used at vehicle service locations, and truck stops too.

But which gas stations can your cards be used at? That all depends on the fuel card that you choose for your fleet. More specifically, it depends on which company has issued that card, the size of its fueling network, and/or which other organisations it has partnered with.

Let's take a look at some examples. ExxonMobil's Business Fleet Card is issued by ExxonMobil, and can be used to make payments at ExxonMobil's 11,000 US stations. At the other end of the spectrum, BP's Business Solutions Universal Fuel Card is issued by MasterCard, and so can be used to make payments anywhere that MasterCard is accepted (basically almost everywhere). Similarly, WEX's fleet cards can be used at 95% of the US's gas stations, because they're all part of WEX's payment network.

Understanding the routes your drivers tend to take, and the stations at which they tend to fuel up, will help you to work out the level of acceptance coverage your team needs.