A fuel card, or fleet fuel card, is a type of payment card that is used specifically to buy fuel for your business's fleet.
It operates much like a credit card but is restricted to fuel-related expenses for business purposes. The card helps manage and track fuel costs for a company's vehicle fleet efficiently.
The best fuel card for you will depend on your individual needs. If you travel extensively across the UK, you may want to choose a card with wide coverage, if you mainly drive in areas where there are a lot of specific fuel stations, choosing a card provided by one of these companies could be your best bet.
If you're on a tight budget, you may also want to choose a card with no account fees, long contracts, or transaction fees.
BP have a range of fuel cards designed to meet the different network and business requirements of its customers. A BP fuel card allows you to access various features and advantages, including saving 3.5p per litre off the pump price at all BP fuel stations.
It's also able to offer access to more motorway sites than many of its competitors combined, and with HMRC-registered invoices being stored online, you have less administration work to worry about.
Shell Fuel cards offer a number of benefits, including a network of over 1,400 sites across the UK, competitive fuel prices, and online account management.
Shell also offers discounts on other Shell products and services, such as car washes and oil changes, making them a good choice for businesses of all sizes, as well as individuals who drive regularly and want to save money on their fuel bill.
Texaco's fuel cards include the 'The Business' card and the 'Fastfuel' Card. The former offers a simpler way of paying, with no fuel receipts and a single VAT-approved invoice, as well as access to an online fuel management reporting system. The Business card also works at many BP service stations, though there is a 1p per litre surcharge.
The Fastfuel Card is more suited to business fleets that spend a lot of time on the road. It works for vans, cars, and HGVs, and gives you the use of over 3000 service stations across the UK. With no card chargers, competitive fixed weekly pricing, and access to online reporting, it's well suited to provide your fleet, however large or small, with an easier way to buy and manage its fuel.
Allstar is the largest fuel card network and has one of the largest ranges of fuel cards available, from cards catered for electric vehicles to cards that ensure your divers pay less for the fuel they need, through to cards that manage all of your business costs.
One thing that sets Allstar apart from many of its competitors is its focus on helping business manage their fuel payments, going as far as to help businesses like yours switch to hybrid or electric vehicles. The 'One Electric' card, for example, gives you access to one of the UK's fastest electric charging networks.
Right Fuel Company's fixed weekly price fuel cards mean your business can manage your fuel-related finances with more ease and predictability, so you're more likely to be able to stay on top of your outgoings, as you won't be at the mercy of unexpected fuel price fluctuations.
With a range of fuel cards to match your unique requirements and needs, and an extensive network, they aim to ensure that you can find a fuel station near you with a card that suits you. There's even a station locator tool that your drivers can use when they're in unfamiliar areas.
The company also prides itself on its good customer service and has been rated excellent on Trustpilot.
If you think it's time to get a fuel card for your business, you're in the right place. We've created a simple, easy-to-use method with you in the middle of it.
All you have to do is answer some basic questions about your business and then using this information, we will provide you with a range of free fuel card quotes tailored to your specific business needs.
To get a fuel card, you will need to apply to a fuel card provider. Most fuel card providers have a simple online application process. You will typically need to provide basic information like your business name, vehicle information, and how many miles you typically do.
The fuel card provider will then assess your eligibility and, once you have been approved, you will receive your fuel card in the post.
A fuel card, or fleet fuel card, is a type of payment card that is used specifically to buy fuel for your business's fleet.
It operates much like a credit card but is restricted to fuel-related expenses for business purposes. The card helps manage and track fuel costs for a company's vehicle fleet efficiently.
How Could a Fuel Card Benefit Your Business?
What is a Fuel Card?A fuel card, sometimes known as a fleet card, is a payment card that allows businesses to manage the fuel expenses associated with the vehicles their business uses. They are mainly used to buy fuel at petrol stations but can also be used to cover the cost of vehicle maintenance. If you want to know more about the basics of fuel cards, read our other article to find out everything you need to know about fuel cards. The Benefits of a Fuel CardOne of the main ones is the ability to have more control over your fuel expenses. Fuel cards offer a powerful tool for managing fuel expenses, allowing businesses to control their fuel spend and prevent unauthorised purchases of fuel. Restricting purchases like this means you and your business can have peace of mind that your money is being used for what it's meant to be used for. Many fuel card providers also offer discounts or rebates on fuel purchases, which can help businesses save money on their overall fuel expenses.Why Does Your Business Need a Fuel Card?The benefits of fuel cards don't stop at simple cost saving, they're a gift that keeps on giving. As well as the cost benefits outlined above, fuel cards can also mean your business can benefit from increased fraud prevention (as the use of the card can be controlled with customised spending and geographic limits), data tracking tools (that can allow your business to access automated reports), and the lack of requirement for your drivers to carry cash with them. Each of these benefits would be useful in its own right, and fuel cards allow your business to benefit from all of them, meaning the overall impact of your business using a fuel card would likely be a positive one for your business as a whole. Choosing the Right Fuel Card for Your BusinessNow you've read about some of the benefits you can enjoy with a fuel card, it's time to see how one could work for your specific business. No business is the same, and the range of fuel cards available reflects this. Different types of fuel cards can be used in different ways, and choosing the one that best suits you is important. Some of the key things to consider when choosing your fuel card include the type of vehicle in your fleet, their fuel type, and where your business is based. If your business's fleet includes mainly HGV vehicles, you will want to consider a fuel card provider that specialises in such fleets and, likewise, you will also want to choose a specialised provider if your fleet is made up of smaller vehicles. The fuel type should be a consideration as, if your vehicles all run on the same type of fuel, you may be able to get a cheaper rate than the one you would pay for a fuel card that allows you to buy a greater range of fuel types. Where your business is based is also worthy of consideration as it can mean certain providers with certain deals become more viable for your business. If your fleet does lots of driving up and down the country, then a fuel card with good motorway coverage would be the best choice for your business. When deciding which type of fuel card is best for your small business, you have to consider your business's unique needs. Factors to consider include fees, repayment terms, network availability, any rebate programs, and reporting tools, if it sounds a bit complicated don't worry, we can help...
Shell Fuel Card Review
What Does a Fuel Card Offer Your Business?Shell offers a range of fuel cards to match the needs of various businesses. You can choose the standard Shell Card, which is aimed at businesses that use petrol and diesel vehicles, or the hybrid Shell Card, which is catered to businesses with a fleet of hybrid vehicles. Whatever the shape or size of your fleet, Shell is well-placed to be able to offer you a card that suits your needs. Shell's Fuel CardShell has over 1,100 forecourts across the country, and with many of them being a-roads and motorways, its stations are never too far away from your drivers. What's more, it has more than 2,500 partner stations in the UK, so you can use the Shell Card at Esso, Texaco and Morrisons stations - a clear benefit the Shell Card has over its competitors. The Shell Card itself is simple and secure, allowing businesses to pay for all their fleet's needs. Fleet managers, like those in your business, can use the card to better understand costs, allowing them to devise cost-saving plans. Is a Shell Card Good for Small Businesses?Shell put a specific focus on providing cards to small businesses and, if you've been registered with Shell for a year, you'll be able to use the Shell Fleet App to access full control over your business's fleet of vehicles. Bigger businesses tend to have a dedicated fleet manager, but smaller businesses often don't. Smaller companies, however, can use the app to manage their fleet, saving money and speeding up admin processes. The fuel card itself offers several benefits; you can save 3p-per-litre discount on standard Diesel and Unleaded fuels, and 4p-per-litre on Shell V-Power fuels at Shell-branded sites. In addition, the Shell Card can increase the efficiency of your cash flow and, thanks to the Shell App, all of this can be measured and viewed in one place. Each account can have up to 30 Shell Fleet App cards and, using these, you and your drivers can: Access fuel credit at more than 3,800 stationsBuy fuel & car care itemsBenefit from 4p per litre off V-Power & 3p per litre off standard fuels at ShellEnjoy a monthly credit limit of £6,000How Much Does a Shell Card Cost?There are typically no upfront costs to get a Shell fuel card itself, but you do pay for the fuel you purchase using the card. As you've already read, Shell offers various fuel cards designed for businesses, and the specific pricing depends on the card you choose. To get details on pricing and determine which program suits your needs, you'll need to contact Shell Fleet Solutions directly. You can find their contact information on the Shell website.
Business Fuel Cards: Everything You Need to Know
What Is a Fuel Card?This is our quick guide to everything you need to know about UK fuel cards, how they can help your business, and how you can compare the best fuel cards for free. A fuel card, or fleet fuel card, is a type of payment card that is used specifically to buy fuel for your business's fleet. Just think of a fuel card exactly the same as a credit card, but it's restricted to buying fuel for business purposes. If you're thinking Fuel cards for businesses are the smarter way to pay for fuel and keep your fleet on the road, you might be right.How Do Fuel Cards Work? You fill up your vehicle like normal, then use the fuel card to pay exactly as you would with a credit card. At the end of each billing cycle, which is typically monthly, you pay off the total amount that has been spent. Alternatively, you could also get a prepaid fuel card. This works exactly the same way but is more like a gift card, where you pre-load an amount onto the card before its use. This can help you control the amount of money being spent on fuel, which is particularly helpful if you're on a tighter budget. You'll typically be charged a monthly card fee by your provider, although this will often only be a few pounds a month. Keep in mind that some cards will be restricted for use at certain chains of petrol stations. You might incur "out-of-network" fees if you use it at a location that isn't included in this group. Fuel cards are way more than just a fancy way of paying for fuel; they can benefit your business in loads of other areas.
