Business Fuel Cards: Everything You Need to Know

Read our quick guide to everything you need to know about UK fuel cards, how they can help your business.

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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.

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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 prior to 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. 

Benefits of Fuel Cards

Fuel cards are way more than just a fancy way of paying for fuel; they can benefit your business in loads of other areas. 

Save Money 

Some fuel cards can help your business save up to 10p per litre due to their ability to access fuel at a wholesale rate. 

You can also place limits on how much can be spent and what can be bought. This way you can avoid any overspending or "accidental" purchases of an overpriced petrol station sandwich. 

Increased Security

PIN numbers can be allocated to cards, and this information can then be shared with specific individuals on a need-to-know basis. 

If cards are lost or stolen, they can easily be frozen. If they fall into the wrong hands, this can be far less damaging to your finances than if a large amount of cash or a regular company credit card is stolen. 

Streamlined Accounts 

Error-filled spreadsheets. Hours of admin time. Underpaying or overpaying fuel reimbursements to your drivers. 

All of these are now a thing of the past because you are using fuel cards. 

To make things even better, most will come with easy-to-access, HMRC-approved invoices and templates that can be downloaded and added to your accounting systems. 

24/7 Access to Valuable Data

Fuel cards produce multiple insightful reports, such as fuel usage and fuel costs, and are able to filter specifics such as driver, vehicle, and location of use. 

Transactions can even appear in real time, so unlike credit or debit cards, you won't have to wait to see this payment clear. 

Reward Schemes

Some cards will come with reward schemes similar to credit cards that can collect nectar points and earn gift vouchers or rebates which can be put towards further fuel savings. 

How to Get a Fuel Card

Now that you're a fuel card expert, it's time to find the best one for your business - Luckily, we've made it super simple to get started. 

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.

All you have to do is tap the button below, follow the prompts, and you'll be comparing the best fuel card deals in no time!

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FAQs: Your Fuel Card Questions Answered


Often, you will have to pay a monthly card fee, similar to how some credit cards work, but this should only be a few pounds each month. 

Cards may come with additional fees, such as "out of service" fees, which you will have to pay if your card is assigned to specific petrol stations and you use it elsewhere, late payment fees, set up fees, and card fees.

Only businesses are eligible to apply for a fuel card; they are not available for personal use. 

However, your business size doesn't impact your eligibility, and you can even get one if you are self-employed.


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