Fleet fuel cards are designed for making payments at gas stations (and sometimes maintenance locations) exclusively. They collect detailed fuel purchase data that businesses can use to closely monitor fuel purchases and usage, plus they offer customized controls to help with security and fraud prevention.

For example, depending on the card you choose, you can:

• Limit Purchases to At-Pump Only
• Require Driver ID Entry So You Know Who is Buying Fuel
• Set Alerts if Someone is Purchasing More Fuel Than Can Fit in the Vehicle

The core difference between fuel cards and credit cards is control. Fuel cards are usually based on major credit card platforms, but their functionality is limited to certain purchases by product type such as fuel, car washes, and/or in-store gas station purchases.

Regular business credit cards are open to more purchase types and do not limit exposure as much as fuel cards do. Fuel cards can also be set up to capture detailed transaction data like odometer and driver ID information, so you know who is making fuel purchases and how much mileage you are getting per tank. In contrast, think back to your last credit card statement. If you bought gas, you probably got the name of the station on your statement, dollar amount, and nothing else.

When comparing fleet fuel card options, here are some important features to consider.

1.   Security

Fuel cards can be set up so that drivers must enter their unique ID for every transaction, ensuring that unauthorized users cannot use the card. Companies can also set purchase limits and set up alerts for when attempts are made that are over the limit, or unusual odometer readings are entered. Make sure any fuel card you choose acts only like a credit card, not a debit — this will provide less access and more recourse in the event a card is lost or stolen.

2.   Accounting

Many fleet fuel cards offer an online platform where users can log in and see detailed purchasing data. Having this information in a central, online location helps cut time spent on accounting administration by reducing or eliminating the need for hard-copy fuel receipts. Look for the ability to set exception reporting, which tracks what your company sets as “unusual” behaviors.

For example, you can set a maximum threshold for the number of fuel purchases per day or the amount, and generate a report indicating who has hit that threshold. Access to this type of reporting is a powerful way to proactively identify and reduce fraud. Similarly, requiring odometer reading entries at the pump helps keep an accurate log of how much fuel your vehicles are using on average.

3.   Customer Service

Having the right customer service is key to keeping vehicles on the road. When a driver runs into fuel card issues, they are spending less time on the road servicing clients. Check that the fuel card has a driver support line so if a driver is at the pump and forgets their ID or their card is getting declined, they can call a number and get the support they need to complete a fuel purchase.

4.   Fuel Data

A dedicated fuel card opens the door to more detailed fuel data. Today, major brand-name fueling stations and those in metro areas offer what is called “level 3 data,” which means they capture price per gallon, the location, driver ID, and odometer readings for each transaction, offering a detailed picture of the fuel purchases being made.

Having this deep level of data offers more opportunities to analyze your fuel spend and identify opportunities to optimize. It is possible to limit fuel card transactions to level 3 stations, but consider where your drivers operate. Not every station in operation is a level 3 station, so if drivers are more likely to be in rural areas with family-owned stations that may not offer detailed data, it is often worth opening your cards to all station levels for driver convenience.

5.   Mobile Account Access

In addition to seeing if a fuel card comes with an app or other method for mobile access, ask about whether exception alerts can be delivered in real-time to your mobile device. If you can receive alerts about over-tank purchases and other exceptions via text, you can stay informed while you are on the go.

6.   Controls

One of the biggest reasons companies opt for a fleet fuel card over a general-purpose card is the ability to set detailed controls. The level of controls you need will help dictate which card you choose.

For example, do you want drivers to make at-pump purchases only, or do you need a card that allows in-store purchases as well? If a card limits purchases to certain locations, are those locations easily accessible for your drivers? Do you have a fleet with different types of vehicles with different fuel capacities, which would require different purchasing profiles? Does the fleet fuel card allow you to override purchasing limits or profiles in real-time in the case of an emergency (this is especially useful for utility companies or other businesses that operate in disaster recovery)?

In general, fuel cards can be broken into three types:

1.   Branded Cards Issued by Specific Fuel Companies

2.   Fleet Cards Designed for Commercial Vehicle Use

3.   Universal Cards That Work Like a Credit Card, But With Customized Reporting and Controls

One is not necessarily better than the other — it truly depends on what makes the most sense for your business. Here is an overview of what each of these card types offers, their drawbacks, and the types of businesses they typically serve.

What Locations/Regions Does Your Fuel Card Cover?

Branded cards are typically limited to that specific brand of fuel station. While some companies may offer locations nationally, other fuel providers are more regionalized. Fleet and universal cards often offer nationwide coverage and are accepted at a wide variety of fuel stations.

For example, if a fleet or universal card is based on a major credit card network, it would be accepted anywhere that credit card is accepted (within the parameters that you have set according to your policy).

Fees

Fees are an important part of the equation when selecting your fleet fuel card. In general, branded fuel cards tend to have few or even no set-up and account fees, and may even offer introductory APR specials, while universal cards or fleet cards often have set up, monthly card, and/or account fees.

In some cases, fees are waived if your company reaches a certain purchasing threshold. When selecting a card, make sure to ask the card provider about how your purchasing power and credit score impact your fee schedule. Some companies may also charge fees for certain reports or paper invoicing.

When researching your card options, ask the provider about their fee policies and what does and does not apply to your specific situation.

In general, the best fleet fuel cards for small businesses are branded and fleet cards. If you are a sole-proprietor or your small business only uses one or two vehicles, and if fuel monitoring is not a priority, it may be sufficient to apply for a business credit card instead. There are business credit cards that offer basic fraud protection and cash back rewards, such as the Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard®, and more purchase type flexibility than a fuel card.

Struggling to Decide on a Fleet Fuel Card? We Are Here to Help.

Getting a handle on your fuel spend starts with having the best fleet fuel card for your specific business needs. As you can see, there are a lot of options available with many factors to weigh. If you need help determining which fleet fuel card is right for you, contact our fuel experts.