Katerina Swanson
Fuel cards are a useful tool for businesses, offering discounts on fuel and helping to manage expenses. The amount of discount varies depending on the provider and the number of cards in use. Some cards offer savings of a few cents per gallon, while others offer larger discounts of up to $2.25 per gallon. It's important to be aware of potential hidden fees and restrictive policies when choosing a fuel card provider. Some cards may advertise high discounts but impose additional restrictions that limit the application of the discount. Cards such as the AtoB Unlimited card, TCS Fuel Card, and OTR Fuel Card offer savings at a wide range of locations, with transparent pricing and no hidden fees.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average savings per gallon | Between 3-50 cents, with some cards offering up to $2.25 off per gallon |
| Additional features | Some cards offer discounts on other vehicle-related purchases, such as tires and routine maintenance |
| Card fees | Some cards have account creation fees, monthly account fees, and transaction fees |
| Network coverage | Cards with wider acceptance tend to offer lower face-value discounts |
| Restrictions | Some cards with high savings may have additional restrictions that limit the application of the discount |
| Hidden fees | Some providers may advertise high savings but impose hidden fees and restrictive policies |
| Suitable for | Both large and small businesses, as well as independent owner-operators |
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What You'll Learn
Discounts at specific retailers
Fuel cards can offer discounts at specific retailers, and the amount of discount varies depending on the provider.
For example, the OTR Fuel Card offers savings of around $0.50 per gallon, with savings of up to $2.25 per gallon at over 2,200 in-network locations. The TCS Fuel Card claims to offer some of the best discounts for truckers, with one customer reporting savings of up to $0.86 per gallon. The WEX Fleet Card offers discounts of 3 cents per gallon, as well as additional discounts on fleet-related expenses like hotels and auto parts.
Some fuel cards, like the Shell Fleet Plus card, are completely free and offer volume-based discounts of up to 6 cents per gallon. The Business Solutions Mastercard from BP offers savings of up to 7 cents per gallon, but it comes with high fees and is better suited for large fleets.
It's important to note that some fuel card providers may have hidden fees and restrictive policies, so it's always good to read the fine print and consider the reputation of the provider. Cards with the highest savings may also have earning caps that limit the amount of bonus you can earn annually. Additionally, some cards may be restricted to specific retailers or locations, so it's important to check the coverage area before choosing a provider.
Loyalty programs offered by gas stations and grocery stores can also provide additional discounts at specific retailers.
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Average savings
The average savings offered by fuel cards vary across providers. Some fuel cards offer savings of 2 to 15 cents off per gallon, while others provide higher discounts ranging from 47 to 48 cents per gallon. These higher-end savings are often based on actual in-network client transactions and may be subject to specific terms and conditions.
For instance, the TCS Fuel Card claims that its clients save an average of 48 cents per gallon at over 2,000 in-network locations nationwide. Similarly, TransConnect Services (TCS) advertises average savings of 47 cents per gallon based on their client transactions for the second quarter of 2025. These cards are particularly attractive to truckers and small trucking companies looking to manage unpredictable diesel fuel prices.
The OTR Fuel Card, tailored for truckers, promises average savings of 50 cents per gallon, with potential discounts of up to $2.25 per gallon at over 2,200 in-network locations. This card also boasts industry-leading savings of $600+ per month per card.
The AtoB Unlimited card, designed for newer businesses without established credit scores, offers average discounts of 5 cents per gallon and is accepted anywhere Visa is, thanks to its Visa affiliation. The WEX Fleet Card, on the other hand, provides broader discounts on fleet-related expenses and is accepted at 95% of gas stations, albeit with lower fuel savings of 3 cents per gallon.
It's important to note that some fuel card providers may advertise exceptionally high savings but impose hidden fees or restrictive policies. Therefore, it's advisable to carefully review the terms and conditions, considering factors such as account creation fees, monthly account fees, transaction fees, and any other limitations that may impact your actual savings.
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Hidden fees and restrictions
Fuel cards are important tools for businesses that manage vehicle fleets, efficiently handling fuel expenses and streamlining operations. However, the benefits of fuel cards often come with various fees, which can impact their overall cost-effectiveness.
There are a huge range of hidden fuel card charges that some leading providers bolt on to the cards they supply, which serve only to bolster their bottom line. These can increase the annual cost of running a fleet by tens, or even hundreds, of thousands of pounds.
Some fuel card providers charge an issuance fee for each new card. This fee is applied when cards are first issued and can also apply when adding new cards to an existing account. The cost of issuing multiple cards can become substantial for businesses with large fleets. While electronic statements are often free, some providers charge a fee for providing paper statements. This fee is usually nominal but can become a recurring expense if a business prefers or requires hard copies of its fuel card statements for record-keeping purposes. An account setup fee is sometimes charged when establishing a fuel card account. This one-time fee covers the administrative costs of setting up the account and can vary significantly between providers.
Administrative tasks such as changing limits, adding or removing vehicles, and updating company information might come with fees. Minimum usage fees are charged when a fuel card does not meet a specified minimum spending threshold within a billing cycle. This fee ensures the provider recoups some revenue even if the card is underused. For businesses with inconsistent fuel needs, minimum usage fees can be an unexpected and unwelcome cost.
Using a fuel card at stations outside the provider’s preferred network can incur non-network fees. These fees compensate for the higher costs of processing transactions at non-partner locations. Depending on the network coverage of the provider and the geographic range of the fleet’s operations, non-network fees can become a significant expense. Fuel cards typically have spending limits to help manage expenses and prevent misuse. However, exceeding these limits can result in over-limit fees. These fees are charged when transactions surpass the card’s preset spending cap, adding another layer of cost for businesses not closely monitoring their fuel card usage.
Other hidden fees include annual card fees, charging for replacement cards, extra charges to have your company name on the card, charging for copy invoices requested by phone or email, charging for paper invoices, additional risk-based fees, underused account fees, late payment fees, non-standard invoicing fees, and exceeding credit fees.
To avoid paying hefty hidden fees, consider the following strategies: Read the fine print: Carefully review the terms and conditions of the fuel card agreement to identify potential hidden fees. Monitor usage: Regularly monitor fuel card usage to avoid inactivity, over-limit, and minimum usage fees. Timely payments: Ensure payments are made on time to avoid late fees. Opt for electronic statements: Choose electronic statements if possible to avoid statement fees. Choose the right provider: Select a fuel card provider with a transparent fee structure and minimal hidden charges. Educate drivers and managers: Educating drivers and fleet managers on the proper use of fuel cards can reduce the frequency of fees related to card misuse or loss.
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Accepted retailers
TCS Fuel Card
TCS Fuel Card is widely known for providing big discounts on diesel for truckers. While the specific retailers are not listed, the TCS Fuel Card can be used to purchase a range of products and services that cater to the daily demands of life on the road.
OTR Fuel Card
The OTR Fuel Card offers discounts at over 2,200 in-network locations, with industry-leading savings of $600+ per month per card. While the specific retailers are not listed, the OTR Fuel Card provides access to exclusive discounts at the locations truckers prefer.
AtoB Fuel Card
The AtoB Fuel Card offers savings at 99% of nationwide stations. This card is powered by Visa, meaning it can be used at any gas station that accepts Visa, making it one of the most widely accepted fleet cards.
Mudflap Fuel Card
The Mudflap Fuel Card is accepted at over 2,800 fuel stops and is also powered by Visa. While the specific retailers are not listed, the card can be used to fill up where it is convenient for your fleet.
Fuelman Fuel Card
Fuelman Fuel Cards are accepted at multiple regional and national gas stations, including Chevron/Texaco, ARCO, Pilot, Wawa, Walmart/Sam's Club, Love's, QuikTrip, Kum and Go, OnCue, and Buc-ee's. The Fuelman Network also offers rebates at gas stations nationwide.
Other Fuel Cards
Other fuel cards, such as the WEX Fleet Card, Shell Fleet Plus card, and BP Business Solutions Mastercard, offer discounts at a high percentage of gas stations nationwide. The WEX Fleet Card is accepted at 95% of gas stations, the Shell Fleet Plus card is accepted at every Shell station in the United States, and the BP Business Solutions Mastercard can be used at over 6,900 BP and Amoco locations in the U.S. and any station that accepts Mastercard.
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Transaction fees
When considering a fuel card, it is important to be aware of the various fees that may be charged by providers. While some cards offer discounts, these can sometimes be offset by the fees charged. For example, a returned payment fee, payment processing fee, and a 9% late fee can result in a customer paying $0.06 more per gallon than the pump price.
Other fees to consider when evaluating fuel cards include administrative or maintenance fees, late fees, card order fees, card fees, and monthly or annual fees. Administrative fees, also known as account maintenance fees, typically range from $0.02 to $0.05 per gallon. Late fees can be one of the largest fees, ranging from 2-10% of the invoice total. Card order fees may be charged for processing a new card request, and card fees can be charged per card per month, even if the card is not used. Monthly or annual fees may also apply, depending on the vendor.
It is important to carefully review the fee structure of any fuel card before making a decision. While some providers may offer rewards or waive certain fees for purchasing a specific quantity of fuel, others may have hidden fees that can end up costing more than the savings offered.
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Frequently asked questions
The discount on a fuel card varies depending on the provider. Most fuel cards offer somewhere between 2 and 15 cents off per gallon. Some cards offer much higher discounts, but these often come with hidden fees and restrictive policies.
The BP Business Solutions Mastercard offers the highest guaranteed discount of 7 cents per gallon for purchases exceeding 10,000 gallons per month. The Shell Fleet Plus card offers a discount of up to 6 cents per gallon.
Yes, the AtoB Unlimited card offers average discounts of 5 cents per gallon and is accepted anywhere that accepts Visa. The card has no hidden fees and is tailored towards newer businesses that haven't built up a credit score.
