Best corporate fuel cards for small businesses in Australia

A corporate fuel card functions as a specialised payment method for businesses, offering a simple way to manage fuel and vehicle-related expenses. It works much like a credit or debit card but is tailored to control fuel spending and streamline administrative tasks. With features such as spending limits, tracking tools, and real-time reporting, a fuel card helps businesses stay on top of their fuel expenses while offering potential discounts and rewards. For small businesses in particular, controlling fuel costs is critical to maintaining financial health and operational efficiency.

In this article, we explore the best fuel corporate cards available for small businesses in Australia, highlighting key features, pros, and cons to help you make an informed decision for managing your fuel spending.

What is a fuel card and why should your business consider one?

Fuel cards are essential tools for businesses that rely on vehicles for their day-to-day operations. Whether you operate a small fleet or a single vehicle, fuel costs can be a significant and often unpredictable expense. Corporate fuel cards offer an effective solution to manage these costs, providing clear tracking, detailed reports, and the ability to set spending limits. Beyond just controlling costs, many fuel cards offer discounts at selected stations or even loyalty points, making them a valuable asset in your overall business strategy.

Fuel cards can simplify bookkeeping, reduce administrative burdens, and ensure that employees stay within company-approved spending limits. They also provide insight into driving patterns and vehicle usage, which can lead to more informed business decisions. For small businesses, this means better control over one of their largest variable expenses. However, it’s important to weigh these benefits against any associated fees or limitations when selecting the right fuel card for your business.

Benefits of corporate fuel cards for small businesses

The best fuel cards for businesses be a game-changer, providing more than just a convenient payment method. Here are some of the key benefits:

Cost savings and fuel discounts

Many business fuel cards offer discounts per litre, which can add up to significant savings over time. For instance, some cards offer up to 6 cents off per litre at specific petrol stations, while others provide consistent fuel discounts across a network of stations. These savings directly impact your business’s bottom line, helping manage a key expense.

Enhanced expense tracking

With a fuel card, tracking fuel expenses becomes much simpler and more accurate. Rather than collecting and managing paper receipts, fuel cards offer a digital record of every purchase, making it easier to manage fuel budgets, track vehicle expenses, and streamline expense reporting. Many fuel cards also offer detailed reporting tools, allowing you to analyse fuel usage by vehicle, employee, or time period.

Increased security

Fuel cards offer security features like PIN protection and restricted spending options, helping prevent unauthorised transactions. Some cards can be configured to limit spending to specific types of purchases or limit usage to fuel expenses only, ensuring that funds are used solely for business purposes. This level of control is especially useful for larger fleets with multiple employees.

Simplified administration and reporting

Fuel cards simplify record-keeping by providing consolidated monthly statements, which detail all transactions in one invoice. This makes it easier to manage expenses, reconcile fuel purchases, and keep track of tax-deductible expenses for BAS and tax time. Many cards even integrate with accounting software, for example, Weel makes it easy for you to integrate with tools such as Xero, MYOB and Quickbooks, making administration faster and more efficient.

Loyalty and rewards programs

Some business fuel cards come with added loyalty programs, allowing businesses to earn rewards for fuel and non-fuel purchases. For instance, some cards offer Qantas Frequent Flyer points, which can be beneficial for businesses where employees frequently travel. Reward programs can make fuel cards even more valuable by adding perks for frequent use.

The 6 best fuel cards for small businesses in Australia

Choosing the right fuel card for your business can significantly impact efficiency and savings. Each card offers unique benefits, from discounts and network coverage to loyalty rewards and advanced tracking features. This section compares six top fuel cards for Australian businesses, highlighting what each offers and how they can support your business’s fuel management needs, so you can make an informed choice on the best card for your fleet and operations.

Fleet Cards

The FleetCard is an excellent solution for businesses with larger fleets, offering widespread acceptance across 90% of fuel sites, including well-known brands like Shell, BP, and Caltex. It not only helps businesses secure fuel discounts but also provides detailed reporting and analytics to manage fuel and vehicle-related expenses effectively. With flexible payment options, fraud protection, and access to over 6,000 non-fuel partners, FleetCard is an all-in-one solution for efficient fuel and vehicle management.

Pros:

• Broad acceptance: Accepted at 90% of Australian fuel sites, including major brands like BP, Caltex, and Shell, offering wide accessibility for business operations.
• Flexible payment options: Tailors payment schedules to suit business’s cash flow, helping manage expenses efficiently.
• Fraud protection: Incorporates advanced security features to protect against unauthorized transactions, reducing the risk of fraud.

Cons:

• Limited to certain brands: While widely accepted, FleetCard may not be accepted at all service stations, potentially limiting options for businesses that require more flexibility.
• Fees: Some providers may charge fees for specific services or transactions, which could increase overall costs.
• Management complexity: Managing fuel expenses for businesses with mixed vehicle types or fuel usage may require extra tracking and oversight.

7-Eleven Fuel Pass

The 7-Eleven Fuel Pass offers up to 6 cents per litre discounts at all 7-Eleven service stations, making it an excellent, cost-effective solution for small businesses that frequently refuel at these locations. Its straightforward benefits are complemented by reliable monthly reporting, helping businesses track fuel expenses with ease.

Pros:

• Wide acceptance at 7-Eleven: Businesses can consistently access discounts at 7-Eleven stations nationwide, ideal for those who have a regular refuelling route.
• Reliable discounts: Offers consistent savings with up to 6 cents per litre off, which adds up over time.
• Convenient monthly reporting: Monthly reports help businesses easily track and reconcile fuel expenses without hassle.

Cons:

• Limited to 7-Eleven stations: The card is only accepted at 7-Eleven locations, which may not be ideal for businesses that require more flexibility in choosing refuelling stations.
• Limited coverage: Businesses with varying routes or locations outside of 7-Eleven’s reach may find this option restrictive.

BP Plus Card

BP Plus is a great option for businesses that regularly travel and want to earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points on fuel purchases. Along with fuel discounts, it allows businesses to accumulate points for travel, offering additional rewards for frequent flyers. BP Plus also provides strong reporting features to track fuel and vehicle-related expenses.

Pros:

• Qantas business rewards points: Businesses earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points on every fuel purchase, which can be redeemed for flights or other business travel rewards.
• Strong reporting: Comprehensive expense tracking and reporting tools that help businesses stay on top of fuel costs.
• Ideal for frequent travellers: A great choice for businesses with employees who travel frequently for work, as the points accumulate quickly.

Cons:

• Limited to BP stations: The BP Plus card can only be used at BP locations, which may limit flexibility for businesses with routes that don't pass BP stations.
• May not suit businesses with low travel needs: If your business does not travel often or use BP stations regularly, the rewards and savings may not justify the limitations of the card.

Caltex Star Card

The Caltex Star Card offers variable discounts and is widely accepted at both Caltex and Woolworths stations. Popular among fleet managers, it also provides options for vehicle maintenance services, making it an ideal choice for businesses managing multiple vehicles.

Pros:

• Wide network acceptance: Accepted at both Caltex and Woolworths stations, offering broad fuel access across Australia.
• Access to maintenance services: In addition to fuel discounts, the card offers access to vehicle maintenance services, adding value for businesses with fleets.
• Loyalty benefits: Offers loyalty rewards that businesses can use to offset fuel costs or access additional savings.

Cons:

• Non-fuel fees: Some fees may apply to non-fuel purchases, which could increase overall expenses if not properly managed.
• Varying discounts: Discounts are not fixed and may fluctuate, which can make it harder for businesses to budget fuel expenses consistently.

Shell Card

The Shell Card is designed for businesses that require detailed tracking of fuel consumption and prefer real-time reporting. Its broad network of service stations and strong reporting features make it an attractive option for companies with large fleets.

Pros:

• Real-time reporting: Helps businesses track fuel consumption and spending in real time, allowing for quick adjustments to fuel management practices.
• Wide network: Accepted at Shell service stations nationwide, giving businesses broad access to fuel options.
• Ideal for large fleets: Perfect for businesses with larger fleets, as it provides a comprehensive view of fleet fuel expenses.

Cons:

• Potentially higher fees: Shell Card may have higher fees compared to other fuel cards, which can increase costs for smaller businesses.
• Limited acceptance: While widely accepted at Shell stations, businesses that need more fuel site options may find this card limiting.

Ampol Card

The AmpolCard is an ideal choice for businesses that want a flexible and widely accepted fuel card. It provides fuel discounts and rewards at Ampol service stations across Australia, offering a simple and convenient solution for managing fuel costs.

Pros:

• Fuel discounts: AmpolCard offers competitive discounts on fuel purchases across the Ampol network.
• Extensive network: Access to a broad network of Ampol stations, making it convenient for businesses with varying routes.
• Expense tracking: Detailed reporting options simplify fuel expense tracking, helping businesses manage budgets effectively.
• Fleet management features: Useful for companies with vehicle fleets, providing insights into fuel usage and potential savings.

Cons:

• Limited to Ampol stations: The card is only accepted at Ampol stations, which may limit flexibility for businesses that need multi-brand fuel options.
• Fees: Some fees may apply, such as for account maintenance or additional reporting, potentially increasing costs.

Simplify your fuel management with Weel

Managing fuel and other business expenses doesn’t have to be complicated. Weel’s expense management platform offers a versatile solution for small businesses in Australia, going beyond traditional fuel cards. With Weel’s virtual cards, businesses can seamlessly manage fuel spending, streamline expense approvals, and keep tabs on various team purchases—all from a single platform. This comprehensive approach simplifies administrative tasks, provides instant access to virtual cards, and helps keep costs under control, making it a valuable tool for businesses seeking a modern, all-in-one travel and expense management software.

Our real-time expense tracking means that every fuel purchase is automatically recorded, and your team is prompted to complete their digital expense reports as soon as they fill up. This ensures that all purchases are accounted for, making reconciliation a breeze and saving you time for more important tasks. Plus, Weel’s flexible spending options allow your team to use the cards for more than just fuel—whether it's picking up tools or covering small business-related expenses, everything stays within the rules you set.

With broad acceptance at service stations across the country, you don’t have to worry about limiting your team’s options—they can fill up wherever is most convenient. And with full control over spending, including multi-level approval workflows and budget limits, Weel provides you with the security and peace of mind you need when managing your fuel expenses.

If you’re looking for a solution that combines simplicity, flexibility, and security, Weel’s Fuel Cards are designed with your business in mind, offering you a smarter, more efficient way to manage your fuel and fleet costs. Ready to take the next step? Discover Weel’s Fuel Card or book a demo today.