Fuel Cards – Its Advantages and How to Avail It
Like a fuel card, a fleet card is also popularly used as a form of payment. It can be utilized for fuel at gas stations in alignment with certain vehicle maintenance costs. However, you must not confuse fleet cards with gas station rewards programs. It is competent to generate comprehensive reports in real-time. A fuel card for fleets is usually issued by oil-brand companies or organizations that specialize in such cards.
What is the working mechanism of fleet fuel cards?
If you want to apply for fuel cards, you need to understand its working procedures. A fuel card for fleets works like a business credit card generally issued for gas stations. Although it is as simple as inserting the card and filling the tank, you must possess adequate knowledge about the card authorization. The information usually includes the current vehicle mileage, input of the unit number, and driver number. The fleet owner sets this information to generate sufficient reporting metrics and normal tracking purposes.
Business owners who apply for fleet fuel cards have the option to depict which purchases to authorize. For example, some fuel cards are only for gas and maintenance, while others are for employee cardholders that permit them to pay for purchases in convenience stores at the gas station. It can be a prosperous feature if you want to cover snacks or drinks for the employees on the road. Fleet fuel cards are likely to help business owners minimize or track transportation-oriented expenses. You can imagine how signing up for a business credit card and handing it to the workers would create a headache for tracking and reconciling every purchase made by them.
Advantages of fleet fuel cards
Whether you want to apply for fuel cards or not, keeping certain things in mind will help you in the decision-making process for purchasing a fleet fuel card in the future. So, what are the benefits of a fuel card for fleets? There are two significant advantages of fuel cards:
Real-time reports
Fleet fuel cards help set the limit on employee cards, such as the amount of fuel that can be purchased per week and other transactions. This gives the card owner adequate control over how the card can be utilized.
Saving at the gas pump
It can also be referred to as wholesale pricing.
Who needs a fleet fuel card?
Every business can utilize fleet fuel cards. For example, full-scale national operations where organizations with thousands of vans can take advantage of fleet fuel cards. Additionally, small organizations that constitute 2-5 trucks, namely, electrical, plumbing, or roofing companies, can use this.
If you want to apply for fuel cards, understand that fleet fuel cards are recommended for organizations that buy more than 1000 gallons of fuel each month. This is evident when rebates and discounts start to accelerate. If buying less than the designated amount, the business credit cards having bonuses on fuel are a better option.
How can you get a fleet fuel card?
If you are looking for a fleet fuel card and are wondering how to apply for a fuel card, we’ve got you. Just follow these simple steps to get a fuel card for fleets in your hand.
Examine your credit score
Before you do anything, check your credit score. This factor will give you an idea of which gas cards offer higher odds of approval.
Stick to a specific gas station chain
If you find getting the same brand’s gas is convenient, utilize that station’s credit card to facilitate extra savings.
Compare fuel cards
This must be done after considering estimated earnings. First, calculate how much each card will offer you savings. This will depend on the rewards it generates on the purchases you are willing to make. It is also based on the fees you are eager to earn.
Apply
You can apply online, with a paper application, or via phone. You also have an option to apply at the gas station.
Understand your needs
It is important to consider personal preference when applying for a fuel card. Consider specific things, such as whether you always fill up at the same gas station or can easily commit to a single chain. This will help you select the right type of card for your fleet. It would help if you emphasized the region where the fleet operates before selecting a fuel card. You may be willing to avail the highest discount. It will likely serve you little if you cannot take advantage of it.
If your fleet operates in a small region, you must opt for station-specific cards. You must select a universal fuel card if you possess coast-to-coast driving needs. Thus, consider the discounts, fee structure, region, back-end-reporting, and others while deciding the best fit for your fleet fuel card.
Although choosing a fuel card may be simple as you know you will save at the pump, having adequate network coverage must also be a crucial consideration. It is impractical to have extensive savings on a fuel card if the network is not associated with where you require it. Hence, the first step in selecting a fleet fuel card is to check the credit score. You are liable to choose the best credit cards with gas rewards if you have an excellent credit score.