5 Best Fuel Cards for Small Business 2020

The best fuel cards for small business owners charge affordable fees, offer wide network availability, and include gas rebates. Using these cards at the pump is an easy way to save your business money, especially if you or your employee drive for work often. You’ll also be able to manage your company’s fleet vehicles by monitoring and controlling employee spending.

The best fuel cards for small businesses for 2020 are:

• Shell Small Business Fuel Card: (Best overall) Best for earning rewards at the most stations
• 76 Universal Fuel Card: Best for flexible spending on fuel purchases
• Chevron Texaco Business Access Fuel Card: Best for driving farther distances
• BP Business Solutions Fuel Card: Best for gas rebates for larger fleets
• U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite™ Mastercard®: Best for earning gas rewards with a traditional business credit card

For more details on how we evaluate business credit cards for this list, see our methodology.

Shell Small Business Fuel Card: Overall Best Fuel Card for Small Business

The Shell Small Business Fuel Card is the best fuel card for small business because of its rewards program and choices for liability—joint or company. Choosing company liability is a good option if you want to protect your personal credit score and personal assets. You’ll also pay no monthly setup fee or additional card fee, and it can help you maximize your rewards. Shell allows you to earn rewards and discounts at 14,000 locations.

Shell Small Business Fuel Card Costs

Keep in mind that only credit cards charge a regular APR. In comparison, fuel charge cards won’t have an interest rate because they’re required to be paid in full every month.

Shell Small Business Fuel Card Discounts & Rewards

• Rebates up to 6 cents per gallon of gas purchased at Shell retailers
• 15% Jiffy Lube discount on the posted retail price of oil changes and preventative services at participating locations

Shell Small Business Fuel Card Network Availability

You can only use the Shell Small Business Fuel Card at Shell gas stations. Shell has roughly 14,000 gas stations nationally, and its fuel card offers a discount at all of them.

76 Universal Fuel Card: Best for Flexible Spending at Non-branded Stations

Open the 76 Universal Fuel Card if you don’t want to be limited to a specific gas company or station. There are roughly 45,000 stations that accept this fuel card, but you’ll only earn rewards at participating 76, Conoco, and Phillips 66 gas stations (7,600 total participating locations). This is a charge card, so the balance is due in full monthly, and it charges no interest.

76 Universal Fuel Card Costs

76 Universal Fuel Card Discounts & Rewards

• 1,000 to 2,499 monthly gallons: 1 cent discount per gallon
• 2,500 to 4,999 monthly gallons: 1.5 cents discount per gallon
• 5,000 to 6,999 monthly gallons: 2 cents discount per gallon
• 7,000 to 9,999 monthly gallons: 3 cents discount per gallon
• 10,000 or more monthly gallons: 4 cents discount per gallon

76 Universal Fuel Card Network Availability

The 76 Universal Fuel Card is accepted at more gas stations than the Shell and ExxonMobil cards and includes about 45,000 gas stations (90% of United States gas stations). However, out of these 45,000 locations, rewards are only available at 7,600 locations.

Chevron Texaco Business Access Fuel Card: Best for Fleets That Drive Far & Often

If your fleet drives regularly, consider the Chevron Texaco Business Access Fuel Card. You’ll pay a $2 monthly fee per card but will earn up to 6 cents per gallon. It’s a charge card with net-22 repayment terms, which means you’ll pay no interest and have to pay the balance in full within 22 days of receiving your statement.

Chevron Texaco Business Access Fuel Card Costs

Chevron Texaco Business Access Fuel Card Discounts & Rewards

• 500 to 2,000 monthly gallons: 1 cent rebate per gallon
• 2,001 to 4,000 monthly gallons: 2 cents rebate per gallon
• 4,001 to 6,000 monthly gallons: 3 cents rebate per gallon
• 6,001 to 8,000 monthly gallons: 4 cents rebate per gallon
• 8,001 to 10,000 monthly gallons: 5 cents rebate per gallon
• 10,000 or more monthly gallons: 6 cents rebate per gallon

This rewards program offers rebates starting at 500 monthly gallons, making this an ideal choice for businesses with moderate fuel demands.

Chevron Texaco Business Access Fuel Card Network Availability

The Chevron Texaco Business Access Fuel Card is accepted in every state at nearly 8,000 Chevron and Texaco stations nationwide. You also can use the card at any major US gas station, which makes it a good option for small businesses that drive farther distances.

BP Business Solutions Fuel Card: Best for Larger Fleets That Want Gas Rebates

If your large fleet is seeking a large network and the opportunity to earn discounts at BP stations, this card is a perfect fit for you. You can earn rebates up to 6 cents per gallon, depending on how much gas you pump per month. This fuel card acts as a charge card, which means you won’t face interest payments, but the balance is due in full every month.

BP Business Solutions Fuel Card Costs

BP Business Solutions Fuel Card Discounts & Rewards

• 300 to 2,999 monthly gallons: 3.5 cents rebate per gallon
• 3,000 to 7,999 monthly gallons: 4 cents rebate per gallon
• 8,000 to 9,999 monthly gallons: 5 cents rebate per gallon
• 10,000 or more monthly gallons: 6 cents rebate per gallon

With the discounts you earn on this card, you can earn the $10 account fee back after you purchase 300 gallons in one month.

BP Business Solutions Fuel Card Network Availability

The BP Business Solutions Fuel Card is accepted at any gas station that takes Mastercard—more than 175,000 locations. Keep in mind that cardholders can only earn rewards at the 7,200 BP and ARCO-branded stations nationwide, though.

U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite™ Mastercard®: Best Business Gas Card

Business owners also can use a traditional business credit card for fuel expenses. One of the best alternatives for fuel cards is U.S. Bank’s business gas card, the U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite™ Mastercard®. You’ll earn 3% cash-back rewards on gas purchases and have interest-free financing for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers. The issuer also will provide free employee cards.

U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite™ Mastercard® Costs

This is the best introductory financing offer on our fuel cards for small business list. No other business credit card offers better introductory financing terms.

U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite™ Mastercard® Discounts & Rewards

• 3% cash back on cellphone purchases and service
• 3% cash back on gas purchases up to $200 per single purchase
• 3% cash back at office supply stores
• 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases

Welcome offer: $500 cash back after you spend $4,500 during the first 150 days

Compared to the best fuel cards for small business, this card comes with a unique rewards structure. Instead of offering discounts at branded gas stations, you’ll earn cash back on all purchases. For example, you can earn 3% cash back on gas purchases at all stations that accept Mastercard.

U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite™ Mastercard® Network Availability

Unlike most fuel cards on our list, the U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite™ Mastercard® is not restricted to a single merchant or gas station. You’ll be able to use this card at stores that accept Mastercard and online by entering your credit card information.

How We Evaluated the Best Fuel Cards for Small Business

While we evaluated several branded fuel cards, we considered each card’s fee structures, repayment terms, network availability, and any rebate programs. Although there are a handful of options available, a card offered by your preferred gas station is typically the best one for you. If you don’t want a card affiliated with a specific gas company, choose a traditional cash back business credit card that pays strong rewards on fuel purchases.

Bottom Line

The best fuel cards for small business offer several benefits and features for gas-related purchases like fuel rebates and employee cards. The card’s monthly cost, where you can use the card, and how much money you can save across your entire account, will help determine the best business gas card for your firm.