6 Best Fuel Cards for Small Business March 2020

The best fuel cards for small business owners offer affordable fees, low APRs, and wide network availability. Fuels cards for small business owners are best used to make purchases at the pump. They can help you manage your company vehicles and provide discounts to help you save on fuel purchases.

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
• Chevron Texaco Business Fuel Card: Best for filling up at Chevron and Texaco stations
• 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 business credit card

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

When to Use a Traditional Business Credit Card

Business owners can use a traditional business credit card for fuel expenses. There are multiple U.S. Bank business credit cards, but one of the best alternatives for fuel cards is U.S. Bank’s business gas card, 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 fifteen billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers. The issuer also will provide free employee cards.

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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 widespread 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 gives you the opportunity to earn rewards and discounts at 14,000 locations.

Shell Small Business Fuel Card Costs

Keep in mind that only credit cards will carry 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, including the Chevron Texaco Business Access Fuel Card.

Shell Small Business Fuel Card Discounts & Rewards

• Rebates up to 6 cents per gallon of gas purchased at one of Shell’s 14,000 locations
• 15% Jiffy Lube discount on the posted retail price of oil changes and preventative services at participating locations

Compare these rewards with the 76 Universal Fuel Card, which only offers rewards at 7,600 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. Compare this network availability to the 76 Universal Fuel Card.

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 rewards only work 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 carries no interest.

76 Universal Fuel Card Costs

Compare these fees to the Shell Small Business Fuel Card.

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

The 76 Universal Card is accepted by 45,000 gas stations, but only about 7,600 of those locations participate in its rewards program. Compare these rewards with the Shell Small Business Fuel Card.

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 U.S. 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 far and often, consider the Chevron Texaco Business Access Fuel Card. You’ll pay a monthly fee of $2 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. Compare these rewards to the 76 Universal Fuel Card.

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 U.S. gas station, which makes it a good option for small businesses that drive farther distances.

Chevron Texaco Business Fuel Card: Best for Chevron & Texaco Customers

If you’re an existing Chevron or Texaco customer, choose the Chevron Texaco Business Fuel Card. This card has no monthly or setup fees, and you can use it at nearly 8,000 Chevron and Texaco stations nationwide. It also works like a charge card and has net-22 repayment terms, meaning you’ll be charged no interest and your balance is due within 22 days after receiving your statement.

Chevron Texaco Business Fuel Card Costs

Compare these fees with the Chevron Texaco Business Access Fuel Card.

Chevron Texaco Business Fuel Card Discounts & Rewards

This Chevron Texaco card doesn’t offer discounts or a rewards program. Many of the best fuel cards on our list offer an incentive program that allows cardholders to earn discounts. If you’re looking for a card that offers discounts and one you can use at Chevron or Texaco, we recommend the Chevron Texaco Business Access Fuel Card.

Chevron Texaco Business Fuel Card Network Availability

You can use the Chevron Texaco Business Fuel Card at 8,000 Chevron and Texaco stations in the U.S., which is the smallest network among the cards on our list. That’s only 6% of all gas stations across the United States. When compared to the other cards on our list, including the 76 Universal card and Shell card, this card ranks the worst in this category.

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

If your business can’t afford to repay its entire balance every month, we recommend the Shell Small Business Fuel Card.

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

There are 7,200 BP and ARCO-branded gas stations nationwide, and they all accept the rewards program. With the discounts you earn on this card, you can earn the $10 account fee back after you purchase 300 gallons in one month. Compare this reward program with the Shell Small Business Fuel Card.

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 Credit Card for Earning Gas Rewards

Apply for the U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite™ Mastercard® if you want the best business gas card. This card pays 3% cash back on gas purchases, and you can use it at any gas station that accepts Mastercard. Plus, you’ll have the luxury of no-interest financing on purchases and balance transfers for a short introductory time period.

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. Compare these costs to the Shell Small Business Fuel Card.

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 offers 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. U.S. bank business card reviews indicate you will earn rewards up to 3% of the purchase price.

How We Evaluated the Best Fuel Cards for Small Business

The six best fuel cards for small business offer different benefits to business owners for gas-related expenses. Most business gas cards have a variety of rewards and a range of APRs and fees. The card’s cost, network availability, and possible discounts and cash-back rewards you can receive on gas purchases likely determine the best business gas card for your business. See methodology in detail.

Bottom Line

The best fuel cards for small business offer several benefits and features for gas-related purchases, such as 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 likely determine the best business gas card for your firm.