No matter what kind of business you own, it can be hard to keep track of fuel costs on the road. Fuel cards are an alternative to cash and credit cards that help you manage fuel costs for yourself and your employees. It's also much easier to accurately track and report fuel and maintenance spending.
But that’s not all! Fuel cards have plenty of other benefits, the best being discounts on fuel and exclusive offers from program partners. Some fuel cards even earn rewards points, which can be stacked up and redeemed in well-known programs such as Qantas Frequent Flyer.
Fuel Card Benefits
What are the benefits of getting a fuel card? Let’s take a deep dive.
☛ Track Fuel Spending
Instead of relying on employees to pay for fuel with cash and hand in a receipt, fuel cards log all transactions on your account.
Not only do fuel cards streamline your accounting, they also highlight any discrepancies and show how much employees are spending and where.
☛ Reduce Expenses
All your on-road travel expenses are in one report, meaning you won't need to spend time and money sifting through piles of receipts each month to reimburse your employees. You can also limit spending by employees, so they can't buy and sneakily claim non-work items.
☛ Save on Fuel
Saving on fuel costs couldn't be more crucial for businesses today. Some fuel cards feature immediate discounts when you fill up, while others offer volume-based pricing after a certain period of time.
☛ Save on Servicing
Some fuel cards allow users to pay for servicing, maintenance and repairs through partner networks. Discounts and other offers can be part of the fuel card package.
☛ Earn Rewards
They're harder to come by, but there are fuel cards that earn rewards points. As an example, the BP Plus fuel card earns Qantas Points on fuel and service station spending.
☛ Less Hassle
Employees out on the road only need to swipe their fuel card when they fill up at the pump. For business owners, there's no need to collect receipts or reimburse employees to cover out-of-pocket costs.
☛ Less Opportunity for Fraud
Fuel cards can be set with a PIN that only the cardholder knows. Some cards may require number plate and odometer readings when filling up. They can be a safer way to pay, as well as reducing fraudulent spending from employees.
☛ Less Stress at Tax Time
Paying by cash and keeping receipts for fuel spending can be a nightmare come tax time. Even with a business credit card, it can take time to separate out the different types of spendingto accurately complete your return. Fuel cards simplify fuel and vehicle servicing spending by keeping the accounts completely separate.
☛ Detailed Reports
Your fuel card account report shows the details of each purchase, from the cost per kilometre for each employee to their fuel economy. A tool that analyses your on-road costs means you can make cost-effective adjustments for your business.
Fuel Card or Credit Card?
It's a great question! Both come with their own pros and cons. Do you really need a fuel card, or would a business credit card do the job just as well? Here are some important points.
Credit Cards
- With a business credit card, you can provide each of your employees with access to credit, as needed.
- You can track the spending of each cardholder, setting limits on or prohibiting certain types of spending. Individual credit limits can also be applied.
- A business credit card can be used in person and online, within Australia and overseas, anywhere Visa, Mastercard or American Express is accepted.
- Employees only need to carry one card, which can be used to cover all business expenses.
- Annual fees and other business credit card costs may be tax deductible.
- Business credit cards can earn rewards, which can be redeemed by the accountholder or as incentives for employees.
- Business credit cards can also offer additional features, such as travel insurance and airport lounge access.
- Depending on the type of card, a business card may act as a charge card or credit card. Charge cards and credit cards typically offer an interest-free period that can help with business cash flow.
- Most business cards offer expense reporting and easy data exporting to accounting software.
Fuel Cards
- Fuel cards can only be used to cover spending as specified by the type of card and the account. This may include fuel spending, service station spending, or servicing costs, within a limited range of service stations, service providers and retailers.
- Depending on the type of card, fuel card users may benefit from discounts at the pumps.
- Fuel cards may offer better spending controls than business cards.
- Account reports allow for easy tracking on each employee's spending and provide data that could be used to make better business decisions.
- Fuel cards make expense reporting easy by keeping fuel and other vehicle costs separate to other business items.
- Some fuel cards provide the opportunity to earn rewards.
How to Compare Fuel Cards
Think your business could benefit from a fuel card? Here are some factors to think about as you compare your options.
💡 Service Station Coverage
Think about how you and your employees will use the card. If you tend to only fill up at a specific service station chain, you could opt for a single-branded fuel card that suits. If your travel requirements are much broader and more random, a multi-branded fuel card may be a better option.
💡 Discounts
While some fuel cards provide a specific discount on fuel costs, other cards vary the discount depending on other factors. For instance, the more fuel you buy, the more attractive your business is to the fuel card provider, which should translate to bigger discounts at the pumps. You may find that negotiating can get you a better rate, especially if you think your fuel-buying volume will grow.
💡 Control
Find out what limits you can place on individual cardholder spending and the types of items they can buy. A customisable card could help you save money by deterring employees who would otherwise abuse their fuel expense accounts.
💡 Security
Check what security features each fuel card offers. Look for a card that allows cardholders to set a PIN. Other security features to look out for include rego plate and odometer reading when filling up.
💡 Fees
Fuel cards may charge an ongoing monthly fee. It could be a set fee per card, or it may be determined by the type of account and volume of fuel purchased. Obviously, you want to make sure the fees you pay to use the fuel card are outweighed by the discounts and other benefits you get in return.
💡 Volume of your Fleet
Some fuel cards are better suited to sole traders and small to medium sized businesses, while others are designed to suit larger companies with much larger fleets. Look at the cost per card, which can add up on larger fleets and businesses that employ a high number of part-time workers.
💡 Interest Free Periods
Fuel cards often come with an interest-free period on your transactions – much like a credit card – that can help you manage your cash flow. These interest-free periods can range from 14 to 51 days, so it’s worth checking what each card offers before you apply.
💡 Rewards
Earning rewards points is a big perk for a fuel card. Take into account how many points you'll earn per dollar spent, any caps on points, and other fees and important info just as you would when comparing rewards credit cards.
💡 Introductory Offers
Some fuel cards provide bonus intro offers to entice new cardholders. Offers can be a bigger discount on fuel costs over an introductory period, or taking home a chunk of bonus rewards points. Conditions may apply, such as a minimum fuel volume requirement, so check the terms before you sign up.
