If your business spends a lot of money on gas, whether because you make frequent deliveries or send employees out on the road to make calls, for example, certain business credit cards make those expenses more rewarding.
The best gas credit cards for business will help you earn rebates, rewards points, discounts or other perks just for buying the fuel you already spend money on.
Keep reading for Nav’s top choices of business credit cards to use at gas stations, and on other business expenses.
Business Gas Card vs Traditional Business Credit Card
First, let’s unpack some terminology you may come across:
Business gas cards, fuel cards and fleet credit cards are terms that are sometimes used interchangeably. Fleet cards, though, are typically designed specifically for businesses that make a lot of fuel purchases. They often offer spending controls, discounts on purchases at certain gas stations and other perks.
Fleet cards are best for businesses that spend a significant amount of money on fuel, and especially those that need advanced reporting and spending control features. They are popular with businesses with employees or contractors who will be regularly filling up vehicles.
Business gas cards are a term that sometimes refer to cards cobranded to a specific gas station: think Circle K, Exxon Mobil or Shell, for example. While they are tied to that brand, they also carry a Mastercard or Visa logo, so they can be used where those cards are accepted. Again, spending controls can allow the business to restrict their use.
Business credit cards are cards that can be used anywhere that brand of card is accepted: American Express, Discover, Mastercard, or Visa, for example. With rewards cards, all purchases typically earn some type of reward (points, miles or cash back). While some offer flat cash back or travel rewards, others may offer bonus rewards in certain spending categories, which may include fuel purchases or purchases at gas stations.
Business credit cards are often available to new businesses, including startups. Some fleet cards are only available to established businesses that operate as an LLC or corporation.
Best Credit Cards for Gas Purchases Only
If you’re only going to use the credit card for gas, these cards offer great gas rewards.
Costco members know that the store offers good deals on fuel, so if you’re already spending a lot on gas, you can kill two birds with one stone at Costco: cheaper gas prices plus rewards on what you spend on fuel. While the card has a annual fee, you do need a Costco membership in order to use it to buy gas or anything else at Costco. Of course, you don’t have to use the card exclusively at Costco or on Costco.com; you can use it anywhere a Visa credit card is accepted. Overall, it’s a great fuel card, especially given their rewards program. You get .
Shell Fuel Rewards Credit Card
If you fuel up often at Shell gas stations, a Shell Fuel Rewards Credit Card could be a good option for you. They technically offer two cards — Shell | Fuel Rewards® Card, for use exclusively at Shell gas stations, and Shell | Fuel Rewards® Mastercard® , which can be used like any other Mastercard credit card.
Both offer a sign-up bonus of saving $0.30 per gallon up to 35 gallons on your first five Shell gas purchases, plus $0.10 per gallon on every fill up going forward. The Mastercard offers 10% rebates on the first $1,200 in non-fuel purchases at Shell each year, plus 2% rebates on the first $10,000 in dining and grocery each year and 1% rebates on everything else.
However, note that these are rebates, not cash back or other rewards — your rewards are simply earning you a discount on gas at Shell stations. Neither card has an annual fee, either, so if you already use Shell gas for your business vehicles, this may be a good card to add to your wallet.
*All information about the Shell | Fuel Rewards® Card and the Shell | Fuel Rewards® Mastercard® has been collected independently by Nav. This card is not currently available through Nav. To see what business credit cards are available, please visit Nav to see your best options instantly.
While the card has a annual fee, the welcomes new applicants with a special offer: . Overall, it’s a great fleet/gas card, especially given their rewards program. You get .
Best Gas Credit Cards for Rewards
You can earn rewards and points on gas and other eligible purchases with these cards.
While it’s not a gas rewards credit card, offers rewards you can definitely use on gas: . They also have a pretty good welcome offer for new cardholders. .
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
The U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® offers 3% cash back on purchases at gas stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers, and restaurants, plus 1% cash back on other eligible purchases. You can also earn 5% cash back on hotels and car rentals if you book through their Travel Rewards Center.
*All information about the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® credit card has been collected independently by Nav. This card is not currently available through Nav. To see what business credit cards are available, please visit the Nav Credit Card Marketplace.
Best Cash Back Credit Cards for Gas
You can earn cash back rewards as a statement credit just by using your credit card to pay for gas. These cards also offer cash back for other expenses, too.
offers some excellent cash back membership rewards for small businesses who spend money on gas: . They also offer and a annual fee.
Sam’s Club® Business Mastercard®
The Sam’s Club® Business Mastercard offers 5% cash back on eligible gas purchases on the first $6,000 spent each year, then 1% after that.
Cardholders will also earn 3% cash back on dining and travel, as well as 1% back on all other purchases. While the card itself doesn’t charge an annual fee, you do need a Sam’s Club Business membership, which costs $45 per year.
That said, you don’t have to shop at Sam’s Club to use the credit card. And if you spend at least $6,000 each year on gas, you’ll earn $300 in bonus rewards, easily making up for the membership fee.
If your gas expenses exceed that cap by quite a bit, though, you may be better off with a credit card that offers a lower bonus rate but with a higher cap.
*All information about the Sam’s Club® Business Mastercard® credit card has been collected independently by Nav. This card is not currently available through Nav. To see what business credit cards are available, please visit the Nav Credit Card Marketplace.
Best Gas Credit Cards for Bad Credit
Most of the top business rewards credit cards require good or excellent credit to get approved, which can be disappointing if your personal credit needs some work. If you have bad credit, though, not all is lost. There are still cards available to business owners with bad credit, and some can even help you build it.
The is made especially for small business owners who need access to capital but can’t get it through traditional means like loans or credit cards. Unlike other credit cards, Revenued doesn’t base approval on your credit score, so you can still get the card even if you don’t have great credit. However, the card acts more like a merchant cash advance, and the APR is factor-based, so make sure you understand the terms and conditions before applying.
Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card
The Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card offers the choice between 1.5% cash back on all purchases or 1 point per dollar on all purchases, plus 1,000 bonus points for every month where you spend at least $1,000.
Your credit limit can be anywhere between $500 and $25,000, but keep in mind that you’ll need to make a security deposit equal to your limit. The annual fee is $25 per card, and you can get up to 10 employee cards.
While these terms aren’t as favorable as you might get with one of the other cards on our list, it’s worth considering if you want to start improving your credit so you can qualify for those cards later on.
Also, as you use the card responsibly over time, Wells Fargo will periodically review your account to determine if it can upgrade you to an unsecured card.
*All information about the Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card credit card has been collected independently by Nav. This card is not currently available through Nav. To see what business credit cards are available, please visit the Nav Credit Card Marketplace.
How to Qualify for a Gas Credit Card
Qualifying for a gas credit card will depend on the card issuer, but there are some general eligibility requirements you can expect to need to meet.
The biggest part of qualifying for a business credit card is your credit scores. A credit card issuer will look at them, specifically your personal credit scores, to determine if you’re creditworthy, meaning you’re likely to be able to pay back the money you use. Some cards have lower credit score requirements than others, but the better your credit score, the more cards you’re likely to qualify for.
You should be prepared to submit identifying information when you apply as well. You’ll at least need to provide your social security number to apply for any credit card, business or otherwise. You may also need to provide your employer identification number (EIN) for your business. You should have your business address and phone number ready, too.
When a Gas or Fleet Credit Card Is Worth It
Of all of the cards we’ve listed, none is inherently better than the other. The right card depends on your business needs.
A fleet card is often a good choice for businesses with:
- Significant fuel expenses
- Multiple drivers who fill up vehicles on a regular basis
- Access to specific brands of gas stations
Pros and Cons of Fleet Cards
Pros
- Discounts or rebates on certain purchases
- Spending controls
- Advanced reporting
Cons
- Monthly fees common
- Use may be limited to certain stations
- Discounts may be limited to fuel
If you choose a fleet card, make sure you pick a card that is accepted at the gas stations you’ll use them at, whether that’s Shell, Exxon Mobile, Circle K, or others.
When Your Business Should Stick with a Traditional Business Credit Card
A traditional business credit card is often the best choice for businesses with:
- Few employees or contractors
- The need for a wide range of types of purchases
- Startups or established businesses
As you shop around and compare various business gas cards, look not only at the rewards you’ll earn on gas purchases, but also other features that meet the needs of your business. There are a number of perks that credit cards offer, and if you’re spending the money when you fill up, you might as well get those rewards. The best business credit cards will also offer you rewards on purchases you already make, such as cell phone services or business purchases at office supply stores.
You may want to find a card that offers cash back via a statement credit every billing cycle for every dollar you spend at U.S. gas stations or on bonus categories. Or you may be interested in balance transfers to reduce the interest rate of other credit card debt, especially if the new gas card offers an intro APR of 0%. If this is the case, you should also double check balance transfer fees to make sure that they’re worth it.
Many of these cards are valuable for other travel purchases, including car rentals, hotels, and flights, and you can use them to earn travel rewards. If you travel internationally, it’s a good idea to make sure the credit card you choose doesn’t have any foreign transaction fees.
If you’re applying for a new card, it can be a good idea to find one that has a good sign-up bonus. You should also be on the lookout for spending limits that match your business needs.
Also, note whether you have any big expenses coming up that you need to pay for over time. If so, an 0% intro APR credit card promotion can save you a lot on interest charges. You may want to find a card that gives you a welcome offer at account opening, like bonus rewards after you spend a certain amount of money.
Pros and Cons of Traditional Business Credit Cards
Pros
- May offer discounts or rebates on fuel purchases
- Accepted at a wide range of retailers
- Perks, cash back or travel rewards on purchases are common
Cons
- Spending controls may not be as robust as fleet cards
- Personal guarantee often required
- Premium cards may have high annual fees
Nav’s Verdict
Choosing the right card can save your business money. Many of these cards also help establish business credit when paid on time. Take your time when researching your options and pick the best card for your situation and the needs of your business.
Nav can help you find the right business credit card card.
This article was originally written on February 26, 2019 and updated on September 24, 2024.
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