Is It Better to Use a Fuel Card or a Credit Card?

When you’re running a business, every penny counts, especially when it comes to fuel. Whether you manage a fleet or you’re a self-employed driver clocking up miles each week, it’s worth knowing: Should you pay for fuel with a credit card or a fuel card? Both have their place. But there’s a clear winner. Let’s get into it. 

Is it better to use a fuel card or a credit card?

A fuel card is almost always the better choice for managing business fuel. It’s designed to save you money, cut admin, and give you full visibility of what’s being spent, where, and by whom. 

They come with pump price savings, built-in spending limits, and real-time tracking – all designed to cut admin and reduce costs. Whether you run a fleet or drive for work yourself, switching to a fuel card is one of the simplest ways to take control of your fuel spend from day one.

Credit cards might seem convenient, but they don’t offer much beyond the basics. You’re on your own when it comes to tracking fuel spend, chasing receipts, or managing who’s filled up where. You might also face interest charges if balances aren’t cleared, and no real benefit in return.

What’s the difference between a fuel card and a credit card?

The difference between a fuel card and a credit card lies in how they’re used and what they offer in return.

• Fuel cards are designed specifically for buying fuel. They’re accepted at petrol stations across the UK and sometimes offer clear reporting and discounts on your fuel purchases.
  
  
• Business credit cards are more general-purpose. You can pay for all sorts – including fuel – but they usually come with interest charges, and it’s up to you to track what’s been spent.

Put simply, a fuel card is a convenient payment method with built-in fuel management tools. A credit card is... just a card.

Will a fuel card save me money compared to a credit card?

Yes, fuel cards often save money compared to credit cards – and in more ways than one. 

Fuel cards often give you access to cheaper fuel prices through fixed weekly rates or volume-based, fuel-specific discounts that aren’t available to credit card users. That alone can add up to major savings, especially if you’re filling up regularly or running a fleet.

On top of that, fuel cards also give you built-in spending controls, so you can set limits, track usage in real time, and cut down on unexpected costs. With credit cards, you’re often left chasing receipts and guessing who filled up where – which can lead to waste, fraud, or admin headaches.

And because fuel card invoices are HMRC compliant, you can reclaim VAT more easily, without sifting through piles of paperwork. That’s money back in your business and time back in your day.

So if you’re serious about saving, a fuel card doesn’t just reduce your fuel bill, it gives you full control over spending from day one.

Are fuel cards worth it for fleets?

If you’re a fleet manager, fuel cards can transform the way you manage your fuel. They’re especially great for:

Larger fleets with multiple vehicles

Fuel cards are built to scale. If you’re running a larger fleet, they make it easier to manage fuel payments across several drivers without losing track of costs.

Better control over fleet expenses

Tracking fleet expenses can quickly get messy. Fuel cards give you a single view of spend, helping you keep things under control without diving into a dozen statements.

Smarter management of individual drivers

Not every driver fills up in the same way. Fuel cards help you monitor individual drivers’ fuel habits, giving you insights into who’s spending what and where.

Clear visibility of fuel usage

With built-in reporting tools, it’s simple to track fuel usage across different locations, vehicle types and amounts of fuel, so you always know what’s being used – and by whom

Where can you use a fuel card?

One of the most common questions we hear is: Will my fuel card be accepted where I fill up?

The good news is that most fuel card providers offer access to a wide network of fuel stations – often including major petrol stations like Shell, BP, Esso, Texaco, and supermarket brands such as Tesco and Morrisons.

Depending on the provider, you can choose from thousands of sites across the UK, with some networks offering 6,000+ locations nationwide. That means your drivers don’t have to go out of their way to find a pump, and you’re not tied to one brand.

So if you’ve been wondering whether fuel cards are too restrictive, the answer is no. In fact, they often give you a broader range of stations than you’d get with a credit card.

Save on your business fuel with InterFuels!

Still using a credit card for business fuel? You could be missing out on better prices, clearer tracking, and full control over your fuel spend. At Interfuels, we offer fuel cards designed for fleets, self-employed drivers, and growing businesses – with access to over 7,600 stations, competitive pricing, and tools to help you track usage and reduce admin.

Find the right card for how you work. Get your free quote today and start saving!