Every fleet owner knows fuel costs are a constant headache. Paying more than you should - or losing track of spending - is frustrating and expensive. That’s why the right fuel program can make a real difference. A good fuel card doesn’t just promise savings; it delivers transparency, control, and access to a network that keeps your trucks moving efficiently.
The fuel card market is both competitive and complex. Many discount programs today utilize gimmicks, making savings unclear and misleading, which is why fleet managers are understandably skeptical of hidden fees and unpredictable markups.
Not all fleet fuel cards work the same. With the right program, you can lower operating costs, simplify oversight, and improve your fuel strategy across every route. Let’s break down how to compare fuel cards and figure out which program is truly worth it.
Legacy Fuel Cards vs. Modern Fuel Discount Platforms
Do you still use a traditional business credit card for fuel expenses? While convenient and reliable, regular cards were designed for non-fuel purchases, meaning you miss out on fuel rebates and discounts.
Key Features to Look for When Comparing Fleet Fuel Cards
When comparing fuel card companies, don’t focus solely on the advertised discount. Compare the infrastructure behind the card. Assess its station network, card fees, fuel discounts, and extra features.
These factors will determine whether your fleet saves money or transitions to a different, more costly system.
Network Size and Coverage: Check whether the network supports both U.S. and Canadian corridors. With the vast differences in fuel prices, provincial taxes, and exchange rates, cross-border fleets need to standardize their fuel purchasing patterns to avoid unpredictable cost swings.
Fraud Protection: Fuel fraud is a major concern for fleet managers. Studies show that 5% to 10% of a fleet’s annual fuel consumption is lost to fraud. Look for safety features like PIN protection, mobile authentication, and instant freeze/unfreeze capabilities to safeguard your account.
Reporting Granularity: Look for providers that deliver transaction-level data, including date, address, gallons, unit price, route segment, and driver ID. Real-time dashboards should highlight MPG outliers, high-consumption vehicles, and unauthorized fueling behavior.
Fees and Contract Terms: Review for hidden costs, such as per-swipe fees, out-of-network surcharges, account maintenance fees, late payment penalties, or mandatory deposits.
The best fuel card depends on your business size and needs. Small businesses benefit from providers offering low monthly card fees and simple spending controls, while larger fleets prioritize accessible fueling locations, account-level purchase controls, and structured fuel rewards plans. Nomad offers all features tailored to your fleet size, locations, and demands.
Which fleet fuel cards have no fees?
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Although terms vary by provider, some modern fleet card platforms offer no setup, swipe, or monthly card fees. Nomad’s fuel card doesn’t require monthly payments. When comparing cards, consider small fees such as per-transaction costs or out-of-network surcharges, which can add up to thousands of dollars per month.
Are fleet fuel cards worth it?
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If your fleet fuel card comes with massive fuel discounts and multiple helpful add-on services, yes. It’ll help you optimize your entire operation. Apart from reducing fuel spending per gallon, you can set purchase restrictions, improve fraud protection, track driver behavior, and standardize fueling routes.
In Summary
Fleet discount programs vary widely, and many legacy cards rely on markups, hidden fees, and limited networks.
Modern fuel discount platforms offer wholesale-based pricing, fewer fees, and broader U.S.-Canada coverage.
Strong fraud protection, real-time reporting, and detailed controls determine whether you save money in the long term.
The right fleet card should reduce cost-per-mile, streamline admin work, and improve route consistency.
Businesses that compare networks, pricing models, and contract terms can avoid gimmicks and secure reliable, predictable savings.
Lock in the Best Fuel Prices for Life With Nomad
Get discounts on all your fuel purchases with Nomad fuel cards. We put the control of fuel spending back in your hands by providing your drivers access to savings at our growing network of partner fuel stations across the U.S. and Canada.
Speak to our team to get started. Our experts will show you how our platform can make managing fuel simple and stress-free.
