Fleet Cards vs Credit Cards or Cash
Like cash or credit cards, 7-Eleven fleet cards are another way to pay for fuel. But that’s where the similarities end. For most businesses, big or small, fleet cards are a better way to pay for fuel.
Credit cards and cash may seem more convenient, but a fleet card gives you much greater control over your fuel spend. They also offer fuel rebates and extra security, and can actually help reduce administrative time and costs.
Here are some of the ways fleet cards come out ahead of credit cards and cash.
Earn fuel rebates
The best fleet cards let you earn back a few cents on every gallon you pump at their locations. For example, 7-Eleven’s Business Fleet Card and Business Universal Card let you save up to 5¢ per gallon on gas and diesel based on how many gallons you purchase each month.† The more you fill up at over 7,500 7-Eleven and Speedway locations, the more your business saves.
Increase security
Cash is easily lost or stolen — and when it’s gone, it’s gone. Also, credit cards usually don’t require verification before use. If something goes wrong, it may be a while before you know.
7-Eleven fleet cards ask for a PIN to be entered at the pump before a purchase is authorized. This helps in two ways. First, it’s like a security checkpoint — lost or stolen cards can’t be used. Second, each PIN is linked to an employee, so you have a record of every purchase they make in your online accounting and reporting. You always know who spends what and where, which helps you identify any suspicious activity.
Control spending
Credit cards and cash give you little actual control over how much is spent at one time, or where, or on what.
Fleet fuel cards let you control employee spending at the source. For example, you can set a daily or per-use dollar limit. You can limit card use to certain times of day (like business hours), and certain days of the week (like weekdays). You decide whether your fleet card is used for anything beyond fuel — for example, maintenance at accepting locations, or snacks in the convenience store.
If someone tries to exceed your spending limits, the transaction is declined and you get notified.
Get detailed reporting
Collecting data on fuel usage when paying with cash is time consuming and often inaccurate. Credit cards might give you some basic info like location and amount, which doesn’t provide much insight into your spending. More and more, the time spent collecting receipts and managing driver expense requests is seen as unproductive.
With a fleet card, details like driver, location, fuel grade, and sales tax are captured for every transaction — and you never have to chase down another lost fuel receipt.
Plus, easy one-click reports help you get the most out of your fueling data — and uncover new ways to save. 7-Eleven fleet cards give you purchase activity reports, summary reports, exception reports, and tax exemption reports.
Start saving today
If any of these benefits strike a chord, your business may be ready for a fleet card. Learn more about 7-Eleven’s Business Fleet Card and Business Universal Card, or call us at 1-888-410-5702. We’ll be happy to answer any of your fleet card questions.