PromoSave up to 10¢ per litre with FleetCard *Sign up before 16th October 2026
LAST UPDATED 3rd July 2026

How fuel cards can help you stay on top of rising fuel prices

Fuel prices are always a hot topic in Australia, affecting everyone from individual drivers to small businesses. With global oil markets fluctuating and local taxes influencing costs, managing fuel expenses can feel like a constant challenge. But there’s a way to bring some control and predictability to your fuel spending. Fuel cards offer a range […]

6 MIN.

Fuel prices are always a hot topic in Australia, affecting everyone from individual drivers to small businesses. With global oil markets fluctuating and local taxes influencing costs, managing fuel expenses can feel like a constant challenge. But there’s a way to bring some control and predictability to your fuel spending. Fuel cards offer a range of benefits that help you monitor costs, track usage, and even access savings, making them a powerful tool for navigating rising prices. 

Here’s how fuel cards can make a practical difference as you manage your fuel expenses. 

Gain better visibility over your fuel costs 

One of the biggest advantages of using a fuel card is the visibility it provides over your spending. Every time you swipe your card, the transaction is recorded and categorised, so you’re not scrambling to find receipts or manually add up your monthly fuel budget. For businesses managing fleets, this data can be invaluable in identifying high fuel consumption vehicles or routes. 

For individuals, especially those driving for work or freelance purposes, a fuel card ensures you know exactly how much you’re spending each week or month. Having this clarity might even help you adjust habits, like planning trips more efficiently, to save some cash. 

Businesses currently on an Ampol fuel card can compare coverage, discounts, and reporting features head-to-head with FleetCard.

Take advantage of potential discounts 

Many fuel card providers partner with major station networks across Australia, offering their cardholders access to exclusive discounts or favourable rates. Over time, these savings can add up significantly, especially if you’re a frequent driver or run a fleet of vehicles. When every litre matters, shaving a few cents off per litre can be a welcome relief. 

Some cards also have benefits like loyalty programs, where frequent use can unlock perks. Even things like discounts on car washes or oil changes can help reduce overall vehicle expenses. 

Fleets on a Caltex fuel card can compare discounts, network coverage, and reporting capabilities side-by-side with FleetCard.

Simplify administration and reimbursement 

For businesses, bookkeeping often turns into a headache when it comes to fuel expenses. Fleet managers can spend hours chasing drivers for receipts and compiling reports. Fuel cards eliminate most of this hassle by providing consolidated invoices. These statements can include detailed records of fuel purchases, stations visited, and even GST breakdowns, making accounting processes simpler. 

For employees who drive as part of their work, a fuel card eliminates the need to spend out of pocket and wait for reimbursement. This creates smoother processes for everyone involved. 

Use our fuel savings calculator to see exactly how much your business could save each month by switching to FleetCard.

Better manage rising costs with controls 

Rising fuel prices can wreak havoc on your budget. Fuel cards can help you keep spending under control by allowing pre-set limits on usage. For fleet managers, this means being able to impose caps per vehicle, helping reduce unauthorised spending and identifying inefficient driving. 

This feature also applies to personal users. For example, if you’re working within a tight budget, setting a spending limit on your fuel card can help you stick to it without the temptation to overspend at the pump. 

For fleets currently on a BP fuel card, our comparison highlights FleetCard’s wider network access and more granular spend controls.

Help reduce card surcharges 

Australia’s fuel stations often pass on card transaction fees to customers, which can quietly chip away at your fuel budget. However, fuel cards often have arrangements to minimise or eliminate these surcharges. It’s a small but practical benefit that keeps more money in your pocket. 

Stay flexible with a national network 

Whether you’re in Sydney, Perth, or driving between small regional towns, fuel card networks usually have you covered. Most cards are accepted at hundreds of service stations nationwide, giving you the freedom to fuel up wherever you are. Some cards even include fleet roadside assistance services, providing peace of mind on long road trips through the Australian outback. 

Take the stress out of rising fuel prices 

Managing the rising cost of fuel isn’t easy, but tools like fuel cards can help you regain control over your spending. By offering visibility, discounts, and convenience, they simplify the process and make budgeting more predictable. Whether you’re overseeing a fleet or just trying to manage your weekly commutes, a fuel card is a smart way to spend less time worrying and more time driving. 

Remember, not all fuel cards are the same. It’s worth researching options like FleetCard to find one that fits your needs. Make your fuel expenses work for you instead of the other way around. 

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Choose the right fuel card
PROMO
Earn 20,000 Bonus Velocity Points. Sign up before 15 September 2026*
Accept Offer

FleetCard™ Classic

Designed for small to medium operations
  • Save up to 6¢ off per litre at Shell and 3¢ off at other selected fuel partners.*

FleetCard™ Rewards⁺

Earn up to 110,000 Velocity Points over 12 months^
  • Save up to 6¢ off per litre at Shell and 3¢ off at other selected fuel partners.*
  • Earn 1 Velocity Point for every litre of fuel¹
^New FleetCard Rewards+ customers who've linked their FleetCard account to a Virgin Australia Business Flyer account can earn up to 100,000 bonus Velocity Points over 12 months: 10,000 bonus Points when your account remains eligible for the first 2 months; Pump 6,000–11,999 litres in your first 6 months and unlock 25,000 bonus Velocity Points for your business. A further 25,000 bonus Velocity Points will be awarded when your account remains eligible for months 7–12. Pump 12,000 litres or more in your first 6 months and unlock 50,000 bonus Velocity Points for your business. A further 50,000 bonus Velocity Points will be awarded when your account remains eligible for months 7–12. Customers will qualify for one tier only, based on total litres pumped.
Eligible fuel: diesel, unleaded petrol and E10 fuel, excludes bulk fuels and LPG. New customers only (those who do not hold another FleetCard payment product account at application). Full Terms and Conditions apply. ¹Velocity Point earned per 1 litre of eligible fuel purchased using a FleetCard Rewards+ card linked to a Virgin Australia Business Flyer account and paid for in full by the relevant invoice due date. Points will be credited to your business’ linked Virgin Australia Business Flyer account after you pay your invoice in full. Eligible fuel includes diesel, unleaded petrol and E10 fuel, and excludes bulk fuels and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Your business must remain compliant with the FleetCard and Virgin Australia Business Flyer Offer Terms and Conditions and the FleetCard Terms and Conditions.
PromoSave up to 10¢ per litre with FleetCard *Sign up before 16th October 2026

Great fleet benefits. Your choice of card.

FleetCard gives you the tools to save, simplify administration and stay in control of your fleet. Choose FleetCard Classic for simple, effective fleet management, or FleetCard Rewards+ to enjoy the same great benefits while earning Velocity Points on eligible fuel

FleetCard Classic and Rewards+ benefits
BenefitFleetCard ClassicFleetCard Rewards+
Accepted at over 90% of fuel sites nationwide IncludedIncluded
Access to 2,200+ EV charging stations IncludedIncluded
Access to 6,000+ servicing and repair partners IncludedIncluded
Easy card management and spend controls IncludedIncluded
Free Roadside Assistance1 & Zero Liability for first 6 months2IncludedIncluded
Additional fleet services, including toll management and telematics Not includedIncluded
Earn 1 Velocity Point per litre of eligible fuel3 Not includedIncluded
Earn additional Bonus Velocity Points when eligible volume thresholds are reached4 Not includedIncluded

Terms & Conditions

* New FleetCard customers only. Get up to 10c per eligible litre on Eligible Fuel purchases made at Shell within the first 3 months from account opening. Offer is capped at 2,000 eligible litres per account. Benefit paid as a credit to your FleetCard account by the end of month 4. T&Cs apply.

Full Terms & Conditions

* Offer is available to new FleetCard customers only, for FleetCard accounts opened between 16th September 2026 and 16th October 2026. Customers may receive up to 10c per eligible litre on Eligible Fuel purchases made at Shell using their FleetCard account within the first 3 months from the date the account is opened. Offer is capped at a maximum of 2,000 eligible litres per account. For the purposes of this offer, Eligible Fuel means petrol and diesel purchases made at Shell branded fuel sites only and excludes LPG, AdBlue, and any other product or service. The benefit will be assessed after the 3-month offer period and applied as a credit to the customer’s FleetCard account by the end of month 4 from account opening. The 6¢ discount is applied on the invoice plus up to 4¢ as an additional credit by the end of month. The credit may be used to offset future charges on that account. The FleetCard account must remain active, in good standing and compliant with payment obligations at the time the credit is assessed and applied. FleetCard may exclude transactions that are reversed, refunded, fraudulent, invalid or otherwise ineligible under the standard FleetCard Terms and Conditions. Full terms and conditions apply.

1. Full Roadside Assistance Terms & Conditions apply.

2. Full Zero Liability Terms & Conditions apply.

3&4 New FleetCard Rewards+ customers who've linked their FleetCard account to a Virgin Australia Business Flyer account can earn up to 100,000 bonus Velocity Points over 12 months: 10,000 bonus Points when your account remains eligible for the first 2 months; Pump 6,000–11,999 litres in your first 6 months and unlock 25,000 bonus Velocity Points for your business. A further 25,000 bonus Velocity Points will be awarded when your account remains eligible for months 7–12. Pump 12,000 litres or more in your first 6 months and unlock 50,000 bonus Velocity Points for your business. A further 50,000 bonus Velocity Points will be awarded when your account remains eligible for months 7–12. Customers will qualify for one tier only, based on total litres pumped. Full Virgin Australia Business Flyer Terms and Conditions apply.

Eligible fuel: diesel, unleaded petrol and E10 fuel, excludes bulk fuels and LPG. New customers only (those who do not hold another FleetCard payment product account at application). Full Terms and Conditions apply. Velocity Point earned per 1 litre of eligible fuel purchased using a FleetCard Rewards+ card linked to a Virgin Australia Business Flyer account and paid for in full by the relevant invoice due date. Points will be credited to your business’ linked Virgin Australia Business Flyer account after you pay your invoice in full. Eligible fuel includes diesel, unleaded petrol and E10 fuel, and excludes bulk fuels and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Your business must remain compliant with the FleetCard and Virgin Australia Business Flyer Offer Terms and Conditions and the FleetCard Terms and Conditions .

PromoSave up to 10¢ per litre with FleetCard *Sign up before 16th October 2026

This Spring: Go Further,
Spend Less.

For a limited time, new FleetCard customers can receive up to 10¢ per litre on eligible petrol and diesel purchases made during the first three months from account opening.*

Join between 16 September and 16 October 2026 to take advantage of this exclusive offer.

FleetCard Classic and Rewards+ benefits
BenefitFleetCard ClassicFleetCard Rewards+
Accepted at over 90% of fuel sites nationwide IncludedIncluded
Access to 2,200+ EV charging stations IncludedIncluded
Access to 6,000+ servicing and repair partners IncludedIncluded
Easy card management and spend controls IncludedIncluded
Free Roadside Assistance1 & Zero Liability for first 6 months2IncludedIncluded
Additional fleet services, including toll management and telematics Not includedIncluded
Earn 1 Velocity Point per litre of eligible fuel3 Not includedIncluded
Earn additional Bonus Velocity Points when eligible volume thresholds are reached4 Not includedIncluded

Terms & Conditions

* New FleetCard customers only. Get up to 10c per eligible litre on Eligible Fuel purchases made at Shell within the first 3 months from account opening. Offer is capped at 2,000 eligible litres per account. Benefit paid as a credit to your FleetCard account by the end of month 4. T&Cs apply.

Full Terms & Conditions

* Offer is available to new FleetCard customers only, for FleetCard accounts opened between 16th September 2026 and 16th October 2026. Customers may receive up to 10c per eligible litre on Eligible Fuel purchases made at Shell using their FleetCard account within the first 3 months from the date the account is opened. Offer is capped at a maximum of 2,000 eligible litres per account. For the purposes of this offer, Eligible Fuel means petrol and diesel purchases made at Shell branded fuel sites only and excludes LPG, AdBlue, and any other product or service. The benefit will be assessed after the 3-month offer period and applied as a credit to the customer’s FleetCard account by the end of month 4 from account opening. The 6¢ discount is applied on the invoice plus up to 4¢ as an additional credit by the end of month. The credit may be used to offset future charges on that account. The FleetCard account must remain active, in good standing and compliant with payment obligations at the time the credit is assessed and applied. FleetCard may exclude transactions that are reversed, refunded, fraudulent, invalid or otherwise ineligible under the standard FleetCard Terms and Conditions. Full terms and conditions apply.

1. Full Roadside Assistance Terms & Conditions apply.

2. Full Zero Liability Terms & Conditions apply.

3&4 New FleetCard Rewards+ customers who've linked their FleetCard account to a Virgin Australia Business Flyer account can earn up to 100,000 bonus Velocity Points over 12 months: 10,000 bonus Points when your account remains eligible for the first 2 months; Pump 6,000–11,999 litres in your first 6 months and unlock 25,000 bonus Velocity Points for your business. A further 25,000 bonus Velocity Points will be awarded when your account remains eligible for months 7–12. Pump 12,000 litres or more in your first 6 months and unlock 50,000 bonus Velocity Points for your business. A further 50,000 bonus Velocity Points will be awarded when your account remains eligible for months 7–12. Customers will qualify for one tier only, based on total litres pumped. Full Virgin Australia Business Flyer Terms and Conditions apply.

Eligible fuel: diesel, unleaded petrol and E10 fuel, excludes bulk fuels and LPG. New customers only (those who do not hold another FleetCard payment product account at application). Full Terms and Conditions apply. Velocity Point earned per 1 litre of eligible fuel purchased using a FleetCard Rewards+ card linked to a Virgin Australia Business Flyer account and paid for in full by the relevant invoice due date. Points will be credited to your business’ linked Virgin Australia Business Flyer account after you pay your invoice in full. Eligible fuel includes diesel, unleaded petrol and E10 fuel, and excludes bulk fuels and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Your business must remain compliant with the FleetCard and Virgin Australia Business Flyer Offer Terms and Conditions and the FleetCard Terms and Conditions .