For any American business with a fleet of vehicles—whether it's a single delivery van or a team of sales representatives on the road—fuel is one of the largest and most volatile operating expenses.
A corporate petrol card is an essential tool for managing and controlling these costs. However, many companies and their employees only scratch the surface of what these cards can offer, viewing them simply as a payment method.
The true power of a corporate petrol card often lies in its points and rewards system. When understood and utilized effectively, these programs can transform a routine expense into a valuable source of savings for the company and tangible benefits for the employees.
This guide is a complete manual for unlocking the maximum value of your company's petrol card program. We will explore how these point systems work, detail strategies for accumulating and redeeming points, and provide practical tips to ensure both the company and its employees are getting the most out of every fill-up.
A company petrol card, often called a fleet card, is much more than a standard credit card. It's a specialized tool that provides businesses with detailed control over fuel spending, including setting purchase limits, restricting purchases to fuel only, and generating detailed reports for accounting.
Parallel to these control features is often a rewards program designed to incentivize specific purchasing behaviors. The currency of these programs is typically points. These points are a separate value that is earned in addition to the payment transaction, creating a dual benefit: the company gets a well-managed expense, and the employee using the card has an opportunity to earn rewards.
Accumulating points requires a proactive approach from the employee driver. Understanding the different ways points are earned is the first step to building a significant balance.
Points Accumulation per Fill-up: This is the foundational method of earning. Most programs award points based on the volume or value of the purchase.
Per-Gallon Earning: A common model is earning a set number of points for every gallon of petrol purchased. For example, a program might offer 1 or 2 points per gallon.
Per-Dollar Earning: Alternatively, some programs award points based on the total dollar amount spent. This can be advantageous when petrol prices are high.
Bonus Points Programs and Promotions: This is where savvy drivers can dramatically accelerate their earnings. Petrol card programs frequently run promotions to encourage loyalty.
Promotional Periods: Look for offers like "Double Points Tuesdays" or bonus points for filling up on weekends.
In-Station Purchases: Many programs, in partnership with the petrol station brand, offer bonus points for purchasing items in the convenience store, such as coffee, snacks, or a car wash.
Volume Bonuses: Some programs reward high-volume users with tiered bonuses. For instance, after purchasing a certain number of gallons in a month, the points-per-gallon earning rate might increase for the remainder of that month.
Points Pooling: In some corporate programs, there may be an option for points pooling. This can work in two ways:
Corporate-Level Pooling: A company's entire fleet might accumulate points into a single corporate account. These points can then be redeemed for larger rewards that benefit the company, such as significant discounts on bulk fuel purchases or vehicle maintenance services.
Team-Level Pooling: Some programs may allow a team of employees (e.g., a specific sales division) to pool their points toward a shared goal, such as a team lunch or other group rewards.
Earning points is only half the battle. Knowing how to redeem them for maximum value is crucial.
Discount Redemption: The most direct use of points is to convert them into a discount on petrol. This is typically done at the pump or through the card's mobile app, where a certain number of points can be redeemed for a specific dollar-off amount on that transaction.
Reward Goods or Services: Many of the most valuable rewards are found in the program's online catalog. In addition to petrol, points can often be redeemed for a wide variety of items:
Gift Cards: This is a popular and flexible option. Points can be exchanged for gift cards to major national retailers, restaurants, or online stores.
Merchandise: Programs may offer a catalog of electronics, tools, or branded apparel.
Vehicle Services: A highly practical option is to redeem points for discounts on vehicle maintenance, such as oil changes, tire rotations, or car washes at participating service centers.
Point Expiration and Validity: This is a critical detail to track. Most rewards points are not valid forever and have an expiration date. An employee might accumulate a large balance only to see it vanish if they don't pay attention to the program's terms. It is essential to periodically check the card's online portal or app to monitor your point balance and be aware of any upcoming expiration deadlines.
Choosing the Right Petrol Station: A corporate petrol card is often partnered with one or more specific brands (e.g., Shell, Exxon, Wawa, etc.). You will typically only earn points, or will earn them at a much higher rate, when you use the card at these "in-network" stations. Using the card provider's mobile app to find a participating station along your route is the most important habit to develop.
Plan Your Refueling Time and Location: Don't just fill up when the tank is empty. If you know your card's program offers bonus points on Wednesdays, try to time your fill-ups for that day. Use the app's locator to choose the in-network station that also has the most competitive base price, allowing you to combine a low price with a high point reward.
Avoiding Point Waste:
Redeem Strategically: Before you redeem, compare the value you are getting. For example, is a $25 gift card (which is like cash) a better use of 2,500 points than a $25 discount on petrol at a station that is already priced higher than a competitor down the street?
Don't Let Points Expire: Set a calendar reminder a month or two before your points are set to expire. This gives you plenty of time to find a valuable reward and ensure your hard-earned points don't go to waste.
Success Story: The Proactive Employee
A sales representative named Sarah drives thousands of miles each month. Initially, she used her company petrol card at any station that was convenient. After reviewing her card's rewards program, she changed her strategy. She started exclusively using the app to find in-network stations and timed her fill-ups to coincide with a "3x points on premium petrol" promotion, as her company car required it. In six months, she accumulated enough points to redeem for several hundred dollars in gift cards, which she used for personal shopping—a tangible benefit that cost the company nothing extra.
Long-Term Savings: The Fleet Manager's Perspective
A fleet manager named David oversees a team of 20 delivery drivers. He encouraged his team to actively use the points program to redeem for discounts on petrol at the pump. Over the course of a year, the aggregated point redemptions from his team resulted in a direct, measurable reduction in the company's total fuel expenditure. The program effectively provided a fleet-wide rebate that lowered the company's operational costs, all while allowing his drivers to also earn their own small rewards for in-store purchases.
The true value of a corporate petrol card program is realized when it is treated as more than just a payment system. By actively accumulating and strategically redeeming points, both the company and its employees can achieve significant long-term benefits.
For the company, it translates into controlled spending and a direct reduction in overall fuel expenses. For the employee, it offers a way to earn tangible rewards for a routine part of their job, boosting morale and engagement.
Companies are encouraged to not just offer these programs, but to educate their employees on how to use them effectively. A well-utilized petrol card rewards program is a true win-win, turning a necessary expense into a smart and rewarding opportunity for everyone involved.
