Fuelman Fuel Card Review: An In-depth Analysis (2024)

If you have decided that now is the time to get a fuel card for your business, then you are probably a little overwhelmed by the variety of options. There are numerous types of cards available, each with different benefits. However, we have decided to take a good look at the Fuelman Fuel card to save you a little time.

This Fuelman fuel card review will show you all of the benefits of this fuel card as well as the potential downside of it, too. No credit card is going to have everything you need, but we’ll provide you with the information you need to determine if the Fuelman fuel card is the right one for you.

Key Takeaways

• The Fuelman Fuel Card is designed for fleets of all sizes and types of businesses and has a number of features that can save you money and give you more control over your spending. On the downside, there are reviews online that mention some questionable aspects of this card and how effective it is in the real world.
• While you may think of saving money with a fuel card, the Fuelman fuel card could actually end up costing you money. There are setup charges, maintenance charges, and some pretty hefty late fees if you don’t pay on time. So, take that into account before you decide on this card.
• There are obviously some cost savings in the form of fuel rebates when using the Fuelman card, but some users have found that the fee structure is not quite as transparent as it should be, and their hidden charges and customer service problems might not make this card worth the trouble.

Introduction to the Fuelman Fuel Card

The Fuelman Fuel Card enables businesses of all sizes to streamline many aspects of their fuel management. Most of its customers are small to medium-sized businesses that are pumping somewhere between 1,000 and 5,000 gallons per month. If you are pumping a lot less or a lot more than this range, then this card might not be for you.

Fuelman advertises its fuel card as a solution for fleets that have challenges with driver expenses, unauthorized use, and unwieldy accounting hassles. By putting all of your fuel purchases in one place, you can certainly streamline a lot of your fuel accounting.

Fuelman offers an automatic tracking system as well as customizable spending controls which are two of the most loved features of this fuel card. However, you may end up asking yourself if these benefits are worth it and if they end up saving you money in the long run.

By looking at the advertisem*nts for Fuelman, you might think that their fuel card is the best thing since sliced bread, but the reviews often say the opposite. So, let’s take a look at what you can really expect should you sign up for your own Fuelman fuel card.

Unraveling the Fuelman Fuel Card Types

The first thing that you need to know is that Fuelman offers three different types of fuel cards. These are each tailored to varying business needs and fleet sizes. The Mixed Fleet Card, the Diesel Fuel Card, and the Fuelman Mastercard are the three different types of cards.

The Mixed Fleet card comes in three different plans – Basic, Pro, and Enterprise – with each offering one reward point per eligible gallon. The Basic plan is priced at $25 per month, the Pro plan is priced at $49 per month, and the Enterprise will set you back $99 per month.

The Diesel Fuel Card offers the following benefits:

• Savings on all of your diesel fuel purchases
• Maintenance management program tools
• Reward points at a rate of one point per gallon
• Additional benefits with the Enterprise plan.

The Fuelman Mastercard is highly focused on sustainability – and that means electric or hybrid vehicles. They offer discounts on EV charging as well as a driver cash-back program. For $49 per month plus $0.05 per gallon for tailpipe emissions, users can access roughly 160,000 stations nationwide which can certainly save your drivers some time.

The Fuelman fuel cards cater to businesses of most sizes, covering gas, diesel, and electric vehicles. But, before you start to think that everything is roses, let’s take a closer look at how the card works and what you should expect when you begin to use it.

Getting Started with Your Fuelman Fuel Card

The first thing you will do when you get your Fuelman Fuel Card is to set up an online account. This is easy and takes just a few minutes. Once you enter your business information, you will then need to link a bank account so that payments can be made. Payments to your Fuelman fuel card can be made on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis, though there can be an additional charge if you choose the monthly option.

Pay close attention when you are setting up your auto-payments with Fuelman as some people have found that the auto-payments don’t go through and they are charged late fees. There have been reports of technical problems on their website that have made it difficult for people to pay on time, so beware.

Your Fuelman fuel cards will incur a variety of fees which you will want to keep in mind when you are determining the cost-effectiveness of this type of transaction. These fees include the following:

• A charge of up to $10 for each card
• Annual interest fees
• Significant charges for late payments
• Regular charges for account maintenance

These fees are not unusual for a fuel card, but they can become excessive if you are carrying a large balance on a monthly basis. Also, if you find yourself unable to pay on time, the cost of this card might not make any sense at all for your business.

Navigating the Fuelman Network

One thing that a lot of companies like about the Fuelman fuel card is that it gives them access to an enormous network of commercial fuel stations. With their additional focus on electric vehicles, that means charging stations, too. Their cards are accepted at 50,000 gas stations and 20,000 maintenance centers nationwide, so your drivers should never have a problem fueling up. Additionally, the Fuelman Mastercard can be used just about anywhere.

A feature that comes in handy is the Driven for Fuelman online portal and mobile app. This makes it easy for your drivers to find fuel while they’re on the road and you can manage their usage and pay the bill at any time.

But, as we have mentioned before, not everyone is so excited about what this card has to offer. The mobile app itself has had some problems both in terms of crashing and the accuracy of the data that it provides. In fact, some drivers only use the app as a last resort rather than their primary fueling app.

Controlling Expenses with Fuelman

The obvious advantage of any fuel card is the ability to capability to control expenses. Fuel cards allow managers and owners to see what fuel is being purchased where, and at what price. They can also help to eliminate fraud and waste. The Fuelman fleet cards also have features such as limiting spending limits for drivers, setting daily dollar limits, and putting a maximum allowance on each transaction. These features help to control costs and prevent unauthorized purchases.

The enhanced reporting system that Fuelman offers can also be helpful. At the end of a billing period, they provide detailed reports and analytics, on a customizable dashboard that is easy to understand. This information can provide you with a clear overview of your fuel usage so you can figure out ways to reduce your costs.

The Fuelman rewards program also offers the following benefits:

• Cardholders earn points for eligible fuel purchases
• Points can be redeemed for gifts and merchandise
• The Basic, Pro, and Enterprise plans offer a variety of controls and reporting capabilities.

These benefits certainly help to incentivize good driver behavior while controlling your costs.

Fraud Prevention Measures

Fraud prevention is one of the many reasons why fleet managers choose to arm their drivers with fuel cards. Fuelman focuses on fraud prevention, and with built-in fraud prevention controls, they can help you identify fraud and misuse while reducing your overall fuel costs.

Fuelman provides the following features:

• Real-time alerts of unauthorized transactions
• Ability to disable a card at any time

Each Fuelman card has a unique PIN for each driver. By doing this, there is an added level of security. If a card is stolen and the driver is not aware of it, it would be next to impossible for the thief to use the card.

Analyzing Cost Savings with Fuelman

Most companies that sign up for fuel cards do so for savings and accountability. The Fuelman Fuel Card provides fuel rebates when used within the Fuelman Discount Network. This amounts to approximately 8 cents per gallon on diesel and 5 cents per gallon on unleaded fuel. These are some of the most significant discounts in the industry.

These savings come with certain conditions, of course. For example, the Simple Saver Fuelman card may only provide savings of 2 cents per gallon of diesel fuel. While these savings still sound good, the potential for fees is high. Not only will you be paying a fee for each Fuelman card you have, but you will be on the hook for 15% to 20% APR interest rates and hefty late fees.

Assessing the Fuelman Mobile App

The Fuelman mobile app can be a helpful tool for drivers as well as for company owners. They help with finding fuel on the road and they also enable company owners to track fuel usage, reduce fraud, and keep on top of fuel costs. The problem is that the app is not as modern as you might expect and it does have a tendency to crash from time to time.

However, if you are able to navigate the app, it can provide valuable information with regard to tracking transactions and streamlining back-office accounting. Keep in mind that some users have reported issues with the app not providing real-time updates on available credit, which can be a problem for your drivers.

Exploring Customer Feedback

In today’s online world, it is very easy to see what real customers are saying about just about any product or service. The customer feedback on the Fuelman Fuel Card shows that although it does offer some benefits, there are a few negative comments as well. Some users have been hit with unexpected fees and hidden charges, especially when gas prices fall below a certain amount.

Is the Fuelman Fuel Card Worth It?

The theoretical value offered by the Fuelman Fuel Card for its cost is going to depend on factors such as the size of your fleet, your estimated fuel usage, how often you plan on paying the bill, and the location of Fuelmlan network gas stations in your area. The cost savings on fuel are substantial when compared to other cards such as WEX, but the monthly fees, hidden charges, and problems with customer service may wipe out any savings you receive.

If you do your research, fully evaluate the fee transparency, and feel that you are happy with their customer service reputation, then this card may be worth it for your business.

Summary

The Fuelman Fuel Card offers a number of features that can help a company streamline fuel management. Cost savings, expense tracking, fraud prevention, and a wide network of gas stations are all strong benefits. But, the potential drawbacks of this card may make those savings insubstantial. With an outdated app, monthly fees, maintenance fees, and high-interest rates, you may want to think twice before choosing the Fuelman fuel card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Fuelman charge a fee?

Yes, Fuelman charges a monthly fee of $59 to fuel anywhere Mastercard is accepted. There is an additional EFT/ACH bank handling fee of $10 per debit of your bank account along with interest fees on your balance.

What is the disadvantage of a fuel card?

The disadvantage of fuel cards is that your drivers may become limited to certain stations. This could, in fact, end up costing you more in the long run. After all, the point of a fuel card is to provide your drivers with convenience, not give them one more thing to worry about.