For businesses that rely on travel—whether it’s client visits, sales routes, or delivery runs—fuel costs can take a serious bite out of the bottom line. But with a combination of digital tools, loyalty programs, and strategic payment methods, it’s possible to reduce those expenses without compromising efficiency. Here’s how small business owners, field teams, and self-employed professionals can save more on every mile.

Use loyalty programs to reduce per-gallon costs

Many national fuel brands offer free-to-join loyalty programs that reward frequent fill-ups with discounts or points. These programs are a simple way to earn ongoing fuel savings:

• BPme Rewards: Earn cents off per gallon with every visit.
  
• Shell Fuel Rewards: Stack savings with linked credit cards and grocery partnerships.
  
• Speedy Rewards: Redeem points for fuel discounts, gift cards, or merchandise.
  
• Circle K Easy Rewards: Save on both fuel and in-store purchases.
  

These loyalty accounts can be linked to business fuel cards or personal accounts, depending on your company’s reimbursement process.

Pay with cashback-enabled digital gift cards

Paying with fuel-specific gift cards purchased through a cashback platform can instantly return a portion of your spend. For example, you can earn cashback with a BP gift card via Fluz, helping offset the cost of each fuel stop. This can be especially beneficial for recurring travel expenses since you control the timing and amount of each purchase.

Virtual cards: reduce fees and streamline tracking

Instead of using a personal or company credit card that may trigger processing fees or require monthly reconciliation, virtual cards offer a modern solution. Fluz virtual cards work through Apple Pay or Google Pay, providing secure, contactless payment options and cashback on qualifying purchases—without the risk of traditional credit card surcharges.

Use business expense platforms to organize your spending

Pairing fuel rewards with a platform like Expensify or QuickBooks Self-Employed makes it easier to track reimbursements and categorize fuel costs for tax deductions. These tools help automate reporting, which can save hours at tax time.

Map your routes to maximize fuel efficiency

Trip planning isn’t just about saving time—it’s also about minimizing fuel usage. Using apps like Google Maps or Route4Me can reduce backtracking and idle time, which in turn lowers fuel consumption and emissions.

The bottom line

Business travel doesn’t have to mean bloated fuel bills. By combining loyalty programs, cashback gift cards, virtual payments, and smarter routing, you can bring down your travel expenses while keeping operations running smoothly. Start by exploring platforms like Fluz to make your next fuel purchase work harder for your business.