Discover the top prepaid fuel cards in New Zealand, perfect for business use, personal use or gifts. In this blog, we’ll compare features, benefits, and savings to find the best option for you.
Choosing the right fuel card can be overwhelming with so many options available on the market. You might even be wondering if you need a dedicated fuel card, or is a prepaid fuel card the best option?
Whether you’re looking for a gift for a loved one or want to save money on your own fuel expenses for personal or business use, prepaid fuel cards are a convenient and cost-effective solution. These cards can be used at a wide range of petrol stations, making it easy to fill up wherever you are. Plus, many of them offer discounts and rewards, which can help you save even more.
In this blog post, we’ll be comparing the features, benefits, and savings of the top prepaid fuel cards in New Zealand. We’ll also be providing detailed information on each card, including where they can be used and how to purchase them. With our help, you’ll be able to find the perfect prepaid fuel card for your needs in no time.
The Top Prepaid Fuel Cards in New Zealand
A prepaid fuel card is a versatile payment option that can be used to purchase fuel, carwash and other vehicle expenses, snacks, and drinks service stations and other retailers. You can purchase these cards from most service stations, supermarkets or online, with a variety of options available to choose from. Here are some of the top providers in New Zealand.
- Mobil Gift Card
- Z Energy Gift Card
- BP Gift Card
- Caltex StarCash
- Visa Prezzy Card
- MasterCard Gift Card
Mobil Gift Card: Best prepaid fuel card for widespread coverage
The Mobil Gift Card is a great option for those looking to purchase fuel, snacks and other products at Mobil Service Stations. These cards can be bought online or at participating Mobil service stations and can be used at over 330 Mobil stations throughout New Zealand. The card is available in denominations of $50, $75, $100, and $200, or you can choose a custom amount. Keep in mind, these cards should be treated as cash, and will not be replaced or refunded if lost or stolen. Once activated, they can be used at any participating Mobil Service Station or redemption party within New Zealand.
Z Energy Gift Card: Best prepaid fuel card for buying in bulk
Looking for a prepaid fuel card that can be bought in bulk? Look no further than Z gift cards. These cards are available at most Z service stations and can be purchased in set amounts starting at $20 and going up to $500. If you prefer to purchase online, the Giftstation platform allows you to choose any amount between $20-$1000. To order in bulk, however, you’ll need to contact Z directly.
With a Z gift card, the recipient can use it like cash to purchase fuel, a cup of coffee, carwash, snacks, or any other item they prefer at over 200 Z service stations in New Zealand. The card can be used until the balance runs out or the card expires, whichever comes first. The card balance can also be checked online at any time.
Caltex StarCash: Best for truck drivers
If you’re a truck driver, you need a fuel card that’s easy to use and can be accepted at locations all over New Zealand. The Caltex StarCash prepaid card is the best choice for truck drivers because it allows you to easily pay for fuel and other purchases at over 140 Caltex service stations and 64 truck stops throughout the country.
Swiping the StarCash card for payment deducts the cost of the purchase from the card’s value, and a receipt will be provided with the remaining balance. You can also make split payments by topping up your transaction with another form of payment.
BP Gift Card: Best prepaid card for fuel extras
Whether you’re looking to fuel up your vehicle, grab a quick snack, or purchase a car wash, the BP Gift Card has you covered. With the convenience of being able to use it at any BP store and the flexibility of choosing the amount you want to load in the card, this gift card is the ultimate choice for fuel and extra purchases. With no PIN or signature required to activate, there’s no paperwork hassle and it’s easy to use right away. Meanwhile, you can choose denominations ranging from $5 to $1,000 for the ultimate control. BP has over 200 service stations and over 58 truckstops NZ, and you can use a BP gift card at any of the stations.
Visa Prezzy Card: Best prepaid fuel card for everyday usability
The Visa Prezzy Card is the perfect gift for anyone who needs to purchase fuel or other in-store convenience items. It can be used anywhere that Visa is accepted, making it a versatile option compared to other gift cards that can only be used at specific fuel stations. The card comes in varying amounts, offering you the flexibility to choose the amount that best suits your needs. The Visa Prezzy Card eliminates the need to carry multiple fuel cards, or cash and provides a secure way to purchase fuel.
MasterCard Gift Card: Best prepaid fuel card for purchasing convenience
The MasterCard Gift Card is the best choice for those looking for a prepaid fuel card that offers unparalleled purchasing convenience. This card can be used anywhere that MasterCard is accepted, making it easy to purchase fuel and other items. Additionally, the MasterCard Gift Card is not limited to fuel purchases, meaning you can use it on other goods and services needed for your car. The card comes in a variety of denominations, allowing you to choose the amount that best suits your budget. The card also features a chip and pin security, providing an added layer of security to protect against fraud. Furthermore, the card has no expiration date, so you can use it whenever you need to.
Budget controls
A prepaid card provides you with greater control over your fuel expenses, allowing you to separate your fuel expenses from your everyday credit card or debit card purchases. They are also a great alternative for small businesses looking for a way to monitor and limit the types of purchases made by their employees.
A gift you’ll use
Fuel is a necessary expense for most people, which makes a prepaid fuel card a great gift idea for any vehicle owner. It’s an ideal way to show appreciation for a designated driver or for someone who frequently travels.
Saving money
Prepaid fuel cards can help you save money by offering discounts, frequent flyer points, and savings on in-store items. Additionally, there are no ongoing monthly charges or transaction fees associated with purchasing or using the card. By pre-setting the amount and topping up the card as necessary, you can minimise your overall spending.
Convenience
Prepaid fuel cards offer convenience by saving you time at the service station checkout. Once purchased, a card is activated and ready to go. It can also be used at nominated fuel stations throughout the country, with some cards allowing you to download the card to your phone for quick transactions in-store.
Prepaid Fuel Card vs Dedicated Fuel Card Provider
Benefits of a Prepaid Gift Card for Fuel Purchases
Budget controls
A prepaid card provides you with greater control over your fuel expenses, allowing you to separate your fuel expenses from your everyday credit card or debit card purchases. They are also a great alternative for small businesses looking for a way to monitor and limit the types of purchases made by their employees.
A gift you’ll use
Fuel is a necessary expense for most people, which makes a prepaid fuel card a great gift idea for any vehicle owner. It’s an ideal way to show appreciation for a designated driver or for someone who frequently travels.
Saving money
Prepaid fuel cards can help you save money by offering discounts, frequent flyer points, and savings on in-store items. Additionally, there are no ongoing monthly charges or transaction fees associated with purchasing or using the card. By pre-setting the amount and topping up the card as necessary, you can minimise your overall spending.
Convenience
Prepaid fuel cards offer convenience by saving you time at the service station checkout. Once purchased, a card is activated and ready to go. It can also be used at nominated fuel stations throughout the country, with some cards allowing you to download the card to your phone for quick transactions in-store.
What are the Benefits of a Fuel Card?
Fuel cards offer a wealth of benefits for your business fuel expenses. Not only do many fuel cards provide discounts and savings on fuel, but they also streamline record-keeping by providing itemised transactions on a single tax statement. This eliminates the need to keep and organise fuel receipts.
Additionally, fuel cards give you greater control over your fuel expenses by allowing you to manage cards, create reporting systems, download statements, and view transaction history at any time. These features, among others, make fuel cards an efficient and cost-effective solution for managing your business fuel expenses.
- Efficient solution: Fuel cards are a highly efficient solution for managing your business fuel expenses. With fuel cards, you no longer need to deal with loose receipts or spend time constantly scanning dockets.
Cash savings: Fuel cards can provide significant money savings and improve cash flow through great fuel discounts and flexible payment terms. - Transparency: Fuel cards offer transparency and flexibility, allowing you to set limits on what drivers can buy with their cards, from fuel only to fuel and in-store purchases.
- Anti fraud: With anti-fraud protection features such as vehicle registration numbers, driver name, and odometer reading, feel safe your cards are protected
Why a Prepaid Card Might Not be Right for You
It is important to keep in mind that prepaid cards are not the same as fuel cards. While prepaid cards offer flexibility in terms of where they can be used, they require a level of trust between the business owner and the employees using them. This means that receipts must be kept when filling up at fuel stations, unlike with fuel cards where all transactions are tied to the card account and paper receipts are not needed. Some prepaid cards do offer the ability to set transaction limits, but these limits can often be quite high. So, while prepaid cards can be a useful tool, they do not offer the same level of control and convenience as fuel cards.
Why a Fuel Card Might Not be Right for You
Fuel cards can be a valuable tool for many businesses, however, it’s important to note that many providers have certain requirements and restrictions. Some providers may require an active ABN for a certain period of time before you can apply. Additionally, monthly card fees can offset any fuel savings or benefits for smaller businesses. Furthermore, some card providers limit where you can fill up, which can be a hindrance if your business does a lot of regional driving.
Which Should You Choose: Fuel Card or Prepaid Card?
The decision of whether to pay for your business fuel expenses with a fuel card or prepaid card is a crucial one and should be based on the specific needs of your individual business. For new business owners, it’s essential to consider that most fuel card providers require an active ABN for a year or more before you can apply. In this scenario, a prepaid card can be a suitable option. For well-established businesses with multiple drivers on the road, a fuel card that provides great fuel savings and other rewards is the ideal choice. It’s important to evaluate your business needs and carefully consider the pros and cons of each option before making a decision.
What to Look for in a Fuel Card
When shopping around for a fuel card, there are a few things you need to look out for.
- Be aware of attractive upfront discounts that may only last for the first 6 months
- Watch out for monthly card fees and pump price discounts that may increase after the first 6 months
- Carefully read the terms and conditions, or speak to the sales team to get answers to your questions
- Consider the fuel card’s acceptance network, and ensure it will meet your business’s needs
- Check if there are rewards or additional benefits offered by the fuel card providers and evaluate if those will be beneficial for the business.
Find the Right Fuel Card for Your Business
With the variety of fuel card providers and offerings available, it’s essential to do your research and compare options to find the best fit for your business. If you’re looking for the best fuel card options in New Zealand, we can help. With extensive comparisons and exclusive deals with the top fuel card providers in New Zealand, let us help you find the right fuel card fit today.
Jan 11, 2023
Ally Burnie
Last updated Jan 12, 2023