Supermarket fuel cards offer big savings on diesel and petrol, but does this make up for the restricted coverage?
Tesco. Heard of it? Yeah, we thought so. The supermarket does great meal deals; and you can’t beat its custard creams. Delicious. But did you know Tesco also does fuel cards? Well, not own-brand fuel cards — partner fuel cards, with industry big boys such as Fuel Genie, UK Fuels and Allstar.
You can’t eat these cards but brandish one at a Tesco filling station and you’ll unlock a tasty discount on fuel prices, which is a decent consolation prize by anyone's standards.
Scroll on to read our comparison of the best Tesco approved fuel cards, or fill in the form at the top of the page to get tailored quotes for your business.
| Tesco Fuel Card Review | |
|---|---|
| Petrol | ✔ |
| Diesel | ✔ |
| Sign-Up Fees | None |
| Annual Fees | None |
| Support | Telephone |
| Fleet Support | ✔ |
| Fuel Card Management Options | Individual driver or vehicle Online account management tools Expenditure control Fixed weekly price for diesel Reporting tools to keep track of fuel usage |
| Summary | |
| Reviewed by Expert Market | 11/06/2018 |
Why get a Tesco fuel card?
In a nutshell:
- ✔ Great prices at Tesco filling stations, and on other supermarket forecourts too
- ✗ Restricted coverage
Like most UK supermarkets, Tesco buys its fuel wholesale and sets its own prices. These prices are typically low. Very low. Because, chances are, if you find yourself on a Tesco forecourt you’re more likely to go in store to shop also. It’s a clever ploy, and one that benefits both business and customer.
“But just how much money could I save?”, I hear you ask. In 2017 Tesco, along with Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s, slashed fuel prices by up to 2p a litre. Petrol prices were capped at 114.7p per litre for petrol and 116.7p for diesel — this compared to the national averages of 120p and 122.9p respectively.
But if all supermarkets are offering the same, discounted prices, why should you opt for a Tesco fuel card rather than a Morrisons or a Sainsbury's fuel card? Well, the good news is that you don’t have to choose between them. Fuel cards such as those offered by Fuel Genie and UK Fuels can be used at all major UK supermarket filling stations. So you really can have your cake and eat it, regardless of where you buy it from.
What’s the catch?
The catch is that you won’t be able to use your supermarkets fuel card any place other than a supermarket. Or if you can, you won’t enjoy the same low prices and you may incur a small charge. If you or your drivers spend a lot of time on motorways then you may be better served by a fuel card from one of the big oil companies such as Shell or BP.
Tesco fuel card options
Whether you’re looking for great savings on diesel or a dedicated Tesco petrol card, there’s a supplier out there with a card to suit your needs.
Tesco currently accepts the following fuel cards:
- Fuel Genie
- UK Fuels
- All Star
- Texaco
Use the table below to make a quick comparison, or scroll down to read our in-depth reviews.
Fuel cards
| Fuel card | Brand | Accepted at | Coverage | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Fuel Genie | Tesco and Morrisons | 1,370 supermarket sites | Save money by comparing quotes |
 | UK Fuels | Tesco, Morrisons and The Co-operative | 1,600 sites | Save money by comparing quotes |
 | Texaco FastFuel Card | Tescos and Morrisons | 2,000 sites total, 300 supermarket sites | Save money by comparing quotes |
 | Allstar Supermarket fuel card | Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Asda | 1,500 supermarket sites | Save money by comparing quotes |
Fuel Genie fuel card
Fuel Genie is one largest UK fuel card providers. The company’s basic supermarket fuel card gives you more control over your monthly spend by allowing you to set and adjust credit limits online. It’s free to apply for, and there are no hidden fees or monthly surcharges. Plus, at Tesco you build up Clubcard points with every purchase.
Key benefits:
- Set card usage limits and manage all aspects of the account online
- 24/7 customer support
- Can be used at over 1,000 different UK sites
- Supermarket loyalty points with every purchase
UK Fuels fuel card
UK Fuels offers a rare best-of-both-worlds product bundle. Not only can this fuel card be used at 1,600 Tesco, Morrisons and Co-operative filling stations UK-wide, it’s also accepted at BP, Texaco and Total service stations too. The discount on fuel at non-supermarket sites won’t be quite as much as with a general coverage fuel card, but you’ll be hard pressed to find a better all-rounder than this one.
Key benefits:
- Keep track of business with market leading Velocity online management software
- No contract or joining fee
- E-route planner to help you find the most efficient routes for your drivers
- Low fuel prices and interest free credit available subject to status
Texaco FastFuel card
The Texaco FastFuel Card is a general coverage fuel card which can be used at select supermarket forecourts for a small charge. There are no transaction fees and no upfront costs, so you can treat this one as a pay-as-you-go Tesco fuel card — which makes it an excellent choice for small businesses with fluctuating fuel costs.
Key benefits:
- Nationwide network of over 2,000 service stations
- Suitable for fleets as small as three vehicles
- A dedicated online account management system
- Up to 4p off the national average fuel price
UK Fuels fuel card
This isn’t just any fuel card, this is an Allstar Supermarmarket+ fuel card accepted at all major UK supermarket sites including Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Asda. It can’t be used at Shell garages, or on Texaco, BP or Esso forecourts, but who needs those when you have access to all major UK supermarket sites, and prices up to 5p cheaper than the national average.
Key benefits:
- Did we mention it can be used at all major UK supermarket sites?
- Save up to 5p per litre off the national average pump price
- Consolidated HMRC invoices billed monthly, helping to reduce paperwork
- Online management tools
Verdict
So, as you now know, there are plenty of Tesco fuel cards out there that offer hefty savings at the supermarket’s filling stations. But there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The best card for you and your business will depend on your specific requirements.
If you operate regionally, the standout option is the Allstar Supermarket+ fuel card. This offers unrivaled coverage at UK supermarkets, as well as excellent fleet management tools and deep-dive online reporting.
If your drivers operate nationally and spend a lot of time on motorways, then a general purpose fuel card such as the Texaco FastFuel is a better choice.
If you’re not quite sure what you want, then talking to a provider with a wide range of fuel cards, such as UK Fuels, is a great place to start.
Next Steps: Getting fuel card quotes for your business
So, what next? When it comes to fuel cards, it pays to shop around. And this is where Expert Market can help. Simply fill in the form at the top of the page, or click on the button below, and we’ll put you in touch with up to four leading fuel card suppliers.
The questions we ask are designed to help us match you with the most suitable suppliers for your business, and help them to provide tailored quotes.
Our hassle-free service is completely free, and you’ll be done faster than you can scan 10 items at a Tesco self service checkout.
So what are you waiting for? Compare fuel card quotes today and see how much money you could save.
