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Compare fuel cards: types and selection criteria

Do your employees regularly have to go on the road to visit customers, have lunch with partners, give a presentation or hold an external meeting? Then a fuel card for Belgium (and perhaps also a part of Europe) is indispensable. On this page we help you make a well-considered choice!

Why compare fuel cards?

A fuel card not only saves you and your employees a lot of time and money, but also a lot of hassle. That is, if you choose the right fuel card. That may sound simpler than it is. The range of fuel cards is quite large, and unfortunately you cannot compare the different fuel cards in one-two-three. No problem, we list the criteria below that you should take into account.

Important criteria to compare fuel cards

The fact that there are many suppliers of fuel cards that together compete in a healthy competitive manner means that you can reap many benefits. Therefore, request multiple quotes, and note:

  • The coverage ratio
  • The price
  • Management
  • Customer service
  • The target group
  • The size and composition of your fleet

We discuss each aspect in detail below.

How do I compare the size of the fuel card network?

You have to make a detour for miles because you can only get to a handful of stations with your fuel card: it is anything but an ideal scenario. Those who are on the road for their work would rather not lose valuable time. So check whether there are certainly enough service stations in your area. Ideally, you should opt for a multi-brand card, because you can increase the coverage ratio considerably in one fell swoop.

Take for example the MAES fuel card. With this you can not only visit our own 280 stations, but also the stations of Esso, Texaco and Octa +, for example. We offer a network of no less than 1,700 stations. In other words, you always have a service station in your area. In 2020, the more than 200 Shell stations in Belgium will also be added.

You must also consider the available fuel types. You can refuel diesel and Euro 95 anywhere, but for AdBlue, LPG or CNG among others – depending on what your fleet needs – you should better look into the options in advance.

How to compare the price and costs of fuel cards?

When choosing your fuel card, the price at the pump naturally weighs heavily. You want to refuel cheaply, and preferably not pay extra costs. Although some other providers charge service fees or high fines for late payments, you don’t have to worry about that with the MAES fuel card. Moreover, you are assured of a competitive fuel price, at any time, and requesting a MAES fuel card is completely free.

View our range of fuel cards

Transparent management and follow-up of your fuel cards

Whether you have a huge fleet under your care or only a few of your employees are driving around in a company car: you attach importance to flawless succession. With this criterion in mind you can check whether the fuel card of your choice can be managed smoothly, for example via a user-friendly application and / or an online platform.

MAES is also ahead in this area, thanks to “My MAES”, a personal online module for every cardholder. You can then easily check for how much money your employees have already refueled. You can also use it to request invoices, deactivate fuel cards, request new cards, and so on.

Customer service and the importance of after-sales service
A criterion that is less product-oriented, but certainly not to be overlooked, is the quality of the customer service offered. Think of questions such as:

  • How long does it take to apply for fuel cards?
  • Is that application accompanied by red tape?
  • How quickly can the provider be reached in case of questions or problems?

We are happy to answer these questions for the MAES fuel card:

  • MAES ensures that your new fuel cards are already in your letterbox after three to five working days after the credit check.
  • Request a fuel card in no time: give us the required number and your VAT number online, complete some details, and click on the confirmation link that you will then receive via e-mail.
  • If you have any questions or problems, you can always call us – if it’s urgent even on Saturdays and Sundays.

Why is the target group and the size of my fleet important?

A final criterion to take into account when comparing fuel cards is the target group and the size of the fleet. Which type of customer is the fuel card of your choice best suited to: professionals, companies, self-employed, …? And what is the size of your fleet?

  • Less than 5 cars
  • 5 to 20 cars
  • 20 to 50 cars
  • 50 to 100 cars
  • 100 to 250 cars
  • More than 250 cars

Why this is so important: certain fuel card providers make it a point of honor to assign an additional account manager to customers with a large fleet. That is sometimes not a superfluous luxury, because the more users, the more questions you can of course expect.

In addition to the size of your fleet, the type of car is important. What are your employees driving around?

  • Passenger cars or company cars
  • Delivery vans
  • Trucks
  • Buses

The type of vehicle has an influence on the fuel types and high-speed pumps to which your fuel card must offer (smooth) access.

The fuel card for your transport company

MAES joined forces with Eurowag, and transport companies are taking advantage of this. Eurowag offers integrated mobility solutions for transport companies throughout Europe, ranging from a single device to pay toll in every European country to a simplified VAT recovery. Eurowag also offers nothing but benefits with regard to fuels. The Eurowag fuel cards (there are different formulas) certainly deserve a place on the shortlist when you compare fuel cards, because you can refuel very cheaply at over 11,000 stations throughout Europe. The MAES stations will receive reinforcements from Shell, Gulf, Texaco, Mobil and Lukoil.

Our mobility card: the premium fuel card with even more options

Finally, do your people benefit from a fuel card with even more mobility options? Then it is worthwhile to add the MAES Mobility Card to your list of contenders. This premium fuel card allows your team to take public transportation, book a shared car or rent an electric scooter.

Any more questions about our fuel cards?

Do contact us!