In case your business utilizes a fleet of any kind, a fleet card is an absolute must-have. Fuel cards are one of the best ways for businesses to save money while providing administrative benefits and increased security relative to credit cards.
WEX is one of the companies that offers fuel and fleet cards, and we’ve provided a comprehensive WEX fuel card review so you can determine if one of their cards is right for you and your business.
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WEX Fuel Card Reviews
With a reliable fleet card, you’ll no longer need your drivers to carry cash. They can dramatically reduce your administration time, as you’ll only have one extensive invoice for fuel costs, rather than copious paper receipts. Best of all, you’ll get consistent wholesale pricing—that can add up to tons of savings, no matter how big or small your company.
We’ve explored numerous fleet and fuel cards in-depth to give you what you need to know to make an educated decision. In the following WEX fuel card reviews, we deep dive the various cards you can choose from, along with what other users think about these cards.
They offer several interesting benefits, but some significant drawbacks to consider as well. Follow along to learn everything you need to know about Wex.
For a quick overview, here’s a look at the WEX cards compared to one another:
Features | Fleet Card | FlexCard | Large Fleet Card | Cross Roads Card |
---|---|---|---|---|
Best For | Grey fleets and small businesses | Small businesses | Large fleetsTrucking fleets | Van fleets |
Monthly Fee | $2 | None | $2 | $2 |
Access to WEX EDGE Savings Network | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Carry a monthly balance | No | Yes | No | No |
- 2¢ off per gallon on your statement
- 1% back on non-fuel purchases
- No personal guarantee
- Fuel up at any gas station that accepts Visa
- Set spend policies by driver, department, or vehicle and get real-time exception alerts.
- Personalized, 100% US-based customer service
- Rate 5 out of 5 on Capterra
Fleet Card Options Offered By WEX
Wex tailors their fleet card options based on whether you are a small business or a large fleet, so you can choose specific features that are right for your business. The minimal card fees are beneficial for both small and large businesses.
Here are the main benefits of WEX cards:
- Accepted at 95% of US fueling locations and upwards of 45,000 maintenance locations, so you’re covered no matter where your team is going
- Offer high-powered analytics through WEX ClearView, so you know exactly where your money is going and can make informed decisions to increase your efficiency
- Offer opportunities for rebates and significant savings
Here are the main drawbacks of WEX cards:
- The fleet cards that allow you to carry a balance have interest rates of 6.77% per period, making the APR a substantial 83%
- If you choose a WEX card where you can carry a balance, you don’t get to take advantage of the WEX EDGE Savings Network
Let’s take a look at the most popular fleet cards one by one:
WEX Fleet Card
The WEX Fleet Card is the standard level for small businesses, giving you rebates of up to 3 cents per gallon. It offers access to all the benefits listed above, as well as the Wex Edge Savings Network. This Savings Network offers savings opportunities for tires, lodging, wireless services, and fuel.
You’ll also receive detailed spending controls, an alert system, and more, which gives you complete control over how your fleet uses the card. The main advantage of this fleet card is the WEX Edge Savings Network.
WEX FlexCard
As the name suggests, the WEX FlexCard is designed to offer more flexibility in cash flow. In addition to a 3 cent per gallon rebate, the FlexCard provides the option to carry a monthly balance on your card.
That can be a benefit if cash flow is tight. However, you’ll need to be extremely careful with this type of cash flow, given the high 6.77% interest rate. We typically recommend against the FlexCard outside of certain unique circumstances.
WEX Large Fleet Card
The WEX Large Fleet Card is perfect for larger organizations that want super-powered data. It offers the same savings as the standard Fleet Card, but with significantly more data capture and analytics available.
No matter the size of your fleet, the WEX Large Fleet Card keeps things streamlined and allows you to make the right decisions to maximize savings and efficiency. Note that this option doesn’t give you access to the WEX Edge Savings Network, so you do lose out on some perks that you’d get with the standard WEX Fleet Card.
WEX Fleet Cross Roads Card
The Fleet Cross Roads Card features all the benefits of the standard WEX Fleet card, plus acceptance at truck stops like Pilot, Love’s TA, and Flying J.
Unlike the Large Fleet option where you can’t access the WEX Edge Savings Network, you get access to this network with the Cross Roads card. In case your fleet is often on the long haul, this card is certainly one to consider.
Benefits of Using WEX Fleet Cards
WEX is one of the largest fleet card companies in the United States. Generally, this is because the company offers exclusive benefits that you might not get from other companies, such as the WEX Edge Savings Network.
The benefits can range from big discounts to small card fees. Their fleet cards can give you the following benefits, depending on the card type you choose:
Includes Enhanced Safety and Security
Each WEX fleet card has a unique PIN that the driver needs to enter to make a purchase. It also offers two-factor authentication for fleet cards, adding an extra layer of security by requiring users to enter a code from their phone and their PIN.
This helps to prevent unauthorized use of the card. As a result, drivers can’t use the card to purchase items for themselves, such as groceries, gas, or clothing. Drivers may inflate the fuel they are buying to pocket the difference, and WEX monitors all fleet card transactions for suspicious activity.
Once a transaction is flagged, WEX SecureFuel technology allows you to block the card remotely. WEX can restrict fleet card use to a network of approved merchants. This helps to prevent drivers from using the card to purchase fuel at unauthorized locations. It can track fuel consumption by vehicle, helping fleet managers identify potential fuel theft.
Improves Management of Business Expenses
Fuel is generally the biggest expense in a fleet business. The way you manage your fuel expenses can make or break your business. The basis for fleet management is monitoring how the vehicles are fueling.
These fleet cards automatically track all transactions. You can access real-time expense data through WEX’s online portal. This gives you the information you need to make informed decisions about fleet operations and eliminates the need for manual expense reports.
Also, WEX offers a variety of customizable reports you can use to track fleet spending by vehicle, driver, or merchant. This helps you to identify areas where they can save money. You can set spending limits for each card to prevent drivers from overspending.
Helps With Roadside Assistance
Drivers can get stuck on the road due to issues such as flat tires, dead batteries, or locked keys in their vehicle. The vehicle might get stuck in a ditch, or the driver might miscalculate the fuel level and run out of gas in the middle of nowhere.
WEX partners with a nationwide network of roadside assistance providers to offer 24/7 coverage to fleet drivers. This means that drivers can always get help, no matter where they are or when they need it.
These fleet cards can also be used to pay for roadside assistance services, so drivers don’t have to worry about paying out of pocket. There are no annual or subscription card fees for WEX roadside assistance, and businesses only pay for the services they use. Drivers can request roadside assistance by calling the toll-free number on the back of their WEX fleet card or by using the WEX mobile app.
Gives You a Wide Network Coverage
Usually, fleet card companies offer discounts when vehicles fuel at specified gas stations. A limited coverage network can make it challenging for drivers to find gas stations that accept their cards. For instance, drivers might not get an in-network gas station along their routes.
That means the driver might be forced to use the fleet card at non-participating gas stations. As a result, you will miss out on exclusive fuel rebates and discounts offered by specific gas stations. This can lead to increased fuel costs. Luckily, this is not the case with WEX.
WEX has a wide network coverage, and you can use the card at around 95% of gas stations in the United States, or 107,000 fuel stations. This is more than you’d have access to if you went with cards such as the Comdata or Fuelman card.
Cons of Using WEX Fleet Cards
Generally, all fleet card companies have their strengths and weaknesses. As we’ve shared, one of the biggest cons of WEX cards is the 6.77% interest rate on cards like the Flex. While you have the option to carry a balance, this interest rate can really add up over time if you’re not paying close attention to it.
On the flip side, if you want the WEX Edge Savings Network of the Fleet Card, you can’t enjoy the benefits offered by the FlexCard, such as carrying balances.
User Reviews
Okay, so now you know the main features of WEX Fuel & Fleet Cards. But what about the experience of customers who have actually used them? It’s a mixed bag, with plenty of good and bad.
Users who haven’t complained focus on the cards’ excellent versatility and the holistic fleet support network WEX offers. Not only did they save on fuel, but they also found many other savings for their business and made great use of advanced analytics.
However, when users had a negative experience, it tended to be very negative—compounded by what was frequently described as an unhelpful and unsympathetic customer support network.
Customers also complained about surprise bills and terms of service that were automatically signed without their knowledge when they first used the card. Most of these complaints came from small business owners.
The overall picture is of a company that, when things go smooth, provides excellent benefits to a growing business. But when things went south, so did they.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does a WEX Fleet Fuel Card Work?
A WEX fleet card is a prepaid card that businesses can use to manage their fleet’s fuel expenses. The card is accepted at over 95% of gas stations in the United States.
Overall, the card is straightforward to get working: The business purchases a WEX fleet card account and assigns the card to a specific driver or vehicle. The driver swipes the card at participating gas stations to purchase fuel. Charges are made to the business’s account.
What Can I Buy With My Fleet Card?
WEX fleet fuel cards are primarily designed for fuel purchases, but there are other things you can use it for. Use the card to access 24/7 roadside assistance through WEX Fleet or to pay tolls at participating toll booths. You can also pay for maintenance and repair services at participating auto repair shops.
How Much Can I Save With a Fleet Card?
The amount you can save with a fleet card varies depending on your fleet size, fuel consumption patterns, and the fuel discounts you are eligible for. WEX estimates that businesses can save an average of 3 cents per gallon.
Is WEX a Good Company?
Yes, WEX is a good and reputable company.
Wex has developed into a holistic fleet-support company. They’ve expanded to provide data support for drivers as well as multiple telematics programs. Their travel program helps expedite cross-border payments and partners with travel agencies to facilitate accounting and even provide lodging for employees.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, WEX Fuel & Fleet Cards have pros and cons, especially depending on the card you get. Overall, we think WEX cards are a solid choice when it comes to fuel and fleet cards. Their savings and data analysis are nearly unmatched, and the wide network coverage ensures you get an in-network fuel station on almost all routes.