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How to Use Business Gas Cards to Build Your Business Credit (Updated Sept. 2022)

By Joe

How to use fleet cards to build business credit

After a call with a Business Credit Workshop student of mine, several years ago, I compiled a list of business gas cards. Originally, I summarized the key points from the conversation and shared my findings here. At the time, the article was meant as a supplement for current students of the e-course. I’ve since decided to provide even more information, make it public, and regularly update this directory of credit-boosting business gas cards. 

Here, you will learn what a business gas card is and how it differs from a regular credit card, everything you need to know about using one, and how to select the best card(s) for your company. Then, you’ll find a list of 11 cards to study including terms, rates, and rewards. Read all the way to the end for bonus advice about your application and payments. 

Contents:

  • First, What is a Business Gas Card?
    • FAQs
  • 11 Easy-Approval Business Gas Cards to Boost Your Business Credit Score
    • 1. AtoB Business Gas Card
    • 2. Shell Small Business Card
    • 3. Comdata Universal Mastercard
    • 4. Sunoco Universal Fleet Card
    • 5. Exxon Mobil FleetPro™ Card
    • 6. Conoco Universal Card
    • 7. Chevron and Texaco Business Card
    • 8. BP Business Solutions & Business Solutions Plus
    • 9. Valero Fleet Fuel Cards
    • 10. Speedway Business Fleet Card
    • 11: Wex Small Business Fuel Cards
  • Bonus: Business Fuel Card Advice
  • Final Thoughts

Let’s get the ball rolling… 

First, What is a Business Gas Card?

A business gas card, fuel card, or fleet card is a secured or unsecured credit line — often with net 30 or comparable terms — that enables business owners and staff to pay for gas and sometimes other expenses like insurance and auto maintenance. Many cards offer benefits such as fuel cost discounts. And, these cards are typically easier to qualify for than traditional credit cards. 

As a bonus, fleet card servicers typically report on-time payments to business credit bureaus, including D&B. So, fuel cards provide a convenient way for businesses to build credit. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does a Business Gas Card Work?

A business fuel card is used in place of cash, credit, or debit to pay for gas. The cards enable drivers within a company to acquire petrol at stations within a designated network. The business, not the individual, is responsible for making the monthly payment in full.  

What Credit Score is Needed for a Gas Card?

While credit cards require certain respective credit scores, business gas cards are often leveraged as secured credit. So, a certain score is not typically required. Instead, the card issuer takes a risk in return for a monthly service fee or other arrangement.  

Can’t You Just Use a Regular Business Credit Card for Gas?

Yes, you can use most business credit cards to pay for gas (if you are authorized to do so). However, with business fleet cards, you often get discounts on fuel. And, some people use fuel cards with net 30 terms to build business credit before applying for a traditional, revolving business credit card? 

Are Company Fuel Cards Worth it?

According to some sources, a gas card is arguably not a good idea. These sources say that fuel card interest rates run higher than a typical credit card and that companies are better off choosing another funding source. However, because of their approval rate, value, and convenience, they are one of the best to build business credit. And, for those naysayers, AtoB has a completely free offer. 

So, yes, company fuel cards are worthwhile for many people. 

What Are the Benefits of Having a Fuel Card?

Business fuel cards come with several advantages. While some of the pros have already been stated, here’s a list of benefits. 

  • Convenience – No need for cash, credit, or debit cards. 
  • Consistent Pricing – Fuel up within one network of stations. 
  • Payment Security – Payments are made through a secure server.
  • Organized Cost Tracking – No need to manually collect receipts. 
  • Tax Write-Off Monitoring – Easily access fuel spending during tax preparation.
  • Discounts & Rewards – Discounts & rewards are offered to cardholders. 
  • Customized Reporting – Gain a clear picture of your fuel budget.
  • Unified Billing – Pay for all business fuel costs at one time. 
  • Account Alerts – Get notified about important account information.
  • Electronic Receipts –  Receive receipts electronically via SMS or email. 
  • Purchase Amount Control – Gain more control over fuel purchases. 
  • Time-Savings – Administration efforts are cut tremendously.  
  • Credit Building – Issuers report on-time payments to credit bureaus. 

With on-time payments, a gas card can tremendously enhance your operations and help increase your business credit score. 

What Business Gas Card is Easiest to Get?

Fleet cards aren’t known for being especially difficult to get. In fact, they’re typically used to build credit. But, in my experience, AtoB looks like the best offer —  they offer a free, secured card to business owners who might not qualify for their normal net 7 terms in the beginning (over time, with responsible payments, AtoB might upgrade terms). 

11 Easy-Approval Business Gas Cards That Can Help Boost Your Business Credit Score

Leverage these companies to build positive trade lines that report to Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) and other bureaus. Responsible use and on-time payments with these vendors will help boost your D&B, Experian Business, and Equifax Business credit scores.

1. AtoB Business Gas Card

AtoB business gas card
  • Terms: Net 7 (pay-in-full weekly)
  • Rates: FREE
  • Rewards: Save up to 25¢ per gallon on fuel purchases, use anywhere Visa is accepted, see the best prices from nearby gas stations, spending control, and use your card to pay insurance, payment, tolls, and more. 

Recommended: AtoB Business Gas Card Review (Is it Really a Superior Card?)

2. Shell Small Business Card

Shell small business gas cards
  • Terms: Revolve or pay-in-full
  • Rates: Up to Prime +20.74% variable APR
  • Rewards: Save up to 6¢ per gallon of fuel purchases and discounts at participating Jiffy Lube® locations.

3. Comdata Universal Mastercard 

Comdata fleet card
  • Terms: Revolve, pay-in-full, or prepaid 
  • Rates: Up to Prime +23.99% variable APR, up to $10 per month service fee, and up to $50 one-time setup fee
  • Rewards: Save up to 6¢ per gallon of fuel purchases, an additional 6¢ per gallon for the first six months, 5% on maintenance at participating Firestone® and Tires Plus® retail locations, and up to 3¢ per gallon rebate with participating merchants within the Retail Savings Network, use anywhere Mastercard is accepted. 

4. Sunoco Universal Fleet Card

Sunoco fleet card by Wex
  • Terms: Pay-in-full
  • Rates: 6.99% monthly percentage rate, $2 monthly service fee, and $40 account setup fee
  • Rewards: Save up to 6¢ per gallon on fuel purchases and up to 25¢ per gallon through the promotional period

5. Exxon Mobil FleetPro™ Card

Exxon Mobil fleetpro card
  • Terms: Revolve or pay-in-full
  • Rates: 23% variable APR and minimum $2.99 finance charge
  • Rewards: Save up to 6¢ per gallon of fuel purchases

6. Conoco Universal Card

Conoco universal gas card
  • Terms: Revolve or pay-in-full
  • Rates: 28.74% variable APR, 0% APR if paid in full monthly, and minimum $2.00 finance charge 
  • Rewards: Save up to 7¢ per gallon, accepted at 95% of gas stations

7. Chevron and Texaco Business Card

Chevron Texaco business card
  • Terms: Revolve or pay-in-full
  • Rates: 9.99% monthly percentage rate with up to $10 service fee
  • Rewards: Save up to 10¢ per gallon on fuel purchases in the first six months

8. BP Business Solutions & Business Solutions Plus

BP business gas cards
  • Terms: Revolve or pay-in-full
  • Rates: 14.99% to 23.99% variable APR (revolving) or 1.95% monthly percentage rate (non-revolving) and up to $10 service fee
  • Rewards: Save up to 6¢ per gallon on fuel purchases

9. Valero Fleet Fuel Cards

Valera Business gas cards
  • Terms: Revolve or pay-in-full
  • Rates: 16% to 24% variable APR (revolving) 1.33% to 2% monthly percentage rate (non-revolving) with no minimum interest
  • Rewards: No discounts (To save up to 8¢ per gallon on fuel purchases, large fleets might look into the Valero Fleet Credit Card)

10. Speedway Business Fleet Card

Speedway gas card
  • Terms: Pay-in-full
  • Rates: 7.99% monthly percentage rate and a $75 minimum service fee
  • Rewards: Save up to 5¢ per gallon on fuel purchases

11: Wex Small Business Fuel Cards

Wex fleet cards

Use Wex to help you make the right card selection for your operations. Choose between credit or charge cards, and select your state and your preferred brand to compare the best available options — they have a ton of cards. 

  • Terms: Variable
  • Rates: Variable
  • Rewards: Variable

Bonus: Business Fuel Card Advice 

The first key to building business credit starts before you obtain your card. When you apply for business gas cards, if you have 5 or more employees and have done business for two or more years, it will usually eliminate your personal guarantee. So, apply as a business using your EIN or DUNS™ number instead of your social.  

Next, the number of employees you have and the amount of time you’ve been in business are stronger indicators of eligibility than the number of vehicles you use. So, if you only have one vehicle, only list one fleet car. The more honest you are, the more relevant terms you will receive.

Finally, you may need to make a tough decision about how to pay on your account. For most gas cards, even with revolving credit, you can avoid periodic interest rates by paying your account in full each period. If you’re looking for the highest possible savings, this is a good idea. 

However, as with most revolving credit, some bureaus consider a small balance under 30% of your limit ideal. So, when you qualify for revolving terms on your preferred gas card, carefully weigh the pros and cons before you determine whether to pay a portion or to pay your entire balance each month. 

Final Thoughts 

If you’ve made it here, congratulations — you are officially one step closer to boosting your business credit score. You have the information you need to fully leverage business gas cards, so go put it to use. In the meantime, Would you like to learn how to obtain up to $100K in business credit in as few as 30 days? Join Business Credit Workshop today.

Summa Office Supplies: Should You Leverage Net 30 Terms for Your Business Purchases?

By Joe

Recently, we published a review of Crown Office Supplies as an early step on the business credit building journey. We discussed why you should be interested in the brand’s net 30 offer and outlined what to expect once you are approved. Now, we’re going to look at one of Crown’s top competitors in the business place products arena: Summa Office Supplies. 

The aim here is to answer the most pertinent questions about this merchant so that you can decide whether to utilize their net 30 terms to establish foundational business trade lines of credit. 

Here’s what’s in store: 

  • Summa Office Supplies Catalog in a Nutshell
  • Summa Office Supplies Net 30 Terms
    • Tier-One Qualification Terms
    • Tier-Two Qualification Terms
  • 4 Steps to Take Right Now

Now, let’s gather more of the puzzle pieces so you can start to see a complete picture of what your Summa experience might be like. 

First, the Summa Office Supplies Catalog in a Nutshell

Nearly every business needs office supplies, which makes Summa a natural option for online shopping. The vendor advertises eight product categories to shop: 

  1. Pens, Pencils, and Markers
  2. Filing Folders
  3. Envelopes
  4. Markers
  5. Tape and Adhesive
  6. Labels
  7. Legal Pads
  8. Correction Supplies

With Summa Office Supplies, you’ll find the major brands you should expect like Bic, Scotch, Sharpie, and more. While seemingly ordinary as far as stationery and other workplace supply retail is concerned, there is a catch. 

The first drawback to this retailer is that you will need to register a business account to see the catalog. You probably want to determine whether you’ll find everything you need before you go through the trouble (although most Summa Office Supplies reviews report that registration is a breeze). There are two tiers for Summa accounts, each with varying catalog sizes. 

Tier one business shoppers will have access to a smaller product selection while those in tier two are able to access the entire catalog. Some business owners have not been satisfied with the first-tier catalog. Others have been able to purchase useful digital products like anti-virus software, MS Office, and educational materials. 

Next, Summa Office Supplies Net 30 Terms

So far, we’ve mentioned Crown and Summa here. These merchants are legitimate net 30 vendors who report payment history to major business credit bureaus. When you purchase under these terms and pay your account(s) in full and on-time, your positive behavior will be reported. And, this will increase the chance for you to obtain higher revolving credit lines for your company in the future. 

Net 30 accounts that are reported to Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) and other business credit bureaus have a few things in common:

  • They offer a “buy now and pay later” option for businesses to get the supplies and equipment they need to operate. 
  • All payments are due in full within 30 days after your order. Some vendors offer net 45 and net 55 accounts wherein full payments are due within 45 and 55 days after an order respectively. 
  • A company’s payment behavior, including on-time, late, and delinquent, will impact a legal entity’s business credit score(s). 
  • Typically, there is a minimum purchase amount to report. 

And, each vendor has terms that are a bit different than the others. In the case of Summa, the minimum qualification terms and benefits vary from competitor offers and between the two internal tiers. 

Net 30 Office Supply Stores Online

For a brief comparison of comparable offers from a couple of other vendors, read this office supplier net 30 competitor analysis. 

For both tiers, Summa Office Supplies’ accounts require the following: 

  • Business credit union or bank checking account
  • Legal business entity and any required business licenses *in good standing*
  • EIN number from the Internal Revenue Service 
  • DUNS number from D&B
  • Identical business address on all documents 
  • $75 minimum purchase for reporting to business credit bureau(s)

And, the usual starting limit for Summa’s net 30 accounts is $2,000. You can potentially qualify for enough credit to buy as many post-it notes and boxes of manilla envelopes as your heart desires while laying the foundation for the ideal business credit score.  

Remember that not paying as agreed on purchases will have a negative impact on your business credit score. As far as the business credit bureaus are concerned, on-time payments signal positive and responsible behavior for this type of account, no matter what price you pay. 

Next, find out what’s not equal within each tier. 

1. Tier-One Minimum Qualification Terms and Summary

The first net 30 tier offer from Summa is the easiest to qualify for, hence it is customarily a fit for newly-established businesses. No personal guarantee is required. This means that your personal credit will not affect your ability to obtain a line of business credit and your account will not be reported on your personal credit profile. 

As stated previously, the product offer for Summa’s tier-one accounts is limited and made up primarily of digital products and software. And, all payments for purchases above the $75 minimum will be reported to Equifax Business. 

After making on-time payments for a brief time, companies are often able to graduate from tier-one to tier-two. So, if you are new to the game and your options limited to the lower rank, don’t think of this as a permanent fail — this type of account can be the perfect stepping stone for early-stage business credit building in various situations.  

2. Tier-Two Minimum Qualification Terms and Summary

Now, Summa’s second net 30 tier has slightly more stringent minimum qualification requirements and is typically a better fit for established companies. And, for an account at this tier, a personal guarantee (PG) may be required by the vendor. 

In this case, the person listed on the application will be personally liable for any debts incurred should the financial obligation not be met on-time. Furthermore, tier-two net 30 accounts from Summa might appear on applicants’ personal credit reports. 

But, here’s the best part: All payments (and any missed payments) toward purchases greater than $75 on this type of account will be reported to D&B. Since this is the credit bureau that most business lenders turn to for information about a company’s creditworthiness, an account at this level will have an optimal impact on your PAYDEX score (credit grading system used by D&B). 

Who does Summa Office Supplies Report to?

Now, 4 Steps You Can Take Right Away

Summa Office Supplies is a leading net 30 vendor that you can take full advantage of for the purpose of boosting your business’ credit score. Despite the general consensus that this particular merchant’s product offering could afford to be built out, this is definitely a valuable offer. On-time payments made on orders with prices as low as $75 can bring you a step farther along the path to a perfect business credit score. 

Now that you know more about the net 30 account options that Summa has to offer, here are steps you can take to raise your business credit score starting right now: 

  1. Register an account with Summa Office Supplies. Be certain that your business address is accurate and that it is printed exactly the same across all of your documents (including all licenses and business profiles). 
  2. Determine which of Summa’s net 30 tiers your business is most likely to qualify for and decide whether this vendor is appropriate for you. You will have access to more related information following registration than you can find on the website when browsing as a guest. 
  3. Either apply for and accept the net 30 terms that Summa offers… …OR… ..Select a trade line that is better suited to your business needs. If you choose the latter, be certain that the vendor you pick reports payments to D&B and that you are informed about any terms and conditions that might stand in the way of reporting. 
  4. Discover how you can get $100K in revolving business credit in as little as 30 days and gain immediate access to member-exclusive content (including a comprehensive list of net 30 vendors that report on-time payments to D&B) by enrolling in Business Credit Workshop.

How Can Crown Office Supplies Help You Build Business Credit?

By Joe

Crown Office Supplies Reviews

When you start on your business credit building journey, shopping with net 30 vendors that report to D&B should be one of your first steps. While Crown Office Supplies isn’t your only option, purchasing from this brand using 30-day net terms is becoming a popular way for businesses to improve their credit scores. So, I want to share everything you need to know to decide if their short-term financing program is right for you. 

Here’s what you’ll find. 

  • A Full Crown Office Supplies Review
    • What is Net 30 and Why Should You Care?
      • How to Apply for Net 30 Payment Terms
      • Who does Crown Office Supplies Report to?
      • When Will On-Time Payments Be Reported?
    • Competitor Analysis
  • Final Thoughts

Keep reading to find out how Crown Office Supplies can help you on your path to obtaining higher business lines of credit. 

A Full Crown Office Supplies Review

As the name suggests, Crown Office Supplies sells stationery, writing utensils, filing cabinets, and other materials you might need to use in the workplace or in a classroom. So, they are an obvious choice for any business to shop with. 

Crown Office Supplies customer service

Another bonus perk of shopping with Crown Office Supplies is that they have a referral program. If you refer a friend or colleague to shop on their website, you can earn $15 in cash. 

But, how do they stack up against competitors for building business credit? And, what kind of impact can their trade line of credit have on your business credit score? 

Now, let’s examine the brand’s complete offering. 

What is Net 30 and Why Should You Care? 

If you’re not familiar with net 30 terms, basically this just means that you buy now and pay later. In the case of net 30 terms, you must pay in full within 30 days. In the case of net 45, you would need to pay in full within 45 days and so on. 

Crown Office Supplies enables businesses to apply for a net 30 account. While this is a convenient option for companies who might not have the immediate cash flow to pay for supplies, the true beauty is that on-time payments to a company that reports to business credit bureaus can result in a boost for your business credit score. Crown Office Supplies is one such company.

Recommended: Using 30 Day Net Vendors to Build Your Business Credit Score

Both established and new businesses can leverage net 30 terms from Crown Office Supplies. 

How to Apply for Net 30 Payment Terms

If you want to leverage net 30 terms from Crown Office Supplies, here’s what you need to do. Before you apply, you need to get a few items out of the way. 

  1. Form a legal business entity in your state.
  2. Apply for an employer identification number (EIN).
  3. Get a DUNS number.  

After that, you’ll visit the Crown Office Supplies website and navigate to the Net 30 Application. Then, fill out the application with your information and read the terms carefully before your submit. 

Crown Office Supplies will contact you via email to let you know whether or not you have been approved for financing. Once you are approved, you simply shop for supplies you need to run your business thend pay your balance in full each month. 

Who Does Crown Office Supplies Report to? 

At the very least, when utilizing net 30 terms to build business credit, you want to work with vendors who report to Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). D&B is the bureau that most banks and credit unions look to when deciding whether or not to extend credit to a business. Fortunately, Crown Office Supplies reports on-time payments to five business credit bureaus: 

  1. Dun & Bradstreet
  2. Experian Business
  3. Equifax Business
  4. CreditSafe
  5. National Association of Credit Management
Crown Office Supplies Reporting Agencies

So, you can rest assured that your payments will be reported to every possible business credit monitoring agency. This is excellent news. No matter which bureau your lender uses, they will be able to see your responsible credit behavior as soon as it’s reported. 

When Will On-Time Payments Be Reported? 

As with most net 30 vendors that report on-time payments to business credit bureaus, Crown Office Supplies will report on-time payments regularly. In this case, payment history will be reported every 30 days. So, in as little as a month, you could have a tradeline reporting on your credit reports. 

Competitor Analysis

It’s possible that you’ll find better pricing for office supplies at major retailers like Costco, Walmart, or Amazon, that’s not what we’re looking at here. Direct competitors report on-time payments on trade lines of credit to business credit bureaus. Crown Office Supplies’ key competitors are Quill and Summa Office Supplies. 

So, how do these three brands compare?

Net 30 Office Supply Retailers

Quill, Summa, and Crown Office Supplies offer net 30 terms. Plus, when you make on-time payments to these vendors, they will be reported to D&B as well as Experian and Equifax’s business monitoring bureaus. For building credit, one office supply vendor is not necessarily better than another. 

However, there are stipulations you must meet to leverage net 30 terms. 

  • Crown Office Supplies’ annual fee is $99 (which is also reported to business credit bureaus). 
  • Quill requires that you order $100 or more in products per month over a three-month period before you qualify. 
  • Summa Office Supplies has a minimum $75 order requirement the first month for eligibility. 

So, choose the vendor that meets your product and budget needs. 

Final Thoughts 

When establishing your first five trade lines of credit, Crown Office Supplies could be an excellent vendor to establish net 30 terms with. And, as long as you make on-time payments, this will have a positive impact on your credit score. If you’d like to learn exactly how to leverage vendors like this to boost your D&B score and to obtain up to $100K in business credit in 30 days, enroll in Business Credit Workshop today.

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