ARCO Business Solutions Fuel Cards: What they are and alternatives in 2025

ARCO Business Solutions Fuel Cards are a focused approach to corporate fuel management, offering businesses two different pathways for controlling vehicle expenses. You can pick between the standard ARCO Business Solutions Fuel Card for exclusive use at participating ARCO locations, or the ARCO Business Solutions Mastercard for universal acceptance wherever Mastercard is processed throughout the United States.

However, there are various fuel fleet cards that exist outside of ARCO's station-specific approach. You might consider expense management cards like Ramp that integrate fuel spending with broader business oversight or traditional competitor programs from Shell and BP with different regional strengths.

Here's a breakdown of ARCO's dual-card structure and alternative options for business fuel management.

What are ARCO Business Solutions Fuel Cards?

ARCO Business Solutions Fuel Cards work as corporate fuel accounts designed to centralize vehicle expense management while providing access to TOP TIER gasoline quality across participating ARCO locations. TOP TIER refers to fuel that's recognized as a high-quality fuel performance standard.

The ARCO gas cards replace traditional reimbursement workflows by setting up direct corporate billing relationships that capture detailed transaction information for every fuel purchase.

The program structure divides into two main options addressing different operational scopes:

• The ARCO Business Solutions Fuel Card restricts usage to participating ARCO locations throughout the United States, providing fleet managers with reporting and individual spending controls for each driver
• The ARCO Business Solutions Mastercard extends acceptance to any location processing Mastercard transactions nationwide, offering the same driver accountability features alongside maintenance purchase capabilities

ARCO's security protocols require driver ID entry and odometer reading documentation for every transaction, creating audit trails that link specific employees to individual purchases. Fleet administrators can also set up gallon limits for individual cards, put in fuel-only purchase restrictions, and configure spending controls tailored to operational requirements.

For account management, you can work through web-based platforms. This lets you do real-time transaction monitoring, card activation and deactivation functions, and driver ID number administration. Both card types integrate with fleet management workflows through tracking options organized by vehicle assignments, driver responsibilities, or odometer-based analysis.

While ARCO Business Solutions Fuel Cards don't specify exact credit requirements, business fuel card programs typically need fair to good business credit, generally meaning credit scores of 630 or higher for favorable consideration.

What to consider when choosing a fuel card alternative

Choosing a fleet card requires looking at your operational geography, consumption patterns, and administrative preferences. Companies can maximize value through brand-specific programs that deliver direct cost benefits and simplified expense management, while businesses requiring broader geographic coverage benefit from universal acceptance programs despite potentially higher administrative complexity.

Here are some factors to consider when choosing the right fleet card for your business:

Do a cost analysis

Your cost analysis should go beyond advertised benefits to include total program expenses including account maintenance fees, transaction charges, and administrative overhead costs. Calculate total program costs based on realistic consumption projections, required card quantities, and desired feature complexity to ensure you get accurate value comparisons between different options.

Regional concentration

Regional concentration significantly impacts program effectiveness, as station density varies considerably across different geographic markets. ARCO maintains its presence in western U.S. states including, while coverage becomes limited in eastern and midwestern regions. You should analyze your typical operational routes against station availability to ensure you have practical accessibility for daily operations.

Fleet size considerations

Fleet size considerations influence program selection between simple expense consolidation and comprehensive management systems. Smaller fleet operations often benefit from straightforward billing arrangements with minimal oversight requirements, while larger fleets can leverage detailed reporting capabilities, spending controls, and integration features to get operational efficiencies and cost optimization through systematic expense management.

Payment preferences

Payment structure preferences vary based on cash flow patterns and financial management approaches. Some businesses prefer consolidated monthly billing with detailed transaction breakdowns, while others prioritize real-time expense visibility and immediate spending control capabilities. Consider both immediate operational needs and long-term growth plans when evaluating different program structures and administrative requirements.

Other considerations: Understanding fleet card security and fraud prevention

If you're looking for a fuel card that prioritizes security, it's important to understand how they put in multiple security layers designed to protect businesses from unauthorized usage. Most modern fleet cards require dual-authentication systems combining driver identification with vehicle-specific information such as odometer readings, creating audit trails that prevent both external fraud and internal misuse.

With that, it's important to weigh:

• PIN-based security systems: These set up individual accountability by requiring unique identification codes for each driver, making it impossible for unauthorized users to access fuel purchasing capabilities even if physical cards are compromised. These systems automatically flag unusual usage patterns and are good to consider when choosing a fleet card.
• Advanced fraud detection: This system monitors transaction data in real-time, identifying potentially suspicious activity based on historical usage patterns, geographic anomalies, and spending behaviors. Many programs provide immediate mobile alerts when transactions occur outside normal parameters, letting fleet managers respond quickly to potential security breaches.
• Spend controls: These features let businesses set up preventive security measures including daily purchase limits, product restrictions that prevent non-fuel purchases, and time-based limitations that block after-hours personal usage. Choose a fuel program that provides advanced spend controls to prevent fraudulent activity before it happens.
• Emergency card deactivation: This capability provides immediate response options when security issues come up, with most programs offering instant card cancellation through mobile applications or web portals.

What are some alternative gas cards to choose from instead of ARCO?

There are plenty of options for fleet fuel cards in the market, spanning from business credit cards with fuel rewards, brand-specific programs, and universal cards. Here's a breakdown of alternatives to ARCO Business Solutions Fuel Cards.

1. Ramp Corporate Card

The Ramp corporate card delivers unified business credit cards with spend management through a platform that treats fuel expenses as one component of comprehensive financial oversight. The system provides universal Visa acceptance while capturing detailed transaction data including odometer readings and VIN numbers for fleet analysis.

Companies that have adopted the Ramp corporate card benefit from automated receipt processing, policy enforcement tools, and flat cashback on almost all purchases including fuel. On average, businesses save 5¢ per gallon while eliminating the headaches of manual reconciliation for finance teams.

Pros:

• Flat cashback on all purchases, including fuel
• Fleet-level reporting by truck, driver, or date
• Odometer and VIN tracking for oversight
• Automated receipt matching and real-time alerts
• No fees, no foreign transaction fees, and no personal guarantee
• Accepted anywhere Visa is

Cons:

• Requires $25,000 minimum bank balance
• Not available for sole proprietors
• Balance must be paid in full each month

2. Shell Fleet Programs

Shell operates dual business fuel programs serving different operational scales and acceptance requirements. Shell Card Business focuses on brand-specific locations with up to 6¢ per gallon savings across 12,000+ Shell stations, while Shell Card Business Flex extends coverage to 95% of U.S. fueling locations with reduced Shell-specific discount rates. Both programs include maintenance benefits through participating Jiffy Lube partnerships and automated accounting integration capabilities.

Pros:

• Up to 6¢/gal savings at Shell with Shell Card Business
• Up to 5¢/gal at Shell with Business Flex

Cons:

• Maximum per-gallon savings apply at Shell. Non-Shell transactions (via Business Flex) may be at pump price
• Actual rebate level depends on gallons purchased per billing cycle and promotional terms
• Pay-over-time may involve interest or fees. Businesses should review terms

3. Fuelman Network Programs

Fuelman operates through tiered service structures including Basic, Pro, and Enterprise options with corresponding feature complexity and pricing models. The network spans 40,000+ locations with advertised 8¢ per gallon savings potential at preferred merchants. The platform emphasizes driver-level reporting capabilities, customizable spending protocols, and automated fraud detection systems designed for diverse fleet management requirements across multiple operational scales.

Pros:

• Fuel rebates on the Fuelman Network, including 8¢/gal savings at 40,000+ Discount Network locations
• Driver- and vehicle-level reporting with detailed fuel and tax reporting
• Customizable fuel controls, driver profiles, and real-time fraud/misuse alerts

Cons:

• Monthly plan fees (e.g., Basic, Pro, Enterprise) add fixed costs. Maintenance program may be an additional fee on lower tiers
• Actual savings depend on use of the Discount Network and may vary by location and plan
• Broader acceptance and benefits outside participating merchants can differ by setup, requiring careful configuration of controls and policies

4. BP Business Solutions Cards

BP structures business fuel programs around exclusive brand access and universal acceptance options. The Fuel Plus program restricts usage to BP and Amoco stations while providing up to 7¢ per gallon volume-based discounts. The Mastercard variant enables universal acceptance while maintaining enhanced BP station benefits, supported by comprehensive online management systems and customer service availability.

Pros:

• Up to 7¢ per gallon rebates at BP and Amoco stations
• Volume-based discount tiers reward higher consumption
• Universal Mastercard option available for broader acceptance

Cons:

• Rebates only apply at BP and Amoco branded locations
• Out-of-network fees may apply with Mastercard option
• Volume requirements needed to reach maximum discount tiers

5. WEX Universal Networks

WEX emphasizes maximum geographic flexibility through acceptance at 180,000+ locations covering 95% of U.S. fuel retailers. The program structure advertises potential savings reaching 15¢ per gallon within preferred merchant networks, supplemented by 3¢ per gallon discounts at non-participating locations. WEX provides fraud protection protocols, automated accounting systems, and mobile management applications, though savings depend heavily on network participation levels.

Pros:

• ~95% gas station acceptance in the U.S.
• Savings of up to 15¢/gal in-network and up to 3¢/gal elsewhere

Cons:

• Savings depend on network participation and program terms. Actual results vary
• Paying the balance in full each month is encouraged to maximize savings

Key takeaways

ARCO Business Solutions Fuel Cards provide businesses with straightforward fuel expense management through focused station network access and operational controls. However, program effectiveness depends heavily on whether your operations align with ARCO's geographic network coverage, particularly in western U.S. markets where station density supports convenient access for regular business operations.

If you need maximum operational flexibility or operate primarily outside ARCO's network coverage, you may find better value through universal acceptance programs or expense management platforms like Ramp that integrate fuel spending with broader business oversight capabilities. The choice ultimately depends on balancing network convenience against your operational requirements and long-term business fuel management objectives.

Improve your fleet fuel management with Ramp

Most teams don't overspend because they drive more. They overspend because they can't clearly see who bought what, where, and when. The Ramp business credit card pairs everyday corporate spend management with fleet-oriented oversight. It's accepted anywhere Visa is, has no foreign transaction fees, and is available to businesses with at least $25,000 in a U.S. business bank account. On average, companies see about 5¢ per gallon in savings, and finance teams can capture odometer readings and VINs while reporting costs by driver, vehicle, or date.

If you run multiple vehicles or spend $1,000+ a month on fuel, Ramp can provide the control and transparency traditional fuel programs often miss, helping you cut waste and account for every dollar.

Explore how the Ramp business credit card works as a powerful fleet card and spend management software with universal acceptance, detailed controls, and no personal guarantee.

Information about third-party card providers is based on publicly available sources and may change over time. Details have not been independently verified or endorsed by the providers themselves.