CITGO Fleet Cards: What they are and alternative cards in 2025

CITGO fleet cards are fleet fuel cards that focus on business fuel management and provide promotional benefits through 10¢ per gallon savings for the first six months, followed by volume-based rebates reaching up to 7¢ per gallon across CITGO's branded station network.

If you're looking for business fuel card alternatives, you can choose between business credit card solutions like Ramp, branded fuel programs such as Valero and Marathon fleet cards, or universal fleet cards that focus on geographic coverage over brand-specific loyalty rewards.

Here's what you need to know about CITGO fleet cards and alternative business gas card options.

What are CITGO fleet cards?

CITGO fleet cards are designed to centralize vehicle expense oversight while providing access to promotional and volume-based rebates across CITGO's branded retail network. These cards aim to improve expense reimbursement workflows by automatically capturing transaction details including driver identification, vehicle information, and detailed purchase data for every fuel transaction.

CITGO structures their program around three different card options addressing different business requirements:

• The basic CITGO Fleet Card restricts usage to CITGO stations exclusively while providing basic expense tracking and spending control capabilities for smaller operations seeking straightforward fuel management
• The CITGO Fleet Select Card expands features to include enhanced rebate structures up to 7¢ per gallon with reporting and administrative tools designed for mid-sized fleet operations
• The CITGO Fleet Universal Card extends acceptance to 95% of U.S. gas stations plus over 42,000 service locations while maintaining premium rebate rates at CITGO-branded stations

All programs include security protocols like mandatory driver PIN authorization, customizable purchase policies that let you restrict to fuel-only, and real-time transaction monitoring through automated systems. Fleet administrators can set up spending limitations by dollar amounts, put in time-based purchasing windows, and set product-specific restrictions to prevent unauthorized expenses.

The promotional rebate framework provides up to 10¢ per gallon savings exclusively on CITGO purchases during the initial six-month period after account setup. Following promotional period completion, standard volume-based rebates up to 7¢ per gallon kick in based on monthly consumption levels exclusively at CITGO-branded locations.

CITGO fleet card limitations

CITGO fleet cards work exclusively through CITGO's branded station network, creating potential operational limitations for businesses that need fuel access outside participating locations. You should verify adequate station availability along your typical operational routes before committing to network-restricted programs to make sure you have practical accessibility during regular business operations.

The promotional rebate structure delivers substantial initial benefits through 10¢ per gallon savings for six months but transitions to lower standard rates afterward, so you need to look at long-term use rather than focusing solely on introductory promotional benefits. Volume-based standard rebates require consistent monthly consumption levels to achieve maximum earning potential, making these programs less suitable for businesses with irregular fuel usage patterns.

Understanding extended promotional rebate periods

Fleet card promotional programs vary significantly in duration and benefit structures, with some programs offering brief introductory periods while others provide extended promotional benefits that can substantially impact first-year savings calculations. Understanding these promotional frameworks helps businesses look at immediate cost benefits against long-term usage.

Extended promotional periods, such as CITGO's six-month 10¢ per gallon program, provide sustained initial benefits that exceed typical 90-day introductory offers common throughout the industry. These longer promotional timeframes let businesses realize significant savings during account setup phases while checking out program suitability for long-term operational requirements.

Promotional rate transitions need careful analysis of post-promotional program economics to make sure you get continued value after enhanced rates expire. You should calculate total first-year savings including both promotional and standard rate periods, then look at ongoing program benefits based on realistic volume projections and operational requirements.

Volume consumption requirements during promotional periods may differ from standard rebate thresholds, with some programs needing minimum usage levels to maintain promotional eligibility. Understanding these requirements helps businesses optimize promotional benefits while planning for standard rate transitions that follow introductory periods.

Looking at promotional vs. standard program value

The decision between programs focusing on promotional benefits versus those emphasizing strong standard rates depends on your business's operational planning horizon and fuel consumption predictability. Companies looking for immediate cost relief may prioritize extended promotional offerings, while businesses with long-term fuel management objectives often benefit more from programs with superior standard rebate structures.

Key considerations for choosing business fuel management cards

Business fuel management card selection requires looking at your operational requirements, administrative capabilities, and cost optimization objectives specific to vehicle fleet oversight. You should examine your fuel consumption patterns, operational routing requirements, and administrative preferences to identify programs that deliver maximum value for your specific business circumstances.

Here are the main factors to look at when picking business fuel management systems:

Promotional period optimization

Promotional period optimization involves calculating total savings potential during introductory rate periods while looking at transition impacts to standard program economics. You should project fuel consumption during promotional timeframes and compare benefits against programs offering superior long-term standard rates without extended promotional periods.

Administrative complexity tolerance

Administrative complexity tolerance influences program selection between basic expense consolidation and fleet management systems featuring detailed transaction controls, exception reporting, and integration capabilities. Some businesses prefer streamlined billing arrangements while others need extensive operational oversight and advanced spending control features for effective fleet management.

Credit and payment flexibility needs

Credit and payment flexibility needs vary between charge card structures that need full monthly payment and credit arrangements allowing balance carrying during seasonal cash flow fluctuations. You should look at payment capabilities against operational cash flow patterns and seasonal business requirements when picking appropriate card structures.

Brand loyalty versus universal flexibility

Brand loyalty versus universal flexibility represents a basic choice between maximizing rebates through network-specific usage and maintaining operational flexibility through universal acceptance capabilities. You should analyze your historical fueling patterns against network coverage to figure out the optimal balance between savings potential and operational convenience.

5 top CITGO fleet card alternatives in 2025

Before picking a business fuel management system, figure out your operational priorities: extended promotional benefits with brand loyalty requirements, universal acceptance for operational flexibility, or integrated expense management that combines fuel oversight with broader business spending control. Each approach delivers different advantages based on operational requirements and administrative preferences.

CITGO's alternatives span from business credit platforms that integrate fuel management with unified expense oversight, to competitor branded networks offering different promotional structures and network coverage, to universal acceptance programs that prioritize geographic accessibility over brand-specific benefits.

Here's a short breakdown of leading fleet fuel cards to choose from:

1. Ramp Business Credit Card

Ramp provides a business credit card that helps businesses save up to an average of 5¢ per gallon while offering flat cashback across other business expense categories, not just fuel purchases. The card features universal Visa acceptance, letting businesses fuel anywhere Visa is processed while maintaining detailed transaction tracking including odometer readings and VIN numbers for fleet analysis.

Beyond its card functionality, Ramp's built-in expense management platform provides teams with automated receipt processing, immediate policy enforcement alerts, and direct accounting software integration that gets rid of manual expense reconciliation tasks. You can set up fuel-only purchase restrictions, get real-time violation notifications, and access organized reporting by driver assignments, vehicle utilization, or operational departments for enhanced expense oversight.

However, if you're interested in a Ramp business credit card, you must meet the $25,000 minimum bank account balance requirements to sign up.

2. Valero Fleet Cards

Valero fleet cards work with similar promotional and standard rebate structures through their network of 5,000+ branded locations including Valero, Diamond Shamrock, Beacon, and Shamrock stations throughout the United States. Their program provides 15¢ per gallon promotional savings for the first 90 days followed by standard volume-based rebates up to 8¢ per gallon.

Valero's approach includes digital management through SmartHub applications, automated expense tracking, and extensive spending control capabilities designed for diverse fleet management requirements. However, Valero's slightly shorter promotional period and different network composition may impact total savings calculations depending on your fuel spend.

3. Marathon Fleet Cards

Marathon fleet cards deliver comparable promotional benefits through their dual-card system serving nearly 6,000 locations, offering 15¢ per gallon promotional rebates during the first four months followed by standard volume-based rates up to 7¢ per gallon. The program includes both Marathon-exclusive and universal acceptance variants with fleet management tools, automated accounting integration, and fee-free account structures for qualifying businesses.

However, Marathon's rebate achievement needs consistent monthly consumption volumes that may not suit businesses with irregular fuel usage patterns.

4. Shell Fleet Programs

Shell provides business fuel cards through their Shell Card Business providing up to 6¢ per gallon at 12,000+ branded locations and Shell Card Business Flex extending coverage to 95% of U.S. stations with reduced Shell-specific earning rates. Both cards focus on straightforward administrative tools and automated expense integration designed for small to medium fleets.

Shell's network provides broad geographic distribution with particular strength in retail density across multiple market segments where Shell maintains significant presence. However, Shell's programs lack extended promotional periods.

5. WEX Universal Networks

WEX focuses on geographic accessibility, spanning approximately 95% of U.S. fuel retailers, prioritizing maximum operational flexibility over brand-specific rebate optimization. The program structure supports potential savings reaching 15¢ per gallon within preferred merchant partnerships, supplemented by 3¢ per gallon at non-participating locations, though actual benefits fluctuate significantly based on merchant cooperation levels and regional participation rates.

WEX provides fraud protection tools, automated financial tracking capabilities, and mobile account management designed for complex fleet operational requirements across diverse business categories.

Key takeaways

CITGO fleet cards provide extended promotional benefits offering 10¢ per gallon savings for six months, followed by volume-based rebates reaching 7¢ per gallon across their branded network. The amount of fuel savings from CITGO fleet cards depends on whether your operations work with CITGO's network availability and your business's capacity to leverage extended promotional periods for maximum initial savings.

If you need immediate universal acceptance or operate with unpredictable fueling patterns, you may get better results through business credit solutions that provide consistent fuel savings and expense management across all business spending categories without promotional rate dependencies.

Optimize your business fuel management with Ramp

Most businesses don't overspend on fuel because they drive more. They overspend because they can't clearly see who bought what, where, and when across their fleet operations. The Ramp business credit card pairs everyday corporate spend management with detailed fuel oversight while providing superior savings averaging 5¢ per gallon across all fuel purchases.

Ramp captures detailed transaction data including odometer readings and VIN numbers while offering flat cashback rewards on all business expenses, not just fuel purchases. Companies benefit from automated receipt processing, real-time policy enforcement, and seamless accounting software integration that gets rid of manual reconciliation work for finance teams.

If your business operates multiple vehicles or spends $1,000+ monthly on fuel, Ramp can provide the control and transparency traditional fuel programs often miss, helping you reduce waste and account for every dollar while earning consistent returns across all business spending categories.

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.