When it comes to picking a fuel card provider, there are a lot of variables that have to be considered. First, you need to consider what you and your company’s needs are. Then, after you’ve done that you’ll have to consider what each particular fuel card has to offer you. For example, how many locations its accepted at, what savings it has to offer and how many controls can be used to ensure proper use. Then after each of those things are considered, you’ll have to determine which card meets the most of your needs.
Two of the most popular fuel cards that you’ll most likely come across in your fuel card search are WEX and Comdata. Both of which are very similar in the way they function, but have slight differences that you’ll want to consider to get the best card for your business.
| WEX | COMDATA | |
|---|---|---|
| Locations | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Controls | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Rebates | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Reports | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Locations
With WEX you’ll have access to 180,000 stations nationwide, 20,000 of which are maintenance/service locations. You can search for WEX locations here.
With Comdata you’ll have access to everywhere their Comdata MasterCard is accepted, which nationwide totals to 160,000 stations.
Comparison: It’s a tie. From the numbers, neither card has much of an advantage over the other given that they have a practically equal access nationwide at a variety of top fuel brand’s stations.
Controls
With a WEX Card, you have full control over what is purchased, when it is purchased, where it is purchased and how much of it is purchased. With Driver ID requirements and purchase limits that control the dollar amount, the product type and times of day purchases can be made you can rest assured your card is being used the right way.
With Comdata, there aren’t any of the preventative controls like there are with Wex. The reason being, that Comdata’s MasterCard is for all intents and purposes a MasterCard. However, with Comdata’s reporting system if any cards are used improperly you will get to see who and how after the fact. But with Comdata, only then may you make the necessary preventative measures.
Comparison: When it comes to controls, WEX blows Comdata out of the water and does so simply because it has a variety of preventative controls to offer to Comdata’s none.
Rebates
With every gallon you purchase with a Wex card, you can save 3 cents off the cash price. However, while applying for a Wex card be sure to read the fine print because some of these rebates are only available for short periods of time
With every gallon you purchase with a Comdata MasterCard, you can save up to 6 cents off the cash price. However, just like with a WEX card be sure to read the fine print because some of these rebates are only available for short periods of time.
Comparison: Given that Comdata offers up to double the savings that WEX does, it appears that Comdata is the winner of this comparison. However, depending on which fuel card provider offers longer lasting rebates will have an effect on which card ultimately wins this comparison.
Reporting
At the end of each month, WEX and Comdata will both send you reports detailing your fuel purchases from the last month, as well as IFTA reports. However with WEX, you’ll also receive moment of purchase alerts that let you know if a driver has made an improper purchase. This allows you to make adjustments in real time
Comparison: Overall, both WEX and Comdata provide all the reporting necessary to effectively manage a fuel program but because WEX offers that little bit extra they get the edge in this comparison.
Conclusions
As this comparative review of these two cards comes to a close, it appears that WEX took it from Comdata. Looking back, we have two advantages that were awarded to WEX, one to Comdata and one tie between them. So needless to say, even though WEX won, the race between them was pretty close. So it still all comes down to what you and your company’s needs are, a decision made easier when you know that need-meeting solutions are out there.
