Best Fuel Cards and Apps for UK Drivers: Save on Every Fill-Up

Even small savings per litre add up over a year of driving. If you can save just 3p per litre on fuel, that is around £50 per year for the average UK driver — and some of the strategies below can save you much more than that. Here is a guide to the best fuel cards, loyalty schemes, and apps available to UK drivers.

Supermarket Loyalty Cards

Supermarket fuel stations are typically 3–7p per litre cheaper than branded forecourts (BP, Shell, Esso). Combining supermarket fuel with their loyalty programmes doubles the saving.

Fuel Price Comparison Apps

These free apps show you the cheapest fuel near your location or along your route, helping you avoid overpriced forecourts.

• PetrolPrices — The largest UK fuel price database with over 8,500 stations. Free to use with optional premium features. Shows prices updated by users and direct feeds from retailers.
• Waze — Primarily a navigation app, but also shows fuel prices at nearby stations reported by the community. Useful because it integrates directly into your route planning.
• Google Maps — Now shows fuel prices for many UK stations directly in the map. Convenient if you already use it for navigation.

Wholesale Clubs: Costco

Costco fuel stations are consistently among the cheapest in the UK, typically 5–10p per litre below average prices. However, you need a Costco membership (£36.72 per year for an Individual membership, or £73.44 for Business). If you fill up regularly and live near a Costco, the membership can pay for itself in fuel savings alone.

There are currently around 30 Costco fuel stations in the UK, mostly near major cities. Queues can be long at peak times, but the savings are genuine.

Fuel Cards for Business Use

If you use your car for business, a fuel card can simplify expenses and sometimes offer discounted prices.

Credit Cards with Fuel Cashback

Some UK credit cards offer cashback on fuel purchases. If you pay off the balance in full each month (so you never pay interest), this is essentially free money.

• American Express Platinum Cashback Everyday — Up to 0.5% cashback on all purchases including fuel (not accepted at all stations)
• Santander All in One — 0.5% cashback on all purchases (monthly fee applies)
• Chase Debit Card — 1% cashback on all purchases for the first 12 months (no fee)

Other Money-Saving Strategies

• Fill up early in the week — Fuel prices at supermarkets tend to be slightly lower on Mondays and Tuesdays, though this varies
• Avoid motorway services — Motorway fuel stations are typically 10–20p per litre more expensive than off-motorway alternatives. If you can plan ahead, fill up before joining the motorway
• Do not overfill — Clicking the pump after it auto-stops wastes fuel that can overflow or evaporate from the expansion space in the tank
• Pay attention to E10 vs E5 — Standard unleaded (E10) is cheaper than super unleaded (E5). Unless your car requires E5, use E10

Final Thoughts

No single strategy will dramatically cut your fuel bills, but combining several — supermarket fuel with loyalty points, a price comparison app, and sensible driving habits — can add up to meaningful savings over a year. For business users, a fuel card with VAT-compliant invoicing is almost always worth having.