Best Credit Card for Fuel in India (2025)

Why You Need the Right Fuel Credit Card

With petrol prices hovering near ₹100/litre in many Indian cities, fuel costs are a big part of monthly expenses—especially if you commute daily or travel frequently.

But what if your fuel spends could earn you cashback, rewards, or free petrol?

The best credit card for fuel can:

  • Offset rising fuel costs
  • Eliminate surcharge fees
  • Offer loyalty rewards or cashback
  • Unlock bonuses on other spends too

Let’s break down the top cards designed for maximum savings at the pump.


Summary Box: Best Fuel Credit Cards

Credit CardFuel NetworkBenefits on FuelAnnual FeeBest ForApply Now
Axis Indian OilIndian Oil4% value back, 1% surcharge waiver₹500 (waived)Frequent IndianOil usersApply Now
Axis Indian Oil RuPayIndian Oil5% cashback + UPI integration₹0 (Lifetime Free)Fuel + UPI shoppersApply Now
SBI BPCL Credit CardBharat Petroleum4.25% value back on fuel₹499 (waived)High BPCL spendersApply Now

Detailed Reviews: Best Credit Card for Fuel in India (2025 Edition)

1. Axis Bank Indian Oil Credit Card (Visa)

📍 Best For: Daily commuters, IndianOil loyalists, grocery shoppers who want rewards on essentials

Axis has built this card specifically for those who refuel often and shop for everyday essentials. Whether you’re a salaried professional driving to work or a family person managing monthly bills, this card gives you value right at the pump and beyond.

Key Benefits – What Makes It Click:

  • 💸 4% Fuel Savings at IndianOil
    Earn 20 reward points per ₹100 spent — redeemable as free fuel! (1 RP = ₹0.20)
  • 1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver
    Save more on every refill — waived up to ₹50/month
  • 🛒 Groceries & Utilities Also Rewarded
    Earn accelerated points on daily essentials — not just fuel
  • 🎁 Welcome Bonus
    ₹250 IndianOil fuel voucher after your first spend of just ₹500 — that’s 50% of your annual fee covered immediately
  • 💳 Annual Fee: ₹500 (Waived on ₹50,000 annual spend)

Real-Life Use Case:

If you refill your vehicle 4–5 times a month at IndianOil stations and also use the card for groceries and bills, your combined annual reward value crosses ₹4,000. That’s like 8 months of free fuel — just for using the right card.

Why It Converts:
This card appeals to middle-income earners, salaried individuals, and families who spend regularly on fuel and essentials. It’s a “do-it-all” card with the sweet spot of value + flexibility.

2. Axis Indian Oil RuPay Credit Card (Lifetime Free)

📍 Best For: Zero-fee seekers, UPI-first users, students or young professionals

This is India’s first-ever UPI-enabled fuel credit card — and it’s lifetime free. If you live cashless and love your PhonePe, Paytm, or BHIM app — this card fits your lifestyle perfectly.

Key Benefits – Why It’s a Game-Changer:

  • 5% Back on IndianOil Refuels
    Use your UPI app to scan-and-pay and earn real cashback-style rewards — no extra steps!
  • 📲 UPI Integration
    Pay using your credit card through any UPI app — no physical swipe needed
  • 🛒 5% Back on Groceries & Utilities
    Saves you on Kirana store trips and electricity bills too
  • 💳 No Fees. Ever.
    No joining fee. No renewal fee. No hidden charges.

🧠 Smart Insight:

This card eliminates the usual credit card friction — no POS machines, no delays. Just scan, pay, and earn. Perfect for the mobile-first, savings-conscious user who doesn’t want the hassle of annual charges.

🎯 Ideal For:

  • Students, gig workers, freelancers
  • Budget-savvy families
  • Anyone who loves “set it and forget it” rewards

💡 Real-Life Use Case:

If you fuel ₹5,000/month via UPI, shop for groceries, and pay electricity bills with this card — you’ll easily rack up ₹4,000–₹5,000 in savings annually, without spending a rupee on fees.

Why It Converts:
The word “lifetime free” is magnetic — especially when paired with contactless UPI payments and real cashback on fuel and essentials. It’s an easy win for modern Indian spenders.

3. SBI BPCL Credit Card

📍 Best For: Bharat Petroleum users, road-trippers, and those who spend on food & entertainment

This card packs a high-octane punch for those who rely on BPCL fuel stations and want to earn even while spending on groceries, dining, and movies. It’s a full lifestyle card disguised as a fuel card.

🔥 Key Benefits – Why You’ll Love It:

  • 4.25% Value Back on BPCL Fuel
    Get 13X reward points per ₹100 on fuel. That’s one of the highest rates in India.
  • 💸 1% Surcharge Waiver
    No extra charge at the pump — saves you ~₹600/year automatically
  • 🎁 Welcome Bonus Worth ₹2,000
    Swipe for ₹2,000 fuel in 60 days, get it back as reward points!
  • 🍿 5X Points on Lifestyle Spends
    Dining, groceries, movies — your weekend plans now come with extra rewards
  • 🔁 Instant Redemption at BPCL
    Use points right at the petrol pump — no waiting, no reward portals
  • 💳 Annual Fee: ₹499 (Waived on ₹50,000 annual spend)

💡 Real-Life Use Case:

Drive a lot? Spend ₹6,000/month at BPCL + ₹4,000/month on groceries and movies? You’ll earn over ₹3,000 in fuel + lifestyle rewards annually — plus save the annual fee.

Why It Converts:
The card markets to both fuel-conscious families and experience-driven millennials — it’s reward-packed, low-cost, and super practical for monthly spenders across cities.

Also Check Out > Best Credit Card for Shopping in India (2025 Edition)


How Do Fuel Reward Credit Cards Work? (Simple Breakdown)

You’re probably wondering — how exactly do these fuel cards help me save money?

Let’s break it down.

💳 What Happens When You Pay with a Fuel Credit Card?

Unlike regular cards that just process your payment, fuel-specific credit cards give you something valuable in return every time you refuel — like cashback, reward points, or free petrol.

Here are the three main ways these cards give back:

1️⃣ Cashback Credited to Your Bill (Direct Savings)

Some cards (like SBI Cashback or HDFC Millennia for general spends) offer flat % cashback on fuel purchases.
At the end of your billing cycle, the cashback is deducted from your total bill.

💡 Example: You refuel ₹5,000 worth of fuel, earn 5% cashback = ₹250 off your statement.
Over a year, that’s ₹3,000 saved without lifting a finger.

2️⃣ Reward Points Redeemable for Free Fuel

Fuel cards like Axis Indian Oil and SBI BPCL work on a points system:

  • You earn 20 reward points per ₹100 (Axis)
  • Or 13X points per ₹100 (SBI BPCL)
  • These points can be converted into fuel vouchers or directly redeemed at petrol pumps

💡 Example: Earn 6,000 points in a year → redeem for ₹1,200 worth of fuel!

3️⃣ Instant Redemption at Fuel Pumps (Super Convenient)

Some cards let you redeem points right at the petrol pump (no apps, no vouchers).
Swipe the card at BPCL → choose “Pay with Points” → and drive away.

💡 Example: You have 2,500 points from your BPCL card = ₹500 fuel value → no cash, no delay, just swipe and redeem.

🔁 Bonus Benefit: 1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver

Every time you refuel with a regular credit card, you’re charged a 1% fuel transaction surcharge.
Fuel cards waive this completely — saving you money even before you earn rewards.

💸 If you spend ₹8,000/month on fuel, you save nearly ₹1,000+ per year just from this waiver alone.

🛑 Important Note: Partner Pump Networks Matter

Fuel cards only work optimally at specific fuel brands. Here’s how it breaks down:

CardBest Used At
Axis Indian Oil / RuPayIndian Oil stations only
SBI BPCL Credit CardBharat Petroleum (BPCL)
HPCL Cards (e.g. ICICI HPCL)HP petrol stations

If you use these cards at non-partner pumps (e.g., Indian Oil card at HP), you’ll still get surcharge waiver but no bonus rewards.


Mini Calculator: Estimate Your Annual Fuel Savings

Monthly Fuel SpendEstimated Cashback (4–5%)Annual Savings
₹3,000₹120–₹150₹1,440–₹1,800
₹5,000₹200–₹250₹2,400–₹3,000
₹8,000₹320–₹400₹3,840–₹4,800

Note:This doesn’t include surcharge waiver benefits or bonus rewards on grocery/utility spends!


Best Credit Card for Fuel: Final Verdict

Use CaseBest Card
Fuel + UPI + zero feesAxis Indian Oil RuPay Credit Card
Daily IndianOil refuelersAxis Indian Oil Credit Card (Visa)
High BPCL fuel spendersSBI BPCL Credit Card
Want grocery + fuel comboAxis or BPCL both work
Beginners / StudentsAxis Indian Oil RuPay (no annual fee)

Also Check Out > Best Zero Interest Credit Cards in India (2025)


Quick Checklist: What to Look for in a Fuel Card

✅ Fuel brand tie-up (IOCL/BPCL/HPCL)
✅ Cashback or points %
✅ Surcharge waiver (1%)
✅ Cap on rewards per month
✅ Annual fee waiver condition
✅ Extra perks (grocery, UPI, lifetime free)


FAQs: Best Credit Card for Fuel in India


Conclusion: Drive More, Save More

Whether you drive to work daily, take road trips, or just want to cut down on fuel bills, the right credit card can help you save thousands every year.

If you want zero fees + UPI — go with the Axis Indian Oil RuPay
If you spend regularly on IndianOil — the Axis Indian Oil Visa gives consistent value
For BPCL users — the SBI BPCL Credit Card is your best bet

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