Fuel cards give you extra reward points or cashback when you fill up at a partner fuel company, plus a 1% fuel surcharge waiver. For a daily commuter, that can add up to a few thousand rupees a year.
The trick is to pick a card linked to the fuel company whose pumps you use most — BPCL, IndianOil or HPCL — because the big rewards usually work only at their outlets.
Fuel stations add about 1% surcharge on card payments. Most cards refund this for transactions in a set range (for example ₹400–₹4,000), up to a monthly limit.
The surcharge waiver often works everywhere, but the high rewards are usually limited to the partner fuel brand.
RuPay versions of fuel cards can be used on UPI at petrol pumps that accept UPI.
Approval is at the bank's discretion. Check final terms on the bank's page before applying.