A solid choice for those seeking robust spending controls and detailed expense reporting.
30-second take
- Get this card if you have a relatively large fleet of vehicles and need detailed reports on fuel spending.
- Pick something else if you want rewards or don’t have many vehicles.
- Apply with a good to excellent credit score of 670 to 850.
| Product Name | Shell Small Business Card |
|---|---|
| APR (Annual Percentage Rate) for Purchases | This card doesn't disclose its rates and fees on its site. |
| Rates & Fees | Rates & Fees |
| Minimum Age | 18 years of age |
|---|
The basics
The Shell Small Business Card is a fleet card that lets you and authorized users spend within the Shell Fuel Network. It doesn’t offer rewards, but it lets you systematically track your company’s fuel spending. Perhaps the card’s biggest benefits are its spending controls and reporting options, which allow you to run a tight fleet operation.
The perks
Accepted within the Shell Fuel Network.
You can use your Shell Small Business Card at Shell gas stations and participating Jiffy Lube locations. You can’t use this card outside of the network, so consider whether you want Shell as your primary gas station.
You’ll also like
No cost for additional cards.
When you apply for the Shell Small Business Card, you can request up to nine assigned-buyer cards and up to four unassigned-buyer cards. This lets you designate certain cards for specific employees and retain a few for company-wide use.
Management tools.
Check your account online 24/7. You’ll also receive consolidated statements, which allow you to view purchases by card ID, as well as check fuel and non-fuel transactions.
You can also control what your employees use their cards on. For example, you can limit transactions to fuel only or allow employees to make vehicle-related and convenience store purchases. Additionally, you can limit use of the card to certain Shell locations.
What to watch out for
Undisclosed rates and fees.
This card doesn’t disclose its rates and fees on its site.
No signup bonus.
Gas cards usually don’t offer signup bonuses. If you’d like a bonus, consider a business card from a large bank. With annual-fee cards, you’ll typically receive a substantial signup bonus after spending around $4,000 to $5,000 within the first three months of card membership.
Consider other cards if …
You want rewards on fuel.
Consider the SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express or Ink Business Cash℠ credit card, which offer great rewards on gas.
You want a signup bonus.
Many business cards offer signup bonuses. For a no-annual-fee option, try the Spark® Cash Select for Business. Annual-fee options include the Ink Business Preferred℠ credit card and Business Platinum Card® from American Express.
You have average credit.
It’s difficult to get approved for a business card if you don’t have good credit. If that describes you, consider the Spark® Classic for Business. Capital One offers it specifically to those with average credit.
You want a rebate on fuel.
You might like the Shell Fleet Plus Card, which offers a rebate of up to 6 cents per gallon of fuel purchased.
Compare other business credit cards
What size business is the Shell Small Business Card good for?
The Shell Small Business Card is ideal for businesses with fleets that constantly need to fill up on gas. It’ll help you accurately manage driver spending. Ultimately, it’s best if you have many employees who need to purchase gas on the company books.
What should I know before I apply?
You must be 18 years of age or older to apply for the Shell Small Business Card.
Required information
- Legal name of your business.
- Contact and billing information for your business.
- Your business structure and when it was founded.
- Number of employees, annual revenue and monthly fuel purchase volume for your business.
- Your name, address and contact details.
- Your date of birth and Social Security number.
What credit score do I need?
Shell doesn’t specify a minimum credit score for this card. However, you’ll typically have a better chance of approval with a score of 670 or higher — typically what’s considered good to excellent credit.
Though this is a business card, you’ll likely be personally responsible for any expenses you accrue on it. For that reason, consider spending only what you know you can pay off yourself.
What do customers say about the Shell Small Business Card?
Citibank, the issuer of this card, receives an F rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for its failure to respond to 75 complaints. As of this writing, it has almost 4,000 customer complaints filed against it. It doesn’t do much better on Trustpilot, scoring a 3.5 out of 10. Many issues revolved around customers having their accounts frozen unexpectedly and poor customer support.
How to apply for the Shell Small Business Card
- Navigate to the Shell website and click Start Application.
- Complete the application form with details about you and your business.
- Review your application, then click Submit Application.
How long will it take to get my Shell Small Business Card?
Conditional approval is automated on the Shell website. For that reason, you may receive an immediate decision on your application. If Citibank needs to look over your application in more detail, you may need to wait a few business days or weeks to hear back.
If you’re approved, expect your credit card in the mail within seven to 10 days.
I got the card. Now what?
- Make timely payments. Register for a Shell Small Business Card online account, where you can check your balance and make payments. You’ll receive instructions on how to register your account with your mailed card. Consider setting up automatic payments, which will help you stay up to date with your bill.
- Avoid penalty fees. For each late payment, you’ll be assessed a fee that’s the greater of or 2.5% of your account balance as of the payment due date.
- Avoid the default APR. This card comes with a penalty APR of variable. It’s a very high rate, so avoid late and returned payments.
- Avoid interest. The Shell Small Business Card has a relatively high purchase APR of variable. Consider paying off your balance each month to avoid accruing debt at a fast rate.
Bottom line
The Shell Small Business Card may be a good choice if you have a large fleet that constantly needs to refill on gas. Its standout features are its consolidated statements, which will help you accurately track spending, and mechanism to limit employee purchases.
For a signup bonus or rewards, consider another business credit card.
Frequently asked questions
Images: Shell
