Fuel prices in India are constantly fluctuating, and for most of us, fuel expenses form a large part of our monthly budgets. Whether you’re a daily commuter, a long-distance traveler, or a business owner managing fleet costs, owning the best fuel credit card in India can help you save significantly every month.
In this detailed guide, we’ll explore the best fuel credit cards in India, their key features, and how you can choose the right one based on your lifestyle and driving habits.
Fuel Card Benefits: Why You Need a Fuel Credit Card
Fuel credit cards are specially designed to help you maximize savings on your petrol and diesel purchases. Here’s why these cards are a smart choice for most Indians:
- Direct Cashback and Rewards:
Most fuel credit cards offer accelerated reward points or cashback on every fuel transaction, sometimes reaching up to 8.5% value-back.
- Surcharge Waiver:
These cards often waive off the 1% fuel surcharge, saving you even more on every fill-up.
- Extra Perks:
Many cards offer additional rewards on groceries, utilities, dining, and departmental store spends, making them valuable for everyday purchases.
- Welcome Offers:
New cardholders can benefit from welcome rewards, milestone bonuses, and even free fuel on meeting certain spending criteria.
- Flexible Redemption:
Reward points can be redeemed for fuel discounts, statement credits, or other lifestyle benefits, depending on the issuer.
Fuel credit cards are especially beneficial for those who spend a significant amount on fuel each month, but even moderate users can enjoy worthwhile savings.
Top Fuel Cards in India (2025)
Choosing the best fuel credit card in India depends on your preferred fuel brand and spending habits. Here’s a look at the most popular options:
- IndianOil RBL Bank XTRA Credit Card
- Joining Fee: ₹1,500
- Annual Fee: ₹1,500
- Fuel Savings: Up to 8.5% value-back as reward points at IndianOil outlets.
- Best For: High-volume fuel spenders loyal to IndianOil
- Key Features: 15 Fuel Points for every ₹100 spent at IndianOil, up to 2,000 Fuel Points per month; 1% fuel surcharge waiver up to ₹200/month.
- IndianOil Axis Bank Credit Card
- Joining Fee: ₹500
- Annual Fee: ₹500
- Fuel Savings: Up to 5% value-back at IndianOil outlets.
- Best For: Moderate fuel spenders
- Key Features: 1% fuel surcharge waiver up to ₹50/month; EDGE reward points redeemable for Amazon Pay gift cards.
- BPCL SBI Card OCTANE
- Joining Fee: ₹1,499
- Annual Fee: ₹1,499
- Fuel Savings: Up to 6.25% value-back at BPCL outlets.
- Best For: Frequent BPCL users
- Key Features: 25X rewards on BPCL fuel; 1% fuel surcharge waiver up to ₹100/month; 4 free domestic airport lounge visits per year.
- IDFC FIRST Bank HPCL Power+ Credit Card
- Joining Fee: ₹499
- Annual Fee: ₹499
- Fuel Savings: Up to 5.5% value-back at HPCL outlets.
- Best For: HPCL users seeking additional utility and grocery rewards
- Key Features: 5% on utilities and groceries, 4% on fuel; annual fee waived on ₹1.5 lakh spend.
- IndianOil Kotak Credit Card
- Joining Fee: ₹449
- Annual Fee: ₹449
- Fuel Savings: Up to 4.2% value-back at IndianOil outlets.
- Best For: Light to moderate fuel spenders
- Key Features: 1% fuel surcharge waiver up to ₹100/month; better rewards compared to some competitors
Surcharge Waiver Details
The fuel surcharge waiver is one of the biggest attractions of fuel credit cards, but it is important to understand the fine print:
✅ How It Works:
When you swipe your credit card for fuel, a surcharge (typically 1%) is levied by the fuel station. Fuel cards refund this amount to you, but only on eligible transactions.
- IndianOil RBL Bank XTRA Credit Card: 1% surcharge waiver up to ₹200 per month on fuel spends between ₹500 and ₹4,000.
- IndianOil Axis Bank Credit Card: 1% surcharge waiver up to ₹50 per statement cycle on fuel spends between ₹400 and ₹4,000.
- BPCL SBI Card OCTANE: 1% surcharge waiver up to ₹100 per statement cycle on BPCL fuel spends.
- IndianOil Kotak Credit Card: 1% surcharge waiver up to ₹100 per statement cycle on IndianOil fuel spends.
- IDFC FIRST Bank HPCL Power+ Credit Card: No explicit surcharge waiver, but strong rewards and cashback.
This waiver is in addition to the reward points or cashback you earn, making your savings even more substantial.
✨ Pro Tip:
Always swipe your card at automated fuel dispensers (POS terminals) to ensure waiver eligibility. Manual entries may not qualify.
Comparison of Fuel Rewards
To help you choose the best fuel credit card in India, here’s a detailed comparison of the top cards based on reward rates, surcharge waivers, and additional benefits:
| Credit Card | Fuel Brand | Joining Fee | Annual Fee | Annual Fee Waiver | Reward Rate on Fuel | Surcharge Waiver | Lounge Access |
| IndianOil RBL Bank XTRA Credit Card | IOCL | ₹1,500 | ₹1,500 | ₹2.75 Lakh spend | Up to 8.5% | 1% up to ₹200/month | None |
| IndianOil Axis Bank Credit Card | IOCL | ₹500 | ₹500 | ₹3.5 Lakh spend | Up to 5% | 1% up to ₹50/month | None |
| IndianOil Kotak Credit Card | IOCL | ₹449 | ₹449 | ₹50,000 spend | Up to 4.2% | 1% up to ₹100/month | None |
| BPCL SBI Card OCTANE | BPCL | ₹1,499 | ₹1,499 | ₹2 Lakh spend | Up to 6.25% | 1% up to ₹100/month | 4 visits/year |
| IDFC FIRST Bank HPCL Power+ Credit Card | HPCL | ₹499 | ₹499 | ₹1.5 Lakh spend | Up to 5.5% | None | 1 visit/quarter |
| HPCL Bank of Baroda ENERGIE Credit Card | HPCL | ₹499 | ₹499 | ₹50,000 spend | Up to 4% | 1% up to ₹100/month | 1 visit/quarter |
This table helps you quickly compare the best fuel credit cards in India based on your preferred fuel brand and spending habits.
How to Choose the Best Fuel Credit Card for You
When deciding on the best fuel card in India, consider the following:
1. Fuel Station Preference
Do you always fill up at HPCL, BPCL, or IOCL? Choose a card partnered with your preferred fuel brand to get the maximum benefits.
2. Monthly Fuel Spend
If you spend ₹3,000–₹10,000 on fuel monthly, a card offering cashback or reward points with high caps will be more rewarding in the long run.
3. Annual Fees vs Benefits
Compare the annual fee with the potential savings. A higher-fee card like BPCL Octane may justify the cost if you’re a frequent traveler.
4. Additional Perks
Some cards come bundled with airport lounge access, dining discounts, or EMI options—a great value if you’re looking for an all-in-one card.
Imagine you’re a daily commuter spending ₹5,000–₹10,000 per month on fuel. With the IndianOil RBL Bank XTRA Credit Card, you could earn enough reward points in a year to redeem up to 250 litres of free fuel, significantly reducing your annual expenses. Or, if you prefer BPCL, the BPCL SBI Card OCTANE offers a high reward rate and lounge access, making it ideal for frequent travelers.
For those who value flexibility, the IDFC FIRST Bank HPCL Power+ Credit Card rewards not just fuel but also utilities and groceries, making it a great all-rounder. And if you’re looking for a low-cost option, the IndianOil Axis Bank Credit Card or IndianOil Kotak Credit Card provides solid savings with minimal fee.
Fuel Credit Cards: Your Partner in Savings
Owning the best fuel credit card in India is more than just a convenience—it’s a smart financial move. By maximizing your savings on fuel, utilities, and everyday expenses, you can put more money back in your pocket every month. Compare, choose, and start saving with the right fuel credit card today!
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