How to Save on Fuel with SBI Petrol Credit Cards

We all know the pain of watching fuel prices rise faster than our salaries. It seems like every week, we're standing in line at the petrol pump, watching our hard-earned money disappear into the fuel tank.

Whether you're driving to work (those of you who don't have WFH jobs), taking road trips, or just running errands, fuel is an expense you can't escape. In fact, fuel and electricity together make up 6% of the total annual expenditure of an average Indian household.

That's money that could have gone towards a nice meal, small luxuries, an extra streaming subscription, shopping, or even your savings. 

But what if you could refuel and still save money? Well, say hello to SBI Fuel Cards!

With SBI Fuel Cards, you get fuel surcharge waivers, cashback, and reward points every time you fill up your tank. Why let your fuel expenses burn a hole in your pocket when you can earn money while you burn (fuel, of course)? 

Table of Contents:

• How SBI Fuel Credit Cards Help in Fuel Savings
• SBI Credit Card Fuel Surcharge: How It Works?
• SBI Petrol Credit Card – Best Options Available
• Tips to Maximise Savings Using SBI Card Fuel Surcharge Waiver 

How SBI Fuel Credit Cards Help in Fuel Savings

A fuel credit card can help you save money on petrol/diesel while also giving you extra perks. Sounds good, right? Want to know more about the benefits of fuel credit cards? 👇

• Rewards: Swipe your fuel credit card at petrol pumps, and you earn reward points, which you can use to buy more fuel. Some cards give you up to 5% back in the form of reward points.
• Cashback: Some cards give you instant cashback on fuel purchases, which means your fuel costs less than what's on the pump. Think of this as an extra discount just for you. 
• No fuel surcharge: You might have noticed a small extra charge when you pay by card at petrol pumps. Many fuel credit cards waive this fee, helping you save extra money over time. 
• Bonus benefits 
  • Savings on groceries & bills: Some fuel credit cards also give rewards for grocery shopping and utility bill payments, so you save on more than just fuel.
  • Interest-free period: If you pay your bill on time, you can enjoy an interest-free period and manage your expenses without worrying about extra charges.
  • Safe and easy payments: Carrying cash is a hassle (and a risk). A fuel credit card makes payments quick, safe, and trackable—plus, most cards offer fraud protection for extra peace of mind.

Among the best fuel credit cards in India, SBI offers top choices like the BPCL SBI Card OCTANE. If you're looking for the best, SBI credit cards for fuel stand out. Why? Because compared to other options, SBI's petrol cards focus on maximising savings at BPCL outlets. 

SBI Credit Card Fuel Surcharge: How It Works

Whenever you use your SBI credit card to buy fuel, a 1% fuel surcharge gets added to your bill. On top of that, there's an 18% GST on the surcharge, which makes the total extra charge 1.18% of your fuel spend. 

So, if you fill up for ₹1,000, you'll pay an extra ₹11.80 (₹10 as surcharge + ₹1.80 as GST). This charge is automatically added to your bill unless your card offers a waiver. Fortunately, you don't have to pay a fuel surcharge on an SBI credit card up to ₹100 per statement cycle, potentially saving ₹1,200 yearly.

SBI Petrol Credit Card– Best Options Available

We have been talking about what benefits you can get and which charges apply when using an SBI credit card for fuel purchases. Now, let's look at the best SBI petrol credit cards.
The State Bank of India (SBI), in partnership with Bharat Petroleum, offers the BPCL SBI Card and BPCL SBI Card OCTANE (fuel credit cards), which are made to help you save money on petrol and more.

1. BPCL SBI Card

The BPCL SBI Card, launched in December 2017, is designed for people who spend a lot on fuel and want to get something back for it. Instead of just watching your money disappear at the petrol pump, this card helps you save up to 4.25% on fuel purchases while also earning rewards on everyday spending. 

You should consider this card if you:

• Regularly refuel at BPCL pumps
• Love getting cashback and rewards on fuel
• Travel a lot and want convenience
• Have a good credit score and want extra perks

Key Features and Benefits

• When you pay the joining fee, you get 2,000 bonus reward points worth ₹500.
• Get 4.25% value back on fuel purchases at BPCL petrol pumps through 13X reward points (maximum 1,300 reward points per billing cycle).
• Enjoy a 3.25% + 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions up to ₹4,000 per transaction, excluding GST and other charges.
• Earn 5X reward points on every ₹100 spent on groceries, dining, movies, and departmental store purchases (up to 5,000 reward points per month).
• For all other purchases, earn 1 reward point per ₹100 spent. Every 4 reward points equal ₹1, and you can redeem them instantly at over 1,200 BPCL petrol pumps.
• Unlike some other reward programs, there is no minimum reward points requirement for redemption, making it easy to use your points whenever needed.

Fees and Charges

• Annual fees: ₹499 + GST
• Renewal fees: ₹499 + GST (waived if you spend ₹50,000 or more in previous year)

While this card is great for fuel savings, it's not perfect (nothing's really perfect). Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• The fuel surcharge waiver is limited to ₹100 per billing cycle.
• It is applicable only on transactions up to ₹4,000 per transaction.
• Fuel savings are capped at ₹10,000 per billing cycle, meaning you won't earn additional reward points on fuel purchases after this limit.

The BPCL SBI Card is a great pick if you want to save money on fuel while also earning rewards on groceries and dining. Use it wisely, and you'll cut down on fuel costs without changing your spending habits.

2. BPCL SBI Card OCTANE

Fuel prices are always rising, and every rupee saved at the pump matters. The BPCL SBI Card OCTANE is designed to help you save money every time you refuel at BPCL petrol pumps. So, if you find yourself visiting the petrol pump more than your favourite cafe, then this card might just be what you need.

This card is ideal for:

• Frequent drivers who often buy fuel at BPCL petrol pumps
• People looking for fuel savings through cashback and reward points
• Those who spend on shopping, dining, and travel, as well as fuel
• Travellers who want free domestic airport lounge access

Key Features and Benefits

• Welcome bonus of 6,000 reward points worth ₹1,500 after paying the annual fee.
• 6.25% + 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions up to ₹4,000 per transaction, excluding GST and other charges.
• 25 reward points for every ₹100 spent at BPCL fuel stations, BPCL lubricants up to 2,500 points per billing cycle (website and app only).
• Earn 10 reward points per ₹100 spent on groceries, dining, movies, and departmental stores (up to 7,500 reward points per month).
• 1 reward point per ₹100 spent on other retail purchases (except mobile wallet upload & non-BPCL fuel spends).
• Get 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year at select VISA lounges in India (maximum of 1 free visit per quarter).
• Spend ₹3 lakh annually and receive an e-gift voucher worth ₹2,000 from Aditya Birla Fashion, Yatra, or Bata/Hush Puppies.

Fees and Charges

• Annual fees: ₹1,499 + GST.
• Renewal fees: ₹1,499 + GST (waived if you spend ₹2 lakh or more in previous year)

While this SBI fuel credit card offers great savings, here are a few limitations:

• The fuel surcharge waiver is capped at ₹100 per billing cycle.
• The waiver applies only to fuel transactions up to ₹4,000 per transaction.
• Reward points on non-fuel purchases are limited, so it's best suited for fuel-heavy spenders.

If fuel is one of your biggest expenses, this SBI petrol credit card helps turn your fuel spending into savings and rewards, making every refill more rewarding.

Tips to Maximise Savings Using SBI Card Fuel Surcharge Waiver

Fuel prices aren't getting any cheaper, but that doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune on petrol. If you're smart, you can use your SBI petrol credit card to get cashback, reward points, and fuel surcharge waivers. Here's how you can maximise your fuel savings without changing your daily routine:

• Pick the right card: Not all SBI cards are the same. Choose one that offers the best benefits, like the BPCL SBI Card, which not only waives the surcharge but also gives 4.25% value-back on fuel purchases at BPCL pumps.
• Be smart: Instead of refuelling in small amounts, aim for larger, planned purchases within the ₹500 - ₹4,000 range. This ensures you get the maximum waiver benefit each month.
• Know your card's limits: The waiver caps at ₹100 per month, so plan your fuel expenses accordingly. If you drive a lot and exceed this limit, consider splitting payments smartly or using multiple cards to continue saving.
• Make the most of your reward points: Use your SBI Fuel Card for other everyday purchases to earn reward points, which you can later redeem for free fuel. 
• Look for extra perks: Banks frequently offer special promotions, such as additional cashback or bonus reward points. Keep an eye on SBI's offers to maximise your fuel savings beyond just the surcharge waiver.
• Stack up the benefits: If possible, combine the fuel surcharge waiver with other cashback or rewards programs offered by SBI or BPCL. More discounts mean more savings on every refuel.

Want to see how tips work in real life? 

Here's how Suresh made the most of his SBI fuel card. Suresh is in marketing, and he drives a lot for work; he also likes to go on long drives and road trips. So, his fuel expenses were rising fast. He needed a way to cut down on expenses while enjoying additional perks, so he got himself a BPCL SBI Card OCTANE. 

1. Fuel savings:

1. Suresh spends ₹10,000 per month on BPCL fuel.
2. With the 6.25% + 1% fuel surcharge waiver, he saves ₹625 + ₹100 (surcharge waiver) = ₹725 per month.
3. That's a total annual savings of ₹8,700.

2. Reward points on fuel purchases:

1. He earns 25 reward points per ₹100 spent on BPCL fuel.
2. On a monthly fuel spend of ₹10,000, he earns 2,500 reward points (capped per billing cycle).
3. Annually, he collects 30,000 reward points.

3. Additional savings on daily expenses:

• Groceries, dining, and movies: Spending ₹5,000 monthly earns him 10 reward points per ₹100 spent, totalling 500 reward points per month.
• At the end of the year, he has collected 6,000 reward points from non-fuel purchases.

4. Welcome bonus & milestone rewards:

• After paying the ₹1,499 annual fee, Suresh receives a welcome bonus of 6,000 reward points worth ₹1,500.
• By spending ₹3 lakh annually, he earns a ₹2,000 e-gift voucher from Aditya Birla Fashion, Yatra, or Bata/Hush Puppies.

5. Airport lounge benefits:

• As a frequent traveller, he enjoys 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year, saving ₹500 per visit.
• Total savings: ₹2,000 per year on lounge access.

Total estimated annual savings for Suresh:

Benefit	Savings (₹)
Fuel surcharge waiver	1,200
Fuel cashback (6.25%)	7,500
Welcome bonus	1,500
Milestone reward	2,000
Reward points on non-fuel spend	6,000
Airport lounge visits	2,000
Total savings	₹20,200

With an SBI fuel credit card, Suresh doesn't just spend on fuel; he saves over ₹20,000 a year and enjoys cool perks like lounge access and shopping rewards. You can do it too!

Conclusion

SBI Fuel Cards are a fantastic way to save money on fuel while earning rewards, cashback, and other perks. Whether you're a daily commuter or a road trip enthusiast, these cards can help you cut down on fuel expenses without changing your routine. While SBI fuel cards are great, they're not the only options out there.

Different banks offer fuel credit cards with unique benefits, so it's always a good idea to compare before picking the best one for you. Want to see how SBI fuel cards stack up against others? Head over to Finology Select and compare different fuel credit cards based on rewards, cashback, and savings.

At the end of the day, the right fuel credit card depends on your spending habits and preferences. So, take a few minutes, compare your options, and choose a card that helps you save the most.

FAQ

1. What is the Fuel Surcharge on an SBI Credit Card?

The fuel surcharge on an SBI credit card is 1% of the transaction amount + 18% GST on the surcharge. 

2. What is the fuel surcharge waiver on SBI credit card?

SBI fuel credit cards offer a 1% fuel surcharge waiver at BPCL petrol pumps, helping you save on every refill. However, this benefit comes with terms and conditions applied.

3. Can I use my SBI fuel credit card for things other than fuel?

Yes! While these cards are great for fuel savings, they also give rewards and cashback on groceries, dining, shopping, and more. 

4. Is there a limit to how much I can save with the SBI fuel surcharge waiver?

Yes, the fuel surcharge waiver is capped at ₹100 per billing cycle. 

5. Do I need to refuel only at BPCL pumps to get the benefits?

SBI's fuel credit cards are designed to offer the best rewards and waivers at BPCL petrol pumps.