Best Marathon Fleet Fuel Card Alternatives for Businesses

If you’re considering a Marathon fuel card or already using one and exploring other options, it’s worth comparing it with other fleet cards. The Marathon fuel card is issued by WEX and offers fuel discounts at 6,000 Marathon locations, with acceptance at 95% of fuel stations nationwide through the WEX network.

Marathon can be a good fit for businesses that frequently fuel at Marathon stations, but other cards may offer broader acceptance, discounts across more fuel brands, or fewer fees. 

In this guide, we highlight five Marathon fleet fuel card alternatives and compare their discounts, fees, and acceptance networks so you can find the best fit for your business.

Marathon Fleet Fuel Card Alternatives Comparison

Top Marathon Fleet Fuel Card Alternatives

1. Voyager

The Voyager fuel card is accepted at over 97% of gas stations and truck stops nationwide, including major brands and independent locations. Compared to the Marathon fuel card, Voyager offers slightly broader acceptance without monthly card fees, out-of-network fees, or late fees.

How Voyager Compares to the Marathon Fuel Card

Pros

• More accepting locations
• No monthly card fees
• No out-of-network fees
• No late fees
• More personalized customer support

Cons

• No fuel discounts at Marathon locations

Good fit if: You want slightly broader nationwide acceptance without monthly card fees, transaction fees at truck stops, or late fees.

2. Coast

Coast is a tech-focused fuel card that is accepted anywhere Visa is accepted. Compared to the Marathon fleet card, Coast offers broader acceptance, discounts at a wider range of locations, and more flexibility to pay for fuel and other business expenses.

How Coast Compares to the Marathon Fuel Card

Pros

• Accepted anywhere Visa is accepted
• Discounts at a wider range of locations
• No truck stop fee
• Lower late payment fee
• No extra line item fees
• Can also capture field and other business expenses

Cons

• Higher monthly card fee
• No discounts at Marathon locations
• Visa has fewer purchase restrictions than traditional fleet card networks, so Coast uses SMS and mobile app unlock features for additional control
• SMS and mobile app unlock may not be a good fit for fleets with drivers who don't want to use their personal phones at the pump

Good fit if: You want a tech-focused fuel card with broader acceptance, discounts across more fuel brands, and the ability to capture field and other business expenses.

3. RoadFlex

RoadFlex is a tech-focused fleet card that is accepted anywhere Visa is accepted. Compared to the Marathon fuel card, RoadFlex offers broader acceptance, discounts at a wider range of locations, and more flexibility to pay for fuel and other business expenses.

How RoadFlex Compares to the Marathon Fuel Card

Pros

• Accepted anywhere Visa is accepted
• 2¢/gal discount at all locations
• Up to 25¢/gal at select participating locations 
• Prepaid fuel card option
• Smaller late payment penalty
• No truck stop fee

Cons

• You have to pay a higher monthly fee to access premium features
• No discounts at Marathon locations
• Like other fintech fuel cards, the RoadFlex card runs on a fleet credit card network (Visa), which has fewer purchase restrictions than traditional fleet card networks, so RoadFlex adds control with SMS and mobile app unlock. This can be a challenge for fleets where drivers don’t want to use personal phones, and companies may need to reimburse phone use or provide company devices.

Good fit if: You want broader acceptance, discounts across more fuel brands, and more tech features. The prepaid option also makes it a good option for businesses that don't want a credit line or don't have established credit.

4. Motive

The Motive fuel card is a tech-focused fuel card that is accepted anywhere Mastercard is accepted. Compared to the Marathon fuel card, Motive offers broader acceptance, discounts at more locations nationwide, and no out-of-network fees. It’s also a strong option for fleets already using Motive’s telematics and GPS platform.

How Motive Compares to the Marathon Fuel Card

Pros

• Accepted anywhere Mastercard is accepted
• Discounts at a wider range of locations
• No out-of-network fees
• Smaller late payment penalty

Cons

• Higher monthly card fee
• No discounts at Marathon locations
• Mastercard has fewer purchase restrictions than traditional fleet card networks, so Motive uses mobile app and SMS card unlock for additional control
• Mobile app and SMS unlock may not be a good fit for fleets with drivers who don't want to use their personal phones

Good fit if: You want broader acceptance, discounts at more locations, and no out-of-network fees. It’s especially a good fit if your fleet already uses Motive telematics or GPS products.

5. Fuelman

Fuelman is one of the largest fuel card providers in the U.S. and a direct competitor to WEX, the network behind the Marathon fuel card. Compared to the Marathon fleet fuel card, Fuelman has a smaller overall acceptance network but offers flat fuel discounts at 40,000 locations, with larger discounts available for diesel fleets.

How Fuelman Compares to the Marathon Fuel Card

Pros

• Flat discounts at 40,000 locations, not volume based

Cons

• Smaller overall acceptance network
• Monthly fee per account is more expensive for fleets with fewer than 20 cards
• Out-of-network fees at select locations
• Higher late fee

Good fit if: You want flat fuel discounts at more locations and don't need the broader acceptance of the Marathon Universal Card.

How to Choose the Right Marathon Fleet Fuel Card Alternative

• Choose Voyager if you want slightly broader nationwide acceptance without monthly card fees, truck stop transaction fees, or late fees.
• Choose Coast if you want a tech-focused fuel card with Visa acceptance, discounts across more fuel brands, and the ability to capture field and other business expenses.
• Choose RoadFlex if you want Visa acceptance, a flat 2¢ per gallon discount at all locations, and the option for a prepaid fuel card.
• Choose Motive if you want Mastercard acceptance and discounts at more locations, especially if your fleet already uses Motive telematics or GPS products.
• Choose Fuelman if you want flat fuel discounts at more locations, including larger discounts for diesel fleets.

To compare other fuel card options for businesses, check out these top 10 fuel cards for business fleets.