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Amex, Visa or Mastercard credit cards: How to choose

American Express cards tend to earn more points but Visa and Mastercard are more widely accepted. Here's what to compare before you apply.

When deciding on a new credit card, you might be more interested in the name of the institution than the card issuer, but choosing between Amex and Visa or Mastercard can make a lot of difference.

In general, Amex tends to offer better rewards than many Visa or Mastercard credit cards. However, they aren't accepted in as many places worldwide.

Things to consider when comparing American Express, Mastercard and Visa credit cards

  • Points earning, capping and expiry. Compare rewards features to ensure your points don't run out before you use them or you're limited in how much you can earn.
  • Annual fee. Each card issuer has varying annual fees on different cards, from no annual fees to $500 per year. Some cards will also have introductory offers.
  • Interest rates. Amex, Visa and Mastercard will offer various low rate cards, but you should balance these against their annual fee.
  • Customer service. Visa and Mastercard offer concierge services to support some of their customers. Take a look at what else they offer.
  • Complimentary insurance. All 3 card issuers offer benefits like complimentary insurance and extended warranty. However, it’s important to understand the terms and conditions before you apply.

Which card is most widely accepted?

Many retailers will not accept Amex-issued credit cards, thanks to higher merchant fees. While all card issuers will charge fees as part of the cost of moving money between banks, Amex charges considerably more. Many retailers will add a higher surcharge to Amex users, but many others simply won't accept the credit cards.

Visa and Mastercard, on the other hand, are generally accepted worldwide anywhere you can use a credit card to pay for something.

How to compare Amex, Visa and Mastercard

FeatureAmex cardVisa / Mastercard
RewardsHigher earn rate and more bonus pointsLower earn rate
FeesHigher than averageAverage
Interest rateHigher than averageAverage
SurchargesMore common and higher than VisaLower than American Express
Eligibility criteriaStricter than the average VisaVaries widely by bank
AcceptanceLess widely acceptedAccepted pretty much worldwide
OtherOften a status symbolMany card options available

Can you get a virtual/digital card?

Loading your credit card onto your mobile wallet depends on the financial institution and type of card, rather than the card issuer. American Express cards are generally accepted on Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.

Most Visa and Mastercard credit cards are accepted on at least 1 of the 3 options, but you need to check with each credit card provider.

Some credit card providers will also provide virtual credit cards as soon as your credit card application has been approved, so that you can begin spending straight away without waiting for a physical card.

Compare Amex, Visa and Mastercard credit cards

Name Bonus points Points per $ spent Purchase rate p.a. Annual fee
Qantas American Express Ultimate Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Bonus points
60,000
Points per $ spent
1.25
Purchase rate p.a.
23.99%
Annual fee
$450
Go to siteMore Info
Get 60,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months. Plus, a yearly $450 Travel Credit.
American Express Velocity Platinum Card
Velocity Frequent Flyer
Bonus points
60,000
Points per $ spent
1.25
Purchase rate p.a.
23.99%
Annual fee
$375
Go to siteMore Info
Get 60,000 bonus Velocity Points when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months. Plus a return domestic flight each year.
American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card
Membership Rewards
Bonus points
N/A
Points per $ spent
1
Purchase rate p.a.
23.99%
Annual fee
$0 first year ($195 after)
Go to siteMore Info
Save with a $0 annual fee in the first year. Plus, $200 travel credit every year.
American Express Platinum Card
Membership Rewards Ascent Premium
Bonus points
150,000
Points per $ spent
2.25
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$1,450
Go to siteMore Info
Earn 150,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months. Plus, a $450 Travel Credit each year.
American Express Explorer Credit Card
Membership Rewards
Bonus points
50,000
Points per $ spent
2
Purchase rate p.a.
23.99%
Annual fee
$395
Go to siteMore Info
Get 50,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months.
Qantas American Express Premium Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Bonus points
30,000
Points per $ spent
1
Purchase rate p.a.
23.99%
Annual fee
$249
Go to siteMore Info
Get 30,000 bonus Qantas Points and 2 complimentary Qantas Club lounge invitations per year, plus complimentary travel insurance.
Qantas American Express Discovery Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Bonus points
N/A
Points per $ spent
0.75
Purchase rate p.a.
23.99%
Annual fee
$0
Go to siteMore Info
Earn uncapped Qantas Points for every $1 dollar spent, plus an ongoing $0 annual fee.
American Express Low Rate Credit Card
Bonus points
N/A
Points per $ spent
N/A
Purchase rate p.a.
10.99%
Annual fee
$0
Go to siteMore Info
Offers a low ongoing interest rate of 10.99% p.a. and a $0 annual fee. Plus, complimentary purchase cover.
American Express Essential Credit Card
Membership Rewards Gateway
Bonus points
N/A
Points per $ spent
1.25
Purchase rate p.a.
18.99%
Annual fee
$0
Go to siteMore Info
Get up to 1.25 Membership Rewards points per $1 on eligible spending and an ongoing $0 annual fee.
American Express Velocity Escape Card
Velocity Frequent Flyer
Bonus points
N/A
Points per $ spent
0.75
Purchase rate p.a.
23.99%
Annual fee
$0
Go to siteMore Info
Save with an ongoing $0 annual fee and earn 0.75 Velocity Points per $1 on everyday purchases.
American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card
Qantas Business Rewards
Bonus points
100,000
Points per $ spent
1.25
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$450
Go to siteMore Info
ABN holders w/ $75k revenue. Earn 100,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $3,000 in the first 2 months.
American Express Platinum Business Card
Membership Rewards Ascent Premium
Bonus points
200,000
Points per $ spent
2.25
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$1,750
Go to siteMore Info
ABN holders w/ $75,000 revenue. Get 200,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you spend $8,000 in the first 3 months.
American Express Business Explorer Credit Card
Membership Rewards Gateway
Bonus points
75,000
Points per $ spent
2
Purchase rate p.a.
23.99%
Annual fee
$149
Go to siteMore Info
ABN holders w/ $75,000 revenue. Get 75,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months.
American Express Velocity Business Card
Velocity Frequent Flyer
Bonus points
100,000
Points per $ spent
1
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$249
Go to siteMore Info
ABN holders w/ $75,000 revenue. Get 100,000 bonus Velocity Points when you spend $3,000 in the first 2 months.
American Express Gold Business Card
Membership Rewards Ascent
Bonus points
75,000
Points per $ spent
1.5
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$169
Go to siteMore Info
ABN holders w/ $75,000 revenue. Get 75,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend $1,000 within the first 2 months. Plus, earn 1.5 points per $1 on eligible spending with Membership Rewards.
American Express Qantas Corporate Card
Membership Rewards Spirit
Bonus points
50,000
Points per $ spent
1.5
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$70
More Info
Earn 50,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend $10,000 in the first 2 months. Plus, triple Qantas Points on eligible business flights.
American Express Qantas Corporate Platinum Card
Membership Rewards Spirit
Bonus points
200,000
Points per $ spent
2
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$1,200
More Info
Get 200,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend $25,000 in the first 2 months. Plus, 3x Qantas Points for eligible business flights and complimentary lounge passes.
American Express Corporate Gold Card
Membership Rewards Ascent
Bonus points
75,000
Points per $ spent
1.5
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$105
More Info
Earn 75,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend $10,000 on your new card in the first 2 months from card approval.
American Express Qantas Corporate Gold Card
Membership Rewards
Bonus points
75,000
Points per $ spent
1.5
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$105
More Info
Get 75,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you spend $10,000 in the first 2 months. Plus, earn 1.5 Membership Rewards points per $1 on most corporate spend and triple Qantas Points on eligible business flights.
American Express Corporate Platinum Card
Membership Rewards Ascent
Bonus points
200,000
Points per $ spent
2
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$800
More Info
Receive 200,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend $25,000 in the first 2 months.
American Express Corporate Card
Membership Rewards Ascent
Bonus points
50,000
Points per $ spent
1.5
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$70
More Info
Earn 50,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend $10,000 in the first 2 months.
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Name Purchase rate p.a. Annual fee Balance transfer rate p.a. Amount Saved
Kogan Money Card – Exclusive Offer
ExclusiveKogan Rewards Program
Purchase rate p.a.
20.99%
Annual fee
$0
Balance transfer rate p.a.
0% for 18 months with 1% balance transfer fee, then 21.74%
Amount Saved
$1,335.99 over 18 months
Go to siteMore Info
Get 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 18 months with a 1% balance transfer fee. Plus an ongoing $0 annual fee.
Virgin Money Low Rate Credit Card
Purchase rate p.a.
11.99%
Annual fee
$99
Balance transfer rate p.a.
0% for 15 months, then 21.69%
Amount Saved
$937.92 over 15 months
Go to siteMore Info
Offers 0% p.a. for 15 months on balance transfers, with no balance transfer fee.
Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card - Balance Transfer Offer
Velocity Frequent Flyer
Purchase rate p.a.
20.74%
Annual fee
$0 first year ($129 after)
Balance transfer rate p.a.
0% for 24 months, then 20.99%
Amount Saved
$1,453.89 over 24 months
Go to siteMore Info
Get 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 24 months (with no BT fee) and a $0 annual fee in the first year.
St.George Vertigo Card - Cashback Offer
Purchase rate p.a.
13.99%
Annual fee
$55
Balance transfer rate p.a.
6.99% for 12 months, then 21.49%
Amount Saved
$562.66 over 12 months
Go to siteMore Info
Get up to $400 cashback at eligible supermarkets and petrol stations in the first 180 days. Plus, a low interest rate for purchases.
St.George Amplify Signature
Amplify Rewards
Purchase rate p.a.
19.49%
Annual fee
$199 first year ($295 after)
Balance transfer rate p.a.
0% for 24 months with 1% balance transfer fee, then 21.49%
Amount Saved
$1,217.89 over 24 months
Go to siteMore Info
150,000 bonus Amplify Points (worth $675 in gift cards) when you spend $12,000 in the first 12 months. Plus, a first-year annual fee discount.
Virgin Money No Annual Fee Credit Card
Purchase rate p.a.
0% for 12 months, then 18.99%
Annual fee
$0
Balance transfer rate p.a.
0% for 12 months, then 20.99%
Amount Saved
$927.32 over 12 months
Go to siteMore Info
Save with a $0 annual fee and 0% p.a. on balance transfers and purchases for 12 months.
NAB StraightUp Card
Purchase rate p.a.
0%
Annual fee
$0
Balance transfer rate p.a.
More Info
Save with 0% p.a. interest charges and 0% foreign transaction fees. Plus, $0 monthly fees when you don't use the card or carry a balance.
Credit Union SA Education Community Credit Card
Purchase rate p.a.
0% for 6 months, then 11.49%
Annual fee
$0
Balance transfer rate p.a.
0% for 6 months, then 11.49%
Amount Saved
$483.02 over 6 months
More Info
Save with an ongoing $0 annual fee and 0% p.a. interest on purchases, balance transfers and cash advances.
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Showing 8 of 8 results
1 - 10 of 10
Name Purchase rate p.a. Bonus points Points per $ spent Interest-free period Balance transfer rate p.a. Annual fee
Qantas Premier Platinum
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Purchase rate p.a.
19.99%
Bonus points
80,000
Points per $ spent
1
Interest-free period
Up to 55 days on purchases
Balance transfer rate p.a.
0% for 12 months, then 21.99%
Annual fee
$349 first year ($399 after)
Go to siteMore Info
Earn up to 80,000 bonus Qantas Points. Plus, save with a reduced first-year annual fee and 0% p.a. for 12 months on balance transfers.
Westpac Low Rate Card
Purchase rate p.a.
13.74%
Bonus points
N/A
Points per $ spent
N/A
Interest-free period
Up to 55 days on purchases
Balance transfer rate p.a.
0% for 28 months, then 21.49%
Annual fee
$59
Go to siteMore Info
Save with a 0% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers for 28 months. Plus, a low 13.74% p.a. purchase interest rate.
Westpac Low Rate Card - Cashback Offer
Purchase rate p.a.
13.74%
Bonus points
N/A
Points per $ spent
N/A
Interest-free period
Up to 55 days on purchases
Balance transfer rate p.a.
Annual fee
$59
Go to siteMore Info
A no-frills card offering up to $350 cashback: $50 each month you make at least $1,000 of eligible purchases for the first 7 months.
Qantas Premier Everyday
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Purchase rate p.a.
19.99%
Bonus points
8,000
Points per $ spent
0.75
Interest-free period
Up to 55 days on purchases
Balance transfer rate p.a.
0% for 12 months, then 21.99%
Annual fee
$49
Go to siteMore Info
Get 2 bonus Qantas Points per $1 spent on eligible purchases in the first 4 months (up to 8,000 points), plus complimentary insurance.
Westpac Altitude Black
Westpac Altitude Rewards
Purchase rate p.a.
19.99%
Bonus points
150,000
Points per $ spent
1.25
Interest-free period
Up to 45 days on purchases
Balance transfer rate p.a.
Annual fee
$150 first year ($295 after)
Go to siteMore Info
Earn up to 150,000 bonus Altitude Rewards Points (100k when you spend $6,000 in the first 120 days and 50k in year 2).
Coles No Annual Fee Mastercard
Flybuys
Purchase rate p.a.
0% for 6 months, then 19.99%
Bonus points
20,000
Points per $ spent
0.5
Interest-free period
Up to 55 days on purchases
Balance transfer rate p.a.
19.99%
Annual fee
$0
Go to siteMore Info
Get 20,000 bonus Flybuys points (worth $100 Flybuys Dollars) and 0% interest on purchases for the first 6 months.
Citi Rewards Card - Purchase and Balance Transfer Offer
Citi Rewards Program
Purchase rate p.a.
0% for 12 months, then 21.49%
Bonus points
N/A
Points per $ spent
1
Interest-free period
Up to 55 days on purchases
Balance transfer rate p.a.
0% for 12 months, then 22.24%
Annual fee
$199
More Info
Save with 0% p.a. on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months with no balance transfer fee.
Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard
Purchase rate p.a.
26.99%
Bonus points
N/A
Points per $ spent
N/A
Interest-free period
Up to 55 days on purchases
Balance transfer rate p.a.
Annual fee
$0
Go to siteMore Info
Save with 0% international transaction fees on purchases. Plus, complimentary Flight Delay Pass and global data roaming.
Bankwest Breeze Classic Mastercard
Purchase rate p.a.
0% for 12 months, then 12.99%
Bonus points
N/A
Points per $ spent
N/A
Interest-free period
Up to 55 days on purchases
Balance transfer rate p.a.
0% for 12 months with 2% balance transfer fee, then 12.99%
Annual fee
$49
Go to siteMore Info
Save with 0% p.a. on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months (with a 2% BT fee).
Bankwest Breeze Platinum Mastercard
Purchase rate p.a.
0% for 12 months, then 12.99%
Bonus points
N/A
Points per $ spent
N/A
Interest-free period
Up to 55 days on purchases
Balance transfer rate p.a.
0% for 12 months with 2% balance transfer fee, then 12.99%
Annual fee
$69
Go to siteMore Info
Get 0% p.a. interest on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months (with a 2% BT fee). Plus 0% foreign fees and complimentary overseas travel insurance.
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