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Credit cards for online shopping

Check-out securely and save on extra fees when using a credit card for online shopping.

Sally McMullen
Sally McMullen

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Lady sitting on couch, online shopping on smartphone with credit card.

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Paying on plastic can be an easy way to shop online, but there are some cards that are better to use than others. You can use this guide to compare credit cards that will protect you from fraudulent transactions, doesn't charge extra fees for overseas purchases and can help you cut down on interest costs.

Bendigo Bank Credit Card Offer

Bendigo Bank Low Rate Credit Card

0% p.a. for 15 months on purchases
$150 Woolworths gift card

Offer ends 31 January 2021

Eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, fees and charges apply

Bendigo Bank Credit Card Offer

Enjoy 0% p.a. interest on purchases for 15 months and a $150 Woolworths gift card when you meet the spend requirement.

  • Purchase rate of 0% p.a. for 15 months (reverts to 11.99% p.a.)
  • $150 Woolworths gift card when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days
  • Cash advance rate: 13.99% p.a. | Minimum credit limit: 500
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Compare credit cards for online shopping

Data indicated here is updated regularly
Name Product Purchase rate Balance transfer rate Annual fee
Bendigo Bank Low Rate Credit Card
Bendigo Bank Low Rate Credit Card
0% p.a. for 15 months, reverts to 11.99% p.a.
13.99% p.a.
$45
Get 0% p.a. on purchases for 15 months and a $150 Woolworths Supermarket gift card when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days. Ends 31 Jan 2021.
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Coles No Annual Fee Mastercard
Coles No Annual Fee Mastercard
0% p.a. for 12 months, reverts to 19.99% p.a.
0% p.a. for 12 months
$0
Save on new and existing interest charges with 0% p.a. on balance transfers and purchases for 12 months. Ends 31 January 2021.
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Citi Clear Card
Citi Clear Card
0.9% p.a. for 15 months, reverts to 14.99% p.a.
0.9% p.a. for 15 months
$99
Save with 0.9% p.a. for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. Plus, complimentary purchase insurance cover.
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St.George Vertigo Platinum
St.George Vertigo Platinum
0% p.a. for 15 months, reverts to 12.99% p.a.
6.99% p.a. for 12 months
$49 annual fee for the first year ($99 p.a. thereafter)
Features an introductory 0% p.a. purchase rate, $49 first year annual fee and complimentary travel insurance covers.
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Citi Simplicity Card
Citi Simplicity Card
0% p.a. for 6 months, reverts to 21.49% p.a.
0% p.a. for 6 months
$0
Get 0% p.a. interest for up to 6 months on purchases and balance transfers. Plus, a $0 annual fee for life.
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NAB StraightUp Card
NAB StraightUp Card
N/A
$0
Save with 0% interest charges and 0% foreign transaction fees. Plus, $0 monthly fees when you don't use the card or carry a balance.
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Bank of Melbourne Amplify Platinum
Bank of Melbourne Amplify Platinum
0% p.a. for 7 months, reverts to 19.74% p.a.
0% p.a. for 22 months with 1.5% balance transfer fee
$0 annual fee for the first year ($99 p.a. thereafter)
Enjoy 0% p.a. on purchases and balance transfers along with a $0 first year annual fee waiver.
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St.George Rainbow Vertigo Platinum
St.George Rainbow Vertigo Platinum
0% p.a. for 15 months, reverts to 12.99% p.a.
6.99% p.a. for 12 months
$49 annual fee for the first year ($99 p.a. thereafter)
All the platinum features of the Vertigo Platinum Visa with a rainbow design in support of the LGBT community.
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St.George Amplify Platinum
St.George Amplify Platinum
0% p.a. for 7 months, reverts to 19.74% p.a.
0% p.a. for 22 months with 1.5% balance transfer fee
$0 annual fee for the first year ($99 p.a. thereafter)
Save with 0% p.a. interest rates on purchases and balance transfers. Plus a $0 first-year annual fee.
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BankSA Amplify Platinum
BankSA Amplify Platinum
0% p.a. for 7 months, reverts to 19.74% p.a.
0% p.a. for 22 months with 1.5% balance transfer fee
$0 annual fee for the first year ($99 p.a. thereafter)
Save with a 0% p.a. for up to 22 months on balance transfers and up to 7 months on purchases. Plus a $0 first-year annual fee.
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Data indicated here is updated regularly
Name Product Foreign currency conversion fee Overseas ATM withdrawal fee Purchase rate Annual fee
Coles Rewards Mastercard
Coles Rewards Mastercard
0%
$5
19.99% p.a.
$0 annual fee for the first year ($99 p.a. thereafter)
Enjoy $100 off a Coles Supermarket, a $0 first-year annual fee and a 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 18 months (1.5% fee applies). Ends 31 Jan 2021.
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Bankwest Breeze Platinum Mastercard
Bankwest Breeze Platinum Mastercard
0%
$0
10.99% p.a.
$0 annual fee for the first year ($69 p.a. thereafter)
Get 0% interest on balance transfers for 26 months, a $0 first-year annual fee, complimentary travel insurance and no foreign transaction fees.
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NAB StraightUp Card
NAB StraightUp Card
0%
N/A
$0
Save with 0% interest charges and 0% foreign transaction fees. Plus, $0 monthly fees when you don't use the card or carry a balance.
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Data indicated here is updated regularly
Name Product Bonus points Rewards program Rewards points per $ spent Purchase rate Annual fee
NAB Qantas Rewards Signature Card
Finder Award
NAB Qantas Rewards Signature Card
130,000
Qantas Frequent Flyer
1
19.99% p.a.
$295 annual fee for the first year ($395 p.a. thereafter)
Up to 130,000 bonus Qantas Points (100k when you spend $3,000 in the first 60 days and 30k after 12 months). Plus, a reduced first year annual fee.
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ANZ Frequent Flyer Black
ANZ Frequent Flyer Black
120,000
Qantas Frequent Flyer
1
20.24% p.a.
$425
Collect 120,000 bonus Qantas Points and $200 back when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months. Plus, complimentary lounge passes.
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Qantas Premier Platinum
Qantas Premier Platinum
100,000
Qantas Frequent Flyer
1
19.99% p.a.
$199 annual fee for the first year ($299 p.a. thereafter)
Get 100,000 bonus Qantas Points, 75 bonus Status Credits and a 0% p.a. balance transfer rate for 18 months (with a one-time 1% BT fee).
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St.George Amplify Platinum - Qantas
St.George Amplify Platinum - Qantas
70,000
Qantas Frequent Flyer
0.5
19.74% p.a.
$99
Earn 70,000 bonus Qantas Points, plus enjoy 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 15 months and complimentary insurance covers.
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Bank of Melbourne Amplify Platinum - Qantas
Bank of Melbourne Amplify Platinum - Qantas
70,000
Qantas Frequent Flyer
0.5
19.74% p.a.
$99
Receive 70,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $1,500 each month for the first 3 months and earn up to 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent.
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Coles Rewards Mastercard
Coles Rewards Mastercard
N/A
Flybuys
2
19.99% p.a.
$0 annual fee for the first year ($99 p.a. thereafter)
Enjoy $100 off a Coles Supermarket, a $0 first-year annual fee and a 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 18 months (1.5% fee applies). Ends 31 Jan 2021.
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Westpac Altitude Platinum Qantas
Westpac Altitude Platinum Qantas
60,000
Qantas Frequent Flyer
0.5
20.49% p.a.
$99 annual fee for the first year ($200 p.a. thereafter)
Get 60,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $3,000 within 90 days. Plus, a first-year annual fee discount and a long-term balance transfer offer.
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Qantas American Express Premium Card
Qantas American Express Premium Card
80,000
Qantas Frequent Flyer
1
20.74% p.a.
$249
Enjoy 80,000 bonus Qantas Points, $200 back and 2 complimentary Qantas Club lounge invitations per year.
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Qantas American Express Ultimate Card
Qantas American Express Ultimate Card
100,000
Qantas Frequent Flyer
1.25
20.74% p.a.
$450
Receive 100,000 bonus Qantas Points and $200 back on your card when you spend $3,000 within the first 3 months. Plus, a yearly $450 Travel Credit.
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American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card
American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card
50,000
Membership Rewards Ascent
1
20.74% p.a.
$195
Receive 50,000 bonus points when you spend at least $1,500 within the first 3 months. Plus, receive $200 travel credit each year. Ends 27 Jan 2021.
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How to compare credit cards for online shopping

If you're looking for a credit card to use online, here are some of the card types and features that could benefit you:

  • No currency conversion fees. If you often make purchases from online merchants that are based overseas, you should consider a credit card that doesn't charge foreign currency conversion fees. These fees are usually between 3% and 5% of the transaction fee and could easily add up. If the currency conversion fee was 3%, a USD$500 purchase could cost you USD$15 from the extra fee. If you shop online regularly, a card with 0% foreign transaction fees could help you save.
  • Fraud protection. Most credit cards offer fraud protection guarantees (such as Visa and Mastercard's zero liability policies), which means you won't be liable for any unauthorised transactions made with your card. Terms and conditions usually apply (for example, you may need to report the fraudulent transaction within a specific number of days). Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards also have fraud monitoring systems in place, so you'll usually be notified as soon as a suspicious transaction (such as a purchase from overseas or a large transaction) is made.
  • A store card. You could consider using a card that's linked with a specific retailer that you regularly shop with. If you often use your credit card to buy groceries online, you could consider a Coles or Woolworths credit card to earn Flybuys points and Everyday Rewards respectively. If you often shop at David Jones, the David Jones American Express and the David Jones American Express Platinum credit cards also offer rewards and exclusive perks to both online and in-store shoppers. The Kogan Money Black Card is another product that cardholders can use to earn points as they spend and redeem them for purchases at Kogan.com.
  • Low or 0% interest fees. If you're planning to make some big-ticket purchases online or think you'll struggle to repay your balance in full each month, you could consider a card that charges a low ongoing interest rate or a promotional 0% on purchases. Currently, you can compare credit cards with 0% on purchases for up to 15 months and the rate revert to the much higher standard purchase rate when the offer ends. Otherwise, you could consider a card with a low ongoing rate between 9% and 15% for the life of the card.
  • A rewards card. If you shop online and always pay your credit card balance in full, you could earn points as you spend with a rewards credit card. While most reward or frequent flyer credit cards award 1 point per $1 spent, some offer a higher earn rate on overseas purchases. This could come in handy if you're using your card to shop online with international merchants.

Alternatives to credit cards: Use a travel card to shop online

If you don't want to use a credit card but want a secure way to make purchases online that isn't tied to your savings account, consider a prepaid travel money card. You can load these cards with funds and use them to make purchases in several foreign currencies. Not only will this save you from currency conversion fees if you're making a purchase in a supported and loaded currency, but it can also help you shop within a budget. You can only spend the amount that's loaded on the card and will need to reload more funds if your balance runs low.

As these cards are usually Mastercard or Visa products, you can use them both online and in-store at millions of locations around the world.

Comparison of travel money cards

Data indicated here is updated regularly
Name Product Available Currencies ATM Withdrawal Fee Initial Load Fee Reload fee
Cash Passport Platinum Mastercard
Cash Passport Platinum Mastercard
AUD,USD,CAD,EUR,GBP,HKD,JPY,NZD,SGD,THB,AED
USD $2.50, EUR €2.50, GBP £2.00, NZD $3.50, THB ฿80.00, CAD $3.50, HKD $18.00, JPY ¥260.00, SGD $3.50, AUD $3.50, AED 10.00
$0
$5
Up to 11 currencies on 1 card locked in exchange rates and no load fees.
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Frequently asked questions about using a credit card to shop online

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