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Credit card comparison made easy

Compare credit cards with bonus points, balance transfers, low rates and more from our database of 81 Australian providers.

Amy Bradney-George

Reviewed by

Alanna Glenn

Updated

Dec 4, 2023

Fact checked

1 - 13 of 34

Name	Purchase rate p.a.	Bonus points	Points per $ spent	Interest-free period	Balance transfer rate p.a.	Annual fee
Kogan Money Card – Exclusive Offer ExclusiveKogan Rewards Program	Purchase rate p.a. 20.99%	Bonus points N/A	Points per $ spent 1	Interest-free period Up to 55 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. 0% for 18 months with 1% balance transfer fee, then 21.74%	Annual fee $0	Go to site More Info Compare	0% Balance Transfer Offer Get 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 18 months with a 1% balance transfer fee. Plus an ongoing $0 annual fee.
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 site More Info Compare	0% Interest Offers Save with 0% p.a. on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months (with a 2% BT 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 site More Info Compare	0% Foreign Currency Conversion Fees Save with 0% international transaction fees on purchases. Plus, complimentary Flight Delay Pass and global data roaming.
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 site More Info Compare	20,000 Bonus Flybuys Points Get 20,000 bonus Flybuys points (worth $100 Flybuys Dollars) and 0% interest on purchases for the first 6 months.
Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card - Balance Transfer Offer Velocity Frequent Flyer	Purchase rate p.a. 20.74%	Bonus points N/A	Points per $ spent 0.66	Interest-free period Up to 55 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. 0% for 24 months, then 20.99%	Annual fee $0 first year ($129 after)	Go to site More Info Compare	0% Balance Transfer Offer Get 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 24 months (with no BT fee) and a $0 annual fee in the first year.
NAB Low Rate Credit Card	Purchase rate p.a. 12.49%	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 with 2% balance transfer fee, then 21.74%	Annual fee $0 first year ($59 after)	Go to site More Info Compare	0% Balance Transfer Offer Get a 0% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers for the first 28 months (with a 2% BT fee). Plus, save with a $0 first-year annual 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 site More Info Compare	0% Interest Offers 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.
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 site More Info Compare	0% Balance Transfer Offer Save with a 0% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers for 28 months. Plus, a low 13.74% p.a. purchase interest rate.
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 site More Info Compare	Up to 80,000 Bonus Points 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.
Qantas American Express Ultimate Card Qantas Frequent Flyer	Purchase rate p.a. 23.99%	Bonus points 60,000	Points per $ spent 1.25	Interest-free period Up to 44 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a.	Annual fee $450	Go to site More Info Compare	60,000 bonus Qantas Points Get 60,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months. Plus, a yearly $450 Travel Credit.
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 site More Info Compare	Balance Transfer & Bonus Points Get 2 bonus Qantas Points per $1 spent on eligible purchases in the first 4 months (up to 8,000 points), plus complimentary insurance.
Virgin Money No Annual Fee Credit Card	Purchase rate p.a. 0% for 12 months, then 18.99%	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, then 20.99%	Annual fee $0	Go to site More Info Compare	0% Interest Offers Save with a $0 annual fee and 0% p.a. on balance transfers and purchases for 12 months.
American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card Qantas Business Rewards	Purchase rate p.a. 0%	Bonus points 100,000	Points per $ spent 1.25	Interest-free period Up to 51 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a.	Annual fee $450	Go to site More Info Compare	100,000 Bonus Qantas Points Offer ABN holders w/ $75k revenue. Earn 100,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $3,000 in the first 2 months.

Showing 13 of 34 results

Find some of the terms in this table confusing? Jump down to our glossary to learn about key features and how to compare cards.

My top tip for comparing credit cards is to decide what's most important to you at the beginning. Is it a low interest rate? Low annual fee? Big bonus points offer? Maybe a balance transfer deal? For instance, I pay my balance in full each month and never pay interest, so I ignore the interest rates and don’t look at balance transfer offers. Knowing exactly what you want from your card helps you effectively compare and find the right card for you.

Sarah Megginson
Finance expert and head of editorial at Finder

What types of credit cards are there?

Every credit card is slightly different and you should find one that has features that matter to you. There are 5 primary types of credit cards. Here is a quick explanation of each one. Below, we go into more detail and highlight our current top picks.

Card type	Principal use	Pros	Cons
Balance transfer	Pay off existing debt with no / low interest	Save money on interest and pay down debt faster	Minimal perks and no interest-free days on new purchases
Rewards / frequent flyer	Earn points on your spending	Get rewarded for money you’d spend anyway	High interest rates & annual fees
No annual fee	Credit without an upfront cost	Costs nothing if you pay it off in full or don’t use it at all	Minimal perks and higher interest rates
Low rate	Pay off purchases over time while paying less interest	Saves you money if you carry a balance from month to month	Minimal perks
Business	Managing cash flow and separating spending	Offer distinct features for business (like accounting feeds)	Stricter eligibility requirements

What is a credit card?

A credit card lets you spend money that you can pay back over time, usually with interest.

Unlike a debit card – where you need money in the bank – a credit card gives you a set amount you can spend (or borrow), known as your credit limit. You also get regular statements (usually monthly) and need to make repayments by the due date on them.

Want more details? Check out Finder’s guide to how credit cards work.

Pros & cons of credit cards

Pros

Flexibility. If you have a big purchase to make, a credit card can be a financial "buffer" – letting you buy it and then repay it over time. If it’s used wisely, it can be interest free.
Convenience. Credit cards allow you to buy what you need, when you need it. You can use them to shop in-store, online and overseas, with security features to protect against fraud.
Rewards. Everyone loves perks. A credit card can help you get frequent flyer points, cashback on your groceries, flight upgrades or even gift cards.

Cons

Debt. Credit card interest adds up quickly if you don't pay your balance on time, which could cost you hundreds (or thousands) of dollars and take a long time to pay back.
Can be expensive. The average interest rate for an Australian credit card is around 20%. In comparison, the average interest rate for a variable rate personal loan is 14.41%.
Sneaky fees and surcharges. Some businesses add a surcharge to credit card payments, which can be 1–2% of the total purchase cost.

Bottom line? Credit cards have a mix of great perks and understandable risks. A good rule of thumb (if you get a card) is to have a plan for paying it off and using the benefits.

How to compare credit cards

Here's a breakdown of features and charges you should know about.

Fee or feature	What is it?	What you should know
Annual fee	The amount you'll have to pay each year just to use the card.	Higher annual fees usually mean more perks and rewards.
Purchase interest rate	The amount of interest you'll pay if you don’t pay your card off in full.	The lower the interest rate, the less you’ll pay in potential interest.
p.a.	This abbreviation of “per annum” is used for credit card interest rates, because the annual (or yearly) value is shown.	As an example, the interest you’d be charged over 12 months would be about 20% of your balance on a credit card with a 20% p.a. interest rate.
Interest-free period	The amount of time you'll get before you're charged interest on your purchases.	More days give you more time to pay off your balance so you won’t be charged interest.
Balance transfer rate	The interest rate you’ll pay if you transfer a balance from another card.	The lower the interest rate, the better. Most introductory offers are for 0% p.a. on your balance, but you may pay a one-time fee.
Cash advance rate	The higher interest rate you’ll pay if you take cash out or make an equivalent transaction.	Avoid cash advances unless it's an emergency.
Foreign transaction fee	The fee you'll be charged on purchases made in a foreign currency overseas or online.	There are plenty of cards on the market with 0% foreign fees.
Rewards program	Offers points and perks that you can earn for your spending.	Common features include points, insurance, lounge passes and premium services.
Minimum repayment	The lowest amount you need to pay by the due date to keep your account in good standing.	You can always (and should try to) pay more than the minimum amount. But paying less can lead to late payment fees and hurt your credit score.
Credit card network	The payment system that processes all your credit card transactions. Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club are the key credit card networks in Australia.	Banks and brands partner with Mastercard and Visa, so you'll see their logos on your cards. American Express issues cards and has its own network for processing payments. Diners Club has more limited availability.

What's happening in credit cards in December?

The holiday season could see Australians using their credit cards more, with Finder research showing that we're set to spend a total of $30 billion on Christmas and other celebrations.

If you're planning to use a credit card and want some extra time to pay it off, getting one with a introductory 0% interest rate on purchases could help you save on interest charges for 6-12 months or more.

If you're more focused on travel goals, paying with a frequent flyer credit card could help you earn points – including 80,000+ bonus points with a new card. Just remember to pay off what you spend on the card by the statement due date to avoid interest.

But Finder analysis of RBA data also shows that Australians have $18.1 billion of credit card debt accrusing interest. So if you want to repay this type of debt, a card with a 0% balance transfer offer could help you save on interest and make it faster to pay off what you owe.

Updated by Finder's credit card senior writer Amy Bradney-George on 4 December 2023.

Should I get a credit card?

For many Australians, using a credit card is an everyday part of life. But not everyone needs a credit card.

In fact, Finder research has found that 72% of Australians could manage their money without a credit card. So they don't technically need a card but still choose have one for different reasons, including:

For emergencies
To earn rewards or frequent flyer points (which are not offered by most other accounts)
To make big purchases
To build credit history
To pay off debt and/or get a balance transfer

Some people also like the security of knowing that a credit card uses the bank's money, especially when it comes to fraud. It means you're not directly out-of-pocket when suspicious transactions are investigated.

On the other hand, you don’t want to take on debt you don't need, especially if you're paying interest on it.

There are also some people who might be more susceptible to credit card debt. For example, people who tend to impulse shop could end up with a big balance and interest charges, which can take years to pay off.

Bottom line? You should weigh up the pros and cons of getting a credit card based on what you would use it for and how you'd pay it off. That way, you can decide if it's worth it for you – and see if there's a card you want.

Did you know? 2022 Finder research shows credit card loyalty could cost the average cardholder $153 a year. It pays to compare, and to switch when you find a better offer.

How to use a credit card (and avoid debt)

A credit card is convenient, but it also comes with a risk of debt. Here are 4 tips to help you stay on top of payments and make the most of your credit card.

Ask for a credit limit you can manage. Credit card companies must determine your limit based on what you could "reasonably" afford to pay off over 3 years. But if the credit limit you're offered is higher than what you need, you can request a lower limit so you have more control.
Pay more than the minimum. Only paying the minimum amount listed on your credit card statement can lead to years of debt and interest charges. So, aim to pay off the total balance – or as much as possible – by the statement's due date.
Plan repayments. Set a monthly calendar reminder for the payment due date, or set up automated payments. Finder's credit card repayment calculator can also help you budget.
Get help if you need it. If you’re struggling with your credit card, call your bank or provider to see what support is available. You can also get free financial advice by calling the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.

Have questions about credit cards? We have answers

You need to apply for a credit card before you can start using one. This is usually a simple process you can do online in a few steps:
1. Compare different credit cards to find one you want
2. Check that you meet the eligibility requirements (e.g. being over the age of 18 and earning income)
3. Complete the application, including supporting documentation (e.g. your driver's licence details, payslips etc)
Before you apply it's also important to think about how a credit card fits in with your financial situation. It may be helpful to use a repayment calculator to estimate potential costs and budget for repayments if you don't think you'll pay off what you spend each month.
Also keep in mind that lenders check your credit report and score when you apply. So if you want to check these details before that, you can get a free copy of your report and score through Finder.
Applying, getting approved or being rejected for a credit card affects your credit score. Each time you apply, it’s recorded on your credit file. Your score may go down if you have a few applications in a short period of time. If you miss repayments, it could also lower your score. But regular payments and responsible use of a credit card can raise your credit score. It's all in how you use the card.
The discussion around credit cards vs Afterpay has been going on for years, but both cards and buy now pay later (BNPL) services have different features. Here's a basic breakdown:
- Credit cards: You can use a credit card almost everywhere: shops, cafes, online. They just need to accept the type of card you have (Amex, Mastercard, Visa). If you don't pay off your balance in full each month, you'll be charged interest. When you apply, the bank will check your credit score to decide what limit to give you.
- Buy now pay later: Most BNPL services let you buy items from partnered stores, then pay them off in fixed instalments over a few weeks or months. They don't typically charge interest but may have other fees, especially for late payments. Your credit history isn't usually checked when you apply and your limit will increase with responsible use.
Credit Card Finder® is a free, Australian-owned service that you can use to compare credit card offers from banks, credit unions and other financial institutions. We've been around since 2006 and keep a database of virtually every credit card on the market in Australia.
Our comparison tables are completely free to use and we don't ask for your personal information. We link you directly to the lender's secure application page. We make money from featured partners but editorial opinions are our own. We're here to help you make a decision.

Why you can trust Finder's credit card experts

We're free

Our comparison tables are completely free to use. We link you directly to the lender's secure application page. Better still, we regularly have exclusive offers that you won't find on any other site.

We're experts

We've researched and rated hundreds of cards as part of our Finder Awards. We've published 200+ guides and our in-house experts regularly appear on Sunrise, 7News and SBS News.

We're independent

Unlike other comparison sites, we're not owned by a bank or lender. That means our opinions are our own and you can compare nearly every credit card in Australia on Finder.

Amy Bradney-George

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Amy Bradney-George is the senior writer for credit cards at Finder, and editorial lead for Finder Green. She has over 14 years’ experience as a journalist, with a particular focus on personal finance, and has been featured in publications including ABC News, Money Magazine and The Sydney Morning Herald.

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101 Responses

KonDecember 5, 2023

Me , my wife and my 18 year old daughter will be travelling overseas next year for 7 weeks.
Which credit card would ypu recommend which has $0 international transaction fees and complimentary travel insurance, with interest frees days and the lowest annual fees?
Regards

Finder

AmyDecember 6, 2023Finder

Hi Kon,

The Bankwest Zero Platinum Mastercard was named Best Travel Credit Card in the 2023 Finder Credit Card Awards and has no international transaction fees, no annual fee, interest-free days and complimentary travel insurance for up to 31 days, which you can apply to extend for up to 3 consecutive months of travel. The CommBank Low Fee Gold Mastercard was also a finalist in this category of the Finder Credit Card Awards 2023 and offers similar features.

Finder also has a guide on credit cards with travel insurance where you can compare a range of cards side-by-side. When considering cards, it’s a good idea to check the insurance policy details for who’s covered. In particular, the age requirements for dependents, which is typically children up to 16-24 years of age (but does depend on the policy). Interest-free days are common on most credit cards for purchases, typically when you pay the total amount listed on each statement by the due date. Just keep in mind that ATM withdrawals and other cash advances are not eligible for an interest-free period. I hope this helps.

JimNovember 29, 2023

Hi there, I am looking for a credit card with the best travel insurance included. My wife and I often embark on long overseas trips (up to a year) and do not purchase a return ticket until we are ready to return. Can you advise on the best solution please. Thanks

Finder

AmyDecember 5, 2023Finder

Hi Jim,
Finder can only provide general advice and factual information, but we do have a comprehensive guide on credit cards with travel insurance that offers more details. I hope this helps.

COLLEENNovember 14, 2023

Do you think I can get a credit card on a 550 credit score.

Finder

AmyNovember 15, 2023Finder

Hi Colleen,
Your credit score is just one of the factors credit card providers consider when you apply for a credit card. Your level of income, regular household expenses and any existing debts are some of the other details they will review when you apply. You can also check the eligibility criteria for a credit card you’re interested in applying for, or contact the provider to discuss your application. If you want to increase your chance of approval Finder also has a guide with credit card application tips that may be helpful

AdrianNovember 13, 2023

What is the best rewards business card for low FX rates or no fees? We are a small business that use alot of subscriptions overseas to the US.

Finder

AmyNovember 14, 2023Finder

Hi Adrian,
The ANZ Business Black Credit Card was named Best Business Rewards Credit Card 2023 and the NAB Qantas Business Signature was named Best Business Frequent Flyer Credit Card in the 2023 Finder Credit Card Awards. But while both of these cards earn points per $1, they also both have international transaction fees. This is relatively common for business credit cards but you may still want to compare others to see if there’s one with more features suited to your business.

You could also consider an expense management card that has no FX fees, such as those offered by Archa, Cape or Volopay (which offers a multi-currency facility). Not all of these accounts offer access to credit or a rewards program, so you’ll need to decide if they’re suitable. I hope this helps.

IanNovember 12, 2023

Hi, I am wondering if I can search credit cards for those that do not charge a foreign currency transaction fee as I will be heading overseas in December. Your assistance will be appreciated. Ian

Finder

AmyNovember 13, 2023Finder

Hi Ian,
Yes, Finder has a whole guide to credit cards with no foreign transaction fees, including a table where you can compare cards side-by-side. It also has insights on how this feature works and what else to consider when you’re choosing a card for travel or online shopping with businesses that are based overseas. I hope this helps.

Credit card comparison made easy

Compare credit cards with bonus points, balance transfers, low rates and more from our database of 81 Australian providers.