Amex vs Visa & Mastercard Credit Cards

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.

American Express cards often come with higher rewards points per dollar spent but may not be as widely accepted as Visa cards.
Visa cards are accepted at more locations worldwide and tend to have lower fees compared to American Express.
Amex cards usually offer premium perks like travel insurance and concierge services, while Visa cards are more likely to have lower interest rates and annual fees.

Our expert says

"My first credit card in Australia was an Amex. It had a great earn rate, but there were numerous places that surcharged or didn't accept it. In the end, I switched to a Visa and it is more widely accepted and less widely surcharged, although it doesn't earn points as quickly. My debit card is a Mastercard and I haven't encountered many places which accept Visa but don't accept Mastercard, so it is much of a muchness to me."

Taylor Blackburn

Money Expert

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

Feature	Amex card	Visa / Mastercard
Rewards	Higher earn rate and more bonus points	Lower earn rate
Fees	Higher than average	Average
Interest rate	Higher than average	Average
Surcharges	More common and higher than Visa	Lower than American Express
Eligibility criteria	Stricter than the average Visa	Varies widely by bank
Acceptance	Less widely accepted	Accepted pretty much worldwide
Other	Often a status symbol	Many 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

Bonus points	Points per $ spent	Purchase rate p.a.	Annual fee
American Express Explorer Credit Card Most LovedAmerican Express Membership Rewards	Bonus points 115,000	Points per $ spent 2	23.99%	Annual fee $395	Partner offer: Get 115,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply via the link on this page and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months. New American Express card members only. Ends 6 Oct 2026. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Platinum Card Most LovedAmerican Express Membership Rewards	Bonus points 340,000	Points per $ spent 2.25	N/A	Annual fee $1,450	Partner offer: Earn 240,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points when you apply via the link on this page and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months and additional 100,000 points when you meet the same spend requirement in year 2. New American Express card members only. Ends 6 Oct 2026. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Velocity Platinum Card Finder AwardMost LovedVelocity Frequent Flyer	Bonus points 100,000	Points per $ spent 1.25	23.99%	Annual fee $440	Get 70,000 bonus Velocity Points when you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months and additional 30,000 points when you meet the same spend requirement in year 2. New American Express card members only. Ends 13 Oct 2026. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Qantas American Express Ultimate Card Most LovedQantas Frequent Flyer	Bonus points 120,000	Points per $ spent 1.25	23.99%	Annual fee $450	Get 70,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months and additional 50,000 points when you meet the same spend requirement in year 2. New American Express card members only. Ends 17 Nov 2026. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Velocity Escape Plus Card Most LovedVelocity Frequent Flyer	Bonus points 20,000	Points per $ spent 1	23.99%	Annual fee $95	Get 20,000 bonus Velocity Points when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months, plus a $50 Virgin Australia Statement Credit. New American Express card members only. Ends 25 May 2027. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card Most LovedAmerican Express Membership Rewards	Bonus points 30,000	Points per $ spent 1	23.99%	Annual fee $108	Earn 30,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend at least $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months. New American Express card members only. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Business Gold Plus Card Most LovedAmerican Express Membership Rewards	Bonus points 250,000	Points per $ spent 1.5	N/A	Annual fee $395	Get 250,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months. Plus, earn up to 3 points per $1 spent at Xero, Google Ads, Meta, Amazon Web Services and Dell. New Amex card members only. Ends 03 Nov 2026. T&Cs apply. ABN holders w/ $75,000 revenue.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Platinum Business Card Most LovedAmerican Express Membership Rewards	Bonus points 350,000	Points per $ spent 2.25	N/A	Annual fee $1,750	Limited-time offer: Get 350,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points and an $875 credit when you spend $12,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months. New American Express card members only. Ends 3 Nov 2026. T&Cs apply. ABN holders w/ $75,000 revenue.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card Finder AwardMost LovedQantas Business Rewards	Bonus points 150,000	Points per $ spent 1.25	N/A	Annual fee $450	Earn 150,000 bonus Qantas Points plus $200 in your Qantas Business Rewards Travel Fund when you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months. New American Express card members only. Ends 10 Nov 2026. T&Cs apply. ABN holders w/ $75k revenue.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Velocity Business Card Most LovedVelocity Frequent Flyer	Bonus points 200,000	Points per $ spent 1	N/A	Annual fee $249	Limited-time offer: Receive 200,000 bonus Velocity Points when you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months. New American Express card members only. Ends 27 Oct 2026. T&Cs apply. ABN holders w/ $75,000 revenue.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Qantas American Express Discovery Card Most LovedQantas Frequent Flyer	Bonus points N/A	Points per $ spent 0.75	23.99%	Annual fee $0	Earn up to 1.75 Qantas Points per $1 spent, with no ongoing annual fee.	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Low Rate Credit Card Most Loved	Bonus points N/A	Points per $ spent N/A	10.99%	Annual fee $0	Offers a low ongoing interest rate of 10.99% p.a. and a $0 annual fee. Plus, complimentary purchase cover.	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Qantas American Express Premium Card Most LovedQantas Frequent Flyer	Bonus points 20,000	Points per $ spent 1	23.99%	Annual fee $249	Get 20,000 bonus Qantas Points, 2 complimentary Qantas Club lounge passes per year and complimentary travel insurance. New American Express card members only. T&Cs apply.	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card Most LovedAmerican Express Membership Rewards	Bonus points N/A	Points per $ spent 1	23.99%	Annual fee $0 first year ($195 after)	Save with a $0 annual fee in the first year. Plus, $200 Travel Credit every year. New American Express card members only. T&Cs apply.	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Qantas Corporate Card Most LovedAmerican Express Membership Rewards	Bonus points 50,000	Points per $ spent 1.5	N/A	Annual fee $70	Earn 50,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points when you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases in the first 2 months. For new corporate card programs only. T&Cs apply.	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Corporate Gold Card Most LovedAmerican Express Membership Rewards	Bonus points 75,000	Points per $ spent 1.5	N/A	Annual fee $105	Earn 75,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points when you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases in the first 2 months and uncapped points potential. For new corporate card programs only. T&Cs apply.	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Qantas Corporate Gold Card Most LovedAmerican Express Membership Rewards	Bonus points 75,000	Points per $ spent 1.5	N/A	Annual fee $105	Get 75,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points when you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases in the first 2 months. For new corporate card programs only. T&Cs apply.	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Corporate Card Most LovedAmerican Express Membership Rewards	Bonus points 50,000	Points per $ spent 1.5	N/A	Annual fee $70	Earn 50,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points when you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases in the first 2 months. For new corporate card programs only. T&Cs apply.	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Corporate Platinum Card Most LovedAmerican Express Membership Rewards	Bonus points 350,000	Points per $ spent 2	N/A	Annual fee $800	Receive 350,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points and a $500 credit when you spend $25,000 on eligible purchases in the first 2 months. Plus, complimentary travel insurance. For new corporate card programs only. Ends 03 Nov 2026. T&Cs apply.	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Qantas Corporate Platinum Card Most LovedAmerican Express Membership Rewards	Bonus points 350,000	Points per $ spent 1.5	N/A	Annual fee $1,200	Enjoy 350,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points and a $500 credit when you spend $25,000 on eligible purchases in the first 2 months. For new corporate card programs only. Ends 03 Nov 2026. T&Cs apply.	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading

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Purchase rate p.a.	Annual fee	Balance transfer rate p.a.	Amount Saved
Virgin Money Anytime Rewards Credit Card Virgin Money Rewards	19.99%	Annual fee $149	Balance transfer rate p.a. 0% for 12 months with 3% balance transfer fee, then 20.99%	$628.32 over 12 months	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card - Balance Transfer Offer Velocity Frequent Flyer	20.74%	Annual fee $149	Balance transfer rate p.a. 0% for 24 months with 3% balance transfer fee, then 20.99%	$1,263.89 over 24 months	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Virgin Money Anytime Rewards Credit Card - Balance Transfer Offer Virgin Money Rewards	19.99%	Annual fee $149	Balance transfer rate p.a. 0% for 24 months with 3% balance transfer fee, then 20.99%	$1,263.89 over 24 months	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Kogan Money Credit Card - Balance Transfer Exclusive Offer ExclusiveKogan Rewards Program	21.99%	Annual fee $0	Balance transfer rate p.a. 0% for 18 months with 2% balance transfer fee, then 22.74%	$1,235.99 over 18 months	Finder exclusive: Save with 0% p.a. for the first 18 months on balance transfers (with a one-time 2% balance transfer fee). T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
ANZ Platinum Credit Card	20.99%	Annual fee $0 first year ($87 after)	Balance transfer rate p.a. 21.99%	No savings	Earn $450 back to your new card when you spend $4,500 on eligible purchases in the first 4 months from approval. Plus, a $0 annual fee in the first year.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
NAB Qantas Rewards Signature Card Qantas Frequent Flyer	20.99%	Annual fee $420	Balance transfer rate p.a. 0% for 12 months with 3% balance transfer fee, then 22.99%	$357.32 over 12 months	Earn up to 130,000 bonus Qantas Points (100,000 points + $250 cashback when you spend $5,000 in the first 90 days and additional 30,000 points when you keep your card open for over 12 months from activation). Ends 30 Sep 2026.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
NAB Rewards Platinum Card – Velocity Points NAB Rewards	20.99%	Annual fee $195	Balance transfer rate p.a. 0% for 12 months with 3% balance transfer fee, then 22.99%	$582.32 over 12 months	Get up to 90,000 bonus Velocity Points: 70,000 points when you spend $4,000 in the first 90 days and 20,000 points after 12 months.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
ANZ Qantas Business Rewards Qantas Business Rewards	20.24%	Annual fee $300	Balance transfer rate p.a. N/A	No savings	ABN holders w/ $75k revenue. Get up to 150,000 bonus Qantas Points when you meet the spend requirements, uncapped Qantas Points and complimentary travel insurance.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
ING Orange One Rewards Platinum Most Loved	16.99%	Annual fee $149	Balance transfer rate p.a. N/A	No savings	Up to $30 cashback per month and $0 ATM fees. Available when you hold or open an Orange Everyday bank account.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
ING Orange One Low Rate Most Loved	12.99%	Annual fee $48	Balance transfer rate p.a. N/A	No savings	This card comes with a loyalty program with built-in cashback offers. It also offers instalment plans to help you pay off purchases over time at a lower interest rate.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading

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10 of 63 results

Purchase rate p.a.	Bonus points	Points per $ spent	Interest-free period	Balance transfer rate p.a.	Annual fee
Qantas Money Platinum Qantas Frequent Flyer	20.99%	Bonus points 80,000	Points per $ spent 1	Interest-free period Up to 44 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. 0% for 24 months with 3% balance transfer fee, then 21.99%	Annual fee $349 first year ($399 after)	Receive 2 single-entry complimentary lounge invitations per year.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Latitude Low Rate Mastercard - Balance Transfer Offer	13.99%	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 25 months with 3% balance transfer fee, then 29.99%	Annual fee $69	Balance Transfer offer only available to new customers approved by 31 Jan 2027. Balance Transfer must be submitted by 31 Mar 2027. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Westpac Altitude Velocity Platinum Velocity Frequent Flyer	20.99%	Bonus points 100,000	Points per $ spent 0.35	Interest-free period Up to 45 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. N/A	Annual fee $175	Receive 70,000 bonus Velocity Points in year 1 when you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days of card approval and 30,000 points when you meet the same spend requirement within 90 days of card anniversary in year 2. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Qantas Money Everyday Qantas Frequent Flyer	20.99%	Bonus points 8,000	Points per $ spent 0.75	Interest-free period Up to 44 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. 0% for 12 months with 3% balance transfer fee, then 21.99%	Annual fee $99	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
David Jones Premiere Credit Card David Jones Rewards	24.99%	Bonus points N/A	Points per $ spent 1	Interest-free period Up to 44 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. N/A	Annual fee $0 first year ($149 after)	Offers complimentary express delivery and gift wrapping at David Jones, plus a 10% hotel discount with Expedia and Wotif via the Latitude App.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
David Jones Prestige Credit Card David Jones Rewards	24.99%	Bonus points N/A	Points per $ spent 1	Interest-free period Up to 44 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. N/A	Annual fee $0 first year ($345 after)	Earn 5% credit back on David Jones purchases when redeemed within 30 days in the Latitude App or Latitude Service Centre (capped at $350 annually) and complimentary comprehensive travel insurance.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Qantas Money Titanium Qantas Frequent Flyer	20.99%	Bonus points 150,000	Points per $ spent 1.25	Interest-free period Up to 44 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. 0% for 6 months with 0% balance transfer fee, then 21.99%	Annual fee $1,200	Receive 20% bonus Status Credits on eligible flights and 2 Qantas First Lounge Invitations.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard Latitude Rewards	28.99%	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 3% balance transfer fee, then 29.99%	Annual fee $0 first year ($96 after)	Offers $0 annual credit card fee in the first year (normally $96), plus $0 foreign exchange fee on purchases online or overseas. New and approved customers only. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Wizitcard	N/A	Bonus points N/A	Points per $ spent N/A	Interest-free period	Balance transfer rate p.a. N/A	Annual fee $0	Charges a fixed monthly fee, which is waived if there’s no card activity and no outstanding balance.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Westpac Altitude Qantas Black Qantas Frequent Flyer	20.99%	Bonus points 150,000	Points per $ spent 0.5	Interest-free period Up to 45 days on purchases	Balance transfer rate p.a. N/A	Annual fee $295	Get 90,000 bonus Qantas Points in year 1 when you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days of card approval and 60,000 points when you meet the same spend requirement within 90 days of card anniversary in year 2. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading

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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Moira Daniels as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Rebecca Pike

Editor, Money

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Rebecca Pike is Finder’s money editor, with over 7 years of experience in mortgages and personal finance. A frequent TV and radio commentator, she frequently appears on Sunrise and 7News, Today and 9News, as well as Sky News, Channel 10 and across radio and print. Rebecca previously served as Editor of Mortgage Professional Australia. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism as well as ASIC-recognised certifications in Tier 1 Generic Knowledge and Tier 2 General Advice Deposit Products, which comply with ASIC guidelines. See full bio

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Key takeaways