Balance Transfer
Balance Transfer
$0 Annual Fee
Frequent Flyer
Rewards
There isn't one best credit card on the market. And all credit cards can't be compared equally. So our experts have chosen a top pick for each type of credit card offer that appeals to a wide variety of people in Australia.
Our picks for the best credit cards for December:
These credit cards have the highest Finder Scores in each category. That's a score of a 9 or 10.
- Best balance transfers credit card: Bankwest Breeze Platinum Mastercard
- Best no annual fee credit card: Kogan Money Card – Exclusive Offer
- Best frequent flyer credit card: Qantas Premier Platinum
- Best rewards credit card: ANZ Rewards Black Credit Card
- Best business credit card: American Express Platinum Business Card
- Best travellers credit card: Bendigo Bank Ready Credit Card
- Best cashback credit card: St.George Vertigo Card - Cashback Offer
- Best low rate credit card: G&C Mutual Bank Low Rate Visa Credit Card
- Best 0% interest credit card: Citi Rewards Card - Purchase and Balance Transfer Offer
The top picks were updated by our team of credit card experts and reviewed by money editor Richard Whitten in December 2024.
Top pick for balance transfer
Bankwest Breeze Platinum Mastercard
- 0% Foreign Transaction Fees
- $59 Annual fee
- 12.99% Purchase rate
Pros & cons
- Balance transfer offer of 0% p.a. for 24 months
- A low ongoing 12.99% p.a. purchase rate
- No foreign transaction fees on overseas purchases
- Access to complimentary overseas travel insurance
- Does not include a rewards program
- Cash advance rate of 21.99% p.a.
- Charges a 3% balance transfer fee
Why we like it
- This card gives you a way to save on overseas travel costs with 0% foreign transaction fees and overseas travel insurance, with the option of upgraded cover through Cover-More.
- Right now, it also offers 0% p.a. interest on balance transfers for 24 months, with a 3% balance transfer fee. This could help you save on interest for up to two years as you pay off a trip.
- The 12.99% interest rate that applies after the introductory period is also competitive. And if you're approved, you can get a digital card straight after activating your account.
Top pick for no annual fee
Kogan Money Card – Exclusive Offer
- 0% Balance Transfer & 9.99% Purchase Rate Offers
- $0 Annual fee
- 21.99% Purchase rate
Pros & cons
- No annual fee
- 0% p.a. for 18 months on balance transfers
- Low 9.99% p.a. purchase rate for 18 months
- Uncapped reward points
- Complimentary Kogan First membership
- Balance transfer offer has a 1% BT fee
- A high 22.74% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers after the introductory period
- A 21.99% p.a. interest rate on purchases applies at the end of the introductory period
- No interest-free days if you have a balance transfer
Why we like it
Top pick for frequent flyer
Qantas Premier Platinum
- Up to 80,000 Bonus Points
- $349 Annual fee
- 20.99% Purchase rate
Pros & cons
- Up to 80,000 bonus Qantas Points
- Up to 2 Qantas Points per $1 spent
- Balance transfer offer of 0% p.a. for 12 months
- Discounted $349 first-year annual fee
- Charges a 2% balance transfer fee
- The standard $399 annual fee is relatively high
- Interest-free days won't apply if you’re carrying a balance transfer debt
- Anything over $10,000 in a statement period earns a lower rate of 0.5 points per $1
Why we like it
- Offers up to 80,000 bonus Qantas Points, which is enough to redeem a return economy reward flights from Sydney and Tokyo (not including fees and taxes) or $350 of Woolworths digital gift cards.
- Up to 2 Qantas Points per $1 for eligible spending with Qantas and between 0.5 and 1.5 Qantas Points per $1 on other eligible spending. And most everyday spending in Australia would earn 1 Qantas Point per $1 (unless you spent more than $10k in a month).
- 2 complimentary airport lounge invitations each year and up to 20% off eligible companion fares for domestic flights with Qantas or QantasLink once a year
Top pick for rewards
ANZ Rewards Black Credit Card
- 180,000 Bonus Points & $150 back
- $375 Annual fee
- 20.99% Purchase rate
Pros & cons
- 180,000 bonus ANZ Reward Points
- $150 back on your new card
- Up to 2 ANZ Reward Points per $1 spent
- Complimentary extras including travel insurance and a personal concierge
- Charges a relatively high annual fee of $375 p.a.
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- Additional cardholder fee of $65 per card
Why we like it
Top pick for business
American Express Platinum Business Card
- 250,000 Bonus Points
- $875 Annual fee
- N/A Purchase rate
Pros & cons
- 250,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points
- Discounted $875 first-year annual fee
- High 2.25 points per $1 on most eligible spending, with 1 point per $1 on government spend
- Complimentary domestic and international travel insurance
- Luxury perks including unlimited access to 1,400 airport lounges and hotel elite status partners
- The standard $1,750 annual fee (not including the first year discount) is one of the highest on the market
- 3% foreign currency conversion fee
- American Express is not as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard
Why we like it
- Offers 250,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend $12,000 on your new card in the first 3 months from card approval.
- The card has a very high earn rate on eligible spending.
- Complimentary travel insurance and airport lounge access make up for the high annual fee.
Top pick for travellers
Bendigo Bank Ready Credit Card
- No foreign transaction fees
- $0 Annual fee
- 19.99% Purchase rate
Pros & cons
- $0 annual fee
- 0% international transaction fees on purchases
- Access to complimentary overseas travel insurance
- Compatible with major digital wallets
- No introductory offers on purchases and balance transfers
- Does not feature a rewards program
- $15 late payment fee is charged
- Watch out for the 19.99% p.a. cash advance interest rate
Why we like it
Top pick for cashback
St.George Vertigo Card - Cashback Offer
- Up to $500 Cashback Offer
- $55 Annual fee
- 13.99% Purchase rate
Pros & cons
- Up to $500 cashback offer
- A low ongoing annual fee
- Shopping cashbacks through ShopBack
- Competitive purchase interest rate of 13.99% p.a.
- Additional cardholder at no extra cost
- Cashback offer could make it tempting to spend more than usual
- No rewards program
- Does not offer travel perks or insurance covers
Why we like it
Top pick for low rate
G&C Mutual Bank Low Rate Visa Credit Card
- Low interest rates & up to 50 days interest-free on purchases
- $50 Annual fee
- 7.49% Purchase rate
Pros & cons
- 7.49% p.a. interest rate on purchases
- Competitive $50 annual fee
- Up to 50 days interest free on purchases
- 3% international transaction fee
- No perks like rewards or complimentary insurance
Why we like it
Top pick for 0% interest
Citi Rewards Card - Purchase and Balance Transfer Offer
- 0% Interest Offers
- $199 Annual fee
- 22.49% Purchase rate
Pros & cons
- 0% p.a. on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months
- Earns 1 point per $1 spent
- Complimentary travel and purchase protection insurance
- Charges a one-time 2% balance transfer fee
- High 22.49% p.a. interest rate for purchases after the introductory period
- 22.99% p.a. cash advance rate applies to any remaining balance transfer after the introductory period
Why we like it
Finder Score methodology: How we chose our top picks
Finding a great credit card is confusing. But the Finder Score makes it easy.
We score all the credit cards in our database (that's hundreds!) and crunch the numbers on rates, fees, points and more to find the true best in market credit cards.
We judge cards based on several categories. Because different people need a good credit card for different reasons.
Here are our Finder Score credit card categories and their methodologies:
- Balance transfer credit cards
- Frequent flyer credit cards
- Rewards credit cards
- Low rate credit cards
- Cashback credit cards
- No annual fee credit cards
- 0% interest credit cards
Some cards might score highly in one category but not as highly in others. We only score cards that meet the eligibility criteria for a given category.
What the Finder Scores mean
- 9+ Excellent - These cards offer the best value in their category. That means low interest rates, long 0% balance transfer offers, low fees, plenty of points and good value for money.
- 7+ Great - These cards offer decent value and may be a really good choice depending on what you're looking for.
- 5+ Standard - These are average cards that get the job done. You probably won't get the most points, the lowest rates or the best deal possible.
- Less than 5 – Basic - These aren't the best value cards on the market. Some of them may be higher scoring in another category but are not strong offers for the category being scored.
How do I find the best credit card for me?
- Work out what you are looking for in a credit card. Before you do anything else, you have to know what you want in a card. The best credit card for a young person struggling with debts is very different to the best card for a cashed up frequent flyer.
- Compare rates, fees, points and perks. For every type of credit card, the best cards will either have low fees and low rates, or offer a level of rewards, points and perks that more than make up for the high fees.
- Use the Finder Score. We've developed a simple score out of 10 for different types of credit cards. This way you can figure out which cards are the best in seconds. We balance fees, rates, and all the features and benefits most customers need for different types of cards.
- The best credit card is one you can actually get approved for. Don't let a giant bonus points offer or a razor sharp rate distract you. Check you're eligible before applying for a card. Make sure you meet the minimum income requirements and check your credit score for any issues.
"If you use a credit card properly, it's a great way to manage your spending, earn reward points or get your existing card debts under control with a balance transfer. But if you find you're struggling to pay it off and getting charged interest, it's time to reavaluate how you're using the card — and whether you need it."
Top 5 credit card brands for customer satisfaction in 2024
The Finder Customer Satisfaction Awards ask Australians which credit card brands they trust and love the most. We surveyed hundreds of Australians to rate their credit card providers based on customer service, features and benefits, ease of application, fees and interest rate, and trustworthiness. Here are the results:
Bank | Overall satisfaction | Trustworthy/reliable |
---|---|---|
★★★★★ 4.60/5 | 100% | |
★★★★★ 4.57/5 | 97% | |
★★★★★ 4.30/5 | 94% | |
★★★★★ 4.27/5 | 97% | |
★★★★★ 4.19/5 | 97% |
How to find the best credit card for your situation
The best credit card looks a little different depending on your needs and goals.
Here are the most common types of credit card and tips to find the best ones in each category.
I want to get rewarded when I spend on my card
- Rewards, frequent flyer or cashback credit cards. You're probably looking for a reward credit card that gives you points when you spend money. This includes cards that let you earn frequent flyer points. But there are also cards that let you earn reward points with various banks, which can be used on gift cards and other incentives. And there are cards that offer cashback when you spend.
- How to get the best rewards card. Figure out what kind of rewards you want, based on how much value you can get from the points and how easy it is to earn them. Make sure the benefits you get outweigh the cost of fees.
I want to earn more frequent flyer points and get travel perks
- Frequent flyer credit cards. You're probably looking for a card that lets you earn either Qantas Points or Velocity Points.
- How to get the best frequent flyer card. Look at both the earn rate (how many points you get per dollar spent) and the bonus points offer. You should be able to earn tens of thousands of points in the first few months with a good bonus offer (if you can meet the spending criteria). Make sure you factor in the annual fee. Cards with more points have higher annual fees.
I am struggling with credit card debts
- Balance transfer credit cards. You're probably looking for a balance transfer credit card offer. These cards let you transfer an existing credit card balance to a new card and pay 0% or almost 0% interest for up to 28 months. There's often a fee for doing so. This gives you time to pay off your debt without sky-high interest charges.
- How to get the best balance transfer card. The best balance transfer offer will be 0% for 28 months with either a 1% or 0% balance transfer fee. But you should also look at all the card's details, like the annual fee and the purchase rate. Because you will get charged interest on new spending you do with the card.
I just need a basic credit card for emergencies
- No annual fee credit cards. Finder research shows 41% of Australians got their last credit card for emergencies. When that's the case, a no annual fee card costs you nothing to keep. And if you pay it off in full each month, it could cost you nothing at all.
- How to get the best no fee card. Look at the card's purchase rate and any other perks or benefits it offers. And be aware that some cards may waive the annual fee in the first year only, while others never charge a fee.
I can't pay my credit card balance off each month
- Low rate credit cards. Carrying a balance (not paying off your credit card in full each month) gets expensive. Some credit cards have interest rates above 20%. But sometimes you can't help it. If you're in this situation look for a low rate credit card. These cards don't offer great perks or bonus points but they have rates from
- How to get the best low rate card. These cards don't offer great perks or bonus points but they have rates from 8–15% p.a. The lower the rate the better. But do look at card fees too.
I need a credit card for my business
- Business credit cards. The name says it all. If you're a sole trader or a business owner, a business credit card offers expense management tools and features such as detailed statement breakdowns, automatic feeds for accounting software and cards for employees.
- How to get the best card. These cards come in many shapes and sizes. Look out for the card's rate and annual fee, obviously. But some business cards let you earn points on spending. And make sure the card offers integration with your business accounting software.
New to credit cards?
If you're not sure what some of the terms on this page mean, you can check out Finder's guide to credit cards for beginners to learn how they work. It also has a comparison of cards typically suited to new cardholders, including low rate, no annual fee and student credit cards.
"When I first moved to Australia 9 years ago, I took out an Amex that earned Velocity Points and gave me a solid earn rate of 1.2 points per dollar spent. The card had an annual fee of $375, 2 free lounge passes, a free return domestic flight and 120,000 bonus points and away we went. After Virgin halted many of its international flights – especially to LAX – the novelty of earn rates and lower annual fees was trumped by wanting airline miles I could more easily use. On top of this, there is only a Woolies near my house which means my groceries earn Qantas Points and Amex is not accepted everywhere. Very happy with my ANZ Qantas Visa."
Frequently asked questions
More guides on Finder
-
Best credit cards for first timers
What to look for when choosing your first credit card, including insights and tips from Finder’s experts.
-
Store Credit Cards
Discover the benefits you can get in-store, online and anywhere you shop with a store credit card.
-
Credit card offers available for a limited time
Compare introductory credit card offers that give you bonus rewards points, 0% p.a. balance transfers, interest-free periods and waived annual fees when you sign up for a new card.
-
Best cashback credit cards
Get a percentage of your spend back, gift cards or vouchers with a cashback credit card. Find out more and compare current offers in our guide.
-
What is a credit card CVV or CVC number?
Shopping online with your credit card? Here's why you'll need your card's CVV – and where to find it.
-
Can I delete my transaction history in online banking or apps?
Want to how make purchases on your credit card without being judged by anyone? Here's what you need to know about the details on your statement.
-
The benefits of a credit card (and some of the drawbacks)
Credit cards come with both benefits and risks, so use our list of pros and cons to weigh up your options.
-
No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards
Find out how you can keep your overseas spending costs down by comparing credit cards with no foreign transaction fees and no currency conversion fees.
-
Best Travel Credit Cards
Ready for an overseas adventure? Save with 0% foreign fees, free travel insurance and more with these credit cards. Plus, perks to help you travel in style.