Whether you want rewards, low rates, $0 annual fees or a 0% balance transfer offer, compare credit cards so you can find the right one for you.
Comparing credit cards lets you see a range of cards side-by-side before you apply. This can help you find the right credit card for your needs based on your spending habits, budget and specific card features or benefits.
Westpac Credit Card Offer
Westpac Low Rate Card
0% p.a. for 24 months on balance transfers
$0 annual fee for the first year
Offer ends 23 October 2018
Eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, fees and charges apply
Westpac Credit Card Offer
The Westpac Low Rate credit card features a long-term balance transfer offer, a first year annual fee waiver and a low variable interest rate on purchases.
- $0 p.a. annual fee for the first year ($59 p.a. thereafter).
- 13.49% p.a. on purchases
- 0.00% p.a. for 24 months with 1% BT fee on balance transfers
- Cash advance rate of 19.49% p.a.
- Up to 55 days interest free
- Minimum income requirement of $15,000 p.a.
Compare the latest credit card offers
What types of credit cards can I compare?
Credit cards offer a wide range of features to suit different spending habits and goals. For example, if you want to pay off existing card debt, you could look at a card with a 0% balance transfer offer. Or, if you want to be rewarded for your spending, you could look at reward and frequent flyer cards.
Once you know what you want from a credit card, you can focus your search by comparing credit cards in a specific category. To help you get started, we’ve outlined the major credit card categories below.
Find the type of credit card you want
- Balance transfer credit cards
- Rewards credit cards
- Frequent flyer credit cards
- No annual fee credit cards
- Low interest credit cards
- Student credit cards
- Business credit cards
- Travel credit cards
- Gold, platinum and black credit cards
- Other credit cards
Balance transfer credit cards
If you have existing credit card debt, a balance transfer credit card can help you save on interest charges and pay off the debt faster by offering you a promotional low or 0% interest rate for an introductory period. After the promotional period has ended, any debt remaining from the transfer attracts a higher, standard interest rate.
To compare balance transfer credit cards, make sure you look at the length of the introductory period and any one-off balance transfer fees that may apply. You should also check the annual fee and the rate of interest applied to any debt remaining at the end of the introductory period. This will help you choose a card that works for you and make it easier to budget for repayments.
Rewards credit cards
Reward credit cards offer you points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases, including most everyday transactions. When you compare reward credit cards, make sure you consider the type of rewards program, what you can redeem with your points and the rate at which you earn rewards.
It's also important to look at the card's interest rates, annual fee and any complimentary extras, such as travel insurance or airport lounge passes. The goal with a rewards credit card should always be to get more value from it compared to what you pay in fees. So make sure you consider the dollar value of the rewards you'll get based on your average spending.
Frequent flyer credit cards
These cards are linked to popular airline loyalty programs – including Qantas Frequent Flyer and Velocity Frequent Flyer – and earn frequent flyer points per $1 spent on the card. Many frequent flyer credit cards also offer other travel benefits such as complimentary insurance, flight vouchers or airport lounge access. As with other reward credit cards, when you compare frequent flyer cards, you need to look at the reward program available, the amount of points you earn per $1 spent, the card fees and any complimentary extras to make sure it’s worth it for you.
No annual fee credit cards
These credit cards have a $0 annual account fee, which could save you hundreds of dollars. Some no annual fee credit cards only offer a $0 fee for the first year you have a card, while others have no annual fee for life. Make sure you consider both of these options when you compare no annual fee credit cards, so that you can choose one that offers the most convenient features and greatest savings for your circumstances.
Compare no annual fee credit card offers
Low interest credit cards
Low interest credit cards are Cdesigned to save you money when you carry a balance by offering a competitive rate of interest. Some of these cards may offer a promotional low or 0% interest rate for purchases, while others offer a low ongoing interest rate. If you regularly carry a balance, comparing low rate credit cards could help you save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars every year.
How much can I save with a low rate card?
To see how much value a low rate card offers, let’s compare a $1,000 debt on a credit card with an interest rate of 18% p.a. and a card with a lower rate of 12% p.a. If you only paid the minimum, it would take 7 years and 9 months to pay off the 18% p.a. card and would cost $861 in interest. With the low rate card, it would take 5 years and 10 months and cost $393 – that’s a saving of 1 year and 11 months and $468 in interest charges.
Student credit cards
If you're studying, you may want to get a credit card to help you manage your finances or build up credit history. Student credit cards typically have lower minimum income requirements and lower credit limits than other options, as well as basic features that can help you with cash flow. href="https://www.finder.com.au/credit-cards/student-credit-cards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A student credit card can also be a good way to learn how credit cards work. When you compare student credit cards, make sure you consider the income requirements, credit limit and annual fees to find an option that is both flexible and affordable.
Business credit cards
Business credit cards are designed to help make financial management easier for a small business or company, with features such as additional credit cards for employees, individual pre-set spending limits and itemised statements. When you compare business credit cards, make sure you consider which extra features you want (including rewards programs) as well as the interest rates and fees so that you can get an option that’s affordable and convenient for your business.
Travel credit cards
You can use almost any credit card when travelling but some cards come with specialised features and benefits to help you save money on your trips. Depending on the card, you could get complimentary overseas insurance, domestic flight inconvenience insurance, car hire insurance, frequent flyer points, hotel offers, airport lounge access and no foreign transaction fees. To compare travel credit cards, make sure you consider how often you’ll use these features, as well as the ongoing card costs, so that you can find one that offers value for money and covers your travel needs.
Gold, platinum and black credit cards
Gold, platinum and black credit cards are premium options designed for bigger spenders. They offer higher credit limits and more additional benefits such as complimentary insurance, higher reward point earn rates and shopping and travel perks. It’s important to check the minimum income requirements when you compare gold, platinum and black credit cards, because they are usually higher than on standard cards. Also make sure you consider whether the benefits available will outweigh the cost of interest charges and annual fees – both of which may be higher on a premium credit card.
Other credit cards
Most credit cards fall into one or more of the categories above. But if you’re looking for a specific feature, you can also compare credit cards listed in the following, smaller categories:
- Cashback credit cards. This type of credit card rewards you with cashback or a credit on your account when you meet specific spending requirements. Some cashback credit cards offer a percentage back for each $1 you spend (similar to rewards credit cards), while others offer a fixed rate of cashback, usually as an introductory promotion.
- 0% foreign fees. These credit cards don’t charge a fee for transactions made in an international currency or with an overseas retailer, potentially saving you 2% to 3.4% per purchase.
- 0% purchase and balance transfer cards. Some credit cards offer 0% interest for both purchases and balance transfers. This can help you save money on both old and new credit card debt for a limited amount of time before standard interest rates kick in.
- Credit cards with introductory offers. Many credit cards come with introductory offers, such as 0% interest, reduced or $0 annual fees and bonus points. These deals are designed to give you more value when you get a new credit card but it's still important to look at the ongoing features when you compare credit cards that include and introductory offer.
- Credit union credit cards. The credit cards provided by credit unions typically offer competitive value through lower rates, fees and other features. Credit unions are also member-owned or co-operative, which means profits usually go back into the products and services on offer, as well as to community programs.
- Debt consolidation credit cards. These balance transfer cards can provide you with an affordable option when you have several debts that you would like to combine and pay off on one account. Remember to check what debts are eligible when you compare credit cards in this category so that you can find one that allows you to transfer your existing balances onto the new card.
If you're interested in comparing other credit card options, you can also check out our exclusive credit card deals for the latest introductory and sign-up offers that aren’t available anywhere else.
How to compare credit cards
Regardless of the type of credit card you’re looking for, it’s important to consider a range of factors to find a card that’s right for you. So here are the key features you should look at when you compare credit cards.
Introductory offers
Credit cards often come with promotional features for new customers, which can add upfront value to the card you choose. Some of the most popular introductory offers include:
- Bonus points
- 0% balance transfer interest rates
- 0% purchase rates
- Reduced or $0 annual fees in the first year
- Cashback, gift cards or flight vouchers
When you compare credit cards with introductory offers, make sure you look at the ongoing features to get a true sense of the value the card will provide in the long run. Also check the length of the introductory period and any other conditions you need to meet to claim the offer available. For example, a reward card offering bonus points might require you to spend a certain amount of money in the first few months you have it, while a balance transfer offer might only be available if you request the transfer at the time of your application.
Complimentary extras
Credit cards offer a wide range of complimentary features and benefits that can add value to the card you choose. Some of the most popular options include:
- Travel insurance
- Airport lounge passes
- Flight and travel vouchers
- Concierge services
- Ticket and event offers
- Purchase protection insurance covers
These perks can add up to hundreds of dollars of extra value, but only if you use them. When you’re looking at the complimentary extras during your credit card comparison, be realistic about whether or not you will be able to get value from these features so that they offset the cost of any fees.
Rewards programs
If you want to earn rewards for your credit card spending, pay attention to the type of rewards program available. Some credit cards have their own rewards programs, such as ANZ Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards. Others are linked to existing programs, such as Qantas Frequent Flyer, Velocity Frequent Flyer or the Coles flybuys program.
As well as deciding which rewards program you want, think about the amount of points you will need to redeem rewards and how often you will use your credit card. This will help you compare different credit cards and choose one with a rewards program that's right for you.
Rates and fees
When you compare credit cards, the rates and fees will help you work out the overall cost of each option. Here are the key features to look at:
- Annual fees
Credit card annual fees can range from $25 up to $700 or more. This fee is usually charged when you first activate your account, then once a year on the anniversary of your account activation.
When you’re comparing credit cards, think about what features will offset the cost of the annual fee so you can find one that is affordable for you. Remember some credit cards offer a $0 or lower annual fee in the first year, so check the ongoing features of the cards you compare to avoid any nasty surprises after the first year.
- Purchase rate
This is the interest rate that’s charged for most of the transactions you make using your credit card. Standard purchase rates typically range from around 10% p.a. to 22% p.a. (variable) depending on the card you choose. If you regularly pay your balance in full, the purchase rate may not be a major concern, but if you think you’ll carry a balance, then choosing a card with a lower interest rate will help keep the cost down.
- Interest-free days
Many credit cards offer you up to a certain number of interest-free days on purchases when you pay your account off in full for each statement period. This feature can help you to avoid interest charges during your statement period. Usually, interest-free credit cards will offer somewhere between 25 and 62 days on new purchases.
If you plan to pay off the balance in full for every statement cycle, it could be useful to look at the number of interest-free days available when you're comparing different credit cards. But remember that this feature won’t be much use if you carry a balance.
- Cash advance rate
This interest rate is applied to “cash advance transactions” including ATM withdrawals, foreign currency exchange, bets and other gambling charges. It is usually around 19% p.a. to 22% p.a. (variable) and always applies from the time you make a cash advance transaction. While it’s a good idea to avoid making cash advances with a credit card, it’s important to consider this interest rate when you're comparing cards so that you know what the potential costs will be for these types of transactions.
- Cash advance fee
As well as applying interest to cash advance transactions, credit cards charge a one-off fee. This is usually around 2% to 3.5% of the total transaction cost, and should be checked before you get a card or use it for a cash advance. As with the cash advance interest rate, it’s good to check this fee when comparing cards so you’re aware of the cost of cash advances for any option you choose.
- Balance transfer rate
The balance transfer interest rate applies to existing debts that you move onto your new card. When you first get the card, you'll usually get an introductory low or 0% balance transfer interest rate for a set number of months. When this introductory period ends, a higher standard balance transfer rate applies. It’s important to check both the introductory rate and the standard rate when you’re comparing balance transfer credit cards so that you're aware of the costs that may apply over the short-term and the long-term.
Balance transfer fees
Some credit cards charge a one-off processing fee for balance transfers. This fee could be between 1% and 3% of the total debt you want to move to a new card. As not all cards apply this charge, it’s important to consider it when comparing balance transfer offers to make sure you find an option that’s affordable for you.
- International transaction fee
Most credit cards apply a fee for transactions made in a foreign currency or with an overseas merchant. This fee usually adds 2% to 3.5% to international transactions. If you plan to travel with a credit card or want to use one to shop online with overseas retailers, it’s a good idea to look at cards that waive this cost or at least have a lower fee than other options you’re considering.
- Late payment fee
Some credit card companies charge you a fee if you don’t make a payment by the due date on your statement. This charge ranges from $5 to $30 and will be added to your account balance if your payment is late. While you should always aim to pay your credit card off by the due date, checking this fee when you’re comparing credit cards can give you an idea of how each company treats late payments and you may want to factor this into your final decision.
- Overlimit fee
If you max out your credit card, you could be charged a fee of around $10 to $30. It’s important to consider this cost when comparing different cards so that you know what penalties could apply for different options. It may also help you decide on a sensible credit limit when you apply.
- Other fees and charges
Credit cards may charge a range of other fees for different features and services, including:
- Additional cardholder fees
- Printed statement fees
- Optional rewards program enrolment (eg, for Qantas rewards)
- Emergency card replacement
Make sure you consider these charges and when they could apply, so that you know what other potential costs you may have to pay for the card you choose.
From low rate and balance transfer options to rewards credit cards, super-premium platinum and black cards or those with no fees, there are credit cards available to suit almost anyone’s needs. Now that you understand more about the different factors that need to be considered, you can start comparing credit cards and apply for one that really works for you.
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Would it be possible to request a history of promotional deals, specifically those pertaining to interest free periods on purchases, that were available from the National Australia Bank (NAB) in March/April 2016?
Hi Marisa,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Yes, you may visit the nearest NAB office or call 13 22 65 to get a copy of your statement.
Hope this information helped.
Cheers,
Arnold
What card offers the most Qantas points for a new credit card?
Hi Richard,
Thanks for your inquiry.
You can check this page for Qantas Frequent Flyer Credit Cards comparison. You may click the name of your preferred card to know more details and you may click the green “Go to site” button to submit an online application through their official site.
Cheers,
Rench
Which credit cards offer ApplePay?
Hi DD,
Thanks for your question.
You can compare credit cards with Apple Pay on this page.
Cheers,
Anndy
I’m new to this whole credit card thing but I’m after basically a small credit card amount for personal and emergency use. I’m curious for your advice as to what would be the best one to start off with?
Cheers.
Hi Bec, thanks for your inquiry.
As a financial comparison service, we’re unable to recommend any specific product, service or strategy to our users as the ‘best’ option will always depend on the individual’s financial situation and needs. I would recommend you to compare different credit cards based on the offer provided and fees involved in conjunction with your financial situations and eligibility requirements.
You may also refer to our tips to consider when applying for your first credit card.
I hope this has helped.
Sharon
Hi. I am searching for the best credit card that has NO capped frequent flyer points per month and also does not reduce the number of points per month after a certain $ amount is reached. Any suggestions?. Both Citi Emirates card and Virgin money cards are capping in March and April 2016 and I need to find an un-capped and unlimited card. Prefer someone linked to Velocity but will take Qantas points if no other choice. Thanks. John
Hi John,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Please note that you’ve come through finder.com.au, an online comparison service and is not in the position to recommend specific issuers, products or services.
To compare credit cards with uncapped points and no expiry, please check this page.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Debbie
Does changing to a new credit card and transferring the balance reduce the interest rate?
Hi Wolfie, thanks for your inquiry!
Changing to a new balance transfer credit card can reduce the interest rate that you are currently paying. Please refer to the following link for 0% balance transfer credit cards.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Hi,
I am under 457 visa can i apply for a card that states not for temporary resident?
Many thanks
Kind regards,
Chris
Hi Chris, thanks for your inquiry!
For more information on which lenders/ banks provide credit card services for 457 Visa holders please see this page.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Considering a credit card; no other supplementary income – $1132 p/f. Child Support additional $399 a year. Low credit rating.
Have looked at lenders page providing information in regards to lenders who do accept centrelink as a form of income but so far I am not getting the answers I’m looking for. Only looking for a low limit so not to overspend, easy to keep track of for emergencies.
Hi Leah, thanks for your inquiry!
Generally with applying for a credit card, Centrelink benefits are handled on a case by case basis by banks/ lenders. The application requirements on each credit card provide an indicator to whether you are eligible to apply. For any further inquiries it is recommended to speak to the bank directly either through customer service centre or local branch. You may like to refer to the following link for more information on lenders who accept Centrelink benefits as a form of income and other loan options. Please also refer to this page for low interest rate credit cards.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Can you suggest credit card issuers who will issue cards to discharged bankrupts?
Hi Sean, thanks for your inquiry!
Unfortunately there are no credit card products directly targeted to discharged bankrupts. After being discharged from bankruptcy it can be ideal to assess your current credit rating/ score by undergoing a credit repair process, more information on this process can be found on this page.
Cheers,
Jonathan
why do some credit cards have a fee of 1 to 2.5 balance transfer fee when others have nothing or is it hidden in fine print
Regards
Hi Harry, thanks for your inquiry!
The balance transfer fee is unique to a lender’s terms and policies. For a list of credit cards that do not have a balance transfer fee please see this page.
Cheers,
Jonathan