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Balance transfer? Rewards? Low rate? We cover them all.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.
In Australia, you must be at least 18 years old to apply for a credit card in your name.
Want more details? Check out Finder's guide to how credit cards work.
"When comparing credit cards, decide what's most important to you. Is it a low interest rate? Low annual fee? Bonus frequent flyer points? Maybe a balance transfer deal? For instance, I pay my balance in full each month, so I ignore the interest rates and don’t look at balance transfer offers. Instead, I aim to find cards with a great points earning rate. Knowing exactly what you want, makes it easier to find the right card for you."
What types of credit cards are there?
There are 6 main types of credit cards. Every card is slightly different, so you should compare credit cards to find the best credit card that has the features that matter to you.
| 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 |
| Frequent flyer | Earn Qantas or Velocity Points on your spending | You can redeem points for flights or flight upgrades | High interest rates & annual fees |
| Rewards | Earn reward 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 |
Credit card guides and resources

Applying & credit score
How to compare credit cards
Here's a breakdown of features and charges you should look at when doing a credit card comparison.
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Find the right type of cardWant Qantas Points? Get a frequent flyer card that lets you earn points when you spend. Need a simple, cheap card for everyday spending? Look at low rate or no annual fee cards.
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Look at the purchase rateCredit cards charge high interest rates. But only if you don't pay the card off on time.
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Count your interest free daysOne of the best features of a credit card, interest-free days let you buy something today and pay no interest for up to 55 days. How it actually works in practice is a little complicated though.
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Look at all the perks and benefits the card offersSome credit cards give you reward or frequent flyer points, purchase protection or complimentary travel insurance, cashback on your spending or other rewards. The more perks a card offers the higher the annual fee. So if you don't use them, you're wasting money.
Credit cards 101
There are lots of confusing terms in credit card land. Here's a quick explainer:
- Balance transfer rate. The interest rate you'll pay if you transfer a balance from one card to another. Most introductory offers are for 0% p.a. on your balance, but you may pay a one-time fee.
- Cash advances. Try not to withdraw cash from an ATM or use your card to gamble or buy foreign currencies. These transactions are considered cash advances and they come with a fee plus a higher interest rate (which you get charged immediately).
- Credit card network. The payment system that processes all your credit card transactions. In Australia most cards are either Visa, Mastercard or American Express.
- Foreign transaction fees. This is the fee you'll be charged on purchases made in a foreign currency overseas or online. Some cards have 0% foreign fees.
- Minimum repayment. You can repay all your card spending each month. Or you can pay it off slowly (and get charged interest). The minimum repayment is the lowest amount you must pay by the due date. Miss this, and you'll get charged a fee.
"Maintaining these records helps you track your spending, verify transactions, and catch any errors or fraudulent activities promptly. They are also useful for budgeting, filing taxes, and providing proof of purchase or payment if disputes arise. Keeping organised and accessible records of your statements, whether in digital or paper form, ensures you have a comprehensive financial history that can be referenced whenever necessary."
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%, RBA stats show. 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.
What's happening in credit cards in March 2026?

By Finder's senior money editor, Richard Whitten.
Australians spent $465.281 billion on their credit cards in the last 12 months, according to the latest figures. This is a record high.
The average Australian credit card balance is $3,582 per card. The average unpaid credit card balance (which carries interest charges) is now $1,749.
Young Australians are driving the growth in credit card use. Card applications among Gen Z grew 15% in 2025 compared to 2024.
In terms of credit card offers, the longest 0% balance transfer offer on the market in March is a Finder exclusive, the ANZ Low Rate Balance Transfer Exclusive Offer, which gives new ANZ customers 0% for 28 months with a 2.5% balance transfer fee.
For frequent flyers, Qantas recently announced changes to Qantas Status Credits, including the ability to roll over credits from one year to the next. But you'll also need to earn more credits to high the higher status tiers.
Have questions about credit cards? We have answers
Why you can trust our credit card experts
Obsessed with perks - we nerd out over points, rates & prizes - our editors spend hours (ok, days) crunching 250+ cards every single month. We even give them a simple score out of 10 if you just want the easy life.
No two cards the same - different cards are great for different things (and some are just junk). That's why we track and score every type of card from balance tranfers to rewards, cashback to low interest - so you don't waste a cent.
No BS - We're not owned by a bank, we don't have a call centre. Our only mission is to match you with the card of your dreams. Whether it's your first card, or you're a points ninja - we got you.
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American Express have just rejected an increase in my credit limit. I am very surprised as I have a high income, small mortgage, large amount of equity in my house and superannuation. I have no other debt or loans. Have had the card for 6 years and pay the balance in full every month.
I am trying to get information on what income, assets, credit rating they used to assess my eligibility for a card increase. They won’t tell me anything and have been incredibly unhelpful.
How can I get information.
Which Ombudsman should I complain to – financial services?
Is a Freedom of Information request possible.
I accept that they don’t have to give me an increase but I am concerned that there is an error in the data that they are using to assess my application and want the opportunity to correct any errors. If I can’t get an increase to $12,000 on an income of $210,000 with a mortgage of $400 a week I can’t see how anyone can get a credit card.
Hi Kylie,
Most banks and lenders don’t publicly share the data and criteria they use to assess applicants, which is frustrating. If it helps, banks generally use a formula of 2-3% per month. So, if your limit is $12,000, they assess your ability to make a repayment based on $240 to $360 per month at a minimum.
In regards to your application, it could be a mistake, or there could be a valid reason why.
Some of the reasons that could contribute to this could be:
– an issue with your credit score. You can check your credit score for free in the Finder app.
– having other credit cards, especially ones with high limits. Each one is assessed as requiring a payment worth 2-3% of the credit limit each month. So, they may assess you as not being able to afford a higher limit.
– having other personal debts and loans that impact your serviceability.
– consistently late or missed payments, resulting in late payment fees; this could indicate difficult managing your current repayments, therefore they don’t want to extend you any further credit. You mentioned you pay the balance in full each month, so this is unlikely to be the reason.
It would be worth checking your credit file as a first step, and then contact Amex again and ask if they won’t approve $12,000, what limit would they approve? If you’re still not satisfied, it might be worth shopping around for a card that better suits your needs.
Hope this helps!
Looking for credit card with no exchange fees etc when used overseas, plus free travel insurance, plus perhaps pays bonus points . Happy to pay small annual fee. I always pay full balance off each Month. What would be your recommendations? Thank you
Hi Maureen,
Finder has a dedicated guide to credit cards with no foreign transaction fees, which includes a comparison table with filters for different features you’re interested in. I hope this helps.
What’s a good credit card for a poor credit rating?
Hi Rhiannon, this guide on credit cards for applicants with poor credit may be useful.
As an alternative, you may be eligible for a Good Shepherd no interest loan, of up to $3000 – these are usually available to help with urgent medical bills and housing costs, like rent.
Hope this helps!
If you’re cancelling an Amex business card and apply for a new personal Amex card, do you get bonus reward points?
Hi Jack, If the Amex was in your personal name, then you may not be eligible for the bonus offer. According to their official policy: American Express Card Members who currently hold or who have previously held any Consumer or Small Business Card product in the previous 18 month period are ineligible for Welcome offers.
If in doubt, contact them directly for confirmation just to be sure!
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
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.