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Gem Visa Credit Card

Amy Bradney-George
Amy Bradney-George
Last updated:  

Get access to long-term 0% payment plans at stores across Australia, plus 0% interest for 6 months on purchases over $250.

The Gem Visa gives you access to interest-free payment plans at a range of participating stores, with 0% interest periods typically ranging from 3 to 24-months, depending on the offer.

24.99% p.a.

Balance transfer rate

0% p.a.

Purchase rate

for the first 6 months (reverts to 24.99% p.a.)

$99 p.a.

Annual fee

55 days

Interest free period

Details

Product NameGem Visa Credit Card
Balance Transfer Rate24.99% p.a.
Purchase Rate0% for 6 months (reverts to 24.99% p.a.)
Annual Fee$99
Interest Free Period55 days
Cash Advance Rate24.99% p.a.
Minimum Credit Limit$1,000
Card TypeVisa
Foreign Currency Conversion Fee (Visa/Mastercard)3% of transaction value
Complimentary Travel InsuranceNo
Minimum Age18 years of age
Available to Temporary ResidentsNo
Joint ApplicationNo

Pros

  • An introductory rate of 0% for 6 months on purchases over $250.
  • For purchases under $250, you have up to 55 days interest-free to pay back the amount owing provided you have been paying your card off in full by the statement due date.
  • If you choose to shop within the thousands of GEM partner stores, you may be eligible for an extended interest-free period of up to one or two years.

Cons

  • The 24.99% p.a. purchase rate is high.
  • You can't earn rewards on the purchases you make with this card.
Annual Fee$99
Minimum Monthly Repayment3% of the closing balance or $25, whichever is greater
Late Payment Fee$30
Foreign Currency Conversion Fee (Visa/Mastercard)3% of transaction value
Cash Advance Fee3% or $3, whichever is greater
Overseas Cash Advance Fee3%

Expert review

Amy Bradney-George

Review by

Amy is an editor and writer at finder.com.au with more than 10 years experience covering credit cards, personal finance and various lifestyle topics. When she’s not sharing her knowledge on money matters, Amy spends her time as an actress.

Expert review

The Gem Visa has partnered with a wide variety of retailers including JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys, Harvey Norman, Forty Winks, Tigerair and Webjet Exclusives to offer interest-free finance for major purchases. While actual offers vary by store and promotion, you can expect to find 12-, 18- and 24-month 0% interest payment plans at a range of participating stores throughout the year – along with other seasonal offers of different lengths. Often, you’ll even have the option of applying when you’re in-store and ready to make a purchase.

This can be a useful option if you need to pay for big expenses – like a new washing machine or holiday – but don’t have enough savings to pay for it in one go. But keep in mind that an interest rate of 24.99% p.a. applies if you don’t pay off the entire purchase by the end of the promotional period.

How to apply

You can apply for the Gem Visa online or in-store at participating retailers when you're taking out a 0% p.a. interest payment plan. With either option, it's a good idea to check that you meet the following eligibility criteria and have all the documents and details needed to complete the application.

Eligibility criteria

  • Residency. You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
  • Age. You must be at least 18 years old to apply.

Card benefits

  • Interest-free payment plans. These plans vary by store and purchase, with three main options:
    • Interest Free Plans. With this option, you need to make minimum monthly repayments and can get a 0% p.a. interest period starting from 6 months.
    • Instalment Interest Free. This payment plan gives you a way to pay off purchases interest-free by making equal monthly repayments over a set period of time. These plans are only available at selected retailers during special promotional periods.
    • Buy Now, Pay Later. With this plan, you can get the items that you want without any upfront payment or scheduled repayments. Instead, you can make payments at any time and won't be charged interest if you pay it off before the plan's end-date.
  • 0% on purchases for 6 months. Any purchases you make that are worth $250 or more will automatically be eligible for a 0% interest rate for 6 months from the date of the purchase. Note that minimum repayments still apply.

Rates & fees

  • Annual fee. This card has an annual fee of $99, which is charged on account opening and then once every year on that anniversary.
  • Interest rate. Outside of any promotions, this card has an interest rate of 24.99% p.a., which is at the high end of the scale for credit cards in Australia.

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81 Comments

  1. Default Gravatar
    Jarvis
    July 30, 2019

    Do you have 55 days to pay off cash advance before interest affects it or is it only the interest of 3% or $30 which ever is greater?

    So let’s say, I took out $450 how long do I have to pay it off and what is the interest?

    Reply
    • AvatarStaff
      Jeni
      July 30, 2019

      Hi Jarvis,

      Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.

      The charge of 3% of your transaction value or $3, whichever is greater, is called the cash advance fee. If you take out $450 cash from your Gem Visa card you will see a $13.50 added to your $450 withdrawn cash and the balance will earn 24.99% p.a. as cash advance interest rate. Unlike purchases, cash advance transactions are not eligible for interest-free days. The transaction accrues interest at the cash advance rate of interest from the time it is made until you pay it off in full.

      I hope this helps.

      Thank you and have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Jeni

      Reply
  2. Default Gravatar
    Brad
    October 17, 2018

    Hi I’m Brad, I just want to know if I spend $1500 on my Gem card at a retailer not on the list does that still give me 6 months free interest . And if I only repay $1000 in the 6 months do I only pay interest on the $500 balance

    Reply
    • AvatarStaff
      Jeni
      October 22, 2018

      Hi Brad,

      Thank you for getting in touch with finder.

      It is YES on both of your questions. If you use this Gem Visa card outside the partner network to make a purchase of $1500 – which is more than $250, you don’t have to pay any interest for 6 months. Now, if you just pay $1000 within 6 months, the remaining balance of $500 will be charged at 24.99% p.a.

      I hope this helps.

      Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other enquiries.

      Thank you and have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Jeni

      Reply
  3. Default Gravatar
    jason
    May 18, 2018

    I’m looking to make a purchase – perhaps around $2,000 – with 50 months Interest-Free Equal Monthly Installments through The Good Guys on GEM Visa.

    I just want to know what the circumstances would be if I make another purchase on the card, for example 6 months interest-free purchase $300, in regards to paying off the larger purchase.

    From what I understand, any payments made will first be allocated to pay the Equal Monthly Repayments purchase $2000 and would effect the subsequent $300 unless the entire Equal Monthly Repayment purchase is completely paid off.

    Is this the case or am I misunderstanding GEM Visa terms and conditions?

    Reply
    • AvatarStaff
      Jeni
      May 18, 2018

      Hi Jason,

      Thank you for getting in touch with finder.

      As a friendly reminder, while we do not represent any company we feature on our pages, we can offer you general advice.

      As per gem’s FAQs, they make it really easy for credit card users to keep track of their 0% interest purchases. Each month you’ll receive a statement outlining your unexpired 0% interest purchases and the expiry date to help you easily manage your repayments to avoid paying interest. In your gem app there is the Payment to Reduce Future Interest section. The Payment to Reduce Future Interest amount will help you understand how much you need to pay that month to reduce the amount of interest you’re charged in the future, or in some cases, avoid interest altogether.

      You may discuss the payment allocation with their customer solution team by calling 1300 630 977 within Australia or +61 1300 630 977 from overseas. They are open from Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 7pm and Saturday from 9am to 5pm.

      I hope this helps.

      Have a great day!

      Cheers,
      Jeni

      Reply
  4. Default Gravatar
    shahriar
    October 3, 2017

    Hi, I was wondering if I pay $8000 by my gem visa credit cart to ATO by BPay, is it counting as a cash advance? If, yes how much they charge me?

    Reply
    • AvatarStaff
      Rench
      October 3, 2017

      Hi Shaun,

      Thanks for your inquiry. Please note that we are not affiliated with Gem Visa or any company we feature on our site and so we can only offer you general advice.

      No, it doesn’t count as cash advance by making payments using BPAY. A payment handling fee of 95 cents applies to each BPAY payment made to your account. Payments are processed during business hours, so make sure you complete your transaction before your bank’s cut-off time or the due date.

      Please note also that when you withdraw or do a cash advance (CA), you will be charged 22.99% p.a. and whilst overseas, the CA fee will be 3% of the cash advance or $3, whichever is greater, capped at $30 as well as foreign currency conversion fee of 3% of transaction value.

      I suggest contacting Gem directly to confirm this info or visit their official site.

      Cheers,
      Rench

      Reply
  5. Default Gravatar
    PFisch
    May 6, 2017

    I am wanting to apply for the GEM visa card- one question. If I pay fees and balance before the end of the 6month interest free period, can I then close my account with GEM?
    I’ve read a couple of reviews online saying that it’s a bit of a hassle.
    I don’t want to be locked in with this card after the 6 month term.

    Reply
    • AvatarStaff
      Dee
      May 7, 2017

      Hi PFisch,

      Thanks for your question.

      Yes, you may close your account at any time, after paying your balances and fees. You may want to read our guide here on how to properly close a credit card.

      Kindly note that GEM Visa Credit Card attracts an annual fee of $99. You will still pay this amount even if you cancel your card in less than a year. Annual fee is normally charged at the first billing date after card approval.

      Cheers,
      Anndy

      Reply
  6. Default Gravatar
    Todd
    January 23, 2017

    Hi 2 questions here- I was Just wondering about gem visa card say if i got bills up to 300 or more but already have money owing on 3 different things already but i need to pay these bills would i get the 6 months interest if i pay them at post office up to or ova 250 worth .? And if i was to pay minimum monthly re payments or more will that pay off all 3 seperate items owings b4 the interest free months r up for all of different owings on the card . If making sure i pay the minimum monthly that gems statement is saying to pay will it work out paid by the time needed.?

    Reply
    • AvatarStaff
      May
      January 24, 2017

      Hi Todd,

      Thank you for your inquiry.

      If you have spent over $250 on your Gem Visa Credit Card, on your monthly statement, you’ll be able to clearly identify your ‘Gem Visa 0% interest for 6 months purchases’ and your ‘Other 0% interest purchases’. All your transactions and interest-free purchases will be clearly explained on your monthly statements. Furthermore, to automatically receive 0% interest for 6 months on any Visa purchase over $250, all you need to do is pay using your Gem Visa credit card.

      Meanwhile, with your Gem Visa, you have three repayment plans to pay off your balance under the 0% interest scheme:

      1. Minimum Monthly + Flexible Payments – You need to make a minimum payment each month. But but you have the flexibility to make extra payments at any time. Plans start from 6 months.

      2. One Lump Payment – You don’t need to make any payments during the promotional period. However, you can make payments at any time. Plans start from 3 months.

      3. Equal Monthly Payments – You can make equal monthly payments during the course of the promotional period.

      Hope this has answered your questions.

      Cheers,
      May

      Reply
  7. Default Gravatar
    Alice
    January 13, 2017

    Can I do a balance transfer on Gem Visa Credit card accounts?

    Reply
    • AvatarStaff
      Jason
      January 14, 2017

      Hi Alice,

      Thank you for your enquiry.

      The Gem Visa Credit Card does not have a balance transfer feature. You may check out this link for options of different balance transfer credit cards.

      I hope this helps.

      Kind regards,
      Jason

      Reply
  8. Default Gravatar
    Dee
    January 10, 2017

    For interest-free purchases how is the $99 application fee charged and when is it payable?

    Reply
    • AvatarStaff
      May
      January 10, 2017

      Hi Dee,

      Thanks for your question.

      Just to confirm, with Gem Visa Credit Card, the $99 is for the annual fee. Generally, credit card issuers charge the annual fee during the first statement period following your account activation. The annual fee will then be charged on or around the anniversary of the date the first annual fee was charged every year thereafter.

      Cheers,
      May

      Reply
  9. Default Gravatar
    Fabiano
    December 23, 2016

    Hello

    Can I transfer my balance to my bank account? I mean my Commonwealth account? and If not Where can I withdrawal the money ($ 4700)

    tks

    Reply
    • AvatarStaff
      May
      December 23, 2016

      Hi Fabiano,

      Thanks for your question.

      Unfortunately, it’s not possible to transfer funds to your CBA bank account. So if you want to access funds from your Gem Visa credit card, you can use any ATM that displays the Visa logo in Australia and overseas. Please note though that when you withdraw or do a cash advance (CA), you will be charged 22.99% p.a. and whilst overseas, the CA fee will be 3% of the cash advance or $3, whichever is greater, capped at $30 as well as foreign currency conversion fee of 3% of transaction value.

      Cheers,
      May

      Reply
  10. Default Gravatar
    Renee
    December 4, 2016

    Can I transfer the balance of my Gem Visa to another credit card?

    Reply
    • AvatarStaff
      Dee
      December 4, 2016

      Hi Renee,

      Thanks for your question.

      Yes, you may move your Gem Visa credit card balance to a new card with a different issuer.

      You may refer to this link to know where you can transfer your balance to, subject to eligibility criteria.

      Cheers,
      Anndy

      Reply
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