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Credit cards are a convenient, secure and popular payment option when you're shopping online. They are widely accepted and offer security features such as 24/7 fraud monitoring, zero liability for fraudulent transactions and sometimes even offer extra verification for your purchases.
Some credit cards also offer points and other perks when you use them. So if you want to pay by credit card but still have some questions, we've unpacked the key details in this guide.
To get started, you need your credit card (or all of the details on it) and your personal and contact details. If you're new to this process or hardly ever use a card for online purchases, follow these steps to make the checkout process as smooth as possible.
Before you submit your credit card details, make sure you're shopping on a safe website. Two security signs to look for: the website URL should start with the letters "https" and should have an image of a small padlock, usually in the top left-hand corner of the address bar.
Add items to your virtual basket or cart as you shop. Tip: search online for any discount codes or coupons you could use to save money on your purchases.
When you're finished shopping and you're ready to pay, click on the bag or trolley icon (often in the top right-hand corner of the web page).
You need to provide your name, address, contact telephone number and email address. You may be asked to create an account with the business as part of this process. Some sites also allow you to make purchases as a guest. Either way, you will need to provide all the details highlighted or marked with an asterisk before you can complete the purchase.
You will be asked how you want to pay. As well as credit card and debit card options, you may be able to choose from options such as PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay.
Enter the name on the front of the card, the 16-digit card number, the expiry and the CVC or CVV number.
Check the purchase amount again before clicking the "confirm" option – keeping in mind that shipping costs and other fees may have been added. (Note that any potential credit card fees that your credit card provider charges will only be shown on your credit card account.) Remember not to hit the "confirm" button more than once while you're waiting for the payment confirmation page to load, otherwise you may end up getting charged twice.
If your card has Visa Secure, Mastercard SecureCode or American Express SafeKey as a security feature, you may be asked to enter a password, answer a security question or type in a one-time code that would be sent to your mobile phone before the payment can be completed.
Most online stores will email you a tax invoice. You can also download or print the webpage that shows your payment is confirmed, if you prefer. Either way, these details will help you track your order and make sure the correct amount is charged to your card. You'll also need the proof of your purchase to dispute the transaction if you don't get what you paid for.
Some online stores also apply a card payment fee or surcharge – you'll see this type of fee when you're at the virtual checkout. But fees from your credit card provider will only be shown in your account or on your statement. There are two main ones to look for:
While most online shopping goes off without a hitch, fraud and cybercrime does exist and can impact your credit card account, as well as debit cards and other payment methods. Credit cards offer a mix of features to help keep your account safe, which can include the following options:
As well as your credit card's security measures, online payments are processed through secure, encrypted pages that help keep your data safe from cyber criminals. You can also get extra protection by checking your web browser's security settings, downloading antivirus software or using a VPN (Virtual Private Network).
Credit cards, websites and devices all offer different levels of protection when you're shopping online. But you can use these tips everywhere to get even more security.
If you want to pay online without a credit card, below are some of the other payment options you can use:
Payment options | Description |
---|---|
Debit card | You can use your debit card to make online purchases at any store that accepts Visa or Mastercard payments. You need to enter the same card details as you would when using a credit card. Note that card payment fees (surcharges), currency conversion fees or other charges sometimes apply for debit cards as well as credit cards, so it's worth checking what costs the shop and your bank will apply before you pay. |
PayPal | PayPal lets you store your payment details so you can make secure, fast payments without needing to enter your card information at the online checkout. It's free to create an account and shop with PayPal and your details are protected by unique data encryption. PayPal also offers buyer protection options, including refunds if you successfully lodge a dispute against the online retailer. Plus, you can still earn credit card reward points on some cards when you pay through PayPal. |
Digital wallets | If you have Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay or another digital wallet, look for the logo and you'll be able to use it for your online shopping. |
Buy now pay later | Lots of stores now offer buy now pay later services such as Afterpay, Zip, Openpay and Humm. If you already have a buy now pay later account, selecting that option at the checkout will prompt you to log in and complete the purchase. If you don't have an account but want one, you may be able to sign up as part of the purchase process. You can also find out how buy now pay later compares to using a credit card here. |
Prepaid cards | If you don't want to use your personal debit card or a credit card, you could consider buying a prepaid charge card that allows you to preload funds on it. These cards are helpful for controlling expenditure, and they may also help reduce impulse purchases. |
Travel money cards | Similar to a prepaid card, a travel money card lets you preload money onto the card – except in this case, you can load and spend funds in multiple currencies. This can help you avoid foreign transaction fees that your credit or debit card may charge when you're shopping online or travelling overseas. |
BPAY | BPAY is an easy, free way to pay registered businesses directly from your Australian bank account. It's usually offered by energy, phone, Internet and credit card providers but you can also use BPAY with some online stores too. This Finder guide looks at which online stores accept BPAY and how it works. You can also look for the BPAY logo, search the BPAY website or contact a business directly to see if it's available. |
Gift cards | Gift cards can be a useful alternative for online shopping with specific retailers, such as iTunes or JB Hi-Fi. Sometimes you can also take advantage of discounts on gift card purchases. You can purchase most gift cards in-store or online but it's worth checking the fine print to make sure you can use them to buy what you want. |
It's easy and safe to pay with a credit card online – and the right one could help you keep your details safe, earn points per $1 spent or save you money on currency conversion fees. So it's worth comparing a few different ones so you can get a credit card that fits with your goals. If you've got a credit card you're happy with, you can also use this calculator to work out repayments that are affordable and help keep interest costs down.
Images: Shutterstock
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