5 credit card features that can help you get great value on your next trip

If you're heading overseas soon, you need the right everyday credit card by your side.

Whether you’re planning for your holiday online, or already away on your dream vacation, you want to ensure you get great value while you spend. One way you can do that is by having the right credit card features in place.

Bankwest Zero Platinum Credit Card

1. No annual fee

Before you sign up for any credit card, you should take a close look at the annual fee. After all, you don't want the benefits to be outweighed by significant costs upfront!

The Zero Platinum Mastercard has no annual fee. This means you're able to get its benefits while you travel, without needing to incur another expense before you go.

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2. 0% p.a. on balance transfers

Having access to a balance transfer feature and 0% interest on purchases can help you manage – and pay off – your trip costs more efficiently.

At the moment, the Zero Platinum Mastercard is a card that has 0% p.a. on balance transfers and purchases for the first 6 months.

For example, you may have an existing balance on a pre-existing credit card. A Balance Transfer will allow you to move this balance to a new card with a lower interest rate – such as the Zero Platinum Mastercard.

You can then use your new card to pay for your holiday expenses, such as your plane tickets, accommodation, and any purchases you make when you're overseas too.

This can be helpful for streamlining your accounts and reducing the overall amount of interest you need to pay on the purchase.

3. No foreign transaction fees

When you're travelling, foreign transaction fees can really add an extra sting to your costs.

It's worth looking for a card that doesn't include them. This can help you budget for your trip more effectively, and ensure that you're not having to fork out for extra expenses.

The Zero Platinum Mastercard features no foreign transaction fees. So, you can shop like a local overseas – without worrying about additional fees at the checkout.

This is a card feature that can be handy back home, too. If you're planning your trip online and purchasing from international sites, you won't get stuck with unnecessary costs.

4. Multi-currency view

Figuring out currency conversions on the fly can be time-consuming, a hassle – and let's face it – not always entirely accurate.

Having a multi-currency overview of your account can be a great way to keep a close eye on what you spend.

Through the Bankwest App, you're able to check the balance on your Zero Platinum Mastercard in several different currencies.

Seeing your balance in the local currency of the country you're visiting lets you make more informed purchasing decisions, without getting nasty surprises on your bill later.

5. Easy instalment purchase plans

Even with the best planning in place, holidays can sometimes end up being more expensive than expected.

In these situations, having flexibility through an instalment purchase plan on your credit card can be an effective way to pay it off, without disrupting your cash flow.

The Zero Platinum Mastercard gives you 55 days to pay off your balance. However, if you feel you need longer, you can use the Easy Instalments Purchase Plan to pay across 4 monthly instalments.

You're able to pay for up to 5 purchases, and payments made this way are also interest-free.

This can be a great way to cover costs prior to travel (such as plane tickets) or unexpected expenses during the trip (like having to extend hotel stays).

Learn more about the Bankwest Zero Platinum Credit Card today

Things you should know:

1. Bankwest Zero Mastercard introductory offer:
   Introductory balance transfer rate offer and introductory purchase rate offer is only available to new Bankwest Zero Mastercard customers who apply from 1 August 2024 until the promotion ends, and are approved. Excludes product transfers from existing Bankwest credit cards.

Introductory balance transfer rate offer and introductory purchase rate offer:

• A 3% balance transfer fee is payable on all transactions to which that balance transfer rate applies
• Introductory balance transfer rate excludes cash advances (rate of 21.99% p.a. applies)
• Applies from the date the card is opened, regardless of when any balance transfer is processed by us
• After the intro period, the interest rate on any outstanding transferred balance or purchase will be charged at the ongoing rate for purchases and balance transfers as outlined in your credit card schedule
• Minimum balance transfer amount is $500
• Only non-Bankwest-branded credit cards can be balance transferred to Bankwest Mastercard credit cards
• A balance transfer request will only be processed up to 95% of your approved credit limit.

View balance transfer terms and conditions.

1. Foreign transactions are transactions occurring outside of Australia whether in foreign currency or Australian dollars including if you are in Australia (for example, online) where the merchant or the financial institution or entity processing the transaction is located overseas. No foreign transaction fees or overseas ATM fees apply for Platinum or World customers. Other fees and charges may apply, including Overseas ATM operator and local non-bank ATM operators may charge a fee.
2. You qualify for interest free days on purchases if you pay the closing balance owing (excluding any promotional or introductory balance transfer amount) on your current statement in full by the due date. Section 24 of our Credit Cards Conditions of Use (PDF) further outlines how this interest-free period is calculated.
3. Lending criteria, fees and charges apply. Terms and conditions apply and are available on request. Available on eligible purchases between $100 and $10,000. Cash advances, gambling transactions, balance transfers, purchases on a promotional offer and purchases made more than 30 days prior aren't eligible. You won't be able to apply for an Easy Instalments plan if you don't meet our eligibility criteria (e.g. if you've exceeded your limit or if you're in default). When you apply for an Easy Instalments plan, you are requesting an amendment to your allocation of payments in accordance with clause 6. of the Easy Instalments Terms and Conditions. To apply payments in this order may mean that other balances that attract a higher interest rate may be repaid later which may result in you paying higher interest charges.