There isn't one best credit card on the market. And all credit cards can't be compared equally. So our experts have chosen a top pick for each type of credit card offer that appeals to a wide variety of people in Australia.
Our picks for the best credit cards for December:
These credit cards have the highest Finder Scores in each category. That's a score of a 9 or 10.
A high 22.74% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers after the introductory period
A 21.99% p.a. interest rate on purchases applies at the end of the introductory period
No interest-free days if you have a balance transfer
Why we like it
The Kogan Money Card – Exclusive Offer is a genuine $0 annual fee card. Not just for the first year. You can earn rewards when you shop at Kogan and there's a decent balance transfer offer too.
This card has a Finder Score of 9.45 in the no annual fee category.
This card gives you a way to save on overseas travel costs with 0% foreign transaction fees and overseas travel insurance, with the option of upgraded cover through Cover-More.
Right now, it also offers 0% p.a. interest on balance transfers for 24 months, with a 3% balance transfer fee. This could help you save on interest for up to two years as you pay off a trip.
The 12.99% interest rate that applies after the introductory period is also competitive. And if you're approved, you can get a digital card straight after activating your account.
Complimentary extras including travel insurance and a personal concierge
Charges a relatively high annual fee of $375 p.a.
3% foreign transaction fee
Additional cardholder fee of $65 per card
Why we like it
The ANZ Rewards Black Credit Card offers a generous amount of ANZ Reward Points if you meet the spend requirements. And you can redeem them for Velocity Points. It has a decent earn rate too, plus some travel perks. The $375 annual fee is on the higher side, but worth it if you get full value out of the card.
This card has a Finder Score of 9.9 in the rewards category.
Up to 2.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent on eligible purchases in Australia, uncapped
$450 Qantas Travel Credit each year
2 complimentary Qantas Club lounge invitations each year
Complimentary travel insurance
High $450 annual fee
High 23.99% p.a. interest rate for purchases
3% foreign currency conversion fee
Only offers up to 44 days interest-free on purchases, compared to other cards that offer 55 days
Why we like it
The Qantas American Express Ultimate Card offers an introductory bonus points and a very high earn rate. Used correctly, it's a points-earning machine. It has some great travel perks too. Just watch out for the higher than average annual fee and the 3% currency conversion fee if you're travelling overseas.
This card has a Finder Score of 9.51 in the frequent flyer category.
Cashback offer could make it tempting to spend more than usual
No rewards program
Does not offer travel perks or insurance covers
Why we like it
With this card you can get up to $500 cashback. You'll get 10% cashback as a statement credit when you shop at major supermarkets and petrol stations for the first 180 days. Both the 13.99% p.a. interest rate for purchases and the $55 annual fee are competitive for a low rate credit card.
This card has a Finder Score of 9.63 in the cashback category.
Top pick for low rate
G&C Mutual Bank Low Rate Visa Credit Card
Low interest rates & up to 50 days interest-free on purchases
The G&C Mutual Bank Low Rate Visa Credit Card's low purchase rate and very low annual fee make it an attractive budget card in the low rate category. You also get plenty of interest-free days on your purchases.
This card has a Finder Score of 9.9 in the low rate category.
Top pick for 0% interest
Citi Rewards Card - Purchase and Balance Transfer Offer
0% p.a. on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months
Earns 1 point per $1 spent
Complimentary travel and purchase protection insurance
Charges a one-time 2% balance transfer fee
High 22.49% p.a. interest rate for purchases after the introductory period
22.99% p.a. cash advance rate applies to any remaining balance transfer after the introductory period
Why we like it
This card gets you 0% interest for 15 months (and the same if you're doing a balance transfer, but with a 2% balance transfer fee). And it even lets you earn points at a pretty good rate.
Finder Score methodology: How we chose our top picks
Finding a great credit card is confusing. But the Finder Score makes it easy.
We score all the credit cards in our database (that's hundreds!) and crunch the numbers on rates, fees, points and more to find the true best in market credit cards.
We judge cards based on several categories. Because different people need a good credit card for different reasons.
Here are our Finder Score credit card categories and their methodologies:
Some cards might score highly in one category but not as highly in others. We only score cards that meet the eligibility criteria for a given category.
What the Finder Scores mean
9+ Excellent - These cards offer the best value in their category. That means low interest rates, long 0% balance transfer offers, low fees, plenty of points and good value for money.
7+ Great - These cards offer decent value and may be a really good choice depending on what you're looking for.
5+ Standard - These are average cards that get the job done. You probably won't get the most points, the lowest rates or the best deal possible.
Less than 5 – Basic - These aren't the best value cards on the market. Some of them may be higher scoring in another category but are not strong offers for the category being scored.
How do I find the best credit card for me?
Work out what you are looking for in a credit card. Before you do anything else, you have to know what you want in a card. The best credit card for a young person struggling with debts is very different to the best card for a cashed up frequent flyer.
Compare rates, fees, points and perks. For every type of credit card, the best cards will either have low fees and low rates, or offer a level of rewards, points and perks that more than make up for the high fees.
Use the Finder Score. We've developed a simple score out of 10 for different types of credit cards. This way you can figure out which cards are the best in seconds. We balance fees, rates, and all the features and benefits most customers need for different types of cards.
The best credit card is one you can actually get approved for. Don't let a giant bonus points offer or a razor sharp rate distract you. Check you're eligible before applying for a card. Make sure you meet the minimum income requirements and check your credit score for any issues.
Our expert says
"If you use a credit card properly, it's a great way to manage your spending, earn reward points or get your existing card debts under control with a balance transfer. But if you find you're struggling to pay it off and getting charged interest, it's time to reavaluate how you're using the card — and whether you need it."
Top 5 credit card brands for customer satisfaction in 2024
The Finder Customer Satisfaction Awards ask Australians which credit card brands they trust and love the most. We surveyed hundreds of Australians to rate their credit card providers based on customer service, features and benefits, ease of application, fees and interest rate, and trustworthiness. Here are the results:
Bank
Overall satisfaction
Trustworthy/reliable
★★★★★ 4.60/5
100%
★★★★★ 4.57/5
97%
★★★★★ 4.30/5
94%
★★★★★ 4.27/5
97%
★★★★★ 4.19/5
97%
How to find the best credit card for your situation
The best credit card looks a little different depending on your needs and goals.
Here are the most common types of credit card and tips to find the best ones in each category.
I want to get rewarded when I spend on my card
Rewards, frequent flyer or cashback credit cards. You're probably looking for a reward credit card that gives you points when you spend money. This includes cards that let you earn frequent flyer points. But there are also cards that let you earn reward points with various banks, which can be used on gift cards and other incentives. And there are cards that offer cashback when you spend.
How to get the best rewards card. Figure out what kind of rewards you want, based on how much value you can get from the points and how easy it is to earn them. Make sure the benefits you get outweigh the cost of fees.
I want to earn more frequent flyer points and get travel perks
Frequent flyer credit cards. You're probably looking for a card that lets you earn either Qantas Points or Velocity Points.
How to get the best frequent flyer card. Look at both the earn rate (how many points you get per dollar spent) and the bonus points offer. You should be able to earn tens of thousands of points in the first few months with a good bonus offer (if you can meet the spending criteria). Make sure you factor in the annual fee. Cards with more points have higher annual fees.
I am struggling with credit card debts
Balance transfer credit cards. You're probably looking for a balance transfer credit card offer. These cards let you transfer an existing credit card balance to a new card and pay 0% or almost 0% interest for up to 30 months. There's often a fee for doing so. This gives you time to pay off your debt without sky-high interest charges.
How to get the best balance transfer card. The best balance transfer offer will be 0% for 30 months with either a 1% or 0% balance transfer fee. But you should also look at all the card's details, like the annual fee and the purchase rate. Because you will get charged interest on new spending you do with the card.
I just need a basic credit card for emergencies
No annual fee credit cards. Finder research shows 41% of Australians got their last credit card for emergencies. When that's the case, a no annual fee card costs you nothing to keep. And if you pay it off in full each month, it could cost you nothing at all.
How to get the best no fee card. Look at the card's purchase rate and any other perks or benefits it offers. And be aware that some cards may waive the annual fee in the first year only, while others never charge a fee.
I can't pay my credit card balance off each month
Low rate credit cards. Carrying a balance (not paying off your credit card in full each month) gets expensive. Some credit cards have interest rates above 20%. But sometimes you can't help it. If you're in this situation look for a low rate credit card. These cards don't offer great perks or bonus points but they have rates from
How to get the best low rate card. These cards don't offer great perks or bonus points but they have rates from 8–15% p.a. The lower the rate the better. But do look at card fees too.
I need a credit card for my business
Business credit cards. The name says it all. If you're a sole trader or a business owner, a business credit card offers expense management tools and features such as detailed statement breakdowns, automatic feeds for accounting software and cards for employees.
How to get the best card. These cards come in many shapes and sizes. Look out for the card's rate and annual fee, obviously. But some business cards let you earn points on spending. And make sure the card offers integration with your business accounting software.
New to credit cards?
If you're not sure what some of the terms on this page mean, you can check out Finder's guide to credit cards for beginners to learn how they work. It also has a comparison of cards typically suited to new cardholders, including low rate, no annual fee and student credit cards.
"When I first moved to Australia 9 years ago, I took out an Amex that earned Velocity Points and gave me a solid earn rate of 1.2 points per dollar spent. The card had an annual fee of $375, 2 free lounge passes, a free return domestic flight and 120,000 bonus points and away we went. After Virgin halted many of its international flights – especially to LAX – the novelty of earn rates and lower annual fees was trumped by wanting airline miles I could more easily use. On top of this, there is only a Woolies near my house which means my groceries earn Qantas Points and Amex is not accepted everywhere. Very happy with my ANZ Qantas Visa."
Mastercard and Visa credit cards are widely accepted across Australia and make up 91.8% of all credit card purchases, according to RBA data. American Express is also accepted at most major retailer stores and many service providers, with Finder analysis showing it added over 194,000 new merchant locations added between January 2017 and December 2022.
The Bankwest Zero Platinum Mastercard was named the Best Travel Credit Card in the 2024 Finder Credit Card Awards. However, while this card has no foreign transaction fees and no annual fee, it no longer offers complimentary travel insurance.
When you're comparing credit cards for travel, you should also consider these details:
Before you travel
A rewards or frequent flyer credit card can help you save on flights and travel bookings that you pay for with points.
Getting a credit card from your current bank can make it easier to manage because you'll see your accounts in one place. You could also be able to make repayments easily between your transaction account and the credit card.
But loyalty doesn't always pay. And your bank may not have the best credit card with the features you want. So it's better to compare credit card brands and choose the one that offers you the most value.
Credit cards with low interest rates and low or $0 annual fees are typically the cheapest, because they help you save on 2 of the biggest potential credit card costs. When you're looking for a cheap credit card also consider:
If you usually carry over a balance from month to month, a lower interest rate will offer more savings compared to a card with a higher rate.
If you pay off your balance each month, an ongoing $0 annual fee means you'll save on account costs and could take advantage of interest-free days on purchases.
When you're comparing cards, consider what you plan to use a credit card for and weigh up the potential costs to find one that's cheapest for you.
If you're focused on earning points through Qantas Frequent Flyer or Velocity Frequent Flyer, a card that earns those points makes the most sense. With some cards, the bonus points alone could be enough to get you a business class flight or holiday.
But a rewards credit card gives you better options if you're a member of a few loyalty programs and want to transfer points between them. These cards also offer more choice if you're more interested in cash rewards and retail goodies.
A 0% balance transfer credit card works well for credit card debt if you can pay it off before the 0% offer period ends.
If you want smaller repayments spread out over a longer period of time, personal loans have terms from 1 to 5 years – and some offer up to 10 years. You'll pay interest, but it could make it easier to chip away at what you owe.
Personal loans also let you consolidate more types of debts, including from credit cards, other loans and even some buy now pay later debt.
A no interest credit card with a flat, monthly fee can be good if you want to pay off what you buy over time, without being limited to selected retailers (which you sometimes are with Afterpay, Klarna and some other BNPL plans). These credit cards don't usually charge late fees, unlike buy now pay later. They are also better if you want to build up your credit history, because most BNPL plans don't add to your credit report.
But if you mostly shop with the partnered brands and can make all of your payments on time (to avoid late fees), you could use a platform like Afterpay without any costs. And if you already have an account that you're happily using, there's less reason to get a credit card – unless you want to build your credit history.
Credit cards with low interest rates, low fees and low or modest credit limits are typically the best options because these features help keep costs down. A low credit limit can also reduce the risk of unmanageable debt.
Some people may also consider no interest credit cards with a flat, monthly fee for their first credit card. These cards are similar to BNPL and have clear, structured repayment details and only offer credit limits between $1,000 and $3,000.
ANZ and American Express offer great rewards programs, with ANZ providing Qantas Frequent Flyer benefits and Amex offering solid cashback and travel perks – noting that Amex is not as widely accepted, and the fees can be higher. For low-interest and balance transfer benefits, NAB is a good option.
The Centurion Card (Amex Black Card) is considered one of the most exclusive and prestigious cards globally. Made of titanium, this Amex card is widely-acknowledged as the first and most prestigious, invitation-only black card in the world.
Yes, many cards, such as Citi and NAB credit cards, offer 0% interest on purchases or balance transfers for promotional periods. This means you can either make purchases and pay 0% interest for a period, or you can transfer debt from another card and pay 0% interest on that debt while you pay it off.
Richard Whitten is a money editor at Finder, and has been covering home loans, property and personal finance for 6+ years. He has written for Yahoo Finance, Money Magazine and Homely; and has appeared on various radio shows nationwide. He holds a Certificate IV in mortgage broking and finance (RG 206), a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification and a Tier 2 General Advice Deposit Products (RG 146) certification. See full bio
Richard's expertise
Richard has written 562 Finder guides across topics including:
Amy Bradney-George was the senior writer for credit cards at Finder, and editorial lead for Finder Green. She has over 16 years of editorial experience and has been featured in publications including ABC News, Money Magazine and The Sydney Morning Herald. See full bio
Amy's expertise
Amy has written 565 Finder guides across topics including:
Student credit cards can help you manage your money and build credit history for future loans. Learn more and compare student credit cards available in Australia here.
While most people tend to get a credit card from the same bank where they hold a transaction account, it is possible to get a card from another bank to take advantage of a better deal.
If you are renting a car and want to be covered in the case of accidents, then this insurance is for you. Check first your insurance policy and find out which coverage extends to your rental vehicle.
As well as credit card companies that let you choose your design, there are stickers and covers that you can get to customise your card.
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