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Compare no annual fee credit cards – perks without the pain

No annual fee credit cards that are still rich on benefits like rewards points, cash back, travel credits and free travel insurance.

A man with sunburn
Name Finder Score Annual fee Purchase rate p.a. Balance transfer rate p.a.
Coles No Annual Fee Mastercard
Coles No Annual Fee Mastercard image
Flybuys
Finder score
8.8
Annual fee
$0
Purchase rate p.a.
20.74%
Balance transfer rate p.a.
0% for 9 months with 1.5% balance transfer fee, then 20.74%
Go to siteMore Info
Save with an ongoing $0 annual fee and 0% interest on balance transfers for the first 9 months (with a one-time 1.5% BT fee).
NAB Low Rate Credit Card
NAB Low Rate Credit Card image
Finder score
6.4
Annual fee
$0 first year ($59 after)
Purchase rate p.a.
13.49%
Balance transfer rate p.a.
0% for 28 months with 2% balance transfer fee, then 21.74%
Go to siteMore Info
Get a 0% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers for the first 28 months (with a 2% BT fee). Plus, save with a $0 first-year annual fee.
Westpac Low Fee Card
Westpac Low Fee Card image
Finder score
5.4
Annual fee
$0 first year ($30 after)
Purchase rate p.a.
20.99%
Balance transfer rate p.a.
N/A
Go to siteMore Info
Offers up to 55 days interest-free and $0 annual fee for the first year and in the subsequent years when you meet the spend requirement. Plus, up to $200 cashback.
ANZ Platinum Credit Card
ANZ Platinum Credit Card image
Finder score
4.5
Annual fee
$0 first year ($87 after)
Purchase rate p.a.
20.99%
Balance transfer rate p.a.
21.99%
Go to siteMore Info
Get $300 back on your card when you spend $1,500 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months and a $0 first-year annual fee. Plus, complimentary overseas travel insurance.
Qantas American Express Discovery Card
Qantas American Express Discovery Card image
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Finder score
8.3
Annual fee
$0
Purchase rate p.a.
23.99%
Balance transfer rate p.a.
N/A
Go to siteMore Info
Earn uncapped Qantas Points per $1 spent, plus a $0 annual fee.
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Showing 5 of 8 results

Finder's best no annual fee credit card offers for September

Here are some of the top scoring no annual fee credit cards on the market:

Updated September 2024 by Finder's money editor, Richard Whitten.

The lowdown on Finder Score

To qualify for this category, credit cards must:

  • Charge no annual fee for at least 12 months.

Every month, we carefully analyse over 250 credit card products and assess the most important features and benefits of each card.

We assign scores out of 10 for each feature, and adjust the scores depending on what category we're looking at.

Credit card scores are category-specific (e.g. No annual fee, Rewards), meaning the same card will receive a different score within each category.

Our Finder Score methodology is designed by our editorial and insights team. Products are reviewed objectively and commercial partners carry no weight. Remember that Finder Score is just one factor to consider. Look at other aspects like fees, features, benefits and risks to make sure a product is suitable for you. Double-check details that matter to you before applying or buying.

Annual fee credit cards - score weightings

FeatureDefinitionAssessmentWeight
Annual FeeOngoing fees per yearLower fees get higher scores, with $0 getting the highest score30%
First-Year FeeIntroductory fee for the first yearLower fees get higher scores, with $0 getting the highest score20%
Interest-Free DaysThe number of interest-free daysHigher number of interest-free days score more points, up to 55 days10%
Value of points earned per monthPoints earned for every dollar spent on eligible purchasesPoints awarded per dollar20%
Purchase RateInterest rate on new purchasesLower rates receive higher scores20%

Finder Score by the numbers

  • 9+ Excellent - These cards offer the lowest ongoing purchase rates, high number of interest free days, and may earn rewards points - all for no annual fee.
  • 7+ Great - Reasonable ongoing purchase rates and interest free days.
  • 5+ Satisfactory - These cards offer no fees, but may have higher interest rates.
  • Less than 5 – Basic - These are basic cards with no annual fee.

No annual fee cards for businesses

Name Finder Score Annual fee Purchase rate p.a. Balance transfer rate p.a.
NAB Low Rate Business Card
NAB Low Rate Business Card image
Finder score
N/A
Annual fee
$0 first year ($60 after)
Purchase rate p.a.
0% for 12 months, then 13.25%
Balance transfer rate p.a.
N/A
More Info
ABN w/ $75,000 p.a. revenue. 0% p.a. interest for 12 months on purchases and receive complimentary unauthorised transaction insurance.
Westpac Altitude Business Platinum Credit Card
Westpac Altitude Business Platinum Credit Card image
Westpac Altitude Rewards
Finder score
N/A
Annual fee
$0 first year ($200 after)
Purchase rate p.a.
20.24%
Balance transfer rate p.a.
4.99% for 12 months with 0% balance transfer fee, then 20.74%
More Info
Get a $0 first-year annual fee and 4.99% p.a. on balance transfers for 12 months, with no BT fee.
Bank of Melbourne Amplify Business Credit Card
Bank of Melbourne Amplify Business Credit Card image
Amplify Rewards / Qantas Frequent Flyer
Finder score
N/A
Annual fee
$0 first year ($89 after)
Purchase rate p.a.
19.49%
Balance transfer rate p.a.
N/A
More Info
Get a $0 annual fee in the first year and earn uncapped Amplify Points or Qantas Points on business purchases.
CommBank Business Low Rate Credit Card
CommBank Business Low Rate Credit Card image
Finder score
9.7
Annual fee
$0
Purchase rate p.a.
14.55%
Balance transfer rate p.a.
5.99% for 5 months with 0% balance transfer fee, then 14.55%
More Info
Save on your business credit card costs with an ongoing $0 annual fee and 14.55% p.a. interest rate on purchases and cash advances.
Westpac Altitude Business Gold Mastercard
Westpac Altitude Business Gold Mastercard image
Westpac Altitude Rewards
Finder score
N/A
Annual fee
$0 first year ($150 after)
Purchase rate p.a.
20.24%
Balance transfer rate p.a.
4.99% for 12 months with 0% balance transfer fee, then 20.24%
More Info
Save with a $0 annual fee for the first year and 4.99% p.a. on balance transfers for 12 months.
St.George Amplify Business
St.George Amplify Business image
Amplify Rewards / Qantas Frequent Flyer
Finder score
N/A
Annual fee
$0 first year ($89 after)
Purchase rate p.a.
19.49%
Balance transfer rate p.a.
N/A
More Info
Save with a $0 annual fee for the first year and earn uncapped points on eligible business spending.
BankSA Amplify Business Credit Card
BankSA Amplify Business Credit Card image
Amplify Rewards / Qantas Frequent Flyer
Finder score
N/A
Annual fee
$0 first year ($89 after)
Purchase rate p.a.
19.49%
Balance transfer rate p.a.
N/A
More Info
Save with a $0 annual fee in the first year and earn uncapped rewards points on business purchases.
ANZ Business Low Rate
ANZ Business Low Rate image
Finder score
N/A
Annual fee
$0 first year ($100 after)
Purchase rate p.a.
12.99%
Balance transfer rate p.a.
N/A
More Info
Get a $0 first-year annual fee and $0 fee per additional card. Plus, Unauthorised Transactions Insurance.
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Best no annual fee cards: Kogan Money Card – Exclusive Offer

Kogan Money Card – Exclusive Offer

  • 0% Balance Transfer & 9.99% Purchase Rate Offers
  • $0 Annual fee
  • 21.99% Purchase rate

Pros & cons

  • No annual fee
  • 0% p.a. for 18 months on balance transfers
  • Low 9.99% p.a. purchase rate for 18 months
  • Uncapped reward points
  • Complimentary Kogan First membership
  • Balance transfer offer has a 1% BT fee
  • 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 9.9 in the no annual fee category.

Best no annual fee cards: HSBC Premier World MasterCard - Qantas Frequent Flyer

HSBC Premier World MasterCard - Qantas Frequent Flyer

  • Up to 1.5 Qantas Points per $1
  • $0 Annual fee
  • 19.99% Purchase rate

Pros & cons

  • Up to 1.5 Qantas Points per $1 on eligible spending
  • $0 annual fee
  • Complimentary domestic and international travel insurance
  • Airport lounge access through Mastercard Airport Experiences/LoungeKey
  • No introductory bonus points offer
  • 3% foreign transaction fee

Why we like it

The HSBC Premier World Mastercard lets you earn Qantas Points on your spending at a high rate. And it has no annual fee at all, plus perks like complimentary travel insurance.
This card has a Finder Score of 9.86 in the no annual fee category.

Best no annual fee cards: American Express Low Rate Credit Card

American Express Low Rate Credit Card

  • Low Rate & No Annual Fee
  • $0 Annual fee
  • 10.99% Purchase rate

Pros & cons

  • Low 10.99% p.a. interest rate for purchases
  • Ongoing $0 annual fee
  • Up to 4 additional cardholders
  • Complimentary card purchase cover and card refund cover
  • $30 late payment fee if you miss your minimum repayment
  • 3% foreign currency conversion fee
  • No rewards program

Why we like it

  • There is no annual fee for this card at all.
  • The cards also has a low purchase rate and comes with complimentary card purchase cover.
  • How does a credit card with no annual fee work?

    A no annual fee credit card allows you to shop and spend, without having to pay a yearly fee for the account. This can save you from $25 to as much as $1,450 for credit cards with an annual fee.

    Just like other cards, interest and other charges may apply. But if you pay off the balance in full each month – and can get interest-free days on purchases – it’s the closest you can get to free credit.

    Finder's database contains every credit card we could find on the market, including some that offer balance transfers, rewards and other benefits. Right now, there are 44 credit cards on the market that charge no annual fee, ever.

    Pros and cons of $0 annual fee credit cards

    Pros

    • Save money on credit card fees. The most obvious perk of these cards is that you won't pay an annual fee. This could save you tens, hundreds or thousands of dollars over the life of the card.
    • Practical and cost-effective. A no annual fee credit card can be ideal for emergencies and when extra credit is required. This means you can leave it in your wallet without worrying about it costing you when you're not using it.
    • Promotional offers and perks. Depending on the card you choose, you can get big bonus points offers, 0% balance transfers and other perks as well as a $0 annual fee for the first year or ongoing.

    Cons

    • Higher interest rates. These cards typically charge higher ongoing interest rates on purchases than some other cards. This could add to your costs if you regularly carry a balance from month to month.
    • Fewer extra features. While some no annual fee cards do come with rewards and other benefits, they typically boast fewer features than cards with a higher annual fee.
    • Temporary $0 annual fee. Unfortunately, not all of these cards offer a $0 annual fee for the life of the card. If your card only waives the annual fee for the first year, make sure you know the standard annual fee and when it will apply.

    A $0 annual fee credit card saves you money up front, but make sure you get the most from it. Always pay it off every month in full - once you're paying interest, the card isn't free. And look for other features as well - if you can earn frequent flyer points, you can save real money on travel just by using your card for everyday purchases.


    Types of no annual fee credit cards

    Some no annual fee credit cards offer the basics, while others have more features and benefits. This means you can compare credit cards that combine a $0 annual fee with other features, including introductory 0% interest rate offers, frequent flyer points, reward points and complimentary extras. Here are some examples.

    FeatureCardCurrent OfferAnnual Fee & Purchase Rate
    Balance Transfer

    ANZ Low Rate
    ANZ Low Rate

    Get a 0% p.a. interest rate for the first 28 months on balance transfers with a 3% balance transfer fee.
    • $0 annual fee in the first year ($58 after)
    • 13.74% p.a.
    Rewards

    Coles No Annual Fee Mastercard
    Coles no annual fee credit card

    Offers the equivalent of 0.5 Flybuys points per $1 you spend on eligible purchases.
    • $0
    • 20.74% p.a.
    Frequent Flyer

    Qantas American Express Discovery

    Earns 0.75 Qantas Points per $1 spent on everyday purchases, 0.5 point / $1 with government bodies in Australia and an additional 1.75 Qantas Point per $1 spent on selected Qantas products and services in Australia, uncapped.
    • $0
    • 23.99% p.a.
    Travel

    Bendigo Bank Ready Credit Card
    Bendigo Bank Ready Credit Card

    Offers 0% foreign transaction fees overseas and online with international merchants. Plus, complimentary overseas travel insurance.
    • $0
    • 19.99% p.a.

    How to find the right no annual fee credit card

    Ask yourself these questions to help compare your options:

        • How often do you use your credit card? Finder research shows 41% of Australians got their most recent credit card for emergencies. If you rarely use a credit card but want one for unplanned expenses or emergencies, getting one with no annual fee helps you save on costs when you're not using it.
        • Do you carry a balance? Some no annual fee credit cards have high interest rates that are better suited to cardholders who pay their balance in full each statement period. If you regularly carry a balance, you might want to consider a low interest credit card instead.
        • Do you have existing debt? You could consider a balance transfer credit card to save money on interest charges for an introductory period. Or, focus on paying off your current debts before you get a new credit card.
        • Will you use the credit card after a $0 annual fee promotion ends? If it doesn't have a competitive interest rate or enough extra features to outweigh the ongoing cost, you might want to cancel the card before the annual fee is charged.
        • What other credit card fees and charges will you pay? As well as interest rates, make sure you check for other credit card fees that could apply, including foreign transaction fees, late payment fees and cash advance charges.

    Interest-free spending hack

    Most credit cards offer a number of interest-free days (such as up to 55) on purchases when you pay your account balance in full by the due date on your statement. So if you pay your account in full, make use of interest-free days and don't have an annual fee, your credit card could cost you nothing.

    Frequently asked questions

    2024 Finder Award winner and finalists

    Find out which brand took first place at the 2024 Finder Awards for no annual fee credit cards.

    Every year the Finder Credit Card Awards honor Australia's best credit cards, with expert analysis of rates, fees and offers based on 12 months' worth of data. Offers change regularly, so these cards may not currently have the most competitive deals but you can use them as a benchmark.

    Why you can trust Finder's credit card experts

    helpObsessed with offers - You want all the perks and none of the fees, and we want that for you too. So we're tracking all the current no-fee cards, in one handy guide.
    freeSave yourself some time. Why waste 100s of hours researching no-fee credit cards, when we've done the hard yards for you? Simply sit back, sort the options and get the card that suits your needs
    independentNo BS. We'll explain how all the credit card fees work and how you can avoid interest – and we'll always explain it all in plain English.
    Back to top
    Richard Whitten's headshot
    Editor

    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 542 Finder guides across topics including:
    • Home loans
    • Property
    • Personal finance
    • Money-saving tips

    More guides on Finder

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    128 Responses

      Default Gravatar
      DevJune 12, 2015

      Hello,

      I have a question regarding American Express Platinum Edge card.

      on this website it is mentioned that “No annual fee for the first year, a 10,000 bonus points offer and a complimentary return domestic flight every year” but on the american express card website there is no mention of annual fee getting waived off for the first year. Can you please confirm if the annual fee is waived off or not for the first year ?

      Default Gravatar
      RayJune 4, 2015

      I require an auxiliary credit card to my primary card to use for online purchasing ( for event tickets etc). I require a ‘No Fee for Life’ credit card and only require a low credit limit (to $2,000 max)with monthly balance paid in full within one week of receipt of monthly statement . Do I need to have an account with the issuing bank (HSBC, BoQ, etc) to obtain a Credit Card. Could someone advise my best option.

        AvatarFinder
        sally.mcmullen@hiveempire.comJune 5, 2015Finder

        Hi Ray,

        Thank you for your question.

        You may wish to visit our no annual fee credit cards to review some of your options. The credit limit you will be approved for will depend on factors including your income, your credit history, and existing lines of credit (such as other credit cards or loans).

        You can use our credit limit to learn more about what to consider when choosing your credit limit and what banks consider when reviewing your application. Please ensure to read through the relevant product disclosure statement and terms and conditions to ensure that you got everything covered before you apply for a card.

        I hope this has answered your question.

        Thanks,
        Sally

      Default Gravatar
      billMay 5, 2015

      I only use credit card for emergency and pay in full. I am looking for a no fee card for lifetime with travel insurance and overseas purchases included at no costs, thanks

        AvatarFinder
        JonathanMay 6, 2015Finder

        Hi Bill,

        Thanks for your inquiry.

        Please refer to the following link for a list of cards with free travel insurance, which will allow you to compare products based on overseas purchases and annual fee features.

        Cheers,
        Jonathan

      Default Gravatar
      akashjoshiMay 3, 2015

      I am not a frequent user of any type of credit card never ever had one in my life. So if I wanted to go for credit card I do not have any plan to use it but I wanted to keep as in safe for emergency only. So which credit card is better for me. I do not like to keep debt on cards, wanted to know either low interest rate is better or no fee cards ? Thanks

        Default Gravatar
        TerryJuly 23, 2015

        Can I exchange a Coles platinum card for a Coles no annual fee card?

        AvatarFinder
        JonathanJuly 23, 2015Finder

        Hi Terry, thanks for your inquiry!

        Switching between Coles credit cards can be requested by contacting the Coles MasterCard team. Please refer to the contact details I have sent to your email.

        Cheers,

        Jonathan

        AvatarFinder
        JonathanMay 4, 2015Finder

        Hi Akashjoshi, thanks for your inquiry!

        The choice between low-interest rate or no annual fee credit cards depends on the frequency of usage and type of transactions made on the card. If the usage on the credit card is lower/ minimal you may like to refer to no annual fee cards on this page and no annual fee cards on this page.

        Cheers,

        Jonathan

        Default Gravatar
        cashMay 4, 2015

        Yes sure, cheers!

      Default Gravatar
      TerryMay 2, 2015

      Can I exchange my Coles platinum card for a no fees Coles card

        AvatarFinder
        JonathanMay 4, 2015Finder

        Hi Terry, thanks for your inquiry!

        Exchanging credit cards can be requested by contacting the Coles MasterCard team. Please refer to the contact details I have sent to your email.

        Cheers,

        Jonathan

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