Compare Visa Credit Cards in Australia – 150+ options crunched
Visa credit cards often have a few perks like Visa Offers (hello upgrades), contactless payments and security features.
What benefits can I get with a Visa credit card?
Banks and other credit card providers usually decide on the mix features that are available on different Visa cards. But some of the Visa benefits you can expect include:
24/7 customer service
Visa offers a Global Customer Assistance Service so you can report lost and stolen cards from anywhere in the world. You can contact the Visa team on 1800 450 346 (within Australia) or +1 303 967 1090 (international calls).
Contactless and mobile payments
Visa credit cards in Australia offer tap-and-go payments, as well as insert or swipe options at the checkout. You also won't need to enter a PIN if your contactless card purchase is less than $100.
Many Visa credit cards can also be added to digital wallets including Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay and Garmin Pay. These options do vary between credit card providers, so make sure you check the card's compatibility before you apply.
Visa Checkout
If you sign up to Visa Checkout, this service will securely save your payment and shipping information for online shopping with partnered merchants.
Visa Secure (formerly Verified by Visa)
This security service adds an extra verification step for online transactions. As an example, you might be asked to enter an SMS code, confirm your date of birth or answer a security question before the payment is processed. Most credit cards that offer Visa Secure automatically enrol you in it.
Visa Offers + Perks
A Visa card gives you access to exclusive discounts and deals with partnered brands such as Booking.com, THE ICONIC and Hertz. If you have a premium Visa credit card – such as a platinum or black card – you can get more luxury offers, such as hotel upgrades.
A Visa card also gives you access to limited-time ticket offers, movie competitions and other entertainment deals. You can check out the current range of offers on the Visa website.
Concierge service – premium card benefit
A platinum Visa credit card (and other premium options) often gives you access to a 24/7 global concierge service. You can contact your concierge on 1800 639 607 within Australia for anything from booking restaurant reservations or scoring tickets to a concert to sending flowers to a loved one.
Complimentary insurance covers
Some Visa credit cards come with complimentary insurance covers, such as international travel insurance, purchase cover insurance, extended warranty insurance and interstate flight inconvenience insurance and transit accident insurance.
The type of complimentary insurance and amount of cover offered varies depending on the issuer and the Visa credit card. You can check individual card benefits to check if insurance is offered – and remember to read the policy to make sure the cover fits your plans.
Visa Premium
If you have a Visa Platinum, Signature or Infinite credit card, you can enjoy exclusive travel and lifestyle benefits all around the world through this exclusive service.
Example: 5 benefits you can enjoy with a Visa Signature credit card
You could get the following Visa Premium perks with your Visa Signature credit card:
1. 24/7 concierge service
Like your very own personal assistant, Visa Signature cardholders have access to a 24/7 Visa Premium concierge service.
Whether you want to snag concert tickets, make a last-minute restaurant reservation or hire a private yacht on your next vacation, your concierge service can organise it for you. You'll have to pay for any purchases required to fulfil your request (such as the concert tickets), but the concierge service is complimentary with your card.
You can contact your Visa Premium concierge on 1800 639 607 in Australia.
2. Visa Front Line Access
You can reserve and purchase pre-sale tickets to events before the general public with Visa Front Line Access. Powered by Ticketek, you'll need to complete the Visa Front Line Access online registration before you can get your hands on the exclusive tickets.
When you register, you'll receive a unique code which you can use to log in and reserve your pre-sale tickets. Visa will notify you of the latest concerts and pre-sale opportunities via email.
3. Travel perks
You can save on your next holiday with a bunch of exclusive discounts and deals for Visa cardholders. The promotions vary, but can include discounts on online hotel bookings, airport lounge passes, dining, tours and holiday activities. You can see the current list of discounts on the Visa Premium website.
4. Global Customer Assistance
If your card has been lost, damaged or stolen, you can get help from the Visa Global Customer Assistance Services team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from anywhere in the world. In Australia, the toll-free number is 1800 450 346. If you're travelling overseas, you can find a complete list of local Visa customer service phone numbers on their website.
Before leaving for your overseas trip, save the local Visa customer service phone number for your travel destination in your phone so it's easy to find in the event that you need it.
5. Global acceptance and ATM network
You can use a Visa Signature card in over 200 countries and territories, including over 2.2 million ATM locations worldwide. Just remember that using your credit card to withdraw cash attracts a cash advance fee and cash advance interest charges. If you have a Visa debit or prepaid card, you can avoid cash advance fees and rates.
How can I compare Visa credit cards?
- Annual fees. Most credit cards charge an annual fee. For this fee typically ranges from $30 to $400 or more. There are also some Visa credit cards that have no annual fee, either for a promotional period or for the life of the card. You can weigh this cost against the card's features to help find one that's affordable for you.
- Interest rates. If you don't always pay your balance in full, you should compare Visa cards by the standard purchase rate. Some Visa cards offer introductory 0% p.a. interest rates, which can help you save on interest costs. If you plan to use the card for ATM withdrawals and other cash-equivalent transactions, you should check the cash advance interest rate.
- Foreign transaction fees. Most credit cards charge a fee worth 2–4% of the total of any transactions you make overseas or online in a foreign currency. So if you plan to use a Visa card when you're travelling or shopping online with stores that are based overseas, make sure you consider this cost.
- Rewards. Some Visa credit cards come linked to rewards and frequent flyer programs, allowing you to earn points as you spend. If you're a regular spender and pay your balance in full, a rewards credit card can be a useful way to get more value from your Visa card.
- Eligibility requirements. When you find a Visa credit card you want to apply for, make sure you meet the application requirements. These typically cover age and Australian residency status, credit history and minimum income.
What is Visa's exchange rate for foreign currencies?
When you use an Australian Visa credit card overseas, the payment will automatically be converted from the local currency to AUD. As exchange rates change daily (or more frequently), Visa has an exchange rate calculator on its website where you can check the rates that will apply.
To give you an idea, here are the exchange rates that would apply when travelling to the UK, US or New Zealand when we checked on 29 June 2023:
- UK pounds to Australian dollars conversion: 1 GBP = 1.909019 AUD
- 0.29% higher than the Central European Bank Rate
- US dollars to Australian dollars conversion: 1 USD = 1.501049 AUD
- 0.42% higher than the Central European Bank Rate
- New Zealand to Australian dollars conversion: 1 NZD = 0.925384 AUD
- 0.28% higher than the Central European Bank Rate
Based on these examples, the Visa exchange rate was between 0.28% and 0.42% higher than the exchange rate listed by the Central European Bank. So the Visa currency exchange rates would be relatively similar to the exchange rates listed online.
Just keep in mind that credit cards may also have foreign currency conversion fees and charges that affect this rate. The Visa calculator includes a section to help factor in these costs.
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Ask a question
I have had an Employees Benefit Card (Westpac) for over a year now, apparently it is changing to SalPac, I don’t understand how it works, it is through Westpac? I recently received a new pin number but I don’t have a new card, what do I do to get the card & find out how this Salpac works compared to the Salary sacrifice (EBC) I have now.
Hi Leanne. Thanks for your question. Although we are aware of the Westpac Employees Benefit Card, it’s not something that is available to the general public, so we’re not knowledgeable about that product. The best people to speak to about this is your employer. Please let us know how this goes. Jacob.
Does VISA require a minimum or maximum credit limit requirement with a Platinum VISA credit card?
Hi Teresa. Thanks for your question. Which card issuer are you referring to? Visa is the card scheme and provides credit cards to lenders like Westpac or ANZ. Visa does not impose maximum and minimum limits on their cards although the lender wil. Jacob.
I have recieved a email telling me that i should activate my visa credit card over the internet or at my bank , so what i want to know is it for real or is it a scam to get my details ?
Hi Patrick,
This is not a scam. It is also advisable to contact the provider directly.
Hope this helps.
Thanks,
Jacob