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Compare Credit Cards*

Save time and effort by comparing a range of credit cards, including Balance Transfer, Frequent Flyer rewards, and low interest credit cards with iSelect. Use our handy 'compare' option to compare features such as interest rates, interest-free periods, and annual fees to find a card that suits you.

*iSelect (through its wholly owned subsidiary, Tyrian Pty Ltd) and Fair Comparison Pty Ltd (which operates this credit product comparison) may receive a commission if users click through, apply, or successfully qualify, for a loan or credit card product from or through a provider.

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Kogan Money - Black Credit Card

A $0 annual fee and an interest rate of 20.99% p.a. on retail purchases. Earn up to $400 Kogan credit within 90 days of card approval.
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  • Longest Purchase Period
  • Lowest Cash Advance Rate
  • Longest Balance Transfer Period

Fair Comparison compares loan products from a range of banks and other financial or credit product providers and does not compare all products in the market or all product features. To filter the results, you will need to enter some basic information which will generate a comparison of products that fall within those parameters. The default ordering of products is based on initial purchase rate. Fair Comparison do not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs, or provide advice, assistance or recommendations.

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What is a credit card?

A credit card is a financial product that allows you to access a line of credit from a lender, which can be used to make purchases and pay bills. Depending on the lender, a credit card generally comes as both a physical card that can be used to make in-store purchases, as well as a digital card which can be stored on a mobile device and can be linked to an online account.

How do credit cards work?

A credit card works by giving you access to a lender’s line of credit which you can use to make purchases for everyday things such as petrol, groceries, and paying bills, and serves as an alternative to using your own funds or savings via a debit card.

Credit cards typically come with certain limits , depending on your circumstances and between products and lenders. You’re required to repay the credit used on your card, and interest is typically charged on the outstanding balance each month.

Credit Card

What types of credit cards are available?

There are a range of different credit cards available from bank and non-bank lenders across Australia. Before deciding on a card, it’s always a good idea to compare different products, as well as their interest rates, fees, and other terms and conditions*. Here’s a short list of some of the cards commonly offered by lenders:

Balance Transfer credit cards

This is where you move the balance of one credit card to another, typically because the new card has a 0% or particularly low rate for a set period.

Compare Balance Transfer credit cards

Low Interest credit cards

This card typically comes with a lower interest rate, particularly in regards to the ‘purchase rate’. This is the interest rate applied to the amount owing on your card at the end of the statement period.

Compare Low Interest credit cards

Rewards credit cards

This is a card which allows you to earn points for every dollar spent, with the potential to gain additional points for every dollar spent at certain retailers partnered with the lender. These points can then typically be redeemed for vouchers at retailers and supermarkets, or to purchase flights and accommodation.

Compare Reward credit cards

No Annual Fee credit cards

Lenders typically offer a range of incentives to attract new customers, and one of the ways they could do this is by waiving the annual fee, generally for the first year. However, it’s important to check what the annual fee will be (if any) after the first year or no-fee period.

Compare No Annual Fee credit cards

Frequent Flyer credit cards

These credit cards allow you to gain points for every dollar spent which can be redeemed for travel and accommodation expenses depending on the lender. For example, some lenders partner with either Qantas’ frequent flyer program, Virgin’s Velocity program, or with American Express Travel.

Compare Frequent Flyer credit cards

Cashback credit cards

Similar to rewards cards, a cashback credit card allows you to earn ‘points’ for every dollar spent. However, unlike rewards cards where you can redeem your points for vouchers and travel purchases, with a cashback card you can redeem your points for cash.

Compare Cashback credit cards

0% Purchase credit cards

This card allows you to make purchase with your card and avoid paying interest if you repay the balance within the interest-free period.

Compare 0% Purchase credit cards
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Payment platforms

As well as card types, there are also payment platforms which lenders can partner with. This includes:

  • Mastercard
  • Visa
  • American Express
  • Diner’s Club

Payment platforms

As well as card types, there are also payment platforms which lenders can partner with. This includes:

  • Mastercard
  • Visa
  • American Express
  • Diner’s Club

What are the pros and cons of credit cards?

Like any financial product, it’s important to consider the pros and cons to determine whether a product is suitable for you.

Benefits of using a credit card:

  • Convenient alternative to using cash
  • Access funds if you’re low on savings or having personal cashflow issues
  • Ability to access rewards programs
  • Ability to shop online with ease
  • Opportunity to build a positive credit history

Drawbacks of using a credit card:

  • Typically higher interest rates
  • Risk of accumulating debt if you fall behind on payments
  • Annual fees
  • Failing to make minimum repayments could hurt your credit score, which could in turn impact your ability to access credit or a loan in the future

How to compare credit cards and their features?

When comparing credit cards, you might not only want to compare products such as Rewards cards versus Low Fee cards, but also the underlying features*. Here’s a brief list of some basic product features worth comparing:

  • Purchase (interest) rate:

    This is the rate of interest charged on the outstanding balance of your card at the end of each statement period. Rewards cards typically come with higher interest rates than low fee credit cards.

  • Honeymoon (or introductory) interest rate:

    If you opt for a ‘0% interest’ card then typically interest will be waived for a set period. You might want to check out what the interest rate will revert to once this set period finishes.

  • Interest-free days:

    These are the days where interest won’t be applied to purchases. Interest-free days typically relate to specific pre-defined days in your billing period, and don’t typically begin when a purchase is made.

  • Fees, which may include:

    Annual or monthly fees, rewards program fees, late repayment fees, cash advance fees, overdraft fees, and fees for using your credit card overseas

  • Minimum credit limit:

    This is the least amount of credit a bank or lender will offer you. Different cards come with different minimum credit limits , ranging anywhere from $500 to $6,000 depending on the product ,provider and your eligibility.

  • Rewards program:

    Some cards come with rewards programs such as AMEX rewards and Qantas Frequent Flyer rewards. Be sure to align with a card that has a rewards program that you’re likely to actually get benefit from.

  • Points rates:

    If it’s a rewards card, this refers to how many points you accrue per $1 spent

  • Bonus points:

    Rewards cards can come with bonus points upon signing up, and these points can often be redeemed for retail vouchers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for a credit card?

To apply for a credit card with iSelect, simply begin comparing cards on offer from our range of providers below, and then click the “Go To Site” button where you can then begin formally applying for your new credit card with a lender*.

Is there a ‘best’ credit card?

Unfortunately there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ or ‘best’ credit card. What makes a product suitable for you can depend on a range of factors, including things such as your lifestyle, income, and spending habits.

When searching for a suitable product, it’s worthwhile to compare a range of options, and carefully assess the features as well as the terms, conditions, and fees*.

How do I find a good deal on my credit card?

It’s always a good idea to compare a variety of products on offer from a variety of lenders to ensure you’re making an informed financial decision*. It’s also worthwhile taking into account how you plan to use your credit card.

For example, someone looking for a credit card to accrue frequent flyer points may have different ideas on what constitutes a ‘good deal’ than someone looking for a low-interest card to assist in paying for monthly bills and groceries.

Different lenders may also be running special offers on certain products, so it’s worthwhile looking at these too to ensure you’re not missing out on a good deal.

How can my credit score affect my application?

When submitting an application for any financial product, such as a credit card, personal loan, or home loan, the lender will typically perform a credit check. This allows the lender to get an idea of how risky a customer is based on their credit history, as well as whether or not they’re likely to make repayments on time.

If the lender does perform a credit check and sees that your credit score is lower because you’ve missed payments on bills or other financial products in the past, or even defaulted on a loan, then this could negatively affect your credit card application.

What can a credit card be used for?

Typically credit cards don’t come with conditions on how you spend funds money. However, credit cards often come with set limits, such as $3,000 or $5,000. These set limits could determine the kinds of things you use your credit card for.

For example, a credit card with a monthly limit of $3,000 could allow you to pay for everyday expenses such as groceries, fuel, and utilities and phone bills. However, it’s probably not going to be sufficient to finance the purchase of a new or secondhand car.

In short, a credit card can be used for almost any purchase, subject to the account limits.
That being said, credit cards are generally better used for short-term funds, rather than big purchases you want to pay off over a longer time. This is because credit card interest rates tend to be higher than other kinds of credit, such as personal loans.

How do interest rates work with a credit card?

Similar to a loan, credit cards come with interest that is charged on amount of money you use (or ‘borrow’) from the lender. Interest can be thought of as one of the ways the lender charges you for using their money.

How much interest you may have to pay can depend on the type of card you choose and the interest rate, as well as the types of purchases you make, and when you make repayments.

How do credit card payments work?

With a credit card, you’re only typically required to make the minimum repayment each statement period to avoid incurring any additional late fees. However, if you don’t repay your full balance, then interest can be charged on this balance. The size of your interest repayments can depend on both the size of the outstanding balance, as well as the interest rate on your card.

However, if you do repay the full balance of your account before the end of the statement period, you can avoid incurring interest, so this would be a smart way to use your credit card.

What is a credit card cash advance?

A credit card cash advance is where you use your credit card to access cash, instead of making purchases with the card.

Examples of a cash advance payment include:

  • Withdrawing cash from an ATM with your credit card
  • Transferring funds from your credit card to another account (such as a savings account)

Using your credit card to obtain a cash advance does come with a few downsides, such as:

  • Additional fee for making a cash advance payment
  • Interest charged on the cash advance and this interest rate is typically higher than using your credit card directly
  • No interest-free days

Can I get a credit card even if I have bad credit?

Whether or not you can successfully obtain a credit card is at a lender’s discretion. What constitutes ‘bad credit’ could depend on a range of factors, and different lender’s may weigh these factors differently based on their own individual risk modelling.

What is a credit score and a credit report?

When assessing your application for a credit card, lender’s will perform a credit check from one of several credit reporting agencies. These agencies will provide a comprehensive credit report which can include things such as:

  • Personal information (such as your name, date of birth, and address)
  • Information on any credit products you’ve held in the last two years
  • Repayment history
  • Defaults on utility bills, credit cards, or loans
  • Credit applications
  • Bankruptcy and debt agreements
  • Credit report request

Things that may impact your credit score can include:

  • Filing multiple applications for credit in a relatively short period of time
  • Poor repayment history (including late repayments)
  • Defaulting on credit or loan repayments
  • Bankruptcy
  • Default on phone or utility bills (this can only be passed from utility providers to credit agencies if the default amount is $150 or more, and 60 days or more have passed since the due date)

Additionally, whenever you apply for a loan, lenders will use the maximum balance of any credit cards you have to determine if they can lend to you. Because of this, having too many credit cards can have negative impacts, even if you always make your repayments on time.

What factors can affect my credit card approval?

Several factors could affect your credit card application, including:

  • Your credit history and contents of your credit report
  • Your income
  • Amount of personal savings
  • Whether you have any outstanding debts, loans, or financial commitments
  • Employment status and how secure it is

What are credit card fees?

Credit cards can come with a range of fees, including:

  • Annual or monthly fees
  • Rewards program fees
  • Late repayment fees
  • Admin or other sign-up fees

It’s worthwhile to keep these fees and charges in mind when comparing credit cards to ensure you avoid any surprises.

What happens if my credit card application is rejected?

If your application for a new credit card is rejected, that generally means you failed to meet the lender’s credit lending criteria.

This could be due to any number of reasons, including a perception by the lender that you’d be unable to make repayments due to your income, lack of savings, employment status, past bankruptcies, or a history of loan defaults and late/missed credit repayments.

Generally you should try and discover the reasons why a previous application was rejected before you apply for a new credit card, as multiple failed credit applications could further damage your credit score.

How can I avoid paying interest on my credit card?

One of the easiest and simplest ways to avoid paying interest on your credit card is to pay the full balance each month. Typically, interest is charged on the amount outstanding at the end of the statement period.

Other tips include:

  • Paying your card off in full each month to avoid debt rolling from one month to the next and compounding, making repayments harder to manage
  • Avoiding cash advances where possible
  • Choosing a card with a lower interest could help reduce your interest repayments

What’s the difference between a credit card and a debit card

The main difference between a credit card and a debit card is whose money is being used. With a debit card you’re usually drawing upon your own personal funds, whereas with a credit card you’re accessing a lender’s line of credit to make purchases. With a credit card, you’re charged interest at a set rate on the balance outstanding at the end of each statement period, whereas with a debit card, because you’re using your own personal funds and therefore not ‘borrowing’ any money, no interest payable.

How could I improve my credit score?

For more information on credit repair, please refer to the MoneySmart website here.

Credit Card Providers

You can use our comparison tools to compare from our range of providers and their products.*
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