Bankwest

Best credit cards to shortlist in Australia

My default pick is the Bankwest Zero Platinum Mastercard if you pay your balance in full: it has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee. If you expect to carry a balance, compare low-rate cards instead—points rarely make up for interest. ASIC’s Moneysmart recommends choosing on how you’ll actually repay the card, not just its rewards. (bankwest.com.au)

These are real Australian-market issuers and products, not a ranking by cardholder numbers. NAB, CommBank, Westpac and ANZ are major names; NAB reported about 2.2 million credit-card customers across NAB, Citi and its white-label brands in its 2025 results. Visa and Mastercard are payment networks, rather than the banks whose card fees and benefits you compare. (nab.com.au)

One timely warning: older “best card” lists may recommend CommBank Smart Awards on the basis of no international transaction fee or an ongoing spend-based monthly-fee waiver. Its replacement Smart card has a 3.5% international transaction fee, and its $19 monthly spend-based waiver ends from statements issued on or after 1 January 2027. (commbank.com.au)

There's no single best card in Australia. The right one depends on how you use it. These are the cards that comparison sites and award lists keep naming, grouped by purpose.

Frequent flyer and rewards

• Qantas American Express Ultimate: Finder lists it as its best frequent flyer card for October 2026. One review says its $450 annual Qantas Travel Credit cancels out the $450 annual fee, so it works best if you'd fly Qantas anyway.
• ANZ Frequent Flyer Black: It won Finder's Best Qantas Frequent Flyer Credit Card award for 2026. One review pegs its fee at A$425/yr.
• ANZ Rewards Black: Finder named it Best Rewards Credit Card. Money.com.au lists it at up to 2 points per dollar, with a $375 annual fee.
• American Express Velocity Platinum: It's the pick if you collect Virgin Velocity points. It earns 1.25 points per $1 on everyday spend, and 2.25 points per $1 on eligible Virgin Australia purchases.
• Amex Platinum, Westpac Altitude Black and NAB Qantas Rewards Signature also appear regularly on premium and rewards lists.

No annual fee

• Kogan Money Credit Card: It won Finder's best no annual fee credit card and no annual fee rewards credit card categories.
• Coles No Annual Fee Mastercard: Mozo picks it as the best no annual fee card, earning Flybuys points on every purchase.
• Bankwest Zero Platinum: One ranking calls it the best free card in Australia: no fee, no international fees, travel insurance.

Travel and overseas spending

• Bankwest Breeze Platinum Mastercard: It won the travel credit card category for the 8th year in a row, and also won best no FX fees credit card.
• Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard: Finder's best travel credit card pick for October. Another source lists it at A$96 a year (A$0 the first year) with a 0% foreign transaction fee.
• Frequent flyer cards can be costly overseas. They often charge foreign transaction fees as high as 3.5%, so they're often better for booking travel while you're still at home.

Balance transfers and low rate

• ANZ Low Rate won best balance transfer card in the Finder awards. Finder's October pick is the Latitude Gem Visa.
• For a low ongoing rate, the G&C Mutual Bank Low Rate Visa won Finder's award. Smaller lenders like Defence Bank, Greater Bank and Community First also advertise rates of around 9–10% p.a..

Cashback

• ANZ Platinum Credit Card is Finder's pick for best cashback credit card.

Which one to choose

• Pay your balance in full each month: a rewards or frequent flyer card can pay off. Check the annual fee, points caps and sign-up spend requirements first.
• Carry a balance: points rarely make up for the interest. A low rate or balance transfer card is the better choice.
• Travel a lot: pair a no-FX-fee card with a rewards card for domestic spending.
• Network: Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards in Australia. Amex is accepted less widely, mostly because of merchant surcharges.

Offers, sign-up bonuses and fees change often, and some compar

In Australia, there isn’t a single “best” credit card for everyone. The right card depends on whether you're trying to stack up frequent flyer points, avoid annual fees, save money on overseas travel, or keep interest rates low if you carry a balance month-to-month.

Breakdowns of the top credit cards and brands in Australia based on how people actually use them include:

1. Best for Frequent Flyer Points (Qantas & Velocity)

Australians love points chasers, and cards tied to Qantas Frequent Flyer or Velocity Frequent Flyer (Virgin Australia) are extremely popular.

• ANZ Frequent Flyer Black: Widely regarded as one of the best premium Qantas points cards. It frequently offers generous sign-up bonus points (often 90,000–100,000+ points), includes complimentary Qantas Club lounge passes, and comes with built-in travel insurance.
• American Express Velocity Platinum / Qantas Ultimate: Amex cards typically offer the highest points earn rate per dollar spent in Australia. The Velocity Platinum card includes a free annual domestic return flight with Virgin Australia and Velocity lounge entries, making it easy to offset the annual fee.
• NAB Qantas Rewards Signature / Westpac Altitude Qantas: Top options if you prefer banking with one of the "Big Four" while still earning decent uncapped points and bonus point sign-up deals.

2. Best for No Annual Fees & Everyday Value

If you don't want to pay $200–$450 a year just to hold a card, fee-free cards are ideal for everyday tapping and bill paying.

• Bankwest Zero Platinum Mastercard: A long-time favourite in Australia. It carries $0 annual fee and no international transaction fees, making it a great set-and-forget everyday card.
• Coles No Annual Fee Mastercard: Popular for supermarket shoppers because it links directly with the Flybuys loyalty program, letting you earn points on everyday groceries without an annual card fee.
• Kogan Money Credit Card: Frequently wins award recognition for no-annual-fee rewards, earning points or credits directly toward online shopping.

3. Best for Travel & Zero International Transaction Fees

Standard Aussie credit cards usually charge a 3% foreign transaction fee whenever you purchase something overseas or buy online from international sites. Travel-focused cards waive this fee entirely.

• Bankwest Breeze Platinum / Zero Platinum: Continuously awarded top spot for Australian travel cards. You get 0% international transaction fees on foreign purchases, plus access to complimentary travel insurance when you meet the minimum spend threshold.
• 28 Degrees Global Platinum Mastercard (Latitude): Historically one of the most widely used cards by Aussie travellers for fee-free overseas spending and currency conversion.
• Amex Explorer Credit Card: A favourite for frequent overseas travellers who want luxury perks. It offers a flexible travel credit each year to offset the annual fee, flexible reward points (transferable to multiple airlines), and airport lounge passes.

4. Best Low Rate Cards (If You Keep a Balance)

If you don't clear your balance in full every month, rewards cards are a trap because their standard purchase rates sit around 20%–24% p.a. A low-rate card is much cheaper in the long run.

• ANZ Low Rate: Offers a low standard purchase rate (typically under 14% p.a.) with a very low annual fee.
• Westpac Lite: Features one of Westpac’s lowest interest rates with a simple, low monthly fee instead of a big upfront annual cost.
• GMCU / Auswide / Regional Mutual Banks: Regional credit unions and smaller banks often offer the lowest purchase rates in the country (some under 10% p.a.).

Key Tips Before Applying in Australia:

1. Watch the RBA interchange cuts: The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) regulations occasionally adjust credit card interchange fee caps, which can cause banks to adjust point earn rates. Always check the current points earn rate per dollar before signing up.
2. Hit the bonus spend thresholds: If you sign up for a high-points bonus offer, ensure you can meet the required spend (e.g., spend $3,000 in the first 90 days) without overspending.
3. Pay in full during the interest-free window: Most cards offer up to 44 or 55 days interest-free on purchases. Paying your balance off completely before the due date avoids interest costs entirely.

There is no single best credit card in Australia—the right choice depends on whether you want Qantas or Velocity points, flexible rewards, low fees, travel benefits, or a low interest rate. For cards Australians commonly use, start with mainstream products from CommBank, ANZ, NAB, Westpac, American Express, Bankwest and Coles.

Best practical shortlist

Which brands are most sensible?

• CommBank: A familiar, mainstream choice with broad Mastercard acceptance and useful integration if you already bank with CBA.
• ANZ: Particularly strong for flexible rewards and Qantas-linked cards.
• NAB: Worth considering for Qantas rewards and mainstream banking support.
• Westpac: A credible alternative for flexible rewards, including Altitude Rewards products.
• American Express: Often best for points and premium travel, but acceptance is less universal than Visa or Mastercard.
• Bankwest: Particularly attractive for no-foreign-fee and travel-focused cards.
• Coles: Sensible for frequent Coles shoppers who prefer supermarket rewards.

Best choice by typical Australian profile

• Pay the balance in full and want simple rewards: CommBank Smart Awards or ANZ Rewards Black.
• Fly Qantas regularly: Qantas Amex Ultimate if Amex acceptance suits you; otherwise ANZ Frequent Flyer Black or NAB Qantas Rewards Signature.
• Fly Virgin Australia regularly: American Express Velocity Platinum.
• Travel overseas: Bankwest Breeze Platinum or Bankwest Zero Platinum.
• Carry a balance: Prioritise a low-rate card such as Greater Bank Visa rather than rewards points.
• Want the lowest ongoing cost: Look for a genuinely no-annual-fee card, but check the purchase rate and foreign transaction fees.
• Shop heavily at Coles: Coles Rewards Mastercard may be more useful than a generic rewards card.

Rewards cards are generally poor value if interest is charged: a high purchase rate can quickly outweigh the value of points, cashback or travel perks. Before applying, compare the annual fee, purchase rate, interest-free period, foreign transaction fee, reward expiry rules, minimum income, credit limit and any required spending for bonus points.

In Australia there’s no single “best” card — it depends on whether you want Qantas Points, Velocity Points, flexible rewards, cashback/Flybuys, no annual fee, or a low rate. The cards people actually use most are from Amex, CommBank, Westpac, ANZ, NAB/St.George, Bankwest, Latitude, Virgin Money and Qantas/Virgin co-brands.

Here’s a practical shortlist for an Australian user:

Top brands people actually use in Australia: Amex, CommBank, Westpac, ANZ, NAB/St.George, Bankwest, Latitude, Virgin Money, and Qantas/Virgin co-brand cards. Many people stick with their big-four bank for convenience, but the best value often comes from Amex or a co-brand card — especially if you use the sign-up bonus and pay the balance in full.

Simple recommendation:

• Qantas flyer: Qantas Amex Ultimate, or ANZ Frequent Flyer Black if you need Visa/Mastercard.
• Virgin flyer: Virgin Money High Flyer.
• Flexible points/travel: Amex Explorer.
• No annual fee/everyday: Coles No Annual Fee Mastercard.
• Overseas travel: Latitude 28 Degrees.
• Carrying a balance: ignore rewards and get a low-rate card like CommBank Low Rate.

Annual fees, bonus points and earn rates change often, so confirm current terms before applying. If you pay interest, rewards cards are almost never worth it — pay the full balance each month.

The "best" credit cards in Australia depend on your spending habits, whether you pay the balance in full each month, and priorities like rewards (especially Qantas or Velocity points), low/no fees, balance transfers, cashback, or travel perks.

Always pay off your balance monthly—average purchase rates hover around 19-20% p.a., so interest quickly erodes any benefits. Rewards cards only make sense if you clear the balance in full. Major banks (ANZ, CommBank, NAB, Westpac) dominate everyday use due to wide acceptance and integration with banking apps, while Amex appeals for premium rewards (though acceptance is still patchier outside big retailers).

Here are standout options frequently recommended by comparison sites like Finder, Mozo, and others in late 2026, based on expert awards, bonuses, earn rates, and practical appeal. These reflect cards that regularly top "best of" lists and see real usage.

Top Rewards & Frequent Flyer Cards (Popular for Points Chasers)

• Qantas American Express Ultimate Card: Often tops frequent flyer categories. Earns up to 1.25 Qantas Points per $1 (uncapped on many spends), with a $450 annual fee offset by a $450 Qantas Travel Credit. Strong sign-up bonuses (up to 120,000 points). Great for Qantas loyalists who fly often and value lounge access/perks.
• ANZ Frequent Flyer Black (or similar ANZ Qantas-linked cards): Frequently highlighted for massive sign-up bonuses (e.g., up to 130,000 Qantas Points). Solid ongoing earn rates and ANZ's strong overall provider reputation.
• ANZ Rewards Black Credit Card: Wins "best rewards" nods for flexible points and bonuses. Good all-rounder from a major bank.
• Coles Rewards Mastercard (Flybuys-linked): Practical for supermarket shoppers—earns Flybuys points (convertible to Velocity). Low $99 fee and everyday relevance make it widely used.

Amex Velocity cards (e.g., Platinum) are strong alternatives if you prefer Virgin Australia points.

Best No/Low Annual Fee Options (Practical Everyday Picks)

• Kogan Money Credit Card: Repeatedly wins "best no annual fee" awards. $0 ongoing fee, earns Kogan points (1 per $1, 2 at Kogan.com) redeemable for store credit, plus balance transfer deals. Excellent value for fee-conscious users who want some rewards without the premium price tag—very practical and popular in comparisons.
• Bankwest Zero/Breeze cards (e.g., Zero Platinum Mastercard): Often $0 fee (or low), competitive rates, and standout no foreign transaction fees—ideal for travel or overseas spending.

Other low-rate options from credit unions (e.g., Teachers Mutual Bank, G&C Mutual Bank) suit those who might carry a balance, with rates as low as ~10-12% p.a. in some cases.

Cashback & Balance Transfer Standouts

• ANZ Platinum Credit Card: Strong for cashback/credit-back offers (e.g., hundreds back on spend).
• Latitude cards (e.g., Gem Visa or Low Rate Mastercard): Popular for long 0% balance transfer periods, useful for consolidating debt.

Other Notes on Popularity & Usage

• Major banks (ANZ, CommBank, NAB, Westpac): Most Australians use these for reliability, app integration, and acceptance. ANZ often leads in awards for rewards/balance transfers.
• American Express: Highly rated for customer satisfaction ("most trusted/loved" in surveys) and premium perks, especially among rewards users.
• ING: Tops some satisfaction surveys for service.

Key tips:

• Check eligibility (income/credit history required; some cards suit visa holders better than others).
• Compare current sign-up bonuses and fees directly on issuer sites, as they change frequently.
• For overseas use, prioritise no/low FX fees (e.g., Bankwest or certain Bendigo options).
• Always review the full terms—rewards caps, surcharges (now restricted on many cards), and insurance inclusions matter.

Shop around on sites like Finder or Mozo for personalised comparisons, or speak to your bank. What’s your main goal (e.g., points, low fees, travel)? I can refine suggestions further.

The most widely used and top‑rated credit cards in Australia cluster around a few major brands—American Express, Coles Mastercard, Latitude, Kogan Money, and Bankwest—with standout products in rewards, frequent flyer points, low fees, and balance transfers.

Not financial advice; consider speaking with a qualified adviser for personal recommendations.

⭐ The Cards Australians Most Commonly Choose

The strongest picks come from comparison platforms Money.com.au, Canstar, and Forbes Advisor, which highlight cards that consistently rank well for value, rewards, or low fees.

🏆 Top Rewards & Frequent Flyer Cards

These are the cards Australians choose when they want points, perks, and travel benefits.

American Express Platinum Card — Up to 300,000 Membership Rewards points bonus and premium travel perks. American Express Explorer Credit Card — 75,000 Membership Rewards points and up to 2 points per $1 spent. American Express Velocity Platinum Card — 50,000 Velocity Points bonus and 1.25 points per $1. Qantas American Express Ultimate Card — Up to 120,000 Qantas Points bonus. Coles Rewards Mastercard — Up to 2 Flybuys points per $1 and a 40,000 Flybuys bonus.

These cards dominate the rewards space because Amex and Coles have strong earn rates and popular loyalty programs.

💸 Best Low‑Fee or No‑Fee Cards

For people who want a simple card without high annual costs:

Kogan Money Low Fee Credit Card — No annual fee and 9.99% interest for 12 months. Coles No Annual Fee Mastercard — $0 annual fee and 0% balance transfer for 12 months. Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard — $0 annual fee in year 1 and no foreign transaction fees.

These cards are popular because they avoid the high annual fees common in rewards cards.

🔒 Best Low‑Rate Cards

For people who carry a balance and want lower interest:

Coles Low Rate Mastercard — 13.49% p.a. purchase rate and 0% balance transfer for 15 months. Latitude Low Rate Mastercard — 13.99% p.a. and 0% balance transfer for 25 months. ING Orange One Low Rate Classic — Highlighted by Canstar as a strong low‑rate option.

These cards are chosen for affordability and predictable costs.

🔁 Best Balance Transfer Cards

For consolidating debt with long interest‑free periods:

Latitude Low Rate Mastercard — 0% for 25 months (BT) with a 3% fee. MyCard Clear — 0% for 24 months on balance transfers. Bankwest Breeze Platinum Mastercard — 0% for 24 months (BT) according to Canstar.

Australians often choose these cards when they need long repayment windows.

✈️ Best Travel Cards

For overseas spending and travel perks:

Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard — No FX fees and $0 annual fee in year 1. Bankwest More World Mastercard — Up to 2.5 points per $1 and travel insurance. American Express Qantas Ultimate Card — Strong Qantas earn rate and lounge benefits.

✅ Quick Comparison Table (Top Picks by Category)

Category | Best Options | Key Strength Rewards | Amex Platinum, Amex Explorer, Coles Rewards | High earn rates, big bonuses Frequent Flyer | Amex Velocity Platinum, Qantas Amex Ultimate | Strong Qantas/Velocity points Low Fee | Kogan Money, Coles No Fee, Latitude 28° | $0 annual fee options Low Rate | Coles Low Rate, Latitude Low Rate, ING Orange One | Lower interest for balances Balance Transfer | Latitude Low Rate, MyCard Clear, Bankwest Breeze | Long 0% BT periods Travel | Latitude 28°, Bankwest More World, Qantas Amex Ultimate | No FX fees, travel perks

✅ What Australians Actually Use

Based on the comparison sites, the most commonly chosen cards tend to be:

American Express (Platinum, Explorer, Velocity) — for rewards and travel. Coles Mastercard (Rewards, Low Rate, No Fee) — for everyday spending and Flybuys. Latitude (28°, Low Rate) — for travel and balance transfers. Kogan Money — for no‑fee, low‑cost simplicity. Bankwest More World — for high earn rates and travel benefits.

If you tell me your priorities—rewards, low fees, travel, or debt repayment—I can narrow this list to the best 2–3 cards for your situation.

The top-rated and most popular credit cards in Australia fall into a few clear categories depending on whether you want frequent flyer points, low rates, or cashback:

1. Best Frequent Flyer & Rewards Cards

Qantas American Express Ultimate Card: Offers massive bonus Qantas points (up to 100,000+ points), a $450 annual fee largely offset by a yearly $450 Qantas travel credit, and strong earn rates (up to 2.25 points per $1). ANZ Rewards Black Credit Card: A favorite for general rewards and points-to-cashback conversion, offering large sign-up bonus points and structured earn rates. American Express Explorer® Credit Card: Popular for travel perks, featuring a solid sign-up bonus of Membership Rewards points, a $400 annual travel credit, and complimentary domestic/international travel insurance.

2. Best Cashback & Sign-Up Bonus Cards

ANZ Platinum Credit Card: Frequently recommended for cash-back sign-up promotions (such as $450 cashback offers on eligible spend) with a low or waived first-year fee. CommBank Low Fee Credit Card: A practical everyday option with a low monthly fee that can be waived when meeting minimum monthly spend criteria.

3. Best Low Rate & No Annual Fee Cards

Kogan Money Credit Card / Latitude Low Rate Mastercard: Frequently highlighted on comparison platforms like Mozo and Finder for balance transfer offers (0% p.a. periods) and low ongoing purchase rates. Westpac Low Rate Card: A straightforward choice for first-time cardholders or those looking to keep interest and structural costs minimal.

If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know:What is your main goal (e.g., earning Qantas points, getting cashback, or paying off an existing balance)? Roughly how much do you spend on your card each month? Do you prefer an annual fee or a $0-fee card?

Choosing the "best" credit card in Australia depends entirely on how you use it—whether you want to rack up frequent flyer points, avoid paying annual fees, or pay down an existing balance.

The top-performing and most popular credit cards in Australia are categorized below by what they do best.

Top Recommendation

If you pay your balance off in full every month and want maximum value, Qantas Money Platinum or an American Express Rewards card tends to lead the pack for everyday point-earners. However, if you hate annual fees and just want a reliable backup, Bankwest Zero is a standout.

Popular Australian Credit Cards Compared

Category / Card Product | Card Issuer / Network | Annual Fee | Purchase Rate (p.a.) | Key Perk / Sign-up Bonus Qantas Money Platinum (Best Qantas Rewards) | Qantas Money / Mastercard | $349 (1st year), then $399 | 20.99% | Up to 80,000 bonus Qantas points on promo; earn up to 1 point per $1 spent. American Express Essential (Best Low-Fee Rewards) | American Express | $9 per month | 23.99% | Introductory bonus points (30,000 points) and solid everyday point earn rates without a massive annual fee. Bankwest Zero Platinum (Best Zero-Fee / Everyday) | Bankwest / Mastercard | $0 | Standard variable | $0 annual fee with complimentary overseas travel insurance and platinum perks. ANZ Low Rate (Best for Balance Transfers) | ANZ / Visa | Low annual fee | Variable | Extended promotional period (up to 26 months) on balance transfers.

How to Choose the Right Type for You

Rewards & Frequent Flyer Cards: Ideal if you spend heavily on your card and pay it off completely each month to avoid high interest rates (20%+). Look at options detailed on Money.com.au or Mozo Rewards Guide to weigh up annual fees against the value of the points. Low Fee / Zero Annual Fee Cards: Perfect if you only want a card for emergencies, online shopping, or car rentals. Cards like the Bankwest Zero range save you from paying upwards of $150–$400 a year just to keep the plastic in your wallet. Low Rate / Balance Transfer Cards: Best if you are consolidating debt from other cards, though you should always calculate whether the revert rate and transfer fees make financial sense once the introductory 0% window ends.

Disclaimer: Check individual comparison tools like Canstar Credit Cards to verify current promotional point caps, interest rates, and lending criteria before applying.