Featured offer: American Express Velocity Platinum Card
Get 100,000 bonus Velocity points when you apply online through this page by 15 May 2024, are approved, and spend $3k on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only.
Find out moreFind out moreBankwest More World Mastercard | |
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Bonus sign up rewards points | n/a |
Points earned per $1 spent | 2.5 (uncapped) |
Interest rate | 19.99% p.a. |
Annual fee | $270 |
Visit provider | |
American Express Platinum Card (charge card) | |
Bonus sign up rewards points | Earn 150,000 Bonus Membership Rewards® Points when you apply online by 25 June 2024, are approved and spend $5k on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of approval. T&Cs apply. New card members only. |
Points earned per $1 spent | Up to 2.25 (uncapped). |
Interest rate | n/a |
Annual fee | $1,450 |
Visit provider | |
Coles Rewards Mastercard | |
Bonus sign up rewards points | Earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $3k in the first 90 days. Apply by 30 June 2024. |
Points earned per $1 spent | 2 (capped) |
Interest rate | 19.99% p.a. |
Annual fee | $99 |
Visit provider | |
BOQ Platinum Visa Credit Card | |
Bonus sign up rewards points | Earn 100,000 bonus Q Rewards® points when you spend $4.5k on eligible transactions within the first 3 months from card approval. |
Points earned per $1 spent | 2 (uncapped). Plus 100,000 bonus points when you spend $3k in the first 3 months. |
Interest rate | 20.74% p.a. |
Annual fee | $129 ($65 in the first year) |
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Macquarie Black Card (home loan package and business/private banking customers only) | |
Bonus sign up rewards points | n/a |
Points earned per $1 spent | 2 (uncapped) |
Interest rate | 20.70% p.a. |
Annual fee | $149 |
Visit provider | |
Bankwest More Platinum Mastercard | |
Bonus sign up rewards points | n/a |
Points earned per $1 spent | 2 (uncapped) |
Interest rate | 19.99% p.a. |
Annual fee | $160 |
Visit provider | |
ANZ Rewards Black credit card | |
Bonus sign up rewards points | Earn 180,000 bonus points when you spend $3k in the first 3 months. |
Points earned per $1 spent | 2 (capped). |
Interest rate | 20.99% p.a. |
Annual fee | $375 |
Visit provider | |
American Express Explorer Credit Card | |
Bonus sign up rewards points | Earn 50,000 bonus points when you apply online, are approved, and spend $4k on eligible purchases on your new card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only. |
Points earned per $1 spent | 2 (uncapped) |
Interest rate | 23.99% p.a. |
Annual fee | $395 |
Visit provider | |
HSBC Premier World Mastercard (Rewards Plus) | |
Bonus sign up rewards points | n/a |
Points earned per $1 spent | 1.5 (capped) in year 1, then 1 point per $1 |
Interest rate | 19.99% p.a. |
Annual fee | $0 |
Visit provider | |
HSBC Premier World Mastercard (Qantas Rewards) | |
Bonus sign up rewards points | Higher points earn rate applies in first year. |
Points earned per $1 spent | 1.5 (capped) in year 1, then 1 point per $1 |
Interest rate | 19.99% p.a. |
Annual fee | $0 |
Visit provider | |
Bendigo Bank Platinum Rewards Credit Card | |
Bonus sign up rewards points | n/a |
Points earned per $1 spent | 1.5 (uncapped) |
Interest rate | 19.99% p.a. |
Annual fee | $89 |
Visit provider | |
Bankwest More Mastercard | |
Bonus sign up rewards points | n/a |
Points earned per $1 spent | 1.5 (capped) |
Interest rate | 19.99% p.a. |
Annual fee | $100 |
Visit provider | |
HSBC Platinum Credit Card | |
Bonus sign up rewards points | n/a |
Points earned per $1 spent | 1.5 (capped) |
Interest rate | 19.99% p.a. |
Annual fee | $149 ($0 in the first year) |
Visit provider | |
ANZ Rewards Platinum | |
Bonus sign up rewards points | Earn 100,000 bonus points and $50 back to your new ANZ Rewards Platinum card when you spend $2k in the first 3 months from approval. |
Points earned per $1 spent | 1.5 (capped) |
Interest rate | 20.99% p.a. |
Annual fee | $149 |
Visit provider | |
CommBank Smart Awards Credit Card | |
Bonus sign up rewards points | Earn up to 75,000 bonus CommBank Awards points: 25,000 points each month when you spend $1.5k or more per month for the first three months. Terms and conditions apply. |
Points earned per $1 spent | 1.5 (capped) |
Interest rate | 20.99% p.a. |
Annual fee | $228 per year charged as $19/month (waived if you spend $2k during statement period) |
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BankSA Amplify Signature | |
Bonus sign up rewards points | Earn 150,000 bonus points when you spend $12k+ on eligible purchases in the first 12 months. New card members only. T&Cs apply. |
Points earned per $1 spent | 1.5 (uncapped) |
Interest rate | 19.49% p.a. |
Annual fee | $295 ($199 in the first year) |
Visit provider | |
Bank of Melbourne Amplify Signature | |
Bonus sign up rewards points | Earn 150,000 bonus points when you spend $12k+ on eligible purchases in the first 12 months. New card members only. T&Cs apply. |
Points earned per $1 spent | 1.5 (uncapped) |
Interest rate | 19.49% p.a. |
Annual fee | $295 ($199 in the first year) |
Visit provider | |
St.George Amplify Signature | |
Bonus sign up rewards points | Earn 150,000 bonus points when you spend $12k+ on eligible purchases in the first 12 months. New card members only. T&Cs apply. |
Points earned per $1 spent | 1.5 (uncapped) |
Interest rate | 19.49% p.a. |
Annual fee | $295 ($199 in the first year) |
Visit provider | |
HSBC Platinum Qantas Credit Card | |
Bonus sign up rewards points | Higher points earn rate applies in first year. |
Points earned per $1 spent | 1.5 (capped) in year 1, then 1 point per $1 |
Interest rate | 19.99% p.a. |
Annual fee | $299 ($0 in the first year) |
Visit provider | |
Macquarie Platinum Card (home loan package and business/private banking customers only) | |
Bonus sign up rewards points | n/a |
Points earned per $1 spent | 1.25 (capped) |
Interest rate | 20.70% p.a. |
Annual fee | $99 |
Visit provider | |
Suncorp Clear Options Platinum Credit Card | |
Bonus sign up rewards points | Earn 120,000 bonus Suncorp Credit Card Rewards Points when you spend $3k in the first 90 days from approval. |
Points earned per $1 spent | 1.25 (uncapped) |
Interest rate | 20.74% p.a. |
Annual fee | $129 ($99 in the first year) |
Visit provider | |
NAB Rewards Signature Card | |
Bonus sign up rewards points | Earn up to 160,000 NAB Rewards bonus points: 120,000 when you spend $3k on everyday purchases within 60 days of account opening and another 40,000 when you keep your card for over 12 months. |
Points earned per $1 spent | 1.25 (uncapped) |
Interest rate | 19.99% p.a. |
Annual fee | $295 ($145 in the first year) |
Visit provider | |
Westpac Altitude Black | |
Bonus sign up rewards points | Earn up to 150,000 bonus Altitude Rewards Points: 100,000 in year one if you spend $6k+ on eligible purchases within 120 days of approval, plus 50,000 points after your first eligible purchase in year two. |
Points earned per $1 spent | 1.25 (uncapped) |
Interest rate | 19.99% p.a |
Annual fee | $295 ($150 in the first year or $99 for existing Westpac customers) |
Visit provider | |
American Express Velocity Platinum Card | |
Bonus sign up rewards points | Earn 100,000 bonus Velocity points when you apply online through this page by 15 May 2024, are approved, and spend $3k on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only. |
Points earned per $1 spent | 1.25 (uncapped) on everyday purchases |
Interest rate | 23.99% p.a. |
Annual fee | $375 |
Visit provider | |
Qantas American Express Ultimate Card | |
Bonus sign up rewards points | Earn 60,000 bonus points when you apply online by 28 May 2024, are approved and spend $3k on eligible purchases in the first three months. New members only, T&Cs apply. |
Points earned per $1 spent | 1.25 Qantas Points on everyday purchases (uncapped earning potential*) |
Interest rate | 23.99% p.a. |
Annual fee | $450 |
Visit provider | |
Qantas Premier Titanium | |
Bonus sign up rewards points | Earn 150,000 bonus points when you spend $5k in first 3 months. Apply by 1 May 2024. |
Points earned per $1 spent | 1.25 (capped) |
Interest rate | 19.99% p.a. |
Annual fee | $1,200 |
Visit provider |
Bonus sign up rewards points | Points earned per $1 spent | Interest rate | Annual fee | Visit provider | |
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Bankwest More World Mastercard | n/a | 2.5 (uncapped) | 19.99% p.a. | $270 | |
American Express Platinum Card (charge card) | Earn 150,000 Bonus Membership Rewards® Points when you apply online by 25 June 2024, are approved and spend $5k on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of approval. T&Cs apply. New card members only. | Up to 2.25 (uncapped). | n/a | $1,450 | |
Coles Rewards Mastercard | Earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $3k in the first 90 days. Apply by 30 June 2024. | 2 (capped) | 19.99% p.a. | $99 | |
BOQ Platinum Visa Credit Card | Earn 100,000 bonus Q Rewards® points when you spend $4.5k on eligible transactions within the first 3 months from card approval. | 2 (uncapped). Plus 100,000 bonus points when you spend $3k in the first 3 months. | 20.74% p.a. | $129 ($65 in the first year) | |
Macquarie Black Card (home loan package and business/private banking customers only) | n/a | 2 (uncapped) | 20.70% p.a. | $149 | |
Bankwest More Platinum Mastercard | n/a | 2 (uncapped) | 19.99% p.a. | $160 | |
ANZ Rewards Black credit card | Earn 180,000 bonus points when you spend $3k in the first 3 months. | 2 (capped). | 20.99% p.a. | $375 | |
American Express Explorer Credit Card | Earn 50,000 bonus points when you apply online, are approved, and spend $4k on eligible purchases on your new card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only. | 2 (uncapped) | 23.99% p.a. | $395 | |
HSBC Premier World Mastercard (Rewards Plus) | n/a | 1.5 (capped) in year 1, then 1 point per $1 | 19.99% p.a. | $0 | |
HSBC Premier World Mastercard (Qantas Rewards) | Higher points earn rate applies in first year. | 1.5 (capped) in year 1, then 1 point per $1 | 19.99% p.a. | $0 | |
Bendigo Bank Platinum Rewards Credit Card | n/a | 1.5 (uncapped) | 19.99% p.a. | $89 | |
Bankwest More Mastercard | n/a | 1.5 (capped) | 19.99% p.a. | $100 | |
HSBC Platinum Credit Card | n/a | 1.5 (capped) | 19.99% p.a. | $149 ($0 in the first year) | |
ANZ Rewards Platinum | Earn 100,000 bonus points and $50 back to your new ANZ Rewards Platinum card when you spend $2k in the first 3 months from approval. | 1.5 (capped) | 20.99% p.a. | $149 | |
CommBank Smart Awards Credit Card | Earn up to 75,000 bonus CommBank Awards points: 25,000 points each month when you spend $1.5k or more per month for the first three months. Terms and conditions apply. | 1.5 (capped) | 20.99% p.a. | $228 per year charged as $19/month (waived if you spend $2k during statement period) | |
BankSA Amplify Signature | Earn 150,000 bonus points when you spend $12k+ on eligible purchases in the first 12 months. New card members only. T&Cs apply. | 1.5 (uncapped) | 19.49% p.a. | $295 ($199 in the first year) | |
Bank of Melbourne Amplify Signature | Earn 150,000 bonus points when you spend $12k+ on eligible purchases in the first 12 months. New card members only. T&Cs apply. | 1.5 (uncapped) | 19.49% p.a. | $295 ($199 in the first year) | |
St.George Amplify Signature | Earn 150,000 bonus points when you spend $12k+ on eligible purchases in the first 12 months. New card members only. T&Cs apply. | 1.5 (uncapped) | 19.49% p.a. | $295 ($199 in the first year) | |
HSBC Platinum Qantas Credit Card | Higher points earn rate applies in first year. | 1.5 (capped) in year 1, then 1 point per $1 | 19.99% p.a. | $299 ($0 in the first year) | |
Macquarie Platinum Card (home loan package and business/private banking customers only) | n/a | 1.25 (capped) | 20.70% p.a. | $99 | |
Suncorp Clear Options Platinum Credit Card | Earn 120,000 bonus Suncorp Credit Card Rewards Points when you spend $3k in the first 90 days from approval. | 1.25 (uncapped) | 20.74% p.a. | $129 ($99 in the first year) | |
NAB Rewards Signature Card | Earn up to 160,000 NAB Rewards bonus points: 120,000 when you spend $3k on everyday purchases within 60 days of account opening and another 40,000 when you keep your card for over 12 months. | 1.25 (uncapped) | 19.99% p.a. | $295 ($145 in the first year) | |
Westpac Altitude Black | Earn up to 150,000 bonus Altitude Rewards Points: 100,000 in year one if you spend $6k+ on eligible purchases within 120 days of approval, plus 50,000 points after your first eligible purchase in year two. | 1.25 (uncapped) | 19.99% p.a | $295 ($150 in the first year or $99 for existing Westpac customers) | |
American Express Velocity Platinum Card | Earn 100,000 bonus Velocity points when you apply online through this page by 15 May 2024, are approved, and spend $3k on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only. | 1.25 (uncapped) on everyday purchases | 23.99% p.a. | $375 | |
Qantas American Express Ultimate Card | Earn 60,000 bonus points when you apply online by 28 May 2024, are approved and spend $3k on eligible purchases in the first three months. New members only, T&Cs apply. | 1.25 Qantas Points on everyday purchases (uncapped earning potential*) | 23.99% p.a. | $450 | |
Qantas Premier Titanium | Earn 150,000 bonus points when you spend $5k in first 3 months. Apply by 1 May 2024. | 1.25 (capped) | 19.99% p.a. | $1,200 |
In our rewards credit card guide:
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Rewards credit cards are a type of credit card that allows cardholders earn rewards points on eligible purchases made with the card. Points can then be redeemed through the card’s rewards program. Rewards can include cashback, gift cards, cosmetics and homewares, or even flights and accommodation.
Rewards credit card points are usually matched to a certain spending value. A common example is 1 rewards point for every $1 spent. But some premium rewards cards offer higher earn rates.
Likewise some business credit cards and corporate credit cards offer particularly high levels of rewards.
Depending on the reward program you join, you may be able to choose from thousands of individual rewards. Some of the most common examples of rewards include:
Look for rewards cards with bonus sign up points
Get a card with a high rewards point earn rate
Pay off the card balance in full each month
Don’t get stung with high reward card fees
There are plenty of options but not all of them are good. For my money, the best rewards program is American Express Membership rewards – e.g. you can to transfer points to a wide range of airline programs. But for any rewards program, unless you are a BIG spender they are often not worth it as the fees outweigh the benefits. The average Aussie spends about $2,500/month on their card. This won’t get you a toaster.
Brad Kelly, Money.com.au's credit card expert
Rewards credit cards can offer a range of benefits, but choosing the wrong card could end up costing you more than you get back. The average monthly credit card spend in Australia is around $2,500 – will you be spending enough to get sufficient rewards back?
Rewards credit cards are often available in various tiers, based on the amount you are likely to spend on the card each year. Finding the rewards card that suits you will depend entirely on how you plan to use the card.
Below are some factors to consider when choosing a rewards credit card.
How much you earn each year will affect how much you are able to spend on your card, and the value of the rewards you may receive in comparison to the card’s fees.
But be wary of spending more than you otherwise would just to earn reward points.
Annual fees are particularly important when your'e choosing a rewards card. Because, they're usually pretty high – over $500 in some cases.
If your rewards card's perks won't stack up when valued against the annual fee, the card will actually be costing you money overall. In this case, a no annual fee credit card is a possible alternative.
Don't forget the other reward card fees that could apply depending how you use the card, like international credit card fees for payments made overseas. You may be able to find credit cards with no international fees that still offer rewards.
Then there are miss payments fees and fees to do a credit card balance transfer.
Rewards credit cards are not ideal if you carry a revolving balance on your card from month to month as interest rates are high (usually 20% plus).
If you think it’s possible you won’t always pay off your balance in full, aim for the lowest interest rate possible. Or consider a low rate credit card.
It's also possible to access rewards through some special offer interest-free credit cards, with a 0% rate for a limited time.
A card with a high number of interest-free days will give you more leeway to pay off the purchases without incurring interest at those high reward card rates.
Some cards will offer more points for purchases made for specific items, while some bills or purchases may not be eligible for points at all on certain cards.
It's important that the card you choose is compatible with the your existing spending.
In other words, will the types of purchases you make already actually earn you points, or will you end up needing to change things up to earn more points?
Some cards include a cap for earning points on purchases (e.g. 100,000 per year). Or the earn rate might taper off as you spend more (e.g.1 point for every dollar spent up to $10,00 and 0.5 points for every dollar above that).
Ideally the points you earn will be redeemable for products and other purposes you will actually value. The last thing you want is bucket loads of points you won’t use (don’t forget, some reward points expire).
Check what offers and brands the card's rewards program has in its rewards store to see if you're likely to use it.
Before you apply for a rewards credit card, make sure you meet the qualifying criteria. This is usually:
Qualifying criteria will vary between lenders and cards, so it’s important to compare credit cards before applying to ensure you are eligible. Doing a free credit score check in advance can also help.
You can apply for a rewards credit card online, over the phone, or at your bank. When applying, you will need to provide supporting documentation so the card issuer can accurately assess both your application and your ability to meet repayments. This will likely include:
If you are self-employed, you will need to provide alternative documents, such as previous tax assessments, instead of payslips.
If you use the card responsibly, rewards credit cards can be a handy way to access perks (e.g. some credit cards come with travel insurance included) and earn points on eligible purchases made with the card. This has become a fundamental part of how credit cards work.
These points can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, gifts, or other rewards, and each card will differ in both how points can be earned, and how they can be spent.
At their best rewards cards mean the cardholder gets more value in perks than they pay in fees. In other words, you earn rewards for spending you would be doing anyway.
But for some people, the high annual fee typically charged on rewards credit cards cancels out all of the value of the benefits. In other words, some people pay more than they get back in rewards. There can be a temptation to spend more to boost the rewards.
The key is assessing rewards credit cards based on how you spend currently, and maximising your points earning without spending more than you otherwise would.
One way to determine whether a rewards card may be suitable for you is to:
To calculate the associated value of your points, simply divide the number of points required to redeem a reward by its recommended retail price (RRP). The result will be the number of points needed to claim $1 of a specific reward amount.
Rewards credit cards have a minimum credit amount of $500, and a maximum credit limit of $100,000 (if you get a charge card, there is theoretically no limit).
But reward credit card limits are personalised to you. The amount of credit that you can access from a lender is determined by your:
The credit limit on your credit card (not the balance) is a factor lenders will use when assessing future applications for home loans and personal loans, so try and avoid a very high credit limit if you don't need one.
You may not earn credit card rewards points on every purchase or transaction. The rules will vary by card provider, but some common examples of when you won't earn points include:
You use a rewards credit card the same way you would with a normal credit card. Remember to verify your eligibility for earning points on your purchases before using your card, and always repay your balance in full to avoid interest charges. Alternatively there are charge cards offering rewards that do not come with interest charges, but the balance must be cleared in full each month.
Although it’s not common, some rewards credit cards may include a balance transfer offer.
Keep in mind that a balance transfer does not wipe out your existing debt, it simply transfers it. You will still need to repay your balance transfer amount, and ensure the interest-free period is sufficient for you to make repayments without incurring interest charges. After the balance transfer period the card's standard interest rate will apply, which will likely be high on a rewards card.
Consider whether that's a suitable option if you are intending to transfer a balance from another credit card.
Rewards credit cards often include higher annual fees than other cards. This is relative to the number of features and benefits they offer. In simple terms the annual fee is the cost of the rewards and features. For example, for a credit card with free airport lounge passes, there is a cost to the credit card company for offering this.
Certain cards are designed to reward high-income, high-spending customers - and you should always compare cards to ensure you are choosing a card that will work for you.
The rewards program you join will largely depend on the card issuer you choose to apply with. Banks will often have a range of rewards from their partner companies - this may include airlines (e.g. credit cards with Qantas points) or retailers. You can also find store-branded rewards cards, though these are only specific to a certain number of stores - such as Woolworths, Myer or David Jones.
*Order of products shown is as described in the headings. Where multiple cards have an identical primary attribute (e.g. points earn rate), we order the cards based on a secondary factor, such as purchase rate. Where all factors are identical, cards are ordered alphabetically by the name of the provider. We have carried out an extensive analysis of the market, but cannot guarantee that all cards available are shown.