The Finder Credit Card Awards 2023 celebrate Australia's best credit cards. Using 12 months' worth of data, Finder's experts have analysed the rates, fees and offer details for every personal and business credit card in our database – that's over 290 cards. Check out the winners for best credit cards below.
Best Balance Transfer Credit CardThe Best Balance Transfer Credit Card category is for people who want to pay off existing card debt interest-free. These cards all offered introductory 0% interest rates for balance transfers, which made up 55% of the weighting in this category.
We also considered any balance transfer fees, annual fees and interest for purchases to determine the best offers over the 12-month period.
The NAB Low Rate Credit Card won this year's Finder Award for Best Balance Transfer Credit Card, offering 0% interest on balance transfers for 32 months with no balance transfer fee. It also waived the annual fee in the first year – with a relatively low $59 annual fee after that – and a low variable 12.49% p.a. interest rate for purchases.
Highly commended
Citi offered one of the longest 0% balance transfer periods on the market with this card, at 36 months. It also scored highly for offering no balance transfer fee and a reduced $49 annual fee in the first year. Its $99 annual fee after that and 14.99% interest rate on purchases are also lower than average.
The St.George Vertigo Card scored highly for its balance transfer offer's length, with a notable 0% interest for 32 months during the 12-month data period. Its $55 annual fee and 13.99% interest rate for purchases also scored well.
Best Travel Credit CardThe Best Travel Credit Card category is focused on features that offer more value when you take a credit card overseas. The winner and highly commended cards in this category all offer 0% foreign transaction fees, which can save you 2–4% compared to other credit and debit cards. We've also factored in complimentary travel insurance, the interest rate for purchases, the annual fee and overseas ATM withdrawal fees. But keep in mind that credit card ATM withdrawals still attract cash advance fees and interest charges.
Bankwest has won this year's Finder Award for Best Travel Credit Card, with the Bankwest Zero Platinum offering no foreign transaction fees, no annual fee and comprehensive overseas travel insurance. Its 14.99% interest rate for purchases also scored highly and helped establish it as a card that helps travellers save on a mix of costs.
Highly commended
The CommBank Low Fee Gold Credit Card scored highly with its 0% foreign transaction fees, international travel insurance and $0 annual fee in the first year. The $89 annual fee that applies after the first year is also waived for people who spend at least $10,000 in the previous year. It was also a Best Travel Credit Card finalist in the 2022 Finder Awards.
The NAB StraightUp Card is a no-interest credit card that charges a flat, monthly fee when you use the card. So if there's no balance and no spending in a statement period, the monthly fee is waived, which makes it a low-cost alternative to both traditional credit cards and buy now pay later accounts. It also offers 0% foreign transaction fees.
Best Frequent Flyer Credit Card - QantasThe Best Qantas Frequent Flyer Credit Card category looks at the value people can get from introductory bonus point offers and Qantas Points per $1 spent. Annual fees, interest rates, foreign transaction fees and lounge passes are also key features that were factored into the methodology.
ANZ has won the Finder Award for this category again, after winning with the Frequent Flyer Black Card in 2022. It included big bonus Qantas Point offers throughout the 12-month period. It also had a good earn rate of 1 Qantas Point per $1 for the first $7,500 of eligible spending in each statement period and 0.5 points per $1 after that. Other benefits include Qantas Club lounge invitations each year and travel insurance.
Highly commended
Qantas Money was a finalist in this category, with the Qantas Premier Platinum scoring highly for bonus Qantas Points offers over the 12-month period, as well as points per $1 spent: its earn rates ranged from 0.5 to 1.5 Qantas Points per $1 on eligible spending. It also offered Qantas Club lounge invitations each year, travel insurance and a Qantas companion flight offer.
The Qantas American Express Ultimate Card had strong scores for its high earn rate (1.25 Qantas Points per $1 on most everyday spending) and bonus point offers for new customers. It also offers airport lounge invitations for both Qantas and Amex Centurion lounges, flight credit and travel insurance.
Best Frequent Flyer Credit Card - VelocityThe Best Velocity Frequent Flyer Credit Card category shows the high value people can get from bonus Velocity Point offers, as well as points per $1 on everyday spending. Lounge passes, annual fees, purchase rates and foreign transaction fees were also factored in.
The American Express Velocity Platinum Credit Card won the 2023 Finder Award for Best Velocity Frequent Flyer Credit Card again, after also winning in 2022. It had strong scores for both bonus point offers and points per $1 spent – with the highest Velocity Points earn rate in Australia at 1.25 points per $1 spent. It also offers a complimentary annual domestic flight, airport lounge passes and complimentary insurance.
Highly commended
The Westpac Altitude Black – Velocity had big bonus point offers during the 12-month period we analysed. Its other frequent flyer-related features include 0.75 Velocity Points per $1 uncapped, Virgin Australia lounge passes, Economy X seat upgrades and complimentary travel insurance.
The Virgin Australia Velocity High Flyer Card scored well across bonus points, points per $1 spent and lounge passes. It also offers a yearly Virgin Australia flight voucher and complimentary international travel insurance.
Best Low Rate Credit CardThe Best Low Rate Credit Card category can help people save on interest charges as they pay off purchases. In 2023, the cost-saving potential of this category of cards is more significant, with Finder research showing 27% of Australians with credit cards couldn't manage their finances without one. We have focused on the interest rate for purchases, annual fees and interest-free days to determine the winner and highly commended cards.
American Express has won the Finder Award for Best Low Rate Credit Card for the third year in a row, with the American Express Low Rate Credit Card. During the 12-month period of analysis, it offered a very low interest rate of 8.99% p.a. on purchases (now 10.99%). It also set itself apart with an ongoing $0 annual fee.
Highly commended
Illawarra Credit Union scored highly for its Low Rate Credit Card's 8.99% interest rate on purchases and $0 first-year annual fee. The $50 annual fee that applies after the first year is also relatively low compared to other credit cards on the market in Australia.
The Community First Low Rate Credit Card offers an 8.99% interest rate for purchases and a low $40 annual fee, with interest-free days for purchases when you pay the total amount listed on each statement by the due date.
Best No Annual Fee Credit CardThe Best No Annual Fee Credit Card category is focused on cards with ongoing $0 annual fees, which can save people hundreds of dollars on the yearly costs of other cards. Interest-free days for purchases and rewards were also considered, but with very minor weighting of 10% each for this category.
The American Express Low Rate Credit Card won the 2023 Finder Award for Best No Annual Fee Credit Card. It scored highly for its $0 annual fee, low interest rate for purchases and interest-free days. It also offers $0 additional cardholder fees and won the 2022 and 2021 Finder Awards for this category.
Highly commended
The Heritage Bank Gold Low Rate Credit Card scored highly for its $0 annual fee and low 11.8% interest rate. Unlike the other finalists in this category, it does not offer interest-free days.
The Hume Value Visa offers a $0 annual fee, a low 11.95% interest rate for purchases and up to 55 days interest-free, which saw it score well across the criteria considered for this category.
Best Rewards Credit CardThe Best Rewards Credit Card category looks at the value people can get from bonus reward points, which we have considered based on how many points you would need to redeem a $100 gift card. Our analysis also considered the points earned per $1 spent, annual fees, purchase rate and foreign transaction fees.
The Bankwest More World Mastercard won the Finder Award for Best Rewards Credit Card in 2023, and was also a finalist in 2022. It offers a high earn rate of 2.5 points per $1 on eligible spending with no points cap, complimentary travel insurance and airport lounge access. It also scored highly for its bonus point offers over the 12-month period we analysed.
Highly commended
The BOQ Platinum Visa Credit Card scored highly for its bonus point offers and earn rate of 2 points per $1 on all eligible spending. Its $129 annual fee also scored well for cards in this category.
The St.George Amplify Signature has big bonus point and reduced first-year annual fee offers during the 12-month period we analysed. It also scored well for its earn rate of 1.5 points per $1 on all eligible spending.
Best No Annual Fee Rewards Credit CardThe Best $0 Annual Fee Rewards Credit Card category is for people who want to save on account costs and get rewarded for credit card spending. We only considered credit cards with ongoing $0 annual fees for this category, and factored in bonus points, earn rates and potential interest charges.
The American Express Essential Credit Card is the winner of the 2023 Finder Award for Best No Annual Fee Rewards Card, offering a $0 annual fee and 1.25 Membership Rewards Points per $1 on eligible spending. It also offers complimentary smartphone screen insurance, and a 16.99% interest rate on purchases, which is at the lower end of the scale for cards in this category.
Highly commended
The Coles No Annual Fee Mastercard scored highly for its bonus points offers during the 12-month period we analysed, especially since it's rare for cards in this category to offer bonus points. Its earn rate of 1 Flybuys Point per $2 also scored well, working out to an equivalent of 0.5 points per $1 on eligible spending.
The American Express Velocity Escape is the only credit card in Australia that offers an ongoing $0 annual fee and Velocity Points per $1. It offers 0.75 Velocity Points per $1 on most eligible spending, 1 additional point per $1 for eligible spending with Virgin Australia and 0.5 points per $1 for spending with government bodies.
Best Business Rewards Credit CardThe Best Business Rewards Credit Card category considers the value business owners can get from introductory bonus point offers and points per $1 spent. For this category, we factored in how many points were needed to redeem a $100 gift card. We also considered annual fees, interest rates and foreign transaction fees.
ANZ has won the 2023 Finder Award for Best Business Rewards Credit Card, with the ANZ Business Black. This card scored highly for bonus points and $0 first-year annual fee offers during the 12-month period we analysed. Its earn rates also scored well, with 1.5 ANZ Rewards Points per $1 on eligible spending up to $10,000 per statement period, 1 point per $1 after that and 0.5 points per $1 for tax payments. It also offers cards for employees and complimentary insurance.
Highly commended
The American Express Business Explorer scored well for bonus point offers and its earn rates of 2 points per $1 for most eligible spending, with 1 point per $1 for ATO and other government spending. It also offers airport lounge passes, complimentary travel insurance and up to 99 cards for employees.
The NAB Rewards Business Signature Card offered big bonus point offers during the 12-month period we analysed. Its earn rate of 1.25 points per $1 on eligible spending – including ATO payments – also scored highly. It also offers double points at major department and hardware stores, and triple points for Webjet and overseas spending.
Best Business Frequent Flyer Credit CardThe Best Business Frequent Flyer Card category is focused on cards that earn Qantas Points per $1 for business spending. Bonus point offers and earn rates were key factors in the scoring, which also considered airport lounge passes and potential card costs from rates and fees.
The NAB Qantas Business Signature Card had big bonus Qantas Points offers during the 12-month period we analysed. It also offers 0.66 Qantas Points per $1 on everyday business spending – including with the ATO – and additional 1 point per $1 for eligible Qantas spending. It has a relatively high points cap of $50,000 per statement period (or 33,000 Qantas Points) and a competitive 18.5% interest rate for purchases that scored well among cards in this category.
Highly commended
The Bendigo Bank Qantas Business Credit Card scored well for bonus points and earn rates during the 12-month period we analysed. It offers 0.6 Qantas Points per $1 on most eligible spending, 0.3 points per $1 for government charges and a relatively low annual fee per card.
The Westpac BusinessChoice Rewards Platinum Mastercard had big bonus Qantas Points offers during the 12-month period we analysed. It earns an equivalent 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 on most eligible spending, 0.33 points per $1 for ATO or other government payments and offers complimentary international travel insurance.
Best Low Interest Business Credit CardThe Best Low Interest Business Credit Card category is suited to business owners that want to save on interest charges as they manage their expenses and cash flow. The interest rate for purchases was the major factor we considered in this category but we also gave some weighting to annual fees and interest-free days.
The St.George BusinessVantage Visa won the 2023 Finder Award for Best Low Interest Business Credit Card, with a 9.99% interest rate for purchases and a $55 annual fee per card. It also offers up to 55 days interest-free on purchases, business-reporting features and unauthorised transaction insurance.
Highly commended
The Heritage Bank Business Visa Credit Card scored well in this category, with a 12.95% purchase rate, $45 annual fee and up to 40 days interest-free. It also offers data feeds with MYOB, Xero or Reckon.
The NAB Low Rate Business Card had introductory 0% purchase rate and $0 first-year annual fee offers during the 12-month period we analysed. Its ongoing 13.25% interest rate for purchases, interest-free days and $60 annual fee also scored well.
Our team of expert analysts use an objective rating system to determine our award winners.
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