What Credit Card Should I get???

Lgrads5 on 29/01/2019 - 17:21

Hey OzBargainer's,

Been with Westpac my whole financial life. I have switched to ING for most everyday banking but still hang onto a Westpac 55 day credit card charging @ 19% and $59 annual fee. I don't do a crazy amount of purchases maybe $400 a month (just random online shopping and laziness purchases for when i can't be bothered transferring) on it and gets paid back before months end. I have my wedding and honeymoon (overseas) soon and think I might require the credit card soon (just as an emergency). Just wondered if you financially intelligent people could recommend a credit card to switch too. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Financial Credit Card

Comments

  • altomic on 29/01/2019 - 17:23
    +11

    ozbargain credit card wiki

  • dazweeja on 29/01/2019 - 17:47

    If you like QFF points, this is pretty good: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/433394

    I also have a Bankwest Zero Platinum MasterCard for overseas purchases (used to have 28 Degrees).

    • chriise on 31/01/2019 - 17:39

      Not if you're only spending 400 a month on it

      • dazweeja on 31/01/2019 - 18:08

        Yes, you're right. They'd have to pick up their spending for the first 90 days. I'm currently in that situation right now - pre-purchasing a few things like insurance and paying bills, rego, etc, for friends and family who are then transferring funds into my savings account. I think I'll hit my limit within 30 days even though I'm normally not a big spender.

        • chriise on 31/01/2019 - 23:43

          When I was with Energy Australia I was able to load my account with a couple thousand $ and it covered my bills for the next few quarters. They would refund any excess balance if you needed to move/cancel your service.

    • Mitch889 on 29/01/2019 - 18:33
      +6

      Such an ignorant view.

      Used wisely, credit cards can offer a lot of benefits, from included insurance to protections from fraudulent purchases. If you play the game right with bonus frequent flyer points, first-year-fee waivers and the like, you can be well ahead.

        • Ughhh on 29/01/2019 - 19:02
          +4

          Just because you don't understand how it works or can't seem to get it right, doesn't mean everyone else will fail too.

          Know yourself before you wreck yourself.

          • swapsey on 29/01/2019 - 19:08
            -4

            @Ughhh: Post your credit card statements and show us how a pro doesn't get hit with fees, overdue charges etc. but gets the great benefits of credit cards.

            • electriccurio on 29/01/2019 - 19:57
              +5

              @swapsey: Let the ignorant live in their bliss. The less people knows the benefits of credit card points, the less likely the points will devalue.

              • Mitch889 on 29/01/2019 - 21:20

                @electriccurio: Ha true

              • swapsey on 30/01/2019 - 11:10
                -2

                @electriccurio: You sound like a religious nut…. actually the more I think of it, these credit card gurus come across like cult members trying to convince people they are safe and will have a blissful life if they have another card!

                • Ughhh on 30/01/2019 - 11:54
                  +2

                  @swapsey:

                  these credit card gurus come across like cult members trying to convince people they are safe and will have a blissful life if they have another card!

                  No one has said that…you clearly have comprehension problem, maybe hence inability to understand how CC work. They're good if you're financially responsible and literate. If you're not good with reading the calendar and controlling how you spend, then it's bad.

                  It's like saying, a knife can cut someone, therefore it's 100% bad and should be banned in every house and shop. Every chef and knife user is part of a cult to stab someone.

                  • swapsey on 30/01/2019 - 11:57
                    -1

                    @Ughhh: Their not good unless you are the bank. You work for the bank for petty points that are fake and aren't worth what they tell you they are worth. You have been conned. I don't expect you to admit it cause that would ignore the magnitude of your faith.

                    • Ughhh on 30/01/2019 - 12:00

                      @swapsey: Are you saying that the $100 Westfield gift card I received via points redemption is fake?

                      edit: you realise that you don't "buy" points, you get points for what you were going to spend anyway, like a bonus…

                      • swapsey on 30/01/2019 - 12:19
                        -2

                        @Ughhh: Notice it's never cash. So you get a gift card. That gift card forces you to shop at Westfield. You have just been sold to that shopping centre (they probably pay for that privilege).

                        Then you spend more than that $100 to buy what you want there - so you've had to contribute your own cash from wages.

                        Then you get marketed to by every shop you walk past, and the signs all around Westfield (which they make money from selling to shops).

                        And to get that privilege, of shopping at Westfield and spending extra to buy what you want, you worked hours to balance that credit card account, and the others you transfer to. You have to get the exact amounts transferred each week from this account to that. Know when the 55 days is up etc.

                        That's time away from your family so that you can have the privilege of shopping at Westfield.

                        And you never know the odd time you slip the payment by one day, bam - late fees. There goes that gift card value down the drain in one late fee.

                        I am showing you that the marketing message and even the experience of people has fantasy built in that keeps the profits moving from the workers to the bank. It's designed to make you argue with me like what my original comment was is so far fetched and I have no idea how these things work.

                        I just hope you have recently bought bank shares so you can close the circle and at least profit from your promotion of debt products (notice how they call them credit cards and not debt cards).

                        • Ughhh on 30/01/2019 - 12:50
                          +2

                          @swapsey: Do you not buy stuff? Not even Groceries? Westfield gift card was one of the many stores available, you can pick other stores like Rebel, JB Hifi, Caltex etc etc. In addition, Westfield gift cards can be used at supermarkets.

                          I have to buy food and stuff for house, difference between you and me (and others who use rewards) is that that $100 was basically free where as you had to work for that $100.

                          I don't live pay check to pay check, I don't have a problem transferring money to the credit account on due date on the statement. If you live pay check to pay check or have unstable income, don't get a CC. I've had a CC since I was ~16 (supplementary from parents, then got my own when I was older and got a stable job), never paid a cent in interest or late fees.

                          Marketing is everywhere, Ozbargain included, you might as well keep your tin hat on and live under a rock in the middle of no where.

                          You're saying that credit cards are 100% evil. Everyone else is saying it depends on the person.

                          If you drink excessive amounts of water, you can get water poisoning, does that mean water is evil? No.

                          • swapsey on 30/01/2019 - 12:58
                            +1

                            @Ughhh: Australia has a massive debt problem. I am the somewhat lone voice who says people should stop getting credit cards as a start to solving that problem.

                            I'd love to have faith in you but I don't believe you. I simply do not believe that you've never paid a cent in a fee or interest of any kind since you were 16. The probability of that is close to zero.

                            Even if you did, let's play along, by telling me that you have conveniently ignored the time aspect of balancing these things. It's like you are pretending there is no effort involved. You didn't have to work for that privelege of shopping at Westfield.

                            And that is the sign that you have truly swallowed the kool aid.

                            • Ughhh on 30/01/2019 - 13:08
                              +2

                              @swapsey:

                              I'd love to have faith in you but I don't believe you. I simply do not believe that you've never paid a cent in a fee or interest of any kind since you were 16. The probability of that is close to zero.

                              Suit yourself. I'm not sure why you think it's so hard to pay on time. Each month you get a statement of the amount you pay, minimum payments (not recommended) or full payment due on for example 25/2/19. So what you do is, you transfer money from your savings account a few days before 25/2 (to be safe) and bam it's paid. No fees.

                              Were you never taught or had to hand homework by due date at school ???

                              It's really not that hard. Maybe because you're in this denial and brainwashed by the news about these people getting into debt because they viewed CC as free money, you're dead set that everyone is financially irresponsible, its impossible for humans to read the calendar and the world is out to get ya. Not everyone is financially irresponsible as you, quite insulting really.

                              • swapsey on 30/01/2019 - 13:11

                                @Ughhh: All of a sudden I am financially irresponsible for paying with my own money and not someone else's money. Wow the kool aid was a strong batch.

                                • Ughhh on 30/01/2019 - 13:14

                                  @swapsey: I must've drank the koolaid you've been drinking. We're in the same cult!

                                  • swapsey on 30/01/2019 - 13:16

                                    @Ughhh: Haha fair enough. Thanks for the back and forth :-)

                            • electriccurio on 30/01/2019 - 21:31
                              +1

                              @swapsey: Balancing these things? Mate, you heard of direct debit? The first rule of CC is to NEVER spend money that you don't have to begin with. You follow that rule, then you will never hit with late fees. Banks make money with people who don't follow this rule.

            • Ughhh on 29/01/2019 - 20:09

              @swapsey: Is it that hard to pay things by due date??

              We get taught about being on time and handing homework on time at primary school and throughout high school.

              If you're that disorganised and have no self discipline, you individually, should stay away from any sort of loan.

              Latest benefit I got was free travel insurance. Claimed over $600 worth of stuff.

              • swapsey on 29/01/2019 - 20:50

                @Ughhh: Tell me your costs not just benefits, otherwise you are shilling for the banksters

                • Ughhh on 29/01/2019 - 21:37

                  @swapsey: Even if I said my cost was $10, you'd still come up with some ignorant excuse.

                  I'm not here to convince you to get a CC. If anything, from your ignorance, I would recommend you stay ignorant and stay away from loans and CC to keep yourself from bankruptcy.

                  Some things just aren't for everyone.

                • dazweeja on 29/01/2019 - 22:37
                  +2

                  @swapsey: I have paid zero dollars in fees over the last 10 years. Zero. No annual fee, no late fees, no overseas transaction fees.

                  In that time, I have earned more than 200000 QFF points (conservatively valued at $2000), have used free car rental insurance, have used free travel insurance (and successfully claimed).

                  It's pretty clear you don't understand how this stuff works.

                  • swapsey on 30/01/2019 - 08:00

                    @dazweeja: There's the catch - the few disciplined ones shill for the majority to get stung. Nice job guys.

                    • Ughhh on 30/01/2019 - 10:28
                      +2

                      @swapsey: Lol you and your tin hat.

                    • dazweeja on 30/01/2019 - 10:47
                      +2

                      @swapsey: Would you like to shift the goalposts again? You've gone from "no financially intelligent people would recommend a credit card" to "show us how a pro doesn't get hit with fees, overdue charges etc. but gets the great benefits of credit cards" and, then when proven wrong, claiming that we're shilling "for the majority to get stung" despite the fact that we're simply helping the OP who has already told us that their card "gets paid back before months end". Nice job.

                      • swapsey on 30/01/2019 - 11:01
                        -1

                        @dazweeja: Admit you are in the credit card cult (cultists are brainwashed by definition so you won't)

                        • dazweeja on 30/01/2019 - 11:11
                          +3

                          @swapsey: I 100% admit I'm in the credit card cult. I will continue to get fantastic benefits - around the world flights in Business Class for example - without paying a cent in fees. I don't encourage anyone who is not financially disciplined to join the cult.

                          If you want to keep living in some weird bubble where what I'm saying is not possible or you'd have to be financially illiterate to do this - both clearly false - that is your prerogative.

                          • swapsey on 30/01/2019 - 11:27
                            -5

                            @dazweeja: Now that you have admitted it admit why the cult exists - to use cult members like you to recruit new members who will get stuck for the rest of their life in a debt trap because they give into the temptation of free money, buying objects they don't need and will not be able to payoff on their never increasing wage.

                            • [Deactivated] on 30/01/2019 - 11:29
                              +2

                              @swapsey: dude just let it go

                              I get credit cards to get qantas points

                              by fulfilling the 3k spend (on bills and expenses I would have otherwise paid anyway) I get 80k qantas points

                              whats so hard for you to understand?

                              • swapsey on 30/01/2019 - 11:31
                                -1

                                @[Deactivated]: Let your shilling go. You are ignorant to being bought with those qantas points. Nothing is free. The fact that you think it is shows how weak the human psyche is.

                            • watwatwat on 30/01/2019 - 12:12

                              @swapsey: "to use cult members like you to recruit new members" - pfft, I am also in the cult and I couldn't care less if others do it or not. Preferably others don't join as well so it remains lucrative for us.

                              Obviously money doesn't grow on trees. When we get rewards, it is paid for by those who get trapped in to paying fees to the bank. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to know this.

        • Mitch889 on 29/01/2019 - 21:22
          +2

          The banks are counting on people holding balances on their cards and paying interest, not changing cards before the next annual fee, etc. That’s how they make their money.

          The key was in the opening words to the sentence: “used wisely”.

        • watwatwat on 29/01/2019 - 22:38

          "Yeah there's so much free stuff when you sign up and no cost at all. Banks just giving away free cashflow." - indeed. I have found this to be over the last many years and it is legitimately great as I have received free money.

    • voo123 on 29/01/2019 - 21:05
      +3

      I use credit cards with no sign up fees as a financial strategy to claim the frequent flyer points. All my household bills alone contributes to at least 1/2 to 2/3 of the spending requirement. I claim the points and sell it off and churn to a different credit card and come out ahead. All credit card bills are paid in full each month. How is that a bad strategy?

      • Mitch889 on 29/01/2019 - 21:23
        +2

        Exactly. If you work the system you come out ahead, if you don’t the banks do.

        • fishball on 29/01/2019 - 22:05

          Yep I've gotten enough points last year churning cards for business class fights return to Asia for 3 times and then some domestic flights during high demand periods. That's thousands of dollars in savings.

          All from paying my bills and stuff that I have to pay for anyway and earning the sign on bonuses.

          It is extremely easy to avoid late payment fees and interest, I just direct debit into my offset account and make sure I don't spend what money I don't have. Money stays in the bank longer (saving me money on my mortgage through offset) and it's all automated by the DD. I just make sure to have a cursory look at my statements now and then to see I'm not being charged anything incorrectly (eg. fees/unauthorized charges), minimal effort for great gains.

          The only downside really is now I have a 12-18 month cooling period with literally every bank until I can get signon bonuses again lmao.

      • swapsey on 30/01/2019 - 08:04
        -1

        Tell us the cost - how long do you spend a week on this strategy? Be honest, if you can.

        • voo123 on 30/01/2019 - 12:55

          I spend what I normally spend when I have a savings debit card. When I sign up for a rewards credit card, my spending habits does not change at all. Having the financial discipline is the main important aspect in this scenario and it works for me. I can understand other people overspending when presented with a credit card though, and that's what banks prey on.

          • swapsey on 30/01/2019 - 13:01

            @voo123: You've ignored my question. But I'll give you props for admitting people should avoid credit cards so they aren't preyed on by the banks through financial weakness.

            • voo123 on 30/01/2019 - 13:11
              +1

              @swapsey: I don't understand the intent of your question. "how long do you spend a week on this strategy?".
              Given my strategy is adopting the same financial discipline whether I use a debit card or credit card, I guess the answer is that I dont spend any extra time to make it work for me?.

              I will say it once again, financially irresponsible people should avoid credit cards as they will get stung on interest rates or be encouraged to overspend. However, if used wisely you can make make abit of money through selling points or taking advantage of Amex cash backs on things you were Intending to buy anyway.

              • swapsey on 30/01/2019 - 13:15

                @voo123: If you don't understand the time question can you understand these two simpler questions (and provide answers):

                1. How many credit cards do you have?
                2. What tasks do you undertake to get/use/maintain/balance those cards?
                • moar bargains on 30/01/2019 - 13:31

                  @swapsey: Firstly, your original question was poorly worded, and hence voo123 did not originally ignore it, they just misunderstood.

                  I do the same as voo123 and several others have mentioned above, and I (generously) estimate that I would spend about 5-8 hours per card (usually every 3-4 months or so) doing things I wouldn't have done anyway. Search for card, apply for card, set up a bpay transfer to pay the bills when they arrive. Plus half a second of deciding to use the card at the checkout…

                  If by your second set of questions you are trying to get people to admit that they don't pour over their statements like they should, then I think you're unlikely to get much luck. I track all my expenditure, and check it against receipts regardless of if I use a credit card or debit card, so it's something I'm doing anyway, the only difference is in the source of that information.

                  In return for 5 hours (max) of work, I will shortly receive 50000 points. Many people value this at approximately $500. I personally count that as a pretty reasonable (untaxed) hourly rate.

                • moar bargains on 30/01/2019 - 13:48

                  @swapsey: And for what it's worth, having read your posts above I thoroughly agree with you that Australia does have a massive (and I fully expect it to be crippling in the next few years) debt problem. I personally think it is absolute insanity that I should be allowed to have a credit limit of a third of my annual take home pay. And I can spend all that in a month?! How is that a good idea to be generally available in society?

                  I have no influence over how the bloke down the road uses his credit card, however I do have control over my own financial discipline. And if that includes taking advantage of offers that are legally available, and ensuring that I maintain my discipline and don't spend my entire salary in a month, then I don't see why that's a problem?

                  Another thing to point out though, is that banks don't (only) make money from this out of the people who pay interest and fees. They also make money every time you use your card at a merchant through interchange fees, which are often used to (at least partially) fund these credit card rewards. A few years ago, ASIC (I think, perhaps a different regulator) ruled that the interchange fees would be changed (reduced), and so credit card rewards have become less attractive than they used to be prior to this.

                  • swapsey on 30/01/2019 - 14:12

                    @moar bargains: Having read my posts without saying I am financially irresponsible or ignorant chances are you have a more business-like approach to this debt card situation.

                    Well done, you are the exception rather than the rule (by a big margin). Nonetheless, by using the debt cards (and doing the 5-8 hours work per card per 3 months = 75 hours a year assuming three cards) to earn the privilege of paying for an otherwise empty airline seat (with a specific airline or network of airlines), you are still working for very little benefit and indeed by being in the system you are then sold other products like the ticket you have to buy cause you can use your points on this day but not on that day.

                    Your buying habits are also being tracked and sold, enhancing the systems in the background that encourage you to spend more (which wins back the costs within a year, easily). There are so many layers that you can't possibly keep track so you just plug along believing you are getting a steal of a cheap airline ticket.

                    That benefit is actually more ways than Sunday dinners to get more money from you and everyone else who partakes in "rewards" via debt cards.

                    • Filbert on 30/01/2019 - 14:35

                      @swapsey: Rule No. 1. Never ever pay interest.

                      Credit cards are a trap for the financial illiterate or people that seem to think they can live a different life to their income, people start to percieve it as their psuedo money and that's the furtherest from the truth. People will just "pay it later" but there is a snowball occuring.
                      I have Coles Mastercard for the Flybuys and cash discounts on shopping, sure it means we are kinda locked in a bit with Coles but what the hell, a large portion of the populous shop there anyway.
                      Yes I pay a fee of about $100 but have recieved about $500 off shopping in the last year.
                      Card is paid off in full out of savings at the end of the interest free cycle.
                      I dont get charged interest and the cash I didn't spend cos I used the credit card is earning interest. I live well within my means.
                      But common sense is not that common and people get sucked in.

                      • swapsey on 30/01/2019 - 14:41

                        @Filbert: I agree with you never pay interest, and the best way to achieve that is have no cards except debit which means you spend your own money. Say no to rewards. Should be on my tombstone ;-)

                        • Filbert on 30/01/2019 - 14:46

                          @swapsey: But I should have said it's ok to get paid interest, of the money left in my savings and not used on the card I may have made a tidy sum of $5-$10 interest with UBank per month :-)
                          But if your outgoings are similar to your incomings then a Credit card could push you over the slippery slope.

                    • moar bargains on 30/01/2019 - 17:21
                      +3

                      @swapsey: Yes I realise they keep track of my spending habits, but how is that different from my (VISA backed) debit card being tracked? Not to mention the phone I carry everywhere in my pocket… I have a professional interest in data, and how it's used, so I'm certainly not ignorant in this area.

                      I get the point you're trying to make, but (as others have tried to explain) I think you're being a little obtuse by creating a false dichotomy. You are presenting it as only two possible options:

                      1. Buy stuff with debit card.
                      2. Buy stuff with credit card + stuff you don't need and weren't going to buy, don't pay off, get into debt = banks make money.

                      And therefore everyone with a credit card must come into the second category. But in fact there are several alternatives other than those two above.

                      Consider this fact: In the next three months, I am going to spend $3000 on groceries, electricity, council rates, water rates, car registration, and home insurance.

                      Now here are some possible options in this situation:
                      1. Pay with debit card/Bpay.
                      2. Pay with Credit card, don't fully pay off = debt.
                      3. Pay with credit card, and fully pay off.
                      4. Pay with credit card, with bonus points for $3000 spend, and fully pay off and I also get the equivalent of a $500 in flights/vouchers/discounts/cashback that I wouldn't otherwise have had.

                      Given that I ensure that I meet all the conditions, surely the last option is preferable?

                      I understand you don't think credit cards are a good idea, and that's totally fine and I don't expect to convince you to get one but ultimately, credit cards are a financial tool. They may be likened to kitchen knives. Just because some people have murdered others with kitchen knives, doesn't mean everyone who buys a kitchen knife will murder people.

                      I also agree that there is a fair bit of head-in-the-sand when it comes to things like this (as per your comment above) but this is ozbargain. This is a community dedicated to finding bargains, and making use of them. So I think many (but certainly not all) of the people here have higher than average financial discipline and can successfully make use of a strategy like this. No one is trying to convince you to get one, but merely explaining to you that it's not as black and white as you're saying.

                      All the above said, it is vital to be aware of the risks and pitfalls like you have described before even considering a credit card, so thank you for pointing them out to those who may have been reading and not participating in the discussion.

                • voo123 on 30/01/2019 - 14:34

                  @swapsey:

                  1. 2 credit cards from the westpac black altitude bundle.
                  2. A)Applying to the credit card is done online. I would say it's quicker than applying for a normal everyday card in branch.
                    B) I use the credit card the same way I would use my debit card (insert or pay pass).
                    C)By maintaining if u meant controlling my spending, I have the financial discipline to control my spending. I do splurge every now and again but I do that on a debit card regardless anyway. Just because I am offered a 20k credit limit on my card, doesn't mean I spend to that limit.
                    D)I receive the email statement every month and pay it off in full 1day before interest fee due date, so I can keep money in my offset account for as long as possible. I approach rewards credit cards as a business transaction. I use it to sell off points and claim Amex cash back. If there weren't any points offered on those cards I wouldn't sign up for a credit card at all.
                  • swapsey on 30/01/2019 - 14:42

                    @voo123: Honest answers by my estimation, not that it matters. Quicker to apply for credit card online doesn't raise a red flag to you?

                    • voo123 on 30/01/2019 - 14:48

                      @swapsey: Going in branch and applying is more of an inconvienance for me as I have to arrange a suitable appointment time. Once you get to a branch I'd imagine the actual processing time is the same as doing it online at home in your own time. So in that context, I don't think it raises any red flags.

                      • swapsey on 30/01/2019 - 14:50

                        @voo123: Businesses remove friction when it costs them money - corollary is they make money as soon as you sign up. You think they don't - which is just perfect.

                        • voo123 on 30/01/2019 - 14:54

                          @swapsey: I only sign up to $0 annual fee rewards cards, receive the points, cancel card, sell off points, churn to new rewards card. All balance paid off in full each month. Bank makes no money from me directly but probably from other sources like merchant fees as you mentioned.

                          • swapsey on 30/01/2019 - 14:58
                            -1

                            @voo123: Thanks for being honest, it's rare for some reason when it comes to these matters. Maybe so people can continue lifestyle.

                            • BobLim on 31/01/2019 - 08:24

                              @swapsey: Personally I was once offered an overdraft on my debit card which I comprehensively declined in writing and verbally. Despite this - Bam: overdraw approval fee. This was apparently because an ATM cash deposit had not yet cleared and PayPass transactions are somehow different to others (including inserted with CR account selected) for that bank. The fee was refunded after a long discussion as a goodwill gesture.

                              Never had any such issues with a credit card. Never any associated fees, disputed or otherwise.

                              As I don’t have a mortgage offset, ensuring savings interest is maximised along with the correct amount available in the transaction account linked to the debit card is significantly more time intensive for me than a single monthly payment for the credit card bill, while also earning less interest (my own cash balance is less than it would otherwise be with a credit card at all times)

    • Hunter14 on 31/01/2019 - 15:44

      Got to love people like this. We thank you because people like you helps credit card companies subsidise the costs of people benefiting from playing the game right.

  • barbarella on 29/01/2019 - 22:00
    +1

    a no fees one

  • randomthought on 30/01/2019 - 11:18
    +3

    Bankwest Zero Platinum MasterCard - no annual fee and no foreign currency conversion fees (so great for use overseas or buying online in other currencies)

    • Hunter14 on 31/01/2019 - 15:40
      +2

      Agree with this.
      Perfect card for those that:
      - Are not chasing points
      - Don't want to pay annual fees
      - Don't want to pay international transaction fees

      The conversion rate is decent. High interest rates but anyone who cannot afford to pay off their balance in full every 55 days should not be getting a credit card IMO.

    • Thaal Sinestro on 01/02/2019 - 04:54

      Poor people will get knocked back by Bankwest when applying for a credit card. They only care about cashed up middle class homeowners.

      On a lower-class income, I got a 28 Degrees credit card (used to be called Wizard) with a $2,000 limit, with no hassles. Bankwest told me to f%#k off. If you are cash strapped (eg university student, retiree, part-time worker, minimum wage worker, DSP pensioner) apply for the 28 Degrees with a low limit. You will avoid a 3% currency conversion fee + a 3% crossborder fee when making digital purchases, and when ordering in goods from overseas sellers. Just make sure to pay your card off by the end of thebilling cycle or you will be charged a late payment fee + bank interest. 28 Degrees charge Mastercard rates on foreign purchases which from experience is about 0.5% less than the xe.com rate.

  • Filbert on 30/01/2019 - 14:41

    As per above Coles Mastercard.
    I swapped from Westpac as Altitude points were just getting less and less and the amount needed for gift cards were getting more and more.
    Coles interest free period has changed a bit thou since they got brought out last year.
    Still I believe points wise/cash back much better than Westpac.
    Canstar is a good comparison point.

  • No ONE on 31/01/2019 - 17:37
    +3

    Get this both:

    • AMEX Essential CC (for points, warranties, offers etc) No Fee
    • Bank west Platinum CC (for international transaction and free travel insurance ) No Fee
  • userid007 on 31/01/2019 - 19:28
    +2

    28 degrees for overseas travel. also you can use it for shoppers protection to buy stuff and claim if the price goes down.

  • Ghost47 on 31/01/2019 - 21:30

    Coles Rewards Mastercard and AMEX Velocity (fee free w/ rewards).

  • zrmx on 31/01/2019 - 22:41
    +1

    The above mentions of Amex Essential CC are great for a no fees card, and enable you access to Amex Offers.

    For non-Amex CC, if you can only get one, I recommend 28Degrees due to their no-fee international purchases, competitive rate (MasterCard's), and Shopper Protection, which gives you 12 months price protection for Australian purchases at any Australian retailers (perfect for new phones, consoles, or computer electronics as their prices fall fast. You'll still be able to get it early on to enjoy the item without fear of them falling in price).

    • BargainShopaholic on 31/01/2019 - 23:38
      +1

      +1 for the 28Degrees card!

      Also, I'll add this:

      As long as their current policies don't change, I will never get rid of these 2 cards purely for their Shopper Protection insurances (neither has annual fee):
      - 28Degrees: for brands that are sold at different retailers (eg. Samsung, Westinghouse, Nike, Adidas, Ray-Bans, etc)
      - Coles MasterCard: for brands that are only sold by their own shops (eg. Kookai, Zara, Portmans, etc)

      Keep a record of your purchases and you'll have no issues with claiming.

  • taoz on 31/01/2019 - 22:58
    +1

    get a card with no annual fee for a start.

    speeding 400 a month, fee for rewards wont be worth it at all

  • grads5 on 05/02/2019 - 23:27

    Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with the ING Orange One Credit Card?

  • mitchellp on 12/02/2019 - 18:27

    I have it and it’s been really good. Doesn’t cost us an annual fee because home loan with them. My wife and I both have a card and use it for all transactions. It gives 1% cash back up to $30 a month which helps to pay back the home loans annual fee

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