5 credit card features you may not know about (and might save you money)

When it comes to a credit card, hefty interest rates and annual fees might spring to mind.
And while it’s true that some cards do have high interest rates and fees attached to them, it may be because they come with a bunch of bonus features.
Credit card providers include these benefits in their products to help customers save on things like interest and travel insurance, or offer up protections on purchases for a more secure shopping experience.
While bonus features can sound fun, it is worth considering if you’ll actually take advantage of them. In other words, is the cost of the card (such as the interest rate and fees) worth its benefits?
So what are some of these credit card bonus features? Read on and find out …
1. Interest-free days
Currently on the Mozo database, the average credit card interest rate sits at 16.88%. However, over 200 credit cards on the Mozo database offer up interest-free days, from up to 44 all the way to 110.
What are credit card interest-free days?
In a nutshell, interest-free days is the period of time after you make an eligible purchase that you won’t be charged interest on that transaction. But the catch is, you don’t receive the maximum amount of interest-free days on every purchase you make. It all depends when in the statement period the transaction occurs.
Take this example: Let’s say your card offers 55 interest-free days. Here’s a breakdown of how many interest-free days you’d receive when you make purchases on particular days.

Ultimately, the more interest-free days you have the better, as it’ll mean you have longer to pay down your debt without being charged interest. Just remember though, you need to pay down your balance in full by the due date to avoid interest charges.
2. Purchase protection
Some credit cards come with a feature called purchase protection. This is where something you buy may be covered under your card’s purchase protection policy if it is lost, stolen or accidentally damaged.
Depending on the provider and the policy, there are different terms and conditions of purchase protection from credit card to credit card. So while one option may cover a cracked screen on a brand new iPhone, others may not … so it’s worth reading over the policy before signing the dotted line so you know what you’re covered for.
3. Extended warranty
Many Aussie retailers offer manufacturer’s warranties on their products, and some platinum and rewards credit cards offer extended warranties. What this means is, the warranty on the item you buy is extended, so it’s protected for longer.
4. Price protection
It can be frustrating when you buy a product from one retailer and find it cheaper somewhere else. But that’s where price protection on your credit card can come in handy.
Some credit card providers offer this type of guarantee, where if a consumer purchases an item using the card but finds it cheaper somewhere else, they can be refunded the difference. In this instance, cardholders must alert their credit card provider of the cheaper item and meet any conditions under the cover (such as a time limit or minimum price difference). With that in mind, make sure you read through the price protection policy so you are aware of all the T&Cs.
5. Travel insurance
Another big bonus feature that is available on some rewards and travel credit cards, is complimentary travel insurance. This may come in the form of international travel insurance, interstate flight insurance or transport accident insurance. These types of insurances cover things like flight cancellations or delays, emergency cover, luggage loss or travel accidents.
Bear in mind, in most cases you need to activate your travel insurance before your trip in order to be covered by the time you leave. This usually involves spending a certain amount on travel expenses prior to your departure, such as flights or accommodation.
There may also be limits on the amount of cover you receive and other T&Cs, so you may need to take out additional travel insurance outside of your credit card to be fully covered.
Want to compare credit card options? Take a look at these hot offers below or jump over to our credit card comparison table for even more!
Compare credit cards - last updated 6 August 2022
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Apply By 31 Oct 2022
Westpac Low Rate - Cashback Offer
Enjoy a super low rate of 13.74% with 55 days interest free plus up to $200 cashback - $50 cashback for each month you spend $1,000 or more on eligible purchases in the first 4 months from card approval. New Cards only. T&C's and exclusions apply.
Purchase rate
13.74% p.a.Balance transfer rate
6.99% p.a. for 12 months and then 21.49% p.a. (1.00% balance transfer fee)Annual fee
$59Rewards program
-CompareCompareLow Rate - Cashback Offer
Enjoy a super low rate of 13.74% with 55 days interest free plus up to $200 cashback - $50 cashback for each month you spend $1,000 or more on eligible purchases in the first 4 months from card approval. New Cards only. T&C's and exclusions apply.
- Purchase rate
- 13.74% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- 6.99% p.a. for 12 months and then 21.49% p.a. (1.00% balance transfer fee)
- Annual fee
- $59
- Rewards program
- Purchase rate
- 13.74% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- 6.99% p.a. for 12 months and then 21.49% p.a. (1.00% balance transfer fee)
- Cash advance
- 21.49% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 55
- Intro fee
- Foreign exchange margin
- 3.00%
- Annual card fee
- $59
- Late payment fee
- $15.00
- Cash advance fee
- 3%
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Low Rate - Cashback Offer
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Virgin Money No Annual Fee Card
Virgin Money No Annual Fee for the life of the card. 0% p.a. for 12 months on purchases (reverts to ongoing purchase rate) and balance transfers (reverts to cash advance rate).
Purchase rate
0% p.a. for 12 months then 18.99% p.a.Balance transfer rate
0% p.a. for 12 months and then 20.99% p.a.Annual fee
$0Rewards program
-CompareCompareNo Annual Fee Card
Virgin Money No Annual Fee for the life of the card. 0% p.a. for 12 months on purchases (reverts to ongoing purchase rate) and balance transfers (reverts to cash advance rate).
- Purchase rate
- 0% p.a. for 12 months then 18.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 12 months and then 20.99% p.a.
- Annual fee
- $0
- Rewards program
- Purchase rate
- 0% p.a. for 12 months then 18.99% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- 0% p.a. for 12 months
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 12 months and then 20.99% p.a.
- Cash advance
- 20.99% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 55
- Intro fee
- Foreign exchange margin
- 3.30%
- Annual card fee
- $0
- Late payment fee
- $30.00
- Cash advance fee
- 2.7%, Min $2.70
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the No Annual Fee Card
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Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Credit Card Provider of the Year - 2021
American Express Qantas Ultimate Card
Earn up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Points (75,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 23 August 2022, are approved, and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months, plus an additional 25,000 Qantas Points in your second year upon fee renewal). T&Cs apply. New Card Members only.
Purchase rate
20.74% p.a.Balance transfer rate
No current offerAnnual fee
$450Rewards program
Qantas Frequent FlyerCompareCompareQantas Ultimate Card
Earn up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Points (75,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 23 August 2022, are approved, and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months, plus an additional 25,000 Qantas Points in your second year upon fee renewal). T&Cs apply. New Card Members only.
- Purchase rate
- 20.74% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Annual fee
- $450
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Purchase rate
- 20.74% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Intro fee
- Foreign exchange margin
- 3.00%
- Annual card fee
- $450
- Late payment fee
- $30.00
- Cash advance fee
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Qantas Ultimate Card
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Virgin Money Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card - Balance Transfer Offer
Get in the air with a $129 Virgin Australia Gift Voucher each year. 0% p.a. for 28 months on balance transfers.
Purchase rate
20.74% p.a.Balance transfer rate
0% p.a. for 28 months and then 20.99% p.a.Annual fee
$129 $0 in the first yearRewards program
Velocity Frequent FlyerCompareCompareVirgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card - Balance Transfer Offer
Get in the air with a $129 Virgin Australia Gift Voucher each year. 0% p.a. for 28 months on balance transfers.
- Purchase rate
- 20.74% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 28 months and then 20.99% p.a.
- Annual fee
- $129 $0 in the first year
- Rewards program
- Velocity Frequent Flyer
- Purchase rate
- 20.74% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 28 months and then 20.99% p.a.
- Cash advance
- 20.99% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 55
- Intro fee
- 0.0
- Foreign exchange margin
- 3.30%
- Annual card fee
- $129 $0 in the first year
- Late payment fee
- $30.00
- Cash advance fee
- 2.7%, Min $2.70
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card - Balance Transfer Offer
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Apply By 31 Aug 2022
St.George Vertigo - Balance Transfer Offer
0% p.a. for 32 months on balance transfers requested at card application. 0% balance transfer fee applies. Rate then switches to applicable variable cash advance rate. No annual fee for the first year, $55 thereafter. New cards only, Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply.
Purchase rate
13.99% p.a.Balance transfer rate
0% p.a. for 32 months and then 21.49% p.a.Annual fee
$55 $0 in the first yearRewards program
-CompareCompareVertigo - Balance Transfer Offer
0% p.a. for 32 months on balance transfers requested at card application. 0% balance transfer fee applies. Rate then switches to applicable variable cash advance rate. No annual fee for the first year, $55 thereafter. New cards only, Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply.
- Purchase rate
- 13.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 32 months and then 21.49% p.a.
- Annual fee
- $55 $0 in the first year
- Rewards program
- Purchase rate
- 13.99% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 32 months and then 21.49% p.a.
- Cash advance
- 21.49% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 55
- Intro fee
- 0.0
- Foreign exchange margin
- 3.00%
- Annual card fee
- $55 $0 in the first year
- Late payment fee
- $15.00
- Cash advance fee
- 3%
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Vertigo - Balance Transfer Offer
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Apply By 31 Aug 2022
Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Credit Card Provider of the Year - 2021
American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card
Receive a $200 credit on your Card when you spend $200 or more at Amazon.com.au within the first 3 months plus get 30,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply online by 31 August 2022, are approved and spend $3,000 within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only.
Purchase rate
20.74% p.a.Balance transfer rate
No current offerAnnual fee
$195Rewards program
Membership RewardsCompareComparePlatinum Edge Credit Card
Receive a $200 credit on your Card when you spend $200 or more at Amazon.com.au within the first 3 months plus get 30,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply online by 31 August 2022, are approved and spend $3,000 within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only.
- Purchase rate
- 20.74% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Annual fee
- $195
- Rewards program
- Membership Rewards
- Purchase rate
- 20.74% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- Interest free days on purchases
- 55
- Intro fee
- Foreign exchange margin
- 3.00%
- Annual card fee
- $195
- Late payment fee
- $30.00
- Cash advance fee
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Platinum Edge Credit Card
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Credit Card Awards
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