Credit cardholders could save $500 every year with low rate cards

Even while the lowest rate credit card could save the average credit cardholder $466 in fees and interest every year, there aren't enough options for consumers to choose from, according to the latest data collected by Mozo.

After looking at 171 credit cards from 57 providers to reveal the cheapest low rate cards on the market, Mozo found there are only six cards charging ongoing interest rates below 10%.

“While it’s great to see a handful of low rate cards providing great value, it’s not enough to drive competition or provide enough choice for consumers,” said Mozo Director Kirsty Lamont.  

“The average credit card rate is 17.55% yet a huge 54% of cards have an interest rate over and above 18%”.

According to Mozo, the cheapest low rate credit card charges just 7.99% interest and costs $1,942 to maintain over five years. The average cost over five years is $4,273 while about a third of cards in the Mozo database cost more than $5,000 over that time. Mozo’s money experts found 10 low rate cards as offering great value but none of them are from a big bank.

“Credit Unions and Mutuals have really stepped up to the plate when it comes to low purchase rates and low annual fees, while the big banks don’t rate a mention,” said Lamont.

Mozo’s pick of Australia’s cheapest credit cards  

Card

Purchase rate

Annual fee

Stand-out features

Best Low Rate Credit Card

Quay Credit Union Visa Credit Card

7.99%

$36*

Lowest cost of over 5 years ($1,942)

Best Fee Free Card with lowest interest rate

ME frank Credit Card

9.99%

$0

55 interest free days

Best Platinum Credit Card with lowest interest rate

P&N Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card

11.49%

$80

Concierge, Travel Insurance, Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection benefits

Best Overseas Transaction Credit Card with lowest interest rate

Bankwest Zero Platinum MasterCard

17.99%

$0

0% foreign exchange margin, 55 interest free days

*Waived in first year

The above cards were recognised among others in Mozo’s Experts Choice Credit Card Awards but are singled out for having the lowest rate in their given category. Source: Mozo.com.au as at 14/9/15


The average Big 4 credit card interest rate is 18.98% with an average annual fee of $146, while Mutuals charge an average 13.92% and less than half the annual fee ($58).

“While premium and rewards credit cards have dominated the market in recent years, there is still a great need for low rate cards and we’d like to see a lot more of them,” said Lamont.

Top 5 Low Rate credit cards Versus the Big 4

Top 5 Low Rate Credit Cards

Ongoing Interest Rate

Annual Fee

Lowest rate cards from the Big 4

Ongoing Interest Rate

Annual Fee

1.

Quay Credit Union Visa Credit Card

7.99%

$36*

ANZ Low Rate Card

13.49%

$58

2.

Community First Credit Union

8.99%

$40

Westpac Low Rate Card

13.49%

$59

3.

ME frank Credit Card

9.99%

$0

Commonwealth Bank Low Rate Card

13.49%

$59

4.

GC Mutual Bank

9.99%

$50*

NAB Low Rate Card

13.99%

$59

5.

Maritime, Mining & Power Credit Union Visa Credit Card

10.12%

$60*

NA

NA

NA

*Waived in the first year. Source: Mozo.com.au as at 18/9/15

For a full list of Mozo’s Experts Choice Credit Card winners and award criteria, click here.

Credit card comparisons on Mozo - last updated 28 March 2024

Search promoted credit cards below or do a full Mozo database search. Advertiser disclosure
  • NAB Low Rate Card - Balance Transfer Offer

    Spend with confidence with a low 13.49% p.a. variable purchase rate and 0% p.a. interest on balance transfers for the first 28 months (T&Cs apply). 2% balance transfer fee applies. There’s also up to 55 interest free days on purchases to help you manage your budget better when you make minimum repayments. Minimum credit limit $1,000. No annual fee for the first year (usually $59).

    Purchase rate
    13.49% p.a.
    Balance transfer rate
    0% p.a. for 28 months and then 21.74% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)
    Annual fee
    $59 $0 in the first year
    Rewards program
    -
    Compare
    Details
  • American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card

    Enjoy $0 Annual Card Fee (usually $195) in the first year when you apply online and are approved. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only. Offer subject to change without notice.

    Purchase rate
    23.99% p.a.
    Balance transfer rate
    No current offer
    Annual fee
    $195 $0 in the first year
    Rewards program
    Membership Rewards
    Compare
    Details
  • G&C Mutual Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card

    Receive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply, are approved, and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on your new G&C Mutual Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card within 90 days. T&Cs apply. Available to new G&C Mutual Bank Card Members only. Earn 10,000 bonus Qantas Points annually. T&Cs apply. Access Platinum Visa Concierge. Add an additional cardholder at no extra cost.

    Purchase rate
    19.99% p.a.
    Balance transfer rate
    No current offer
    Annual fee
    $299
    Rewards program
    Qantas Frequent Flyer
    Compare
    Details
  • Apply By 2 Apr 2024
    American Express Qantas Ultimate Card

    Receive 100,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 2 April 2024 , are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Ultimate Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.

    Purchase rate
    23.99% p.a.
    Balance transfer rate
    No current offer
    Annual fee
    $450
    Rewards program
    Qantas Frequent Flyer
    Compare
    Details
  • American Express Explorer® Credit Card

    Receive 50,000 bonus membership rewards points when you apply online, are approved, and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases on your new card within the first 3 months (T&Cs apply). New Card Members only. Complimentary domestic & international Travel Insurance (T&Cs apply). Up to 55 days interest free on purchases. $395 annual fee.

    Purchase rate
    23.99% p.a.
    Balance transfer rate
    No current offer
    Annual fee
    $395
    Rewards program
    Membership Rewards
    Compare
    Details

^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Credit Card Awards

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