Top rewards cards of 2018: Mozo Editor’s picks
New year, new you - new rewards card! We all like to score extra value when we hit the shops, and having a great rewards credit card in your wallet could be your ticket to a whole truckload of points and freebies in 2018.
But choosing the right piece of rewards plastic can be tricky - there are so many to choose from and each one comes with its own set of perks, benefits and features. So to get you started on your search, we’ve listed some of our favourite rewards credit cards below for you to check out.
Rewards cards with heaps of bonus points
ANZ - Frequent Flyer Black
- 75,000 bonus Qantas points when you spend $2,500 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months
- 75 bonus Status Credits when you buy and fly return with Qantas by 31 May 2018
- $0 annual fee in the first year ($425 after)
What we think:
When it comes to freebie value, it’s hard to go past the ANZ Frequent Flyer Black. Not only will you have a regular earn rate of 1 point per $1 pent in your pocket, there are also a tonne of bonus points on offer, plus the chance to score some coveted Status Credits on your frequent flyer account. Plus, don’t forget about the other extras, like complimentary travel insurance,
2 Qantas Club Lounge visits each year and a concierge service. Bear in mind though, that this card is designed for big spenders, so there’s a hefty annual fee after the first year, and you’ll need to earn at least $75,000 p.a. to apply.
American Express - Explorer® Credit Card
- 100,000 bonus membership rewards points when you apply online and spend $1,500 within the first three months
- $400 annual travel credit
- 2 membership rewards points per $1 spent
What we think:
There’s a generous pile of bonus points up for grabs with the American Express Explorer card, but the value doesn’t stop there. You can also build up your points stash with the steller 2 points per $1 spent regular earn rate, not to mention all the extra freebies on offer. These include a yearly travel credit which neatly cancels out the $395 annual fee and a range of complimentary insurance covers, including overseas travel insurance and smartphone screen repair cover. You can use your Amex Explorer card with Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Android Pay, plus to maximise your points pile, you can pick up supplementary cards at no extra cost.
Rewards cards for frequent travellers
American Express - Qantas Ultimate Card
- 55,000 bonus Qantas points when you spend $1,500 in the first 3 months
- $450 annual Qantas travel credit
- Earn up to 1.5 Qantas points per $1 spent – uncapped
What we think:
If you regularly fly Qantas, there’s a tonne of value to be found with the American Express Qantas Ultimate card. From the 55,000 bonus points on offer, right through to the regular earn rate of 1.5 points per $1, this piece of plastic is a points lover’s new best friend. Especially suited to travellers, this card includes free overseas travel insurance, global 24/7 customer service, and a $450 travel credit each year, cancelling out the annual fee of the same amount. No wonder it picked up Mozo Experts Choice Awards for both Best Qantas Frequent Flyer Credit Card and Best Premium Rewards Credit Card!
Virgin Money - Virgin Australia Velocity High Flyer Card
- 0.66 points per $1 spent earn rate up to $1500 a month
- $129 annual Virgin Australia Gift Voucher
- 0% p.a purchase rate for first 14 months
What we think:
Want interest free spending along with your rewards point earn? Then give the Virgin Money Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card a look. This card comes with a special 14 months interest free offer (20.74% after that), and suits budget conscious cardholders who are after a little something extra on their spend. There is an annual fee to consider, but for anyone who flies Virgin, that cost is cancelled out by the $129 annual gift voucher up for grabs. You can use this card around the globe wherever Visa is accepted, plus cash in on extra benefits like free travel insurance and a concierge service.
Rewards cards with no annual fee
American Express - Essential Credit Card
- $0 annual fee
- 1 Membership Rewards point per $1 spent
- Mozo Experts Choice Provider of the Year
What we think:
Think awesome rewards go hand in hand with high annual fees? Think again! The American Express Essential card has no annual fee and a low purchase rate of 14.99%, making it a great option for money-savvy spenders. Along with earning 1 rewards point for every $1 you spend, you’ll also have access to freebies like purchase protection, refund protection and extended warranty on your buys. Plus, to make every dollar count towards maximising your points earn, you can get an unlimited amount of supplementary cards to hand out to trusted family members without paying an extra fee.
You can also head over and take our Rewards Revealer tool for a whirl to find your rewards credit card match.
*All rates and offers mentioned in this article are correct at time of writing, but may be subject to change. Please check the full Mozo review for each product for the most up-to-date information.
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Credit Card Awards
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