Your credit card under the microscope: 3 ways to test if you’re getting a good deal
With many Aussies starting to feel the financial pinch of the spreading novel coronavirus, people are having to rely on their plastic to get them through.
If you are one of them, it might be a good time to review your credit card so that pinch doesn’t turn into a full blown punch.
Whether it’s to save on fees, switch to a lower interest rate or have the ability to extend your credit limit, there are a bunch of ways to improve what you are getting, and saving, on your credit card.
Need a place to start? Here are three ways to test it.
1. Analyse your annual fee
Some credit cards come with annual fees and some don’t. These fees range anywhere from $0 to $700+, so if this is something you want to save on,weigh up this fee with other features like the interest rate or rewards program on your current credit card.
What you might consider switching to…
- No annual fee credit card: As the name suggests, these credit cards don’t charge an annual fee, meaning you could save hundreds of dollars each year. But just because a card has no annual fee, it doesn't always guarantee you with a lower purchase rate, which brings us to the next test.
2. Inquire about interest rates
Not sure if your credit card interest rate is a good one? Inquire about others! Currently in the Mozo database, interest rates start as low as 7.49%, but jump to as high as 24.99%. So when it comes to considering whether to switch from your current credit card to a new one, choosing the right rate could end up saving you money not only once a year, but for as long as you use the card.
What you might consider switching to…
- Low interest credit card: If you forget to pay down your credit card balance in full from time to time (naughty), opting for a low interest credit card could be a good alternative. But like a no annual fee credit card, low interest options don’t tend to come with all the bells and whistles of a higher rate card, so you may have to bid farewell to rewards programs or complimentary insurances.
3. Consider your credit limit
While generally speaking it’s not a great idea to bump up your credit limit, in turbulent times like these it might be worth speaking to your provider about how flexible adjusting it is. Some banks, like ANZ, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank are allowing customers to apply for emergency credit limit increases, however that’s not the case for all credit card providers so you may need to speak to your provider directly.
Bear in mind, a credit card is not a solution to financial stress, so avoid relying on one and increasing your credit limit unless absolutely necessary. And if you do need to reach for your plastic, ensure you are economically equipped to pay it down later.
What are other banks doing to help during the coronavirus outbreak?
- For CommBank customers, the bank may provide credit card repayment assistance (case-by-case).
- Both NAB and Westpac are offering business credit card deferred repayments
- Macquarie Bank customers may receive a credit card interest rate reduction
RELATED ARTICLE: Guide to Australian banks’ emergency Coronavirus relief packages
Want to compare low rate credit cards? Check out the table below or jump over to our low interest credit card comparison tool.
Low Rate Credit Cards 2020 - last updated February 27, 2021
- Apply By May 31, 2021
Bendigo Bank Low Rate Credit Card
0% p.a. balance transfer for 18 months (Reverts to 11.99% p.a). Low annual fee of $45 and no fees for additional cardholders.
Purchase rate
Balance transfer rate
Annual fee
11.99% p.a.0% p.a. for 18 months and then 11.99% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)$45CompareCompareLow Rate Credit Card
0% p.a. balance transfer for 18 months (Reverts to 11.99% p.a). Low annual fee of $45 and no fees for additional cardholders.
- Purchase rate
- 11.99% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 18 months and then 11.99% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)
- Cash advance
- 13.99% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 55
- Intro fee
- -
- Foreign exchange margin
- 3.00%
- Annual card fee
- $45
- Late payment fee
- $15.00
- Cash advance fee
- 0.50%, Min $3.25
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Low Rate Credit Card
Defence Bank Foundation Credit Card
Defence Bank Low Rate Credit Card offers a 3.99% p.a. 6 month introductory rate on balance transfers, purchases and cash advances. Up to 55 days interest free on purchases.
Purchase rate
Balance transfer rate
Annual fee
3.99% p.a. for 6 months then 8.99% p.a.3.99% p.a. for 6 months and then 8.99% p.a.$45CompareCompareFoundation Credit Card
Defence Bank Low Rate Credit Card offers a 3.99% p.a. 6 month introductory rate on balance transfers, purchases and cash advances. Up to 55 days interest free on purchases.
- Purchase rate
- 3.99% p.a. for 6 months then 8.99% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- 3.99% p.a. for 6 months
- Balance transfer rate
- 3.99% p.a. for 6 months and then 8.99% p.a.
- Cash advance
- 8.99% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 55
- Intro fee
- -
- Foreign exchange margin
- 3.00%
- Annual card fee
- $45
- Late payment fee
- $20.00
- Cash advance fee
- 4.1
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Foundation Credit Card
St.George Vertigo
0% p.a. for 24 months on balance transfers requested at card application. No balance transfer fee. Rate then switches to applicable variable cash advance rate. First year annual card fee waived for the first year ($55 thereafter). Available to new cards only, Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply. Offer ends March 2nd 2021. Mozo Experts Choice Balance Transfer Credit Card Winner 2020^.
Purchase rate
Balance transfer rate
Annual fee
13.99% p.a.0% p.a. for 24 months and then 21.49% p.a.$55 $0 in the first yearCompareCompareVertigo
0% p.a. for 24 months on balance transfers requested at card application. No balance transfer fee. Rate then switches to applicable variable cash advance rate. First year annual card fee waived for the first year ($55 thereafter). Available to new cards only, Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply. Offer ends March 2nd 2021. Mozo Experts Choice Balance Transfer Credit Card Winner 2020^.
- Purchase rate
- 13.99% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 24 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
- 2%, Min $2.50
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Vertigo
ME frank Credit Card
Meet Frank, a low rate credit card with up to 55 interest free days and no annual fee. If simple, hassle free spending is your goal, you and Frank might be a match made in heaven.
Purchase rate
Balance transfer rate
Annual fee
11.99% p.a.No current offer$0CompareComparefrank Credit Card
Meet Frank, a low rate credit card with up to 55 interest free days and no annual fee. If simple, hassle free spending is your goal, you and Frank might be a match made in heaven.
- Purchase rate
- 11.99% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- 11.99% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 55
- Intro fee
- -
- Foreign exchange margin
- 2.30%
- Annual card fee
- $0
- Late payment fee
- $10.00
- Cash advance fee
- 2%, Min $4.00
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the frank Credit Card
NAB StraightUp Card
$10/month - $1,000 Credit Limit
Pay no interest and no late payment fees, just a $10 monthly fee for a $1,000 credit limit. Plus, if you don't make any purchases and have an outstanding balance of $0 during the whole statement period, the monthly fee will be reversed. Also pay no foreign currency fees when you shop online or overseas. Mozo Experts Choice Credit Card Innovation Winner 2020^.
Purchase rate
Balance transfer rate
Annual fee
0% p.a.No current offer$120 $10/month - waived if no spend & no balance owingCompareCompareStraightUp Card
Pay no interest and no late payment fees, just a $10 monthly fee for a $1,000 credit limit. Plus, if you don't make any purchases and have an outstanding balance of $0 during the whole statement period, the monthly fee will be reversed. Also pay no foreign currency fees when you shop online or overseas. Mozo Experts Choice Credit Card Innovation Winner 2020^.
- Purchase rate
- 0% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- 0
- Intro fee
- -
- Foreign exchange margin
- 0%
- Annual card fee
- $120 $10/month - waived if no spend & no balance owing
- Late payment fee
- $0.00
- Cash advance fee
- n/a
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the StraightUp Card
- Hot DealLimited time cashback offer
Westpac Low Rate
Enjoy 0% p.a. interest on balance transfers for the first 24 months. Get $200 cashback with $1k minimum spend on eligible purchases within 90 days of card approval. 55 interest free days and low on-going rate of 13.74% on all purchases.
Purchase rate
Balance transfer rate
Annual fee
13.74% p.a.0% p.a. for 24 months and then 21.49% p.a. (1.00% balance transfer fee)$59CompareCompareLow Rate
Enjoy 0% p.a. interest on balance transfers for the first 24 months. Get $200 cashback with $1k minimum spend on eligible purchases within 90 days of card approval. 55 interest free days and low on-going rate of 13.74% on all purchases.
- Purchase rate
- 13.74% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 24 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
- 2%, Min $2.50, Max $150
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Low Rate
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Credit Cards Awards
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