Congratulations to the 2018 winner’s of Mozo Experts Choice Awards for credit cards. No matter what you’re looking for in a new credit card - a low interest rate, no annual fee or the latest innovation - the Mozo Experts Choice winners list below is a great place to start your search.
Now in their fifth year, the Mozo Experts Choice Awards provide a platform to highlight products in the marketplace we believe offer great value to Australians.
For the 2018 credit card awards, over 199 credit cards from 67 financial institutions were compared by our money experts. We’ve grouped cards into easy to compare categories so that you can find a credit card that best meets your spending and financial needs.
For details on how we crunched the numbers and determined the award winners see our methodology report.
American Express took home a total of thirteen Mozo Expert Choice Awards this year, almost double the number of the next best provider. They were awarded in Low Rate, No Annual Fee and Balance Transfer categories, as well as every Reward Credit Card category. This is the third year running American Express has walked away with this award, displaying their consistency even in the face of a changing credit card market. While their cards can be subject to merchant surcharges and reduced acceptance, we once again feel that the breadth of offerings from American Express is worthy of recognition.
Low Rate Credit Card
8.99% p.a.
$0
3.00%
Offering the equal lowest purchase rate in the market and with no annual fee, it's easy to see why the American Express Low Rate Credit Card took out the Experts Choice Low Rate Award.
Low Rate Visa
9.45% p.a.
$50 $0 fee for under 25 years olds
3.00%
Auswide's Low Rate Visa also picked up a Mozo Experts Choice Award for Low Rate Credit Card. It's annual fee is waived for customers under 25 and also offers a whole year of 0% interest on balance transfers.
Visa Credit Card
9.99% p.a.
$39 $0 when you spend over $8,000 p.a
2.50%
If you're in the market for a credit card that's easy on the hip pocket, the Bank of us Visa provides a low ongoing interest rate, and the already low annual fee is refunded when you spend $8,000 annually.
McGrath Pink Visa
8.99% p.a.
$40
3.00%
With a low rate on purchases, balance transfers and cash advances, there's good reason why the Community First McGrath Pink Visa was awarded a Low Rate Credit Card award. Additionally, with half of your annual fee donated to the McGrath Foundation each year you hold the card, this one offers top features as well as rates.
Education Community Visa Credit Card
9.99% p.a.
$0
3.00%
The Credit Union SA Education Community Visa Card is a great low cost option available to South Australian teachers and other educators.
Easy Low Rate Visa Credit Card
8.99% p.a.
$40
3.00%
Easy Street is bringing great value to the table with its Easy Low Rate Visa Credit Card, which boasts the second lowest interest rate on the market at time of writing. It also features a cash advance and balance transfer rate to match, and a low annual fee.
Low Rate Visa Credit Card
9.49% p.a.
$50
3.00%
A low purchase rate, $50 annual fee and 50 days interest free offer from G&C Mutual Bank provides a great low cost no-frills credit card option.
Visa Credit Card
10.12% p.a.
$60 $0 in the first year
3.00%
The Unity Bank Visa Credit Card has won this award three years running now, and it's easy to see why with a low 10.15% interest rate and a budget-friendly $60 annual fee (waived in the first year).
Visa Platinum Credit Card
9.99% p.a.
$99
2.50%
The purchase rate on the Bank First Visa Platinum is one of the lowest around for platinum cards, and it comes with jetsetting benefits like free travel insurance, concierge and a 2.50% foreign exchange fee.
Vertigo Platinum
12.74% p.a.
$99 $0 in the first year
3.00%
Vertigo Platinum cards, like this one from Bank of Melbourne, offer premium benefits like travel and purchase insurance without the premium interest rate and annual fee. Their long 0% balance transfer offers are the icing on the cake.
Vertigo Platinum
12.74% p.a.
$99 $0 in the first year
3.00%
Trams and Aussie Rules aren't the only thing South Australia has in common with Melbourne. BankSA offer the same great Vertigo Platinum Card as Bank of Melbourne, but with better weather.
Vertigo Platinum
12.74% p.a.
$99 $0 in the first year
3.00%
The Vertigo Platinum is also available in the rest of the country through St.George. Along with its interstate cousins, it's one of the best-priced Platinum cards on offer.
Breeze Platinum Mastercard
12.99% p.a.
$99 $0 in the first year
0%
The Bankwest Breeze Platinum Mastercard comes with an interest free introductory period, low ongoing interest rate, and features such as travel insurance and price guarantee. Add in no foreign exchange fees on online or international purchases to round out a great card.
Low Rate Platinum Mastercard
11.99% p.a.
$89
3.00%
Bendigo Bank's Low Rate Platinum Mastercard is a low rate credit card with all the perks of a platinum product. The $89 annual fee is great value for what's on offer, and you'll also get a unique insurance protection for your mobile phone and tablet to cover lost devices and broken screens.
Clear Platinum
12.99% p.a.
$99 $0 in the first year
3.40%
The Citi Clear Platinum has one of the lowest ongoing purchase rates in the market for a platinum card. The $99 annual fee is also one of the lowest around for a platinum card and at the moment you can snag this card with no annual fee in the first year.
Low Rate Platinum Card
13.99% p.a.
$100
3.00%
With a low ongoing rate and an even lower introductory rate, the NAB Low Rate Platinum card is worthy of consideration as a premium option that won't break the budget.
Visa Platinum Credit Card
11.49% p.a.
$99
3.00%
The P&N Bank Visa Platinum card provides an 11.49% purchase rate along with up to 45 interest free days. Plus, you'll also be treated to 24/7 access to the Visa Concierge service.
Low Rate Credit Card
8.99% p.a.
$0
3.00%
The American Express Low Rate Credit Card boasts the lowest rate you’ll see across Amex credit card products. Offering a handy 0% for 12 months on balances transferred from another card as well as no annual fee, it's an attractive choice if you're looking to avoid ongoing fees.
Visa Credit Card
12.39% p.a.
$0
3.00%
The Bank Australia Visa Credit Card is free to keep in your wallet with a $0 annual fee and it's got a low purchase rate of 12.39%, so you won't end up paying sky high interest if you occasionally carry over a balance.
Visa Classic Credit Card
12.94% p.a.
$0
2.50%
The budget friendly Visa Classic Credit Card from Bank First comes with a 12.94% purchase rate, no annual fee and a 0% balance transfer and purchase rate for the first 6 months.
Education Community Visa Credit Card
9.99% p.a.
$0
3.00%
0% interest for purchases and balance transfers in the first 6 months, no annual fee and a low 9.99% ongoing interest rate make the Credit Union SA Education Community Visa is a great low cost option. However, as the name suggests, the offer is only available to South Australian teachers and other educators.
Low Rate Credit Card (Brisbane Heat Offer)
11.99% p.a.
$0
3.40%
Even if you're not a diehard supporter of the Brisbane Heat cricket side, the CUA Low Rate Credit Card might just bowl you over. It features no annual fee, a 0% balance transfer offer for 13 months and super low purchase rate.
Value Visa Card
11.95% p.a.
$0
2.85%
Hume Bank's Value Visa lives up to its value name, offering a low purchase rate without making you fork out a fee every year.
frank Credit Card
11.99% p.a.
$0
2.30%
Let's be frank, ME Bank know how to make a great no annual fee card, offering a low interest rate for both purchases and cash advances.
Bluey Card
11.99% p.a.
$0
3.65%
As well as no annual fee, the QBANK Bluey Card also comes with a 12 month 0% balance transfer offer and competitive low purchase rate.
Credit Card
11.50% p.a.
$0
2.45%
Featuring an introductory 7.90% for both purchases and balance transfers for the first 6 months, along with no annual fee and 55 days interest free, Teachers Mutual Bank presents a great card for the education sector.
Credit Card
11.50% p.a.
$0
2.45%
UniBank offers the same great credit card as Teachers Mutual, but for University students, researchers, faculty and staff.
Platinum Mastercard
21.99% p.a.
$0
0%
A travellers trusty companion, the 28 Degrees Platinum Mastercard comes with 0% foreign exchange margin on overseas purchases, concierge and of course, no annual fee.
Zero Platinum Mastercard
17.99% p.a.
$0
0%
The Bankwest Zero Platinum Mastercard is another top travel credit card for your wallet. It comes with no annual fee and no foreign exchange margin on international purchases.
Platinum Credit Card (Brisbane Heat Offer)
19.99% p.a.
$0
3.40%
Even if you're not a diehard supporter of the Brisbane Heat cricket side, this card might just bowl you over. It features no annual fee, a 0% balance transfer offer for 13 months and platinum benefits like travel insurance and a rewards program.
Low Rate Credit Card
0% p.a. for 12 months and then 8.99% p.a. (1.00% balance transfer fee)
8.99% p.a.
$0
While the great balance transfer is the hero for this award, the sidekicks of no annual fee and a super low interest rate round out to make the American Express Low Rate Card of the best value on the market.
Low Rate Visa Credit Card
0% p.a. for 12 months and then 11.99% p.a.
11.99% p.a.
$49
Our armed forces have an excellent balance transfer offer available to them with the Australian Military Bank Low Rate Visa. The card also comes with a low $59 annual fee.
Low Rate
0% p.a. for 12 months and then 12.49% p.a.
12.49% p.a.
$49
Once you've finished paying off debt with the great 0% balance transfer rate, the Beyond Bank Low Rate card features a whopping 62 days interest free on purchases.
Education Community Visa Credit Card
0% p.a. for 6 months and then 9.99% p.a.
9.99% p.a.
$0
0% interest for purchases and balance transfers in the first 6 months, no annual fee and a low ongoing interest rate make this card a great low cost option, only available to South Australian teachers and other educators.
Gold Low Rate
No current offer
11.80% p.a.
$0
Heritage Bank's Gold Low Rate card's no annual fee, great balance transfer term and cash advance rate that matches the low purchase rate results in a card that's pure gold.
Visa Credit Card
0% p.a. for 12 months and then 10.76% p.a.
10.76% p.a.
$30 $0 in the first year
Police Bank waive the annual fee for this card in the first year, giving you a year to pay off any transferred debts with no interest rate and minimal fees.
Bluey Card
0% p.a. for 12 months and then 11.99% p.a.
11.99% p.a.
$0
As well as a great balance transfer offer, the QBANK Bluey card also comes no annual fee and a competitive low purchase rate.
Low Rate
0% p.a. for 24 months and then 19.49% p.a. (1.00% balance transfer fee)
13.49% p.a.
$59 $0 in the first year
A big balance transfer offer from a big bank, the Westpac Low Rate card brings with it low $59 annual fee that's waived in the first year.
Platinum
0% p.a. for 18 months and then 21.49% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)
19.74% p.a.
$87 $0 when you spend over $20,000 p.a, $0 in the first year
ANZ's Platinum card provides a huge 18 month balance transfer offer, and no annual fee in the first year.
Clear Platinum
0% p.a. for 14 months and then 21.74% p.a.
12.99% p.a.
$99 $0 in the first year
The low interest rate combined with a 14 month 0% balance transfer offer make this card an attractive option for those looking to clear out some debt.
Platinum Credit Card (Brisbane Heat Offer)
0% p.a. for 13 months and then 21.74% p.a.
19.99% p.a.
$0
Even if you're not a diehard supporter of the Brisbane Heat cricket side, this card might just bowl you over. It features no annual fee, a 0% balance transfer offer for 13 months and platinum benefits like travel insurance and a rewards program.
Platinum Visa Card
0% p.a. for 14 months and then 20.69% p.a.
20.69% p.a.
$69 $0 in the first year
You don't have to be a frequent shopper at Myer to take advantage of the Myer Platinum Visa Card. The yearly fee is waived in the first year and travel insurance is included as a platinum perk.
55 Day Platinum Card
No current offer
19.84% p.a.
$90 $0 when you spend over $10,000 p.a, $0 in the first year
The Westpac 55 Day Platinum card offers an attractive 20 months balance transfer term, coupled with platinum benefits such as travel insurance and concierge.
Everyday Platinum Credit Card
0% p.a. for 14 months and then 21.99% p.a.
19.99% p.a.
$49 $0 in the first year
Woolies shoppers keen to earn points on spending and cut down on their grocery bill will find the 14 month balance transfer handy if they have any existing credit card debt.
Essentials Card
9.90% p.a.
$60 $24 per year if you sign up for AutoPay, an automatic payment program.
3.00%
Released in March this year, the new Essentials Credit Card comes with a low 9.90% interest rate and a $60 annual fee which is discounted to $24 if you sign up for CommBank’s auto payment plan. Along with the $3,000 maximum credit limit and lack of cash advance facility, this card is designed to encourage responsible spending and planned repayment. A thoughtful move from a big bank, that the Mozo Experts were keen to reward.
The Mozo Experts selected the Qantas Money app as the best innovation in cards over the past 12 months. Qantas Money allows you to connect transaction accounts from other banks and institutions to the app, revealing spending insights from your entire financial setup. It's something that you'd expect to need a third-party app for, but Qantas Money have built it in. A useful feature for cardholders and a forward-looking statement from Qantas.
The Mozo Experts Choice Awards recognise products that deliver exceptional value or benefits to consumers. Credit card providers don’t pay to be in the running and we don’t play favourites. Our Judges base their decision on hard-nosed calculations of value to the consumer, using Mozo’s extensive product database and research capacity.
Our award methodology report is available for you to read which includes criteria for each award category and lists all providers considered for awards.
We analysed 199 personal credit card products from 67 providers for the 2018 Mozo Experts Choice Credit Card Awards. We can’t say this covers every credit card product available but it is a large proportion the ones that are publicly available to Australian consumers.
To be considered for this award, we examined all new entrants to the Mozo credit card database in the last 12 months and assessed each on the potential value to their cardholders.
To avoid awarding short term tactical offers, discounted balance transfer rates were required to be in the market for at least three months.
We based the award on a $4200 transfer, repaid at a rate of $100 per month. The calculations included any discounted balance transfer interest rate, the interest rate applicable beyond any discounted period, any fees that may be charged to gain access to a balance transfer rate, and annual fees. We also assumed that the card was not used for any new purchases.
There is a reason why there are so many different categories of Mozo Experts Choice Awards in Credit Cards. When you’re looking for a credit card you’ll want to think carefully about your ability to repay any balance, the card benefits that you’ll use most or get the best value from.
For instance, low rate cards are generally better value if you carry a balance on your card from time to time. If you’re able to pay off your balance in full each month a no annual fee or rewards credit card could be best for you.
If you want to learn more about key features of credit cards and the types of cards that are available, why not check out our range of helpful credit card guides. To see the latest credit card deals you can visit our credit cards hub.
Mozo has been researching and comparing products since 2008, and thousands of Australians use our comparison services each month. Our research team is headed by our Data Services Director and our Product Data Manager who have over 50 years of financial services experience and 23 years in online comparison.
Please get in touch with us to discuss by emailing or phoning our advertising sales team on 02 9037 4368.
