Best Travel Credit Cards for Australians: For people living and working in Australia, travelling is in their blood and getting the right travel credit card will reduce many fees, allow one to earn useful rewards and generally improve the travel experience. High overseas transaction fees can be easily avoided. Airport lounges can be easily accessed at little or no cost. Among other things, a good travel credit card can do a lot more.
This guide will show the most effective travel credit cards that one can use to travel more and pay less.
Categories of Travel Cards
Travel credit cards can be classified into one of the following categories. Understanding which type of credit card is suitable for your type of travels will go a long way to help you in making the right choice.
| Card Type | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Frequent Flyer Cards | Earn frequent flyer points (e.g., Qantas, Virgin), redeemable for flights, hotels, or upgrades. |
| No Foreign Transaction Fee Cards | Avoid the typical 3% fee on foreign transactions, saving money on international purchases. |
| Complimentary Travel Insurance Cards | Provides free travel insurance, covering medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost luggage during your travels. |
| Lounge Access and Travel Credit Cards | Free access to airport lounges and travel credits, making your travel more comfortable and cost-effective. |
Best Travel Credit Cards for Australians
Here is a detailed comparison of the top travel credit cards available to Australians, showcasing their key features:
| Card Name | Annual Fee | Interest Rate | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qantas American Express Ultimate | $450 | 23.99% | Qantas Frequent Flyers | Bonus Qantas Points, Lounge Access, Free Flights |
| Qantas Premier Platinum Mastercard | $399 (First year: $349) | 19.99% | Frequent Qantas Flyers | Qantas Points, Complimentary Insurance, Low Foreign Transaction Fees |
| Bankwest Zero Platinum Mastercard | $0 | 18.99% | No Annual Fees and No Foreign Transaction Fees | No Annual Fee, No Foreign Fees, Complimentary Travel Insurance |
| Bendigo Bank Ready Credit Card | $0 | 19.99% | Simple and Easy Usage Abroad | No Annual Fee, Low Fees on Overseas Transactions |
| Wise Personal Card | $10 issuance | Low FX Fees | Frequent Travelers with Multi-Currency Needs | Low Currency Conversion Fees, Access to Over 40 Currencies |
1. Qantas American Express Ultimate Card
Annual Fee: $450
Interest Rate: 23.99%
Qantas American Express Ultimate Card is primarily aimed at those who tend to fly a lot with Qantas. As the card boasts an earn rate of 1.25 Qantas points per dollar spent with additional points earned on purchases made on Qantas, it comes with very rewarding benefits. Moreover, the card has benefits of Qantas Club lounge access, complimentary travel insurance and an annual allowance of $450 Qantas travel credits which justify the annual fee for active travelers.
Pros:
- High points earn rate on Qantas purchases
- Lounge access and travel credits
- Bonus Qantas Points for new cardholders
Cons:
Limited merchant acceptance compared to Visa or Mastercard
High annual fee
2. Qantas Premier Platinum Mastercard
Annual Fee: $399 (reduced to $349 for the first year)
Interest Rate: 19.99%
For those who are members of Qantas Frequent Flyer, the Qantas Premier Platinum MasterCard is value-for-money. In addition to a joining bonus for Qantas points upon the issuance of the card, it also provides a competitive earn rate on everyday purchases. On top of this, even more, Qantas points can be earned through the purchase of other travel-related services. Added to this is complimentary travel insurance for all cardholders and reduced foreign transaction charges, which makes it an excellent card for traveling abroad.
Pros:
- Competitive Qantas Points earn rate
- Free travel insurance
- Lower annual fee in the first year
Cons:
- Annual fee becomes higher after the first year
3. Bankwest Zero Platinum Mastercard
Annual Fee: $0
Interest Rate: 18.99%
For a no annual fee travel credit card, the Bankwest Zero Platinum Mastercard is one of the best cards. Without incentivized travel costs and with no annual fee for the purposes of this financing, this card can be used abroad without incurring any additional costs. Also, it comes with free travel coverage, which is an advantage for those who travel quite often.
Pros:
- No annual fees
- No foreign transaction fees
- Complimentary travel insurance
Cons:
- Fewer premium perks compared to higher-tier cards
4. Bendigo Bank Ready Credit Card
Annual Fee: $0
Interest Rate: 19.99%
The Bendigo Bank Ready Credit Card is an uncomplicated card that can be used by most people to be taken on international travel without a fuss. It does not come with elaborate travel benefits, and does it make up for it by not having an annual fee along with low-interest rates. Therefore, it is suitable for travelers who are on a budget.
Pros:
- No annual fee
- Easy to use abroad
- Reasonable interest rate
Cons:
- Lacks travel perks and rewards points
5. Wise Personal Card
Card Issue Fee: $10
Currency Conversion Fee: Starts at 0.42%
The Wise Personal Card is perfect for individuals who travel a lot and require access to different currencies. The card provides the capability to store and exchange funds in more than 40 currencies, as well as provides less expensive currency exchange charges than normal commercial banks. It does not however provide traditional incentives such as points earned or miles traveled. The cutbacks in currency exchange expenses can however be enjoyed quite a lot by frequent fliers.
Pros:
- Low currency conversion fees
- Multi-currency account access
- Ideal for long-term overseas stays
Cons:
Limited travel perks compared to credit cards
Key Features to Consider When Choosing a Travel Credit Card
When picking the right travel credit card, consider these key features:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Annual Fees | High-end travel cards often come with higher annual fees but may include lounge access and other perks to offset the cost. |
| Interest Rates | Travel cards typically have higher interest rates, so paying off your balance monthly is crucial to avoid large interest charges. |
| Foreign Transaction Fees | Many travel cards charge 2-3% per transaction made abroad, but some waive this fee entirely. |
| Rewards Program | Cards offering frequent flyer points or flexible rewards points can help you earn free flights, hotel stays, or travel upgrades. |
| Additional Travel Perks | Lounge access, free flights, travel credits, and complimentary travel insurance are valuable perks to consider when choosing a card. |
Practical Advice on How to Use Travel Credit Cards More Effectively
Earning the maximum value from a travel credit card is not only about choosing the best one. Here are some tips for the effective use of a travel credit card:
1. Pay Off Your Balance in Full
Travel cards tend to have more expensive rates of interest which therefore necessitates that you clear your balance in full every month to avoid incurring any interest charges. Doing so allows one to reap the benefits and advantages of the card without the fear of incurring exorbitant interest rates.
2. Maximize Your Perks
Use all the travel-related benefits on the credit card without fail. For example, if the credit card provides you with the option to relax in a lounge, you should do that every time you travel. In the same way, apply any travel credits for airline tickets or hotels to lower the annual fees charged by the credit card.
3. Avoid Foreign Transaction Fees
Foreign transaction fees can add up quickly when traveling abroad. If your card has no foreign transaction fees, make it your primary payment method when traveling internationally to save on these costs.
4. Know the Acceptance Network
Before going to another country, make sure that your cardiocan be used in almost all stores and shops. Vilsa and Master card can be used in most parts of the globe while American Express may not be accepted in certain nations.
Final thoughts
This will depend on your travel patterns as well as what your monetary goals are. Whether it is for accumulating overseas credits through frequent flyer programs, a card that does not charge for any foreign transactions, or a free insurance against travel risks, there is a card for it.
However, one should also think about other aspects like the annual membership fee, fees on transactions made in foreign currencies and other travel benefits associated with it. This way, you are able to make the most of the points you earn, the benefits you get and the cost of traveling becomes easier and more fun.
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