Category Debit & Credit Card Reviews

Credit and debit cards are one of the fastest ways to earn points and avoid fees when you travel from Australia. Here we review the cards we actually use and hold — what each one’s good at, where it stings, and which traveller it suits. We don’t chase sign-up bonuses as headlines (they change monthly); we focus on the durable stuff: earn rates, fees you can and can’t avoid, lounge access, insurance, and where your points can really go.

When we review a card, these are the things we actually weigh up — and we’ve built tools and guides for each:

• Foreign transaction fees — the 3% most cards quietly add overseas. Our FX Rip-off Calculator shows what it really costs you.
• Lounge access — which cards actually get you in, and how to register. See our guide to credit card lounge access in Australia.
• Travel insurance — complimentary cover sounds great until you read the activation traps. Our credit card travel insurance guide covers which cards pay out.
• Points programs — where your points can really go (Qantas, Velocity, KrisFlyer and more), and how to keep track of them with our Points Consolidator.

On the credit card side, our premium cluster covers the cards Australians cross-shop: the ANZ Frequent Flyer Black and Qantas American Express Ultimate for direct Qantas earners; the NAB Rewards Signature (no foreign transaction fee and a waivable fee); the CommBank Ultimate Awards; the two Westpac-group flexible-points cards, Westpac Altitude Black and St George Amplify; and the HSBC Star Alliance for Star Alliance flyers.

We also review debit cards — an underrated way to spend your own money overseas without the fees. For totally fee-free, look at the uBank Debit Card; for more features there’s the CommBank World Debit Mastercard and the NAB Platinum Visa Debit Card. The right debit card lets you access your funds overseas without the usual ATM fees and the 3% foreign transaction charge most cards quietly add.

Millions of Australians travel overseas every year — and choosing the right card for your holiday spend can save you hundreds in fees and earn points worth far more. Start with how you actually travel, then pick the card that fits.