Category Debit & Credit Card Reviews

Most of Australia’s big banks are repricing their rewards credit cards from October 2026 — new annual fees, lower earn rates, worse transfer ratios, and in some cases benefits cut outright. If you’re holding one of the cards below, this is a good moment to check it’s still pulling its weight. Our Card Monkey tool is the fastest way to compare what’s actually on offer right now.

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; and the two Westpac-group flexible-points cards, Westpac Altitude Black and St George Amplify. Check the update box on each review for exactly what’s changing on that card. The HSBC Star Alliance card has been pulled off this list — HSBC is exiting the Australian market and the card is no longer taking new applications.

If lounge access matters more to you than points, there’s also the Bankwest World Mastercard — the card Drew switched to from St George Amplify, with 10 complimentary lounge passes a year, no foreign transaction fee, and a $270 annual fee that pays for itself in visits alone.

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.