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Are the cheapest credit cards right for you?

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RateCity
- 3 min read
Are the cheapest credit cards right for you?

Is the cheapest credit card in Australia the best for you? As it turns out, it may not be. Credit cards offer many features, some you will benefit from and others you won’t. There is one rule to finding the right credit card for you – know your individual spending habits.

If you are on a mission to sniff out the cheapest credit cards in Australia, the first thing to consider is how you are likely to use your credit card. There isn’t one card that suits everyone so to find the cheapest card for you ask yourself these three important questions about your spending habits:

Do you pay off your card in full?

If you always pay off your card in full each month, one of the cheapest credit card for you may be one with no annual fee and 55 days interest free. These cards typically have a higher interest rate, however, so it’s important to pay your bill on time.

Do you need time to repay your balance?

If you cannot pay off your credit card balance each month, it’s best to search for a credit card with a low interest rate otherwise you will end up paying a lot more in interest. So, even with an annual fee around $80, a low interest rate card will most likely save you more money versus a no annual fee card with a higher interest rate. This is an example of where a card that appears more expensive will end up being cheaper in the long run.

Do you spend big on your credit card?

If you repay your card in full and use it excessively, a rewards credit card may be the cheapest card for you. If you are considering a rewards credit card, calculate how much you are likely to spend in a year, check how many points you will receive and how you can claim those points. This way you can compare different rewards cards to find the best deal, and if the rewards beat the higher cost of the card, then this could be the card for you. And remember to choose the card with the best rewards for your lifestyle.

Low interest rates, no annual fees or rewards, each has its own perks it’s just a matter of finding which ones really matter to you and will save you more money in the long run.

To start the search for your best credit card use the RateCity low rate credit card comparison tool.

Disclaimer

This article is over two years old, last updated on February 26, 2012. While RateCity makes best efforts to update every important article regularly, the information in this piece may not be as relevant as it once was. Alternatively, please consider checking recent credit cards articles.

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Product database updated 19 Mar, 2024

Promoted credit cards

Kogan Australia Pty Ltd (Kogan Money) credit cardKogan Australia Pty Ltd (Kogan Money)

Kogan Money Black Card

  • Apple & Google Pay

  • Balance transfer

  • No annual fee

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RateCity Exclusive
Earn 2 rewards points per dollar on your eligible spend at Kogan.com (1000 Points = $10 of Credit)

Purchase rate p.a.

0.00%

for up to 9 months, then 20.99%

Annual fee

$0

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Australian Credit Licence 286655

Product info
ING credit cardING

ING Orange One Low Rate

  • Apple & Google Pay

  • No annual fee

Purchase rate p.a.

11.99%

Annual fee

$0

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Australian Credit Licence 229823

Product info
ANZ Banking Group Limited credit cardANZ Banking Group Limited

ANZ Low Rate (Credit Back Offer)

  • Apple, Google & Samsung Pay

  • Balance transfer

  • Low annual fee

Special
Get $250 back to your new card when you spend $1,500 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months from approval.

Purchase rate p.a.

13.74%

Annual fee

$58

More detailsclick for more details

Australian Credit Licence 234527

Product info
Latitude Financial Services Aus Holding Pty Ltd credit cardLatitude Financial Services Aus Holding Pty Ltd

Latitude Financial Services Latitude 28º Global Platinum Mastercard

  • Apple, Google & Samsung Pay

  • No annual fee

Special
Save with 0% international transaction fees on purchases. Plus, complimentary Flight Delay Pass and global data roaming.

Purchase rate p.a.

27.49%

Annual fee

$0

More detailsclick for more details

Australian Credit Licence 392145

Product info
product data updated on

Product data updated on 19 Mar 2024