Compare credit cards with perks

Some credit cards provide customers with generous perks and benefits as part of their rewards programs. These can include rewards for regular spending, discounts on ongoing fees and rates and complimentary perks, like insurances and concierge services. 

Most credit cards come with perks and extras, but they are typically found with more premium cards like rewards credit cards, frequent flyer credit cards, cashback credit cards and store credit cards. 

You may find credit card perks with the more “no frills” basic cards, however, perks are typically reserved for more premium cards, which typically come with higher ongoing costs and higher income eligibility levels.

It’s important to keep in mind that while these perks are generous, they don’t come for free. Perks are used as incentives to get customers to join with that card provider. Meaning, you will typically pay a little (or a lot) more in ongoing fees and/or interest charges for a credit card with perks.

There are a number of extras that a card provider may offer you. Here is what you can expect when searching for a credit card with perks:

• Keep in mind to check the terms and conditions of a credit card to see what is offered and how it may suit your budget before you apply for anything.

Apart from perks and rewards, your credit card may also offer you generous protections as a means of getting you to sign up.

They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch, and that’s also true of credit cards. Perks, protections and rewards on a credit card can cost you more. However, by doing your own credit card comparison you can work to keep these costs as low as possible.

Credit card perks typically cost cardholders in the form of higher annual fees but may also be reflected in higher than average purchase rates and cash advance rates. Annual fees are generally accepted as a cost that keeps card provider rewards programs, perks and protections running. As a rule of thumb, if you want perks, an annual fee is generally par for the course.

Cardholders looking at these types of credit cards will need to meet the card providers eligibility criteria to be approved, and, depending on the level of rewards or platinum status of the card, typically come with higher income thresholds. Meaning, the type of cardholder getting a card with perks is expected to be able to afford the higher fees and interest rates.

The good news is that these costs can be kept low or even avoided altogether if you’re careful with your card comparison. Using a comparison table, like the one on this page, you can filter and compare credit cards with perks, and then sort the cards by purchase rate. Then you can click on the ‘more details’ button for a breakdown of potential fees. This can help you to shortlist credit cards with perks that will help you to keep costs down. 

If you’re less interested in having a credit card with an extensive rewards program just to get a few perks, there are some alternatives you may want to consider:

• Buy-now-pay-later

If you’re just looking for a means to make purchases and repay them back in instalments, you may want to consider using buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) like Afterpay or ZipPay instead. Much like a credit card, you will be able to make a purchase and pay it offer later, without those pesky interest rates.

• Store Rewards

If the type of perks you’re after are in the form of store rewards, such as cashback or gift cards, you may want to consider a classic rewards card with said store. For example, the Woolworths Everyday Rewards program is easy to join and rewards you with 1 point per dollar spent in Woolworths and partners. You can choose to get $10 off a future shop or convert to 1,000 Qantas Points every time you reach 2,000 Everyday Rewards points.

• Pre-paid money cards

If you’re embarking on an overseas holiday and wanted the ability to store multiple currencies on one card, or lock in a sum at a set currency rate, you may have been considering a credit card that offers these perks. However, there are non-credit card alternatives that do just this, such as pre-paid travel cards. These can be found at your local Australia Post Office, but are also offered by TransferWise, Revoult, Travelex and more.

• Transaction accounts with no overseas fees

Another alternative to using a credit card for those looking to keep overseas costs down is to choose a transaction account that does just this. For example, ING’s Orange Everyday account does not charge any international transaction fees online or overseas. You’ll just need to meet its terms and conditions, much like a credit card but simpler, to be eligible for this perk.