Compare Visa credit cards

Visa’s catch cry is “everywhere you want to be” and when it comes to credit cards, it certainly delivers. As well as offering all the traditional features, Visa has embraced new technology to help you make purchases quickly and easily, whether in person or online.

Visa is one of three main credit cards issuers in the world, and in Australia they’ve partnered up with a large number of banks and credit unions.

There are three key things you need to look at when deciding on a credit card:

• Fees
• Interest rates
• Rewards

These key points vary significantly between the different types of Visa credit cards currently available. It’s important to note that banks and credit unions actually issue the cards, not Visa, and so the features and fees depend heavily on the financial institution.

There are ‘standard’ Visa credit cards, which offer zero or low fees, as well as a few perks. Then there are ‘gold’ Visa credit cards, which suit moderate to high spenders as they offer good dollar-for-dollar rewards and features. Then there are ‘platinum’ Visa credit cards, which are popular with big spenders as they offer premium perks and rewards but often require a significant minimum spend.

Just like Mastercard and American Express, there is an enormous list of rewards and perks including free travel, frequent flyer points, cashback and shopping. However, Visa does offer some exclusive services.

One special feature of Visa credit cards is users can pre-purchase tickets to concerts and gigs before they go on sale to the public.

Visa has also come up some clever new technology that’s made using your credit card even easier.

These include:

• Visa payWave – This allows you to pay for purchases by tapping your credit card or smartphone or Visa-branded wearable, including newly designed Visa-branded sunglasses
• Visa Checkout – Visa offers an in-app payment service that reduces the number of steps it takes to make a payment online when you’re using your smartphone or tablet
• Visa Direct– This is a platform that lets you simply transfer funds from your bank account or payment card to another personal or business account using a smartphone, tablet or the internet

Like any credit card, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old, and prove you have employment or a reliable income.

Banks and credit unions usually require the following documents;

• A copy of your driver’s licence
• A copy of your passport or Medicare card
• Proof of income in the form of recent payslips, or an ATO tax statement or a letter of employment
• Employer or accountant contact details

Wait times vary between providers, but usually if your application is successful, your Visa credit card would arrive within five to 10 days.