Cheap Credit Cards

Your Guide to Choosing a Cheap Credit Card

For many Australians the priority when selecting a new credit card is finding a deal with the minimum costs, and this obviously makes financial sense, especially if you are happy to use a basic card without too many extra features. When you are comparing credit cards you should look for one with low interest rates or annual fee and no extra charges. The credit card that is cheapest for you is the one that matches how you plan to use your card, whether you clear you balance in full each month or have an ongoing debt, and other factors such as the availability of a balance transfer and any rewards program.

Q: So, how do I know what card is best for me? A: This entirely depends on how you use your credit card and manage your finances, so knowing what type of cardholder you are is important when selecting the cheapest deal.

If you always pay your monthly balance in full and don’t want a rewards scheme or other extras, one with no annual fee could be the best choice. You should also look for a card with an interest free period, giving you the most time to repay the monthly balance. No annual fee credit cards often have a higher interest rate, but if you always clear the monthly bill you can avoid paying both the interest and a yearly charge, keeping your credit card costs very low.

If you are likely to have an ongoing balance on your account, even occasionally, you should look for a credit card with a low purchase rate. Many credit cards offer an introductory low purchase rate, making it cheap to use them for the initial period, but you should check that the rate isn’t too high at the end of the promotion. Low interest rate credit cards sometimes attract a higher annual fee – make sure this isn’t so large that it negates the savings on the interest rate.

If you have a debt attracting interest on an existing credit card that you want to try to clear, a deal with the option for a low rate balance transfer could work out cheapest for you. With a balance transfer you move the debt to a new card from a different bank and pay at a lower rate of interest – often 0% – for an introductory period. The rate increases at the end of the promotion, and other fees and rates may be higher than on other cards, but used wisely balance transfers can be a good way of improving your finances and making it cheaper to own a credit card.

Once you have established what type of cardholder you are it makes it much easier to use the features of our website to study the features, rates, fees and special offers and find the cheapest deal.

Q: What about rewards programs? A: Cheap credit cards tend to be quite basic with few extras, but it is still possible to find reasonably priced credit cards with a rewards scheme if this is an important feature for you. In fact, if you shop often with particular shops or companies and can find a program that fits in with your spending, a rewards scheme could actually save you money in the long run.

You need to be careful though – the cost of the rewards scheme is usually covered by an annual fee and higher interest rate, so you need to ensure any savings you are making are not wiped out by these extra costs.

Another type of reward worth considering is cash back, with which money is paid back into your account when you spend on your credit card. This can be a way to save money on your spending, making it cheaper to use your card, but again you need to watch out that the other fees and rates don’t negate the benefits.

Q: What are the main features I should compare? A: Once you know which type of card you are looking for, it’s time to examine the features of each individual deal to find the cheapest one for you.

Purchase rate: This is the interest rate applied to the balance on your credit card account, so it’s very important when comparing deals, especially if you don’t always clear your monthly balance in full.

Annual fee: The annual charge pays for the maintenance of your credit card and any extras including rewards schemes and insurance policies. The annual fee should not out-weigh the savings you make on the card’s other features such as a low purchase rate. If you always pay your monthly balance in full, however, a card with no annual fee could be the cheapest choice for you.

Introductory offers: Many deals feature a special offer of low rate balance transfer, low purchase rate, or a combination of the two for a promotional period, making it much cheaper to use your credit card. If there is a special offer on the card you are considering applying for, make sure the other features don’t negate the savings you make, and be aware of how the deal changes when the promotion ends.

Q: I’ve found a good card, how do I apply for it? A: Once you have found the card you want, simply click the ‘Application’ button and start the simple and secure online application process. With many banks you should get a preliminary decision almost immediately, and if approved receive your new card in the post a few days later.