St.George Gold Low Rate Card

• Variable purchase rate applies after the first 9 months, currently 15.99% p.a.
• Variable cash advance rate 20.24% p.a.
• A Gold credit card with gold benefits at a low annual fee, currently $79
• Up to 55 days interest free on purchases when you pay the closing balance of your statement, including the balance transfer amount, in full by the due date
• A range of complimentary insurance covers
• Choose between a Gold Low Rate Visa Card and a Gold Low Rate MasterCard®.
• Read the terms and conditions

• Lower than average annual fee’s and ongoing purchase rate.
• Good insurances to cover travel and purchasing.
• No rewards program.
• No bonus for applying.

How does the St.George Gold Low Rate Card compare for rates and fees against an average credit card? Based on the data from our website this credit card comparison scorecard shows:

		Purchase Rate	Cash Adv Rate	Annual Fee	Bal. Transfer Rate	Bal. Transfer Rate Period
	St.George Gold Low Rate Card	15.99%	20.24%	$79	-%	- months
	The Average Credit Card	17.17%	21.04%	$95	3.04%	7 months

The St.George Gold low rate credit card is ideal for customers interested in a low introductory purchase rate along with a long list of high level features. No matter if you need a card for everyday purchases or one to turn to when money gets tight, the St.George Gold Low Rate card is a great choice. With low rates, low fees, and a range of complimentary extras, you are able to put this credit card to good use on a regular basis.

Pros

There is nothing about the St.George Gold Low Rate credit card that is difficult to understand. To start, you can choose between a Gold Low Rate MasterCard and a Gold Low Rate Visa. With both offering the same benefits, do not let this decision hold you back – you can’t go wrong with either one as both are accepted practically anywhere in the world.

The primary benefit of the St.George Gold Low Rate credit card is the low purchase rate of – for the first -. For the first -, you never have to worry about getting charged a high rate of interest. This makes this one of the best cards on the market for purchases. If you plan on booking your holiday or buying something expensive, this card can save you money.

Along with the purchase rate, you will also get a competitive – for the first – on all balance transfers that are requested when completing your application. If you currently have credit card debt on a high interest card, transferring it to the St.George Gold can save you a lot of money. There are cheaper balance transfer deals and longer lasting promotional periods, but – for – is still competitive.

In today’s day and age, most credit cards have an annual fee. The St.George Gold Low Rate credit card is no exception. While many consumers see this is a negative, a low annual fee of $79 p.a. is quite reasonable. When compared to other cards, some of which have an annual fee of almost $200, it is easy to see that you are saving a lot of money.

You will an interest free period (Up to 55 days) on purchases when you pay the full balance of your statement before the due date. This goes a long way in helping you avoid interest charges, and if you manage your account well and pay off your balance on time, you’ll not pay any interest at all.

Do not overlook the benefits of a full range of complimentary insurance coverage. With this feature, you will receive insurance protection on both travel and purchases including: extended warranty insurance, international travel insurance, purchase protection insurance, and transport accident insurance. It is this range of insurance that accounts for a large part of the annual fee. While additional insurance is useful, we recommend that you carefully examine exactly what cover is provided and under what circumstances. As with any other card offering travel insurance, any cover is only active when you travel on a ticket purchased using the card.

Cons

Although the St.George Gold Low Rate credit card comes with many benefits, there are a couple of drawbacks to be aware of. With a basic card like this, there is no rewards program. If you are hoping to earn points for each dollar you spend, this is not the credit card for you.

Additionally, there is no bonus involved with accepting an offer to use this credit card. With some cards, you may receive free bonus points upon approval and the opening of your account. But with no rewards program, this is not the case with this card. If you do spend a lot on your card per month, then a rewards or cash back program is definitely something you’ll want to consider.

Although the purchase and balance transfer rate are low to start, the 20.24% p.a. cash advance rate is on the high side. This card is not ideal for customers interested in accessing cheap cash on credit, but then most Australian credit cards aren’t.

Complimentary travel insurance is a definite benefit of the St.George Gold Low Rate card. However, this may not be as good an option as a standalone travel insurance policy from a company specialising in cover for domestic or international travel. If you are going to rely fully on the complimentary coverage, make sure you are familiar with the terms and conditions.

Conclusion

With a minimum age of 18 and a low minimum income required, many people are eligible for the St.George Gold Low Rate credit card. All of the features of this card are straight forward and simple to understand. If you are interested in a no-frills credit card that offers plenty of benefits, including a low rate on purchases and balance transfers, this is a solid option.