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How to choose a credit card
For most people, a low-fee credit card causes the fewest regrets over time. It keeps costs predictable and works well for people who usually pay their balance in full – which is how credit cards are designed to be used.
Rewards and premium cards can look appealing, but they usually only make sense if you spend heavily (typically around $3,000 – $5,000 per month), actively keep on top of rules and thresholds, and pay your balance in full every month. For many people, they add complexity without adding much real value.
For that reason, our default recommendation for most people is to start with a low-fee card. This suits people who don’t have existing debt to transfer, who expect to pay their balance in full most months, and who mainly want access to simple, low-cost credit if they ever need it.
Based on that approach, here are the three low-fee options that best fit most people right now:
Rewards and premium cards can look appealing, but they usually only make sense if you spend heavily (typically around $3,000 – $5,000 per month), actively keep on top of rules and thresholds, and pay your balance in full every month. For many people, they add complexity without adding much real value.
For that reason, our default recommendation for most people is to start with a low-fee card. This suits people who don’t have existing debt to transfer, who expect to pay their balance in full most months, and who mainly want access to simple, low-cost credit if they ever need it.
Based on that approach, here are the three low-fee options that best fit most people right now:
These are low-cost cards designed for people who usually pay in full and want a simple, no-fee option to hold long-term.
Our picks:
Best choice if you also have credit card debt
Best choice if you sometimes forget to pay your balance
Best choice if you regularly buy things internationally
Bankwest Zero Mastercard
$0 annual fee | 0% p.a. for 6 months on Balance Transfers
Why we like it:
A truly fee-free card that keeps costs low and offers a short interest-free period on transferred balances, making it a straightforward choice for everyday use.
Key facts:
Annual fee: $0 ongoing
Interest rate: ~18.99% p.a. on everyday spending after intro period
Balance transfer offer: 0% p.a. for 6 months (transfer fee usually applies)
Interest-free days: Up to ~55 days if paid in full
Who it’s best for:
People who want a no-cost card to hold long-term and keep expenses predictable, while having a short balance-transfer option if needed.
View card details
$0 annual fee | 0% p.a. for 6 months on Balance Transfers
Why we like it:
A truly fee-free card that keeps costs low and offers a short interest-free period on transferred balances, making it a straightforward choice for everyday use.
Key facts:
Annual fee: $0 ongoing
Interest rate: ~18.99% p.a. on everyday spending after intro period
Balance transfer offer: 0% p.a. for 6 months (transfer fee usually applies)
Interest-free days: Up to ~55 days if paid in full
Who it’s best for:
People who want a no-cost card to hold long-term and keep expenses predictable, while having a short balance-transfer option if needed.
View card details
Coastline Bank Visa
$0 annual fee | No long-term balance transfer offer
Why we like it:
A simple, no-fee card with a lower everyday interest rate than many basic options, so it’s less costly if you ever carry a balance by accident.
Key facts
Annual fee: $0 ongoing
Interest rate: ~9.99% p.a. on everyday spending
Balance transfer offer: Generally none or standard rates apply
Interest-free days: Up to ~55 days if paid in full
Who it’s best for:
People who want a truly low-cost card to hold as a backup and prefer a gentler interest rate cushion if they ever slip up.
View card details
$0 annual fee | No long-term balance transfer offer
Why we like it:
A simple, no-fee card with a lower everyday interest rate than many basic options, so it’s less costly if you ever carry a balance by accident.
Key facts
Annual fee: $0 ongoing
Interest rate: ~9.99% p.a. on everyday spending
Balance transfer offer: Generally none or standard rates apply
Interest-free days: Up to ~55 days if paid in full
Who it’s best for:
People who want a truly low-cost card to hold as a backup and prefer a gentler interest rate cushion if they ever slip up.
View card details
Bendigo Bank Ready Credit Card
$0 annual fee | Designed for everyday use rather than balance transfers
Why we like it:
A true $0 annual fee card with no foreign transaction fees, making it especially useful if you shop overseas or online internationally.
Key facts
Annual fee: $0 ongoing
Interest rate: Standard purchase rate applies (check current docs)
International transaction fee: $0 (rare for a no-fee card)
Interest-free days: Standard period when paid in full
Who it’s best for:
People who want a zero-fee card they can use for everyday and overseas purchases without extra FX costs – handy for travel or international online shopping.
View card details
$0 annual fee | Designed for everyday use rather than balance transfers
Why we like it:
A true $0 annual fee card with no foreign transaction fees, making it especially useful if you shop overseas or online internationally.
Key facts
Annual fee: $0 ongoing
Interest rate: Standard purchase rate applies (check current docs)
International transaction fee: $0 (rare for a no-fee card)
Interest-free days: Standard period when paid in full
Who it’s best for:
People who want a zero-fee card they can use for everyday and overseas purchases without extra FX costs – handy for travel or international online shopping.
View card details
Our verdict:
All three cards work well as low-cost default cards, but each suits a slightly different priority. The Bankwest Zero Mastercard is the most flexible all-round option, with no annual fee and a short interest-free balance-transfer period designed to help you repay an existing balance over six months. The Coastline Bank Visa is the most conservative choice, pairing a $0 annual fee with a notably lower everyday interest rate, which makes it more forgiving if a balance is ever carried. The Bendigo Bank Ready Credit Card stands out for people who spend overseas or shop internationally, thanks to its rare $0 foreign transaction fee. In practice, the right choice comes down to what you value most: flexibility, the lowest possible interest cushion, or cheaper overseas spending – all without paying anything just to hold the card.
Editorial note:
These default cards are reviewed quarterly and only changed when something material improves or worsens. We prioritise long-term suitability over short-term promotions.
All three cards work well as low-cost default cards, but each suits a slightly different priority. The Bankwest Zero Mastercard is the most flexible all-round option, with no annual fee and a short interest-free balance-transfer period designed to help you repay an existing balance over six months. The Coastline Bank Visa is the most conservative choice, pairing a $0 annual fee with a notably lower everyday interest rate, which makes it more forgiving if a balance is ever carried. The Bendigo Bank Ready Credit Card stands out for people who spend overseas or shop internationally, thanks to its rare $0 foreign transaction fee. In practice, the right choice comes down to what you value most: flexibility, the lowest possible interest cushion, or cheaper overseas spending – all without paying anything just to hold the card.
Editorial note:
These default cards are reviewed quarterly and only changed when something material improves or worsens. We prioritise long-term suitability over short-term promotions.
If that doesn’t sound like you, start here instead:
