The Bankwest Lite Gold MasterCard is yet another one of Bankwest’s credit cards showing great potential in The Credit Card Guide’s credit card categories rankings.

At $89, this card’s annual fee is $30 higher than that of its standard counterpart; however this is ridiculously cheap for a gold card, and the extra cash pays for the additional ‘built in’ services you receive as a Gold cardholder.

These include up to 12 months extended warranty (on top of the manufacturer’s warranty)and purchase protection on purchases made with your Gold credit card. You’ll also be entitled to worldwide travel and accident insurance which is a great benefit for all you travel bugs out there. For a limited time, Bankwest is also offering just 1.99% for the first 12 months on all balance transfers.

As a Gold card, MasterCard Moments also applies to this credit card so you’ll have exclusive access to more luxurious benefits than most, including learning to fly a helicopter, beachfront-living getaways and international exploration holidays.

A noticeable difference in this gold card (compared to other gold credit cards) is that there is no rewards program. At Bankwest this is reserved for the More MasterCards. So if you are looking for rewards points and are willing to sacrifice the low interest rate then the More MasterCards would be more in line with your needs.

This is a credit card with a very low balance transfer (it came very close to being in the top 3 for the low balance transfer category) and interest rate on purchases, and seems as if it was created with the traveler in mind.

However if all you’re looking for is a low ongoing interest rate (no matter how big or small your balance is) then the Bankwest Lite Gold credit card is a good credit card option for you.

See our top picks in the Editor’s Choice category

FEATURES SUMMARY

• Annual fee: $59
• Purchase rate: 9.99% p.a.
• Cash Advance rate: 20.99% p.a.
• Balance Transfer rate: 1.99%p.a. first 12 months (20.99% p.a.)
• Interest-free days: Up to 55

• Extras:
  • Apply online
  • Phone/Internet banking
  • 3 free additional cardholders

According to Bankwest, their Lite MasterCard is the ‘lowest stress credit card’, and we’re inclined to believe them when they offer customers the very low interest rate of just 9.99% p.a.*

The only other cards to have a lower interest rate are ones with introductory offers that finish with a much higher rate after only a few months. Meanwhile, the Bankwest Lite MasterCard interest rate is ongoing.

The cash advance rate on this low rate credit card is significantly higher than the purchase rate, at 20.49% p.a.*, but is within the standard cash advance range so it’s not much of a downside.

In terms of balance transfers this card shines again with a super low rate of 1.99% p.a.that expires after a massive 12 months*, which is much longer than most balance transfer cards across the board.

With a $59 annual fee this is a reasonably priced credit card that also offers up to 55 days interest free on purchases*. Like the Aussie MasterCard, the features on Bankwest’s Lite MasterCard make it very appealing.

If you look at the card over all, it’s fair to say that if it’s used wisely, this credit card could be very valuable. Its ability to cater so well to such a wide range of financial needs has enabled to take out a top 3 placing in the Editors Choice category, and therefore comes very highly recommended.

See all our top picks in the Editor’s Choice Category

Like its siblings, the Bankwest More Gold MasterCard is a bit of a wild goose chase when it comes to getting down to the nitty gritty and finding all the right information. With interest rates usually being the first thing that people look for when assessing a credit card, it was strange to see that these weren’t included on the credit card’s information page.

But seeing as we’ve got the information, how about we share it with you?

A number of the core features on the More Gold MasterCard are exactly the same as the standard More MasterCard. There’s the interest free period which is up to 55 days, the interest rates (18.24% p.a. on purchases and balance transfers, 20.99% p.a. for cash advances) and also the points earning rate of 1.5 points per dollar spent on the More Gold MasterCard.

But that’s where the similarities end and the advantages of having the Gold card over the standard More MasterCard shine through. For only $31 more in annual fees, the BankWest More Gold MasterCard has everything that the standard More MasterCard was missing. For starters, you get 10,000 bonus points from Bankwest when you activate your credit card and the maximum points you can earn is capped at 200,000 (as opposed to 150,00 on the standard credit card).

You’ll also get purchase protection which will cover you if items that you have bought on your credit card are lost, stolen or damaged within three months from the purchase date. Extended warranty on these goods means you’re also covered for an extended warranty period that matches that of the manufacturer’s warranty.

Transit accident insurance is also included, along with the big kahuna of credit card benefits….travel insurance, which is available for trips up to 3 months in length. As an added benefit, you’ll also get great discounts and offers from MasterCard Moments, purely for having a Gold MasterCard.

Overall, the Bankwest More Gold MasterCard is evidence of yet another Gold credit card that is by far better than the standard option, and possibly better value than the Platinum option. The interest rates are fairly run of the mill for a Gold credit card, but the rewards program in combination with the interest free days, travel and insurance benefits make it a worthwhile rewards credit card to consider.

See our top credit card picks in the Editor’s Choice category