FEATURES SUMMARY

• Annual fee: $49
• Purchase rate: 2.99% first 6 months* (12.29%)
• Cash Advance rate: 18.79% p.a.
• Balance Transfer rate: 12.29
• Interest-free days: Up to 55

• Extras:
  • Apply online
  • Fraud protection
  • MasterCard Applause service

The Aussie MasterCard is one of only two non-bank credit cards that made the cut on The Credit Card Guide, and it more than holds its own among the big wigs.

This no-frills card has a solid investment in keeping things on the down low for its customers, with an interest rate of just 2.99% p.a.* on purchases for the first 6 months, after which it creeps up to just 12.29% p.a*.

Balance transfers sit at an average rate of 12.29% p.a., however, it does have up to 55 days interest free* and a mid-range annual fee of $49.

This combination of features has allowed this card to take the top spot in The Credit Card Guide’s picks for the Editors Choice – Interest Free credit cards category as well as #2 in the Low Interest category. Unsurprisingly, it also takes out the prestigious title of 1st place overall in the Editor’s Choice’s category.

The only downside that we found with this interest free credit card was that if you happened to lose your card, getting a replacement will set you back a whopping $50. However, if your card gets stolen and you report it to the police, Aussie will give you $200 just to tide you over. Now isn’t that nice?

With not much else to fault it with, the Aussie MasterCard offers great deals in pretty much all relevant areas, proving that you don’t have to be a bank to be a trusted and reliable credit card provider.

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

* If you apply before January 31st.

FEATURES SUMMARY

• Annual fee: $55
• Purchase rate: 11.99% p.a.
• Cash Advance rate: 20.74% p.a.
• Balance Transfer rate: 2.99% p.a.first 6 months (11.99% p.a.)
• Interest-free days: Up to 55

• Extras:
  • Apply online
  • Fraud Protection
  • Phone/internet banking
  • St George Instant Benefits

The St George Vertigo MasterCard is one of The Credit Card Guide’s most highly recommended credit cards as it takes out top 3 spots in five different categories, including 2nd place in the Editor’s Choice category – Overall.

Another card with a low 11.99% p.a.* on purchases, the St George Vertigo MasterCard is cracking the whip on some of the other big name banks. It does however have a cash advance rate of 20.74% p.a.*, but that can be avoided if it’s a real issue.

It comes with up to 55 days interest free* on purchases and a balance transfer rate of just 2.99%* p.a. for the first 6 months (after which it increases to 11.99% p.a.*). The annual fee of $55 is fairly average for this kind of card so is not really a deciding factor.

While this low interest credit card would be beneficial for pretty much everyone, it would be most beneficial for those in NSW and South Australia as there are more branches and ATM’s (including Bank SA’s which are owned by St George), so you’d be less likely to be stuck using another bank’s ATM.

This card also has a bucket load of rewards benefits available for cardholders thanks to the St George Instant Benefits program. Unlike other banks’ rewards programs, you don’t have to accumulate points in order to reap the benefits of using your card. Instead you are rewarded instantly with instant discounts and other benefits from a huge range of retail, lifestyle, entertainment and travel partners.

For a limited time, new St.George Vertigo MasterCard applications come with a low purchase rate of 2.99% p.a. on purchases for the first 6 months (from when the account is opened).After the 6 month promotional period is over, the purchase rate reverts back to the 11.99% p.a. variable rate. The current cash advance rate is 20.74% p.a. variable. The balance transfer rate remains at 2.99% p.a. for the first 6 months.

After the 6 month promotional period is over, the purchase rate reverts back to the 11.99% p.a. variable rate. The current cash advance rate is 20.74% p.a. variable

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

FEATURES SUMMARY

• Annual fee: $99
• Purchase rate: 11.49% p.a.
• Cash Advance rate: 20.99% p.a.
• Balance Transfer rate: 0.99% p.a. first 6 months (20.99% p.a.)
• Interest-free days: Up to 55

• Extras:
  • Apply online
  • Fraudshield
  • Extended warranty
  • Purchase protection
  • Phone/Internet banking
  • International Travel Insurance

The Citibank Clear Platinum credit card is one of a number of premium credit cards available from Citibank, but when you compare it to most others on the market it doesn’t really seem like a platinum card at all.

This odd choice of name from Citibank has potential to confuse customers. Platinum credit cards tend to be more costly than the Citibank Clear Platinum card, which means those in the market for a cheap credit card may overlook it without realizing just how affordable it is.

Citibank is one of only two banks in Australia that offer a platinum credit card at less than $100 a year! Most of these premium cards cost anywhere between $100 and $300. This credit card usually has an annual fee of $99, however if you apply before March 31st 2010, so you can receive a discount of more than 50% off your annual fee for the first year, bringing the annual fee down to just $49! Bargain!

Despite the confusion, it is in fact a really good credit card. It takes out the #1 spot for platinum credit cards, #2 for cash back credit cards and #3 for interest free credit cards in the Editor’s Choice category.

The standard interest rate is low at just 11.49% p.a.* on purchases* and 0.99% p.a. for the first 6 months on balance transfers*. The one downfall that can be seen on this card is its cash advance and default balance transfer rate – 20.99% p.a.* At that rate you’d only want to use cash advances in a real emergency.

Other benefits of this credit card also include international travel insurance, purchase protection and extended warranties on all products purchased with the credit card. And who could forget the rewards. With over 40,000 rewards partners in over 30 countries around the world, your rewards will follow you anywhere you go.

The main requirement that Citibank has for this card is that you must earn $50,000 or more per year. With up to 55 days interest free*, it is an impressively cheap credit card (when you avoid getting out cash) with great travel and reward benefits that you are unlikely to get anywhere else at such an affordable rate.

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