The main feature of this card is quite obviously the fact that it has up to 55 days interest free.

These interest free days only apply if you pay your monthly balance in full. If not you will be charged full interest on your purchases, calculated from the day of purchase.

It’s quite strange that Westpac would bring out a card especially created for this feature, as the majority of credit cards out there offer interest free days in conjunction with lower ongoing purchase and balance transfer rates.

The introductory interest rate on purchases is very low p.a., however this will only last for the first 5 months. After this time the purchase rate jumps p.a. There are no outstanding extra features that you can’t find on other cards, which makes this purchase interest rate seem unnecessarily high. However, it can be avoided by using up to 55 interest free days to your advantage.

The same goes for balance transfers – p.a. for the first 6 months, it will be cheap for a short period of time, but it will increase to almost 20%. So if you’re looking to transfer a credit card balance then this is not the best credit card choice.

The one good thing that can be said about this interest free period credit card is that it has a low annual fee.

So if you need to make a few large credit card purchases and your current credit card doesn’t have interest free days, or you’re just looking for a credit card to make the odd purchase on that charges a low annual fee then the Westpac 55 Day credit card is possible option for you.

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

Bank of Queensland’s range of credit cards are not exactly front runners in the credit card race, but to put it bluntly, the Blue Visa is probably the best of the lot.

With a low annual fee matched with (up to) 55 days interest free, the Bank of Queensland Blue Visa is relatively cheap when compared to other rewards credit cards.

Interest is charged  for purchases and  for cash advances. Balance transfers however, are charged the same interest for the life of the transfer. But get in quick because this balance transfer rate is only available for a limited time.

Understandably, it’s a great feature for anyone who is being charged high interest rates on their credit card bill or has managed to rack up a bill that they just can’t seem to get back under wraps.

When purchasing using your Blue Visa you’ll earn 1.5 Q Rewards points for every dollar you spend – average earn rate but typical of a standard credit card.

With the details of the rewards program being unclear at this point it’s hard to say how much you would need to spend to get a reward, but we can tell you what the rewards are.

If you’re a bit of a movie buff then you can redeem your points for Village Cinemas and Hoyts vouchers, or if shopping is more your thing then you can get vouchers for shops like David Jones and Myer. Cash back on Virgin Blue, Qantas, and JetStar flights bought with your Blue Visa is also available through the Take Flight program.

You’ll also get up to $50,000 purchase cover in case of damage, loss or theft of purchases made with your Blue Visa credit card. So who would this card be good for?

Well if you’ve got your heart set on a Bank of Queensland credit card then this one would be ok if you like to use your card for everyday expenses and are vigilant at paying your monthly bill (so as not to accumulate interest, and take advantage of the interest free days).

But to be honest, the one feature that makes this card better than any other and that is the balance transfer rate. So it would most definitely be a good option for those with a large credit card debt who are looking to pay it off at a low rate over a long period of time, while only using the card for emergency purchases. But remember, this balance transfer rate is available for a limited time so you’ve got to get in quick!

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

FEATURES SUMMARY

• Annual fee: Low annual fee
• Purchase rate: Low p.a. purchase rate
• Cash Advance rate: Low p.a. cash advance rate
• Balance Transfer rate: Low p.a. balance transfer rate
• Interest-free days: Up to 44

• Extras:
  • Phone/Internet banking
  • Free additional cardholders

As the name suggests, Bendigo’s Basic Black credit card keeps it simple, with its standout feature being that it offers a really great interest rate of just 11.24% p.a.

Sure, there are other cards that have lower rates than this, but like all Bendigo credit cards, the Basic Black credit card has the same ongoing low interest rate. right across the board.

So that’s all you’ll ever pay in interest for cash advances, purchases and even balance transfers. Seems pretty unbelievable, but it’s true. This in conjunction with its other features gives it the title of the top pick for the Editor’s Choice – Low Interest Credit Card.

This annual interest rate is at the expense of other features, but the good thing is that Bendigo is in no way trying to hide that fact. In fact that’s how they are advertising it. It’s called the ‘Bendigo Basic Black’ card for a reason – no extra features that you don’t need, just the basics.

With up to 44 days interest free, it is a little bit lower than most, however it is more than enough when you take into account the fact that unlike other banks, Bendigo only starts charging interest when you are issued with your statement.

The only other feature that needs mentioning is the annual fee which, while it hasn’t quite made it into the low annual fee category, it is borderline. And with all the money you’ll save with the great interest rate and interest free days on this card.

So if you’re not looking for any kind of rewards or benefits, this card covers all other bases. Bendigo has taken the time old saying that ‘less is more’ and has proven it without a doubt.

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