As a mid range credit card, the Citibank Clear credit card offers up to 55 days interest free and a low interest rate on purchases, however this low rate is let down by the cash advance rate.

What is most bizarre though, is that the purchase interest rate is higher than that of the Citibank Clear Platinum card….a premium card with a lower interest rate that the basic card? Weird.

But back to the task at hand…

The cash advance rate on this credit card is also the default rate for balance transfers. So while the initial rate is great and all payments go towards paying off balance transfers first, the rate is only for 6 months. If you’re not vigilant with payments while the rate is in effect then the 6 months will most likely come and go before you know it.

The rewards program on this card is a definite advantage if you happen to do a lot of traveling. As Citibank is worldwide company, there are over 40,000 restaurants, shops, hotels and other services around the world in which you can get discounts and other benefits from.

All of this comes with an annual fee. Worth it? Maybe. But if you are willing to pay just a little bit more in annual fees then it could be worthwhile looking at the Citibank Clear Platinum card.

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 55

• Extras:
  • 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.

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 on purchases* and on balance transfers*. The one downfall that can be seen on this card is its cash advance and default balance transfer rate. 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

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.

This card’s annual fee is 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.

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