Credit cards with purchase protection

When you’ve bought something using your card it will be protected against loss, theft or accidental damage.

By   |   Verified by David Boyd   |   Updated 21st September 2022

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Comparing credit cards with purchase protection

HSBC Platinum Credit Card Balance Transfer Offer

HSBC Platinum Credit Card Balance Transfer Offer

Balance transfer

36 months at 0% p.a.

Purchase rate

19.99% p.a. ongoing

Annual fee

$29.00 for 1st year

Highlights

  • Enjoy 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 36 months with no balance transfer fee (Terms and Conditions apply).
  • Save with the reduced $29 p.a. annual fee for the first year ( $129 p.a. thereafter).
  • Earn 2 points per $1 spent on overseas eligible purchases; or 1 point per $1 spent for all other eligible purchases.
  • Redeem points for e-Gift cards from Uber Eats, Woolworths, Bunnings and more.

Pros

  • 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 36 months.
  • $29 p.a. annual fee for the first year.
  • Enjoy 2 airport lounge passes every year.
  • Includes complimentary travel and purchase protection insurances.

Cons

  • The balance transfer rate reverts to 21.99% p.a. after 36 months.
  • The 10,000 points cap per statement period.
American Express Qantas Ultimate Credit Card

On American Express' website

Apply by 16 October 2022

American Express Qantas Ultimate Credit Card

Balance transfer

N/A

Purchase rate

20.74% p.a. ongoing

Annual fee

$450.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

  • Receive 75,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 16 October 2022, are approved, and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only.
  • Earn 1.25 Qantas Points for every $1 spent on card purchases, except spend at government bodies in Australia where you will earn 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent.
  • Get 2 complimentary Qantas Club lounge invitations each year.

Pros

  • Earn 75,000 bonus Qantas Points when you meet the criteria.
  • Excellent earn rates on everyday spend. Earns points on payments to the ATO.
  • Access to the American Express Lounge Sydney and Melbourne airport after your first card spend on the card for Qantas products and services each anniversary year.
  • 2 complimentary Qantas Club lounge invitations each year.
  • $450 Qantas Travel Credit each year (conditions apply).
  • Add cards for up to four family and friends at no cost.

Cons

  • The annual fee of $450.
  • There is no concierge service, even though it's a high end card.
  • Balance transfers are not possible.
  • Transactions in a foreign currency attract a fee.
American Express Explorer Credit Card

On American Express' website

American Express Explorer Credit Card

Balance transfer

N/A

Purchase rate

20.74% p.a. ongoing

Annual fee

$395.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

  • Receive 70,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply online, are approved and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Amex Card Members only.
  • Receive a $400 Travel Credit each year towards any flights, hotels and car hire when you book online with this card.
  • Earn 2 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on purchases except government bodies in Australia where you will earn 1 point per $1 spent (uncapped).

Pros

  • The 70,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points when approved and reach spend requirement within the first 3 months.
  • $400 travel credit every year.
  • Get 2 complimentary airport lounge passes per year.

Cons

  • The $395 p.a. annual fee.
The Qantas American Express Premium Card

On American Express' website

The Qantas American Express Premium Card

Balance transfer

N/A

Purchase rate

20.74% p.a. ongoing

Annual fee

$249.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

  • Receive 30,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online, are approved and spend $3,000 in 3 months. New Amex Card Members only.
  • Relax with 2 complimentary Qantas Club invitations every year (conditions apply).
  • Complimentary domestic and international travel insurance.

Pros

  • 30,000 bonus Qantas points for signing up and hitting the spending target.
  • Earn points on your everyday spend. Also earns points at a reduced rate on government spend.
  • Give up to 4 of your friends and family a card — at no extra cost — to earn more points.
  • $450 Qantas Travel Credit, which is fairly easy to trigger with your first Qantas purchase each year.
  • Comes with complimentary card purchase cover and travel insurance.

Cons

  • There is an annual fee of $249.
  • The purchase rate is quite high, but can be avoided with responsible use.
  • No balance transfer facility.
American Express Platinum Card

On American Express' website

American Express Platinum Card

Balance transfer

N/A

Purchase rate

N/A

Annual fee

$1,450.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

  • Receive 150,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply online, are approved, and spend $5,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Amex Card Members only.
  • Receive a $450 Platinum Travel Credit each year, which can be redeemed for flights, hotels, or car hire.
  • Enjoy up to $400 per calendar year when you dine from a curated collection of over 1,400 hand-selected restaurants both locally and abroad. Terms and Conditions apply.

Pros

  • Receive 150,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you meet the criteria.
  • Receive a $450 Platinum Travel Credit each year.
  • Enjoy up to $400 Global Dining Credit per calendar year.
  • Access over 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries.

Cons

  • The annual fee of $1,450.
St.George Amplify Platinum Credit Card (Amplify)

On St.George's website

Offer extendedApply by 30 November 2022

St.George Amplify Platinum Credit Card (Amplify)

Balance transfer

24 months at 0% p.a.

Purchase rate

19.49% p.a. ongoing

Annual fee

$29.00 for 1st year

Highlights

  • Earn up to 100,000 bonus Amplify Points when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within 90 days from card approval. Exclusions apply.
  • Score up to $27.50/month cashback on Kayo for 12 months.
  • 0% for 24 months on balance transfers with 1% balance transfer fee. Reverts to cash advance rate of 21.49% p.a.
  • $29 p.a. annual fee for the first year ($99 p.a. annual fee thereafter)

Pros

  • The 100,000 bonus Amplify Points.
  • Enjoy up to $27.50/month cashback on Kayo subscription for 12 months.
  • 0% for 24 months on balance transfers.
  • Additional savings with the $29 first year annual fee ($99 p.a. thereafter).

Cons

  • There is a 1% balance transfer fee. Other cards offer 0% balance transfer free.
St.George Amplify Platinum Credit Card (Qantas)

On St.George's website

Offer extendedApply by 31 December 2022

St.George Amplify Platinum Credit Card (Qantas)

Balance transfer

24 months at 0% p.a.

Purchase rate

19.49% p.a. ongoing

Annual fee

$99.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

  • Earn up to 60,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within 90 days from card approval. Exclusions apply.
  • 0% p.a. for 24 months on balance transfers with 1% balance transfer fee. Reverts to cash advance rate.
  • Earn 0.5 points per $1 spent (uncapped). Plus, get a complimentary Qantas membership fee. Saving you $99.50!

From 1 January 2022, earn 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 up to a maximum of $100,000 spent on eligible purchases annually. Bonus Qantas Bonus Qantas Points not included in the cap.

Pros

  • The 60,000 bonus Qantas Points.
  • 0% p.a. for 24 months on balance transfers.
  • Complimentary travel and purchase insurances.

Cons

  • There is a 1% balance transfer fee.
  • Points earning rate of 0.5 points is lower than others.
Westpac Altitude Platinum Credit Card (Altitude)

On Westpac's website

Apply by 31 December 2022

Westpac Altitude Platinum Credit Card (Altitude)

Balance transfer

24 months at 0% p.a.

Purchase rate

19.99% p.a. ongoing

Annual fee

$49.00 for 1st year

Highlights

  • Receive 110,000 Altitude bonus points when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within 90 days of card approval. Terms and conditions apply.
  • 0% p.a. for 24 months on balance transfers (1 % balance transfer fee applies). Reverts to cash advance rate of 21.49% p.a.
  • $49 p.a. annual fee for the first year ($150 p.a. annual fee thereafter).

Pros

  • 110,000 bonus Altitude Points when you spend $3,000 in 90 days.
  • 0% p.a. for 24 months on balance transfers.
  • Additional savings with the $49 first year annual fee ($150 p.a. thereafter).
  • Comes with complimentary travel insurance.

Cons

  • There is a 1% balance transfer fee.
  • Only up to 45 days interest-free on purchases.
Westpac Altitude Platinum Credit Card (Qantas)

On Westpac's website

Offer extendedApply by 31 December 2022

Westpac Altitude Platinum Credit Card (Qantas)

Balance transfer

24 months at 0% p.a.

Purchase rate

19.99% p.a. ongoing

Annual fee

$99.00 for 1st year

Highlights

  • Receive 70,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within 90 days of card approval. Terms and conditions apply.
  • Transfer your balance at 0% p.a. for 24 months (1 % balance transfer fee applies). Reverts to cash advance rate of 21.49% p.a.
  • $99 p.a. annual fee for the first year then $200 p.a. annual fee thereafter (inclusive of $50 Qantas Rewards opt-in annual fee).


From 1 January 2022, earn 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 up to a maximum of $100,000 spent on eligible purchases annually. Bonus Qantas Points not included in the cap.

Pros

  • 70,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $4,000 in 90 days.
  • 0% p.a. for 24 months on balance transfers.
  • Additional savings with the $99 first-year annual fee ($200 p.a. thereafter).
  • Comes with complimentary insurance covers which include overseas medical and purchase security.

Cons

  • There is a 1% balance transfer fee.
  • Only up to 45 days interest-free on purchases.
Bank of Melbourne Amplify Platinum Credit Card (Amplify)

Offer extendedApply by 30 November 2022

Bank of Melbourne Amplify Platinum Credit Card (Amplify)

Balance transfer

24 months at 0% p.a.

Purchase rate

19.49% p.a. ongoing

Annual fee

$29.00 for 1st year

Highlights

  • Earn up to 100,000 bonus Amplify Points when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within 90 days from card approval. Exclusions apply.
  • 0% for 24 months on balance transfers with 1% balance transfer fee. Reverts to cash advance rate of 21.49% p.a.
  • $29 p.a. annual fee for the first year ($99 p.a. annual fee thereafter)

Pros

  • The 100,000 bonus Amplify Points.
  • 0% for 24 months on balance transfers.
  • Additional savings with the $29 first year annual fee ($99 p.a. thereafter).

Cons

  • There is a 1% balance transfer fee. Other cards offer 0% balance transfer free.
Bank of Melbourne Amplify Platinum Credit Card (Qantas)

Offer extendedApply by 31 December 2022

Bank of Melbourne Amplify Platinum Credit Card (Qantas)

Balance transfer

24 months at 0% p.a.

Purchase rate

19.49% p.a. ongoing

Annual fee

$99.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

  • Earn up to 60,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within 90 days from card approval. Exclusions apply.
  • 0% p.a. for 24 months on balance transfers with 1% balance transfer fee. Reverts to cash advance rate.
  • Earn 0.5 points per $1 spent (uncapped). Plus, get a complimentary Qantas membership fee. Saving you $99.50!


From 1 January 2022, earn 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 up to a maximum of $100,000 spent on eligible purchases annually. Bonus Qantas Bonus Qantas Points not included in the cap.

Pros

  • The 60,000 bonus Qantas Points.
  • 0% p.a. for 24 months on balance transfers.
  • Complimentary travel and purchase insurances.

Cons

  • There is a 1% balance transfer fee.
  • Points earning rate of 0.5 points is lower than others.
BankSA Amplify Platinum Credit Card (Amplify)

Apply by 30 November 2022

BankSA Amplify Platinum Credit Card (Amplify)

Balance transfer

24 months at 0% p.a.

Purchase rate

19.49% p.a. ongoing

Annual fee

$29.00 for 1st year

Highlights

  • Earn up to 100,000 bonus Amplify Points when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within 90 days from card approval. Exclusions apply.
  • 0% for 24 months on balance transfers with 1% balance transfer fee. Reverts to cash advance rate of 21.49% p.a.
  • $29 p.a. annual fee for the first year ($99 p.a. annual fee thereafter)

Pros

  • The 100,000 bonus Amplify Points.
  • 0% for 24 months on balance transfers.
  • Additional savings with the $29 first year annual fee ($99 p.a. thereafter).

Cons

  • There is a 1% balance transfer fee. Other cards offer 0% balance transfer free.
BankSA Amplify Platinum Credit Card (Qantas)

Apply by 31 December 2022

BankSA Amplify Platinum Credit Card (Qantas)

Balance transfer

24 months at 0% p.a.

Purchase rate

19.49% p.a. ongoing

Annual fee

$99.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

  • Earn up to 60,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within 90 days from card approval. Exclusions apply.
  • 0% p.a. for 24 months on balance transfers with 1% balance transfer fee. Reverts to cash advance rate.
  • Earn 0.5 points per $1 spent (uncapped). Plus, get a complimentary Qantas membership fee. Saving you $99.50!


From 1 January 2022, earn 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 up to a maximum of $100,000 spent on eligible purchases annually. Bonus Qantas Bonus Qantas Points not included in the cap.

Pros

  • The 60,000 bonus Qantas Points.
  • 0% p.a. for 24 months on balance transfers.
  • Complimentary travel and purchase insurances.

Cons

  • There is a 1% balance transfer fee.
  • Points earning rate of 0.5 points is lower than others.

Learn about credit cards with purchase protection

Find out the benefits of credit card purchase protection insurance.

  • FAQs

Do all credit cards have complimentary purchase protection?

No. Most (but not all) personal (i.e. non-business) gold, platinum or black cards will have purchase protection included. Some lower-level cards also have this type of complimentary policy.

Does it matter where I bought the item?

It usually doesn’t matter whether you bought the item in a physical store or on the internet. Some policies may exclude goods purchased overseas.

How do I make a claim?

You need to lodge a claim directly with the card issuer’s partner insurance company, not with the card issuer, and this must normally be done within 30 days of the loss, theft or damage. Details on how to make a claim may have been supplied in a printed booklet sent by the card issuer when you first opened the account. Alternatively, you can usually find information about the claims procedure online, as a link in your card’s web page.

Is there any limit to the claims I can make?

The amount you can claim for a single item is limited to the actual purchase price you paid using your card, after deducting any compensation you can receive by other means, such as a warranty on the item or a claim against a transit company. There may be a fairly low individual limit (such as $2,500) for an item classified as jewellery, a watch or fine art. Additionally, there may be an annual claim limit, such as $100,000.

What documentation do I need to make a claim?

You will need a receipt or other written proof of purchase of the item with your card, showing the date and amount paid. As well as this you must prove your loss, and a police report may be necessary. In the case of a claim for damage, the damaged item must be retained for inspection if required.

What if I disagree with the insurer’s decision about my claim?

The insurer will have a dispute resolution procedure, set out in the purchase protection policy documentation received with the card, or available online.

What is credit card purchase protection?

Credit card purchase protection is a complimentary insurance policy attached to a credit card, providing a period of cover against loss, theft or accidental damage for most new items purchased using the credit card. Although it may sound like the same thing, purchase protection not the same as price protection.

What is the cost of credit card purchase protection?

There is no cost for credit card purchase protection. It is a complimentary insurance policy attached to some credit cards.

What is the usual length of time for which purchases are covered?

In most cases cover is extended for a period of 90 days from the purchase date, but a very small number of premium cards offer 120 days of cover.

What kind of purchases are covered?

Typically, the item must be new, and intended for personal use (which means that purchases for business purposes are not covered). Some types of items are usually excluded. The exclusion list may include animals and plants, cash, traveller’s cheques, tickets, perishable items, motor vehicles, antiques, computer software and services.