Compare credit cards

Compare credit card offers, learn how to choose a credit card and put it to work for you.

By Verified by Yvonne Taylor   |   Updated Feb. 16, 2024

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Comparing of 14 credit cards

Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card

On website

Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card

Balance transfer

N/A

Purchase rate

0% p.a. ongoing

Interest-free days

N/A

Annual fee

$0.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

  • No interest or annual fees.
  • No credit check to apply.
  • No minimum security deposit is required.


Disclaimer: Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by, and debit card issued by, The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC.

Citi Double Cash Card Reward - 18 months BT offer

On website

Citi Double Cash Card Reward - 18 months BT offer

Balance transfer

18 months at 0% p.a.

Purchase rate

From 28.24% p.a. ongoing

Interest-free days

N/A

Annual fee

$0.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

  • Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cashback when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
  • Enjoy 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 18 months which could help you get on top of things. A one-off $5 or 3% (whichever is greater) balance transfer fee applies.
  • The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 18.24% - 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card

On website

American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card

Balance transfer

12 months at 0% p.a.

Purchase rate

12 months at 0% p.a.

Interest-free days

N/A

Annual fee

$0.00 for 1st year

Highlights

  • Enjoy a low intro APR and reduced plan fees when you split up large purchases into monthly installments with Plan It by American Express (Terms and Conditions apply).
  • Earn $250 back after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. You will receive cash back in the form of statement credits
  • $0 p.a. annual fee for the first year then $95 p.a. annual fee thereafter.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

On website

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Balance transfer

N/A

Purchase rate

From 21.49% p.a. ongoing

Interest-free days

N/A

Annual fee

$95.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Plus earn up to $50 in statement credits towards grocery store purchases within your first year of account opening.
  • Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Ultimate Reward.
  • Earn 5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Anniversary Hotel Credit.
Wells Fargo Reflect Card

Wells Fargo Reflect Card

Balance transfer

21 months at 0% p.a.

Purchase rate

21 months at 0% p.a.

Interest-free days

N/A

Annual fee

$0.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

  • 0% intro APR for up to 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 18.24% to 29.99% variable APR thereafter.
  • Get up to $600 of cell phone protection when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible). Terms apply.
  • $0 annual fee.
Discover it® Balance Transfer

Discover it® Balance Transfer

Balance transfer

15 months at 0% p.a.

Purchase rate

15 months at 0% p.a.

Interest-free days

N/A

Annual fee

$0.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

  • 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter.
  • Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year.
Citi Diamond Preferred Card

Citi Diamond Preferred Card

Balance transfer

21 months at 0% p.a.

Purchase rate

12 months at 0% p.a.

Interest-free days

N/A

Annual fee

$0.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

  • 0% Intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers and 12 months on Purchases.
  • Get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
  • Shop safely with a contactless, chip enabled card.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Balance transfer

N/A

Purchase rate

From 19.99% p.a. ongoing

Interest-free days

N/A

Annual fee

$95.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

  • Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Earn unlimited 2 miles per dollar on every purchase.
  • Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

Balance transfer

15 months at 0% p.a.

Purchase rate

15 months at 0% p.a.

Interest-free days

N/A

Annual fee

$0.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

  • Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months.
  • 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers.
  • Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases with no category limitations or quarterly activations.
Discover it Student Cash Back

Discover it Student Cash Back

Balance transfer

6 months at 10.99% p.a.

Purchase rate

6 months at 0% p.a.

Interest-free days

N/A

Annual fee

$0.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

  • No annual fee. No credit score required to apply
  • Students earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases during the school year (and all year long) at different places each quarter.
  • Get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year.
Capital One Platinum Secured Card

Capital One Platinum Secured Card

Balance transfer

N/A

Purchase rate

30.74% p.a. ongoing

Interest-free days

N/A

Annual fee

$0.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

  • $0 p.a. annual fee.
  • With responsible card use, you could earn back your deposit and upgrade to a standard, unsecured Platinum card
  • No foreign transaction fees. No replacement card fees. No authorized user fees.
Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card

Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card

Balance transfer

15 months at 0% p.a.

Purchase rate

15 months at 0% p.a.

Interest-free days

N/A

Annual fee

$0.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

  • Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Earn 5% Cashback on grocery store purchases (not including Target® or Walmart®). Terms and Conditions apply.
  • 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers. After the intro period, a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express

Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express

Balance transfer

15 months at 0% p.a.

Purchase rate

15 months at 0% p.a.

Interest-free days

N/A

Annual fee

$0.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

  • Earn $200 cashback or more. Earn after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms and Conditions apply.
  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening, then a variable APR of 19.24% to 29.99%
  • Earn 3% cash back on your first $6,000 of purchases per year at US supermarkets, U.S. online retail purchases, and U.S. gas stations. After that, you will earn 1% back. Terms and Conditions apply.
Citi Secured Mastercard

Citi Secured Mastercard

Balance transfer

N/A

Purchase rate

27.74% p.a. ongoing

Interest-free days

N/A

Annual fee

$0.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

  • The Citi® Secured Mastercard helps you build a credit history for your financial future with no annual fee. If approved, a security deposit is required for the amount of your credit limit, between $200 - $2,500.
  • Choose to pay your bill on any available due date in the beginning, middle or end of the month.
  • Digital Wallets let you shop with confidence in millions of places online, within apps and in stores.

There are literally hundreds of different credit cards available from dozens of issuers, making it important to conduct a credit card comparison before you apply for one. To get you started in your search for a credit card we’ve prepared a comparison of all the different types in the market. We'll discuss how to find the best credit cards for you, including benefits, features, alternatives, and which credit cards to apply for. In short, you'll find all the details you need to know to make your search for your best credit card much easier.

The key benefits of credit cards

Credit cards can be used to cover everyday purchases including groceries, gas, and other goods and services. They can also be used to buy more expensive items such as travel packages, TVs, and even jewelry, especially if the funds needed aren’t at your immediate disposal. Apart being a convenient way to borrow and pay, they also provide:

  • Increased purchasing power
  • Rewards like airline miles, points or cash back
  • Other free benefits, like travel insurance and airport lounge access
  • Potential to build credit score
  • Online shopping convenience
  • The ability to secure a hotel room or rental car
  • No foreign transaction fees in some cases
  • Protection from fraudulent activity
  • Free access to credit report and score in some cases

Features you can find on the best credit cards

When you're ready to apply for a credit card it’s important to find a card that will work for you, such are those with rewards to help you save money, potentially putting hundreds of dollars, even thousands, back into your pocket. As you make your credit card comparisons, select features that will be most beneficial to you.

  • Rewards points. Points earned on purchases can be exchanged for airline miles—with some cards earning airline miles directly—merchandise, gift cards, hotel accommodation and other forms of travel, depending on the points program.
  • Cash back. Cash back credit cards give 1% to 2% cash back on overall purchases, or up to 5%-6% back on categories like grocery shopping, restaurants and gas, or a different category of your choice every three months.
  • Sign-up bonuses. Plenty of cards give great bonuses to new cardholders, for example a card that offers 50,000 points or airline miles when you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first three months after account opening.
  • Travel perks. You may find a card that offers free checked bags, along with access to VIP lounges in airports. Other travel perks include rental car insurance, lost luggage reimbursement and roadside assistance.
  • Low interest rate. A card with a low APR will help if you can't always pay off your monthly card account in full.
  • Balance transfer at low or 0% interest rate. Consolidate your debts or just take a break from paying interest on your balance.
  • No foreign transaction fees. This is a particularly useful feature if you frequently travel outside the country, and can also help you save if you make frequent purchases from online retailers from foreign countries.
  • Free access to your credit score. If you want to work towards paying off debts and increase your score, it will help to check every now and then to verify that your score is still good. Some cards now give access to the cardholder's credit score, in some cases printing it on the monthly bill.

Understand the different types of credit cards

There are many different types of credit card, each suited to particular needs. You'll need to gauge which one will suit your own needs and lifestyle, so that you can work out which one to apply for.

Standard or "plain vanilla" cards

These are sometimes called “plain-vanilla” because they offer no rewards, and are plain and simple to understand. Most people choose this type of card if they’re not looking to earn rewards and if they want something that’s easy to understand without any added frills. They are often easier to be approved for.

Balance transfer credit cards

Many cards come with the capability to transfer balances from existing cards and loans, but the term is normally applied to a type of card that offers a low intro APR—possibly 0%—for balance transfers throughout a specified period of time. So if you aim to save money on high interest rates on an already existing account, then getting one of these is a great option. Balance transfer rates vary though, so be sure that you’re qualified to get ones that are as low as 0%. In many cases, the lower its promotional rate and the longer its promotional period is, the harder it will be to qualify since issuers will look for good credit.

Rewards credit cards

These are perfect for those who wish to earn rewards with their purchases. They come in three types—points, airline miles and cash back. While some people opt for points that can be redeemed for cash and goods, others prefer getting airline miles or cash back rewards.

Travel credit cards

Anyone who loves to travel will like this option, designed to earn more points for traveling, hotel stays, free flights and travel credits. Travel rewards cards usually come with a heftier interest rate and annual fee, but it can be worthwhile if you earn airline miles upfront or convert your points into airline miles, travel cash back or travel rewards. In addition, they will often have a sign up bonus that you can take advantage of.

Student credit cards

This type of card has been specifically designed with college students in mind, and takes into consideration that most young adults won’t have much credit history to show. This option can come with perks such as low interest rates and limited rewards schemes. However, these aren’t as important as the eligibility requirements. In general, students need to be enrolled with an accredited university to be approved.

Secured credit cards

Secured cards provide a great option for those who who want to work towards building credit, or who have damaged their credit. They require a security deposit before the account can be opened, and the credit limit will usually be in the same amount as the deposit made. You can't access the deposit while the account is open or until you transition to an unsecured card, so you will still need to make monthly payments towards the balance on your secured card.

Low interest credit cards

Low interest rate cards are a good choice for anyone wanting to pay off large purchases over time, since the lower rates mean you'll pay less interest in total. Although they usually come with an annual fee, the cost is more than offset by interest savings.

Alternatives to credit cards

If you’ve had financial problems in the past, borrowing money can be a tricky business and it usually means that your access to financing is limited. This may be one of the reasons why a credit card may not be the best for you. However, if you really need to borrow money or use a convenient and secure payment method, consider these alternatives:

  • Buy now, pay later services. If you are concerned with your ability to manage a credit card, buy now pay later services offer a way to buy to buy the things you want with a fixed repayment plan.
  • Personal loans. Generally, the biggest difference between a credit card and a personal loan is the fixed repayment term. Unlike credit cards, personal loans don’t provide access to a revolving line of credit. Instead, a borrower gets an upfront sum and is given a time frame during which it has to be repaid in full, usually through a scheduled payment scheme. Personal loans are sometimes preferred since this arrangement comes with a lower interest rate for borrowers with a good or excellent credit score.
  • PayPal. This platform is no longer reserved just for payments on online auction websites, but is now also used for sending money to family and friends. It's also highly useful for sending invoices for business purposes and can be used to pay in restaurants, shops and some bus services. It also offers protection for purchases and is accepted by a wide range of online retailers.
  • Debit cards. Probably the most used alternative, debit cards provide convenience for spending online, in-store and over the phone, without the need for cash. They won't, however, allow you to spend money you don't have, since they access the cash you have in the bank account they're linked to. Using a debit card makes it easier to stay out of debt.
  • Prepaid cards. You can buy a prepaid Mastercard or a Visa, already loaded with cash, to use in physical retail stores or online. You may also top them up with more cash through a bank transfer or in person at a bank. Prepaid cards are a great substitute if you need to be able to withdraw and pay without incurring too many fees.