Best Travel Credit Cards

Compare the best travel credit cards in Australia. Save with no foreign fees, travel credits, and insurance. Use our calculator to estimate your rewards.

Checked by Kredmo team.

Updated on 20 Aug, 2026

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How Kredmo Calculates Your Net Rewards $ Value

At Kredmo, we believe transparency is the key to choosing the right credit card. Our Net Reward Points $ Value is a data-driven estimate of the net Rewards financial benefit you could receive during your first year of card membership.

We use a specific three-step formula to convert complex bonus points or cashback offers into a clear dollar figure:
1
Sign-Up Bonus Valuation: We convert the headline bonus points (e.g., 100,000 points) into a dollar value based on a conservative redemption average of 0.5 to 1.0 cents per point. This represents the standard "floor value" for redemptions like digital gift cards and cashback in the Australian market.
2
Annual Spend Projections: We calculate the points earned from your projected annual spending based on the card's specific earn rate (e.g., 1.25 points per $1 spent). We then convert these points into their equivalent dollar value to show what your "monthly" spending is actually worth.
3
The 'Net Value' Deduction: To find the final figure, we subtract the first-year annual fee from the total sum of points and cash back expected to be earned. The resulting Rewards $ Value shown in our table represents your true "New Rewards $ Value"—in terms of Reward points and cash back of the value you receive after the card has paid for itself.
Note: Our calculations assume you pay your statement balance in full each month. Because rewards credit cards carry high interest rates (often 20% p.a. or more), interest charges are not factored into this value as they would quickly negate the benefits earned.

Understanding The
Types Of Rewards Programs

Most Australian credit cards are tied to one of three primary program types:

Bank-Specific Rewards:

Banks like CommBank (Awards), ANZ (Rewards), and Westpac (Altitude) offer internal points systems that are flexible for gift cards, cashback, or airline transfers.

Airline Frequent Flyer Programs:

These cards let you directly earn points for airlines like Qantas or Velocity (Virgin Australia), with points usually transferred to your airline account each month.

Direct Cashback & Retail:

Some cards focus on cashback or are co-branded with retailers like Coles (Flybuys) or Woolworths (Everyday Rewards), giving discounts directly on your shopping.

Travel Credit Card vs. Travel Money Card: Which is better?

A travel credit card is superior for earning reward points, accessing free insurance, and managing hotel security deposits. However, for ATM withdrawals and smaller daily spends, a multi-currency travel money card (like Wise or Revolut) often provides better exchange rates. For the best value, we recommend carrying a travel credit card for protection and rewards, and a travel money card for cash and daily expenses.

Eligibility Checklist: Are You Ready to Apply?

Before you hit "Apply," ensure you meet these standard Australian criteria to protect your credit score:

Minimum Income: Basic rewards cards typically require $35,000 p.a., while "Black" or "Signature" cards usually require $75,000–$100,000+.
Residency: You generally must be an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident, though some providers accept 457 or 482 visa holders with significant time remaining.
Good Credit History: Have a good credit history and no payment defaults.
The "24-Month Rule": Most big banks (like ANZ, Westpac, or NAB) will not grant you a sign-up bonus if you have held a card with them in the last 24 months.

FAQ

Got Questions?
We've Got Answers

A foreign transaction fee is a surcharge (usually 2% to 3.5%) added by banks for purchases made in a foreign currency. To avoid these costs, select a travel credit card that specifically offers "$0 Foreign Transaction Fees." On a $5,000 international trip, this feature alone can save you up to $175 in bank charges.

Most travel cards require you to "activate" the insurance before you fly. This is typically done by:

● Generally paying for at least $500 of your prepaid travel costs (flights/accommodation) on the card.

● Charging your full return airfare to the card before departing Australia.

● Meeting the minimum spend requirement specified in your card’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).

Many premium travel cards provide an annual credit (ranging from $200 to $450) to offset the annual fee. To use it, you generally book flights, hotels, or car rentals through the bank’s dedicated travel portal. If you travel at least once a year, this credit can effectively reduce the card's net cost to nearly zero.

Lounge access provides a premium environment with complimentary food, drinks, and Wi-Fi. Depending on your chosen airline partner, you may receive:

● Qantas Lounges: Many Qantas-linked cards offer two single-entry invitations per year to Qantas Club or domestic Business Lounges. Note that from July 2026, Qantas is introducing stricter rules on giffing these passes to non-travellers.

● Virgin Australia Lounges: Velocity-branded cards typically provide two single-entry passes annually for use at domestic Virgin Australia lounges. These are often digital and linked directly to your Velocity Frequent Flyer account.

● Priority Pass: High-end Platinum cards often include a Priority Pass membership, giving you unlimited access to over 1,400 lounges globally, regardless of which airline you are flying.

Trust!

Why Trust
Kredmo?

80+ Cards Compared: We track over 20+ Australian providers to give you a full market view, not a filtered one.
User-First Logic: Our rankings are built on data-driven “Value Methodology,” not whether we have a partnership with provider or not.
Total Independence: We show you the best credit cards currently available in the Australian market and give you the tools to make the best decision for your unique financial journey.
Licensed: We operate under ACL 518788.