Credit Card Information - Tip and Tricks on How To Save


Why Compare Credit Cards?

Credit cards make everyday purchases more convenient than usual by giving the holder the ability to buy without having to lug around bundles of cash. Understanding how credit cards work will help you maximize the advantage it gives you (not to mention help you avoid major issues in the future).

HSBC Credit Card

HSBC Balance Transfer Credit Card

Get 6 months to pay off your debt for 5.99% p.a. with this HSBC credit card and pay no annual fee.

  • 17.99% p.a. on purchases
  • 0% p.a. for 8 months with 2% handling fee on balance transfers
  • $0 annual fee
  • 21.99% p.a. on cash advances
Featured Balance Transfer Credit Cards
Interest Rate (p.a.) Balance Transfer Rate (p.a.) Annual Fee Cash Advance Rate (p.a.)
ANZ Low Rate MasterCard - Balance Transfer
ANZ Low Rate MasterCard - Balance Transfer
Enjoy both a low balance transfer rate and a low ongoing interest rate.0% for 3 months (reverts to 13.39%)0% for 3 months$5821.49% Apply Now For The ANZ Low Rate MasterCard - Balance Transfer Read More About The ANZ Low Rate MasterCard - Balance Transfer
St.George Vertigo
St.George Vertigo
A great balance transfer credit card with a low ongoing interest rate.13.24% 0.99% for 6 months$5521.49% Apply Now For The St.George Vertigo Read More About The St.George Vertigo
HSBC Credit Card
HSBC Credit Card
Take advantage of 5.99% for 6 months when you transfer your balance to HSBC Credit Card.17.99% 0% for 8 months with 2% handling fee$021.99% Apply Now For The HSBC Credit Card Read More About The HSBC Credit Card
Featured Low Rate Credit Cards
Interest Rate (p.a.) Balance Transfer Rate (p.a.) Annual Fee Cash Advance Rate (p.a.)
Bankwest Breeze MasterCard
Bankwest Breeze MasterCard
Bankwest Lite offers one of the lowest interest rates in Australia.0% for 6 months (reverts to 10.99%)4.99% for 9 months$4921.99% Apply Now For The Bankwest Breeze MasterCard Read More About The Bankwest Breeze MasterCard
St.George Vertigo
St.George Vertigo
Another awesome credit card for those looking for a low interest rate.13.24% 0.99% for 6 months$5521.49% Apply Now For The St.George Vertigo Read More About The St.George Vertigo
Bankwest Breeze Platinum MasterCard
Bankwest Breeze Platinum MasterCard
Nothing beats paying a low rate while enjoying the services of a 24/7 concierge plus complimentary insurance.0% for 6 months (reverts to 10.99%)4.99% for 9 months$9921.99% Apply Now For The Bankwest Breeze Platinum MasterCard Read More About The Bankwest Breeze Platinum MasterCard
Westpac Low Rate Card
Westpac Low Rate Card
Save on annual fee and enjoy a low rate on balance transfers.1.9% for 9 months (reverts to 13.49%)3.99% for 6 months$0 annual fee for the first year ($45 thereafter)21.49% Apply Now For The Westpac Low Rate Card Read More About The Westpac Low Rate Card
Featured Rewards Credit Cards
Interest Rate (p.a.) Balance Transfer Rate (p.a.) Annual Fee Cash Advance Rate (p.a.)
American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card
American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card
Earn points up to 3 times faster and ejoy complimentary domestic return flight every year.0% for 6 months (reverts to 20.74%)$149Apply Now For The American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card Read More About The American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card
Westpac Earth Classic
Westpac Earth Classic
Earn 1 Qantas Frequent Flyter point for every $1 you spend with this card.19.99% 0.99% for 6 months$7521.49% Apply Now For The Westpac Earth Classic Read More About The Westpac Earth Classic
American Express Platinum Reserve Credit Card
American Express Platinum Reserve Credit Card
Earn 1.5 reward points for every dollar you spendon the card and enjoy a complimentary flight every year.0% for 6 months (reverts to 20.74%)$395Apply Now For The American Express Platinum Reserve Credit Card Read More About The American Express Platinum Reserve Credit Card
Westpac Earth Platinum Cards
Westpac Earth Platinum Cards
High platinum earn rate of up to 1.5 Qantas Frequent Flyer points per $1 spend plus a range of Earth Platinum privileges.19.99% 0.99% for 6 months$25021.49% Apply Now For The Westpac Earth Platinum Cards Read More About The Westpac Earth Platinum Cards

Credit Cards: a Brief History

The term "credit card" and how it is used were first mentioned in the 1887 novel Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy. The idea of the credit card as we know it today was first used in the United States during the 1920s, with Western Union starting to offer charge cards to its loyal clients in 1921. During the late 1930s, charge cards began to be more widely accepted by merchants. The Charga-Plate is considered as an early predecessor of what modern credit cards look like; it was a small rectangular piece of metal much like a dog tag. These metal "cards" were used in a similar way as department store credit cards.

How do Credit Cards Work?

When you use a credit card to purchase, you enter into an agreement to pay the credit card issuer. This agreement can be done either by signing a receipt (including the total transaction amount and credit card information), or by entering a PIN (personal identification number). In cases when the credit card is not physically present for the purchase transaction, a verbal authorization through the telephone can also be done. Payment for online purchases is done over a secure electronic authorization over the Internet.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Credit Card

"A new credit card offering a 0% balance transfer rate can be particularly attractive, but keep in mind that the payments you make will first pay off the transferred balance and the succeeding transactions will still accrue interest."

To ensure that you are getting the best credit card for your needs, credit card information should carefully be looked over. Credit cards offer different features and perks, and it is up to you to decide which ones would make life much easier for you as a credit card holder.

  • Interest Rates – Make sure to scrutinize the interest rates you would need to pay on top of your purchases. These interest rates will profoundly affect the total amount you will need to pay for. A new credit card offering a 0% balance transfer rate can be particularly attractive, but keep in mind that the payments you make will first pay off the transferred balance and the succeeding transactions will still accrue interest.
  • The Power to Pay – Consider the monthly payments you need to make when choosing which credit card to get. If you plan on paying off the entire amount each month, it is best to look for credit cards that offer incentives (such as waived annual fees, points, cashback deals and other rewards). On the other hand, you can look for credit cards offering low-interest rates if you plan on leaving a balance on the credit card every month; the low-interest rates will help ensure that the total amount due will not spiral into something unmanageable.
  • Your Usual Transaction Types – Keep in mind the types of transactions you will often make when choosing a credit card. Business credit cards are excellent for keeping track of expenses that are business-related and will make bookkeeping easy. Airline and frequent flyer credit cards are perfect for those who can pay off their balance every month; the accumulated points can then be used for airline tickets, hotel accommodations and even cars for hire. There are numerous offers from credit card issuers in Australia for various needs, so make sure you filter the diamonds off the dirt.
  • The Issuer – Choosing a finance provider can be overwhelming when you face a multitude of credit card issuers. Consider these points: Does the institution command a long-standing track record for financial stability? Do they offer decent interest rates (as well as extensive perks & incentives)?

Common Credit Card Mistakes

  • Paying the Minimum Monthly Amount Due – It is easy to believe that you are saving your hard-earned money when you pay only the minimum monthly amount due on your credit card balance. The sad truth is, the total amount (including interest accumulated over time) will be double or triple the actual amount you used for purchases when you do that.
  • Choosing the Wrong Credit Card – You should thoroughly review all information before actually choosing a credit card to ensure that you are getting the best deals for your needs. Choosing a wrong credit card can result in additional costs for features you will never use.
  • Not Reviewing Credit Card Statements – Regularly reviewing your credit card statements will ensure that you are paying only for the purchases you made. A regular review of credit card information and statements will notify you to any unauthorized or fraudulent charges, which you can then bring to the attention of the credit card issuer. Billing errors can also be tracked with the simple act of conscientious credit card statement reviewing.

Effectively sorting through the credit card information you get can give you the ability to utilize the features of the credit card you want. Once you have learned the delicate art of making credit cards work for you – and not the other way around – you can look forward to the advantage of using credit cards for your needs. Learning the ins and outs of credit card information can also remove the headaches that are usually associated with these powerful plastic payment options.

The following is a guest post by Mark, written on behalf of ClearDebt.  The ClearDebt site offers advice on personal debt, including taking out an IVA. Every one of us is unique, with our own unique wiring and world view. Some find money management a breeze while the rest of us keep sliding into debt. [...]

The Gem Visa Credit Card Takes Interest Free to the Next Level One of the things that sets the Gem Visa Credit Card apart from many other cards is the interest free options it offers. Most cards are limited to 45 – 55 days interest free on any purchases, but the Gem takes it one [...]

When freelance writer Nora Dunn went on a trip to Australia, the plan was to charge everything on her credit card. But when she tried to use it—for a small emergency, no less—she found out it had been canceled months ago. She lived to tell the story on her Wisebread.com column, so it wasn’t that [...]

Find out what the scams are in mobile banking, and how you can avoid them. Our article will give you some insights you might have not thought about previously. Read on… In keeping with the mobile nature of society, and the increased use of electronic communications, banks have developed mobile banking. Now you can manage [...]

Let’s be honest, banks have been living the good life, charging people high interest rates and credit card fees and offering terrible customer service. Is it a wonder people are displeased, especially with the state of the global economy? Even though people are demanding change, the industry is slow to respond because it really isn’t [...]

Let’s get some bad news out of the way first… Cash advances cost! Many credit card companies send you cheques that you can write against your account, so you assume doing so is a good idea. Wrong! Most credit card companies charge a “cash advance fee” when you withdraw funds from your card – whether [...]

Most people are aware of the fact that they’re paying interest on their credit card balance, but not many are truly aware of the real costs associated with paying for things using credit. Lets have a closer look.. The HSBC Credit CardPay no annual fee for life and enjoy paying a lower rate on your [...]

All over the world news is spread regarding the many woes that people are having to go through all because of the financial crisis brought on to some degree by credit card debts. Yet not all people in all countries remained bound to their level of credit card debt, with Australians showing a willingness to begin reducing their level of personal debt.

The Personal Data Market Con artists have been around as long as humanity has existed and the Internet is no exception. Every day our inboxes are bombarded by phishing emails after our personal information. Luckily, though, most people know to avoid these emails but online conmen don’t stop there. They use other approaches such as [...]

If you’re thigh-high in credit card bills and opening your purse or wallet to get cash money results in little more than a puff of dust or a scraggly moth, you’ve got serious problems. Since you got yourself into this mess, you must make some serious life-style changes to bring your finances under control. Your first hurdle will be understanding that your credit cards are not a source of income.

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Two Most Important Considerations The two most important considerations you’ll have when comparing the benefits of credit cards will be the interest rate placed on new purchases and any fees the card may carry. Interest rates can vary widely from card plan to card plan, depending on the nature of the card and its likely [...]

There are proposed new laws for credit cards being debated in the Australian parliament. If passed, they could come in to effect by July 2011. Such laws would be very much welcomed by most citizens because they would help curb how credit card companies use various means to lure many unsuspecting cardholders into debt.

Even though it seems a little hard to believe, it is possible to use your credit card for avoiding getting into debt or struggling with some serious problems related to your finances. If you want to find out more about this process, you should definitely read the following lines carefully because they will provide you with some very valuable pieces of information which you could use as a guideline.

Dealing with Rejection Nine times out of ten, if you’ve had your application for a credit card rejected, it’s because of your credit score or smudges on your credit history. To understand why your credit score is important and why it can lead to credit card rejection – as well as in other situations, such [...]

The key to good credit card use is to understand when using this type of financial tool can be beneficial for you and when it could be potentially harmful. Below are some situations when it can make good sense to use your credit card to pay for spending: Emergency Situations There may be times when [...]

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You must have heard about credit card scams, well tell you what, scammers and con-artists are getting better at it. New methods and devices such as skimming are being developed all the time. You need to be careful while doing your transactions. Here are some tips and guidelines on how to protect yourself from these [...]

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Even though it seems a little hard to believe, it is possible to use your credit card for avoiding getting into debt or struggling with some serious problems related to your finances. If you want to find out more about this process, you should definitely read the following lines carefully because they will provide you [...]

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Unfortunately, a bad credit rating can happen to good people. Bad financial choices that are made on the front end can greatly affect your credit options on the back end.

If you’re in the market for a new credit card, but you’re on a limited income, you might be trying to figure out which is the best low income credit card to suit you. There are several to choose from, so be sure to take time to compare them.

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If you think you don’t need travel insurance, think about the guy who met the grim reaper while on holiday in Europe. The preparation of the body and the plane fare home for his remains cost in excess of $10,000. Westpac Earth Gold CardGreater point conversion rates than the Standard Earth card. Complimentary travel insurance [...]

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A credit card can offer an opportunity to snatch up a bargain (sometimes), buy a tire if you’re on the road, or put a well-thought-out significant purchase on a controlled payment plan. Other than those situations, the best time to use a credit card is, succinctly – NEVER A credit card should only be used with forethought. If not, you’re headed for the same kind of trouble so many folks are struggling with today – credit card slavery.

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Understanding credit card statement features will help you better manage your debt on a monthly basis. If you are having troubles in this area, maybe you should take the time to brush up on a few credit statement terms.

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Obtaining a higher credit card limit is not something that happens overnight. Follow these few steps and your credit card lender might give you a higher credit limit in the near future.

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If you are sharing the plight of many who are being overwhelmed by credit card debt, it is within your rights to renegotiate the terms of your debt. You can ask for a complete settlement to wipe the books, or negotiate for lower monthly payments. You can do it yourself with good results. And, yes, your credit record will take some hard hits.

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It is necessary for consumers to repair their your poor credit but to do that, you must first get your next credit card application approved. Here are some tips.

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