Are rewards cards worth it if I spend lightly?

Not always. On modest spend the annual fee can cancel out the points you earn. Estimate your yearly points value and compare it against the fee before applying.

Best rewards credit cards

Tired of everyday spending that earns you nothing? Compare rewards credit cards that earn points on regular purchases and offer sign-up bonuses.

Earn points on every purchase
Sign-up bonuses for new customers
Redeem for travel, gift cards or cashback

Written by Andrew BoydReviewed by Vidhu Bajaj and David BoydWith insights from Hans Mast

Featured

Qantas Money Platinum

120,000 bonus Qantas Points
12 months at 0% p.a. on balance transfers

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How many points could you earn?

Enter your monthly spend to see estimated annual points for each card below.

Compare 137 rewards credit cards

Credit card comparison table with rates, fees, rewards and apply links.
Card	Name and rating	Rewards program	Earn rate	Sign-up bonus	Annual fee	Est. points / yr
	FeaturedQantas Money Platinum	Qantas Frequent Flyer	1 pt per $1Capped	120,000 pts	$349	156,000 ptsWorth $1,872
Bank of ChinaGold •••• •••• •••• •••• Credit Card CompareUnionPay	Bank of China Global UnionPay Card	Bank of China Rewards	5 pts per $1Uncapped	—	$60	180,000 ptsWorth $900
	American Express Platinum Business Card 6 reviews	American Express Membership Rewards	2.25 pts per $1Uncapped	350,000 pts	$1,750	431,000 ptsWorth $4,310	60 second approval
	American Express Platinum Card 16 reviews	American Express Membership Rewards	2.25 pts per $1Uncapped	200,000 pts	$1,450	281,000 ptsWorth $2,810	60 second approval
Bank of QueenslandPlatinum •••• •••• •••• •••• Credit Card CompareVisa	BOQ Platinum Visa Credit Card	Q Rewards	2 pts per $1Uncapped	100,000 pts	$75	172,000 ptsWorth $860
	Bankwest More World Mastercard 4 reviews	Bankwest More Rewards Program	2.5 pts per $1Uncapped	50,000 pts	$270	140,000 ptsWorth $840	60 second approval
	Coles Rewards Mastercard 75 reviews	Flybuys	2 Flybuys points per $1Capped	40,000 pts	$99	112,000 ptsWorth $560
	NAB Rewards Business Signature Card	NAB Rewards	1.25 pts per $1Uncapped	200,000 pts	$175	245,000 ptsWorth $2,450	60 second approval
	Westpac Altitude Rewards Black 18 reviews	Westpac Altitude Rewards	1 pt per $1Capped	200,000 pts	$200	236,000 ptsWorth $2,360	60 second approval
	Westpac Altitude Rewards Platinum 19 reviews	Westpac Altitude Rewards	1 pt per $1Capped	100,000 pts	$99	136,000 ptsWorth $1,360	60 second approval
	St.George Amplify Rewards Signature 4 reviews	Amplify Rewards	1 pt per $1Capped	200,000 pts	$199	236,000 ptsWorth $2,360	60 second approval
	Bankwest More Platinum Mastercard 5 reviews	Bankwest More Rewards Program	2 pts per $1Capped	50,000 pts	$160	122,000 ptsWorth $732	60 second approval
	ANZ Rewards Platinum	ANZ Rewards Program	1.5 pts per $1Capped	125,000 pts	$94	167,000 ptsWorth $835	60 second approval
	St.George Amplify Rewards Platinum	Amplify Rewards	1 pt per $1Capped	100,000 pts	$99	136,000 ptsWorth $1,360	60 second approval
	BankSA Amplify Rewards Platinum	Amplify Rewards	1 pt per $1Capped	100,000 pts	$99	136,000 ptsWorth $1,360	60 second approval
	BankSA Amplify Rewards Signature	Amplify Rewards	1 pt per $1Capped	200,000 pts	$199	236,000 ptsWorth $2,360	60 second approval
	Bank of Melbourne Amplify Rewards Platinum	Amplify Rewards	1 pt per $1Capped	100,000 pts	$99	136,000 ptsWorth $1,360	60 second approval
	Bank of Melbourne Amplify Rewards Signature	Amplify Rewards	1 pt per $1Capped	200,000 pts	$199	236,000 ptsWorth $2,360	60 second approval
	ANZ Rewards Black Credit Card 1 review	ANZ Rewards Program	2 pts per $1Capped	180,000 pts	$320	252,000 ptsWorth $1,260	60 second approval
	American Express Explorer Credit Card 5 reviews	American Express Membership Rewards	2 pts per $1Uncapped	75,000 pts	$395	147,000 ptsWorth $1,470	60 second approval
Bank of ChinaGold •••• •••• •••• •••• Credit Card CompareMastercard	Bank of China Great Wall International Mastercard Credit Card (Gold Card)	Bank of China Rewards	2 pts per $1Uncapped	—	$100	72,000 ptsWorth $360
	NAB Rewards Platinum Card	NAB Rewards	1 pt per $1Capped	100,000 pts	$195	136,000 ptsWorth $1,360	60 second approval
	MyCard Prestige	MyCard Rewards	1 pt per $1Uncapped	250,000 pts	$700	286,000 ptsWorth $1,430
	MyCard Prestige - Velocity Points Offer	MyCard Rewards	1 pt per $1Uncapped	200,000 pts	$700	236,000 ptsWorth $1,180
	Bankwest More Classic Mastercard 7 reviews	Bankwest More Rewards Program	1.5 pts per $1Capped	20,000 pts	$100	74,000 ptsWorth $444	60 second approval
	American Express Business Gold Plus Card 2 reviews	American Express Membership Rewards	1.5 pts per $1Uncapped	200,000 pts	$395	254,000 ptsWorth $2,540	60 second approval
	American Express Velocity Business Card	Velocity Frequent Flyer	1 pt per $1Uncapped	150,000 pts	$249	186,000 ptsWorth $1,860	60 second approval
	NAB Rewards Signature Card	NAB Rewards	1.5 pts per $1Capped	110,000 pts	$420	164,000 ptsWorth $1,640	60 second approval
Virgin MoneyPlatinum •••• •••• •••• •••• Credit Card CompareVisa	Virgin Money Anytime Rewards Credit Card	Virgin Money Rewards	1 pt per $1Uncapped	60,000 pts	$149	96,000 ptsWorth $960	Application
	American Express Velocity Escape Plus Card 1 review	Velocity Frequent Flyer	1 pt per $1Uncapped	30,000 pts	$95	66,000 ptsWorth $660	60 second approval
	Bendigo Bank Platinum Rewards Credit Card	Bendigo Rewards	1.5 pts per $1Uncapped	—	$89	54,000 ptsWorth $270
	Qantas Money Titanium	Qantas Frequent Flyer	1.25 pts per $1Capped	150,000 pts	$1,200	195,000 ptsWorth $2,340
	American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card	American Express Membership Rewards	1 pt per $1Uncapped	30,000 pts	$108	66,000 ptsWorth $660	60 second approval
	HSBC Platinum Credit Card	HSBC Rewards Plus	1.5 pts per $1Capped	—	$199	54,000 ptsWorth $540
	HSBC Premier World Mastercard	HSBC Rewards Plus	1.5 pts per $1Capped	—	$199	54,000 ptsWorth $540
	Macquarie Black Card	Macquarie Credit Card Rewards Program	2 pts per $1Capped	—	$249	72,000 ptsWorth $432
	Bankwest Qantas World Mastercard 1 review	Qantas Frequent Flyer	1 pt per $1Capped	100,000 pts	$320	136,000 ptsWorth $1,632	60 second approval
	Qantas American Express Discovery Card 7 reviews	Qantas Frequent Flyer	0.75 pts per $1Uncapped	—	$0	27,000 ptsWorth $324	60 second approval
	American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card	Qantas Business Rewards	1.25 pts per $1Uncapped	150,000 pts	$450	195,000 ptsWorth $2,340	60 second approval
	ANZ Business Black	ANZ Rewards Program	1.5 pts per $1Capped	150,000 pts	$300	204,000 ptsWorth $1,020	60 second approval
	Kogan Money Credit Card	Kogan Rewards Program	1 pt per $1Uncapped	—	$0	36,000 ptsWorth $180
	Westpac BusinessChoice Rewards Platinum Credit Card	Qantas Business Rewards	0.5 pts per $1Capped	100,000 pts	$150	118,000 ptsWorth $1,416	60 second approval
	MyCard Premier	MyCard Rewards	1 pt per $1Capped	150,000 pts	$300	186,000 ptsWorth $930
	Bankwest Qantas Platinum Mastercard 4 reviews	Qantas Frequent Flyer	0.6 pts per $1Capped	80,000 pts	$199	99,800 ptsWorth $1,198	60 second approval
	St.George Amplify Business Credit Card	Amplify Rewards	1 pt per $1Uncapped	—	$0	36,000 ptsWorth $360	60 second approval
	BankSA Amplify Business Credit Card	Amplify Rewards	1 pt per $1Uncapped	—	$0	36,000 ptsWorth $360	60 second approval
	Bank of Melbourne Amplify Business Credit Card	Amplify Rewards	1 pt per $1Uncapped	—	$0	36,000 ptsWorth $360	60 second approval
	CommBank Smart Awards Credit Card	CommBank Awards Program	1.5 pts per $1Capped	40,000 pts	$228	76,000 ptsWorth $456	60 second approval
	Hume Clear Visa Credit Card	Hume Loyalty Program	1 pt per $1Uncapped	—	$30	36,000 ptsWorth $180
Virgin MoneySignature •••• •••• •••• •••• Credit Card CompareVisa	Virgin Australia Velocity High Flyer Credit Card	Velocity Frequent Flyer	1 pt per $1Capped	100,000 pts	$329	136,000 ptsWorth $1,360	Application
Bank of QueenslandStandard •••• •••• •••• •••• Credit Card CompareVisa	BOQ Blue Visa Credit Card	Q Rewards	1 pt per $1Uncapped	50,000 pts	$89	86,000 ptsWorth $430
	Bank of Melbourne Amplify Qantas Platinum 2 reviews	Qantas Frequent Flyer	0.35 pts per $1Capped	100,000 pts	$175	112,600 ptsWorth $1,351	60 second approval
	BankSA Amplify Qantas Platinum	Qantas Frequent Flyer	0.35 pts per $1Capped	100,000 pts	$175	112,600 ptsWorth $1,351	60 second approval
	Westpac Altitude Qantas Platinum	Qantas Frequent Flyer	0.35 pts per $1Capped	100,000 pts	$175	112,600 ptsWorth $1,351	60 second approval
WestpacPlatinum •••• •••• •••• •••• Credit Card CompareMastercard	Westpac Altitude Velocity Platinum	Velocity Frequent Flyer	0.35 pts per $1Capped	100,000 pts	$175	112,600 ptsWorth $1,126	60 second approval
	St.George Amplify Qantas Platinum	Qantas Frequent Flyer	0.35 pts per $1Capped	100,000 pts	$175	112,600 ptsWorth $1,351	60 second approval
	MyCard Premier - Velocity Points Offer	MyCard Rewards	1 pt per $1Capped	110,000 pts	$300	146,000 ptsWorth $730
Bank of ChinaStandard •••• •••• •••• •••• Credit Card CompareMastercard	Bank of China Great Wall International Mastercard Credit Card (Low Rate Card)	Bank of China Rewards	1 pt per $1Uncapped	—	$40	36,000 ptsWorth $180
	ANZ Qantas Business Rewards	Qantas Business Rewards	0.75 pts per $1Capped	150,000 pts	$300	177,000 ptsWorth $2,124	60 second approval
	ANZ Frequent Flyer Black	Qantas Frequent Flyer	1 pt per $1Capped	80,000 pts	$370	116,000 ptsWorth $1,392	60 second approval
	Hume Business Visa Unsecured Credit Card	Hume Loyalty Program	1 pt per $1Uncapped	—	$60	36,000 ptsWorth $180
	Hume Business Visa Residentially Secured Credit Card	Hume Loyalty Program	1 pt per $1Uncapped	—	$60	36,000 ptsWorth $180
	Bendigo Bank Qantas Business Credit Card	Qantas Business Rewards	0.6 pts per $1Capped	25,000 pts	$89	46,600 ptsWorth $559
	Hume Business Visa Commercially Secured Credit Card	Hume Loyalty Program	1 pt per $1Uncapped	—	$60	36,000 ptsWorth $180
	BankSA Amplify Qantas Signature 1 review	Qantas Frequent Flyer	0.5 pts per $1Capped	150,000 pts	$295	168,000 ptsWorth $2,016	60 second approval
	CommBank Awards Credit Card 127 reviews	CommBank Awards Program	1 pt per $1Capped	—	$96	30,000 ptsWorth $180	60 second approval
	MyCard Rewards - Bonus Points Offer 17 reviews	MyCard Rewards	1 pt per $1Uncapped	100,000 pts	$199	136,000 ptsWorth $680
	Qantas Money Everyday	Qantas Frequent Flyer	0.75 pts per $1Capped	8,000 pts	$99	35,000 ptsWorth $420
	NAB Qantas Rewards Signature Card	Qantas Frequent Flyer	1 pt per $1Capped	130,000 pts	$420	166,000 ptsWorth $1,992	60 second approval
	Westpac Altitude Qantas Black	Qantas Frequent Flyer	0.5 pts per $1Capped	150,000 pts	$295	168,000 ptsWorth $2,016	60 second approval
	St.George Amplify Qantas Signature	Qantas Frequent Flyer	0.5 pts per $1Capped	150,000 pts	$295	168,000 ptsWorth $2,016	60 second approval
	Bank of Melbourne Amplify Qantas Signature	Qantas Frequent Flyer	0.5 pts per $1Capped	150,000 pts	$295	168,000 ptsWorth $2,016	60 second approval
	BankVic Qantas Visa Credit Card	Qantas Frequent Flyer	0.5 pts per $1Uncapped	—	$0	18,000 ptsWorth $216
	CommBank Business Awards Credit Card 4 reviews	CommBank Awards Program	1 pt per $1Capped	—	$100	36,000 ptsWorth $216	60 second approval
	Qantas American Express Ultimate Card 2 reviews	Qantas Frequent Flyer	1.25 pts per $1Uncapped	50,000 pts	$450	95,000 ptsWorth $1,140	60 second approval
	NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card 18 reviews	Qantas Frequent Flyer	0.66 pts per $1Capped	100,000 pts	$295	123,760 ptsWorth $1,485	60 second approval
WestpacBlack •••• •••• •••• •••• Credit Card CompareMastercard	Westpac Altitude Velocity Black	Velocity Frequent Flyer	0.5 pts per $1Capped	150,000 pts	$295	168,000 ptsWorth $1,680	60 second approval
	NAB Qantas Business Signature Card	Qantas Business Rewards	0.66 pts per $1Capped	150,000 pts	$295	173,760 ptsWorth $2,085	60 second approval
	Westpac Altitude Business Gold Credit Card	Westpac Altitude Rewards	1 pt per $1Capped	—	$0	36,000 ptsWorth $360	60 second approval
David JonesGold •••• •••• •••• •••• Credit Card CompareMastercard	David Jones Premiere Credit Card	David Jones Rewards	1 pt per $1Uncapped	—	$99	36,000 ptsWorth $216	Application
	MyCard Rewards - Velocity Points Offer	MyCard Rewards	1 pt per $1Uncapped	90,000 pts	$199	126,000 ptsWorth $630
	Qantas American Express Premium Card 3 reviews	Qantas Frequent Flyer	1 pt per $1Uncapped	20,000 pts	$249	56,000 ptsWorth $672	60 second approval
	Qudos Bank Visa Platinum Credit Card	Qantas Frequent Flyer	1 pt per $1Capped	—	$189	33,000 ptsWorth $396
	Coles No Annual Fee Mastercard 77 reviews	Flybuys	1 Flybuys point per $2Capped	—	$0	18,000 ptsWorth $90
	ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum 34 reviews	Qantas Frequent Flyer	0.75 pts per $1Capped	40,000 pts	$240	67,000 ptsWorth $804	60 second approval
Unity BankPlatinum •••• •••• •••• •••• Credit Card CompareVisa	Unity Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card	Qantas Frequent Flyer	1 pt per $1Capped	30,000 pts	$299	66,000 ptsWorth $792
	G&C Mutual Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card	Qantas Frequent Flyer	1 pt per $1Capped	30,000 pts	$299	66,000 ptsWorth $792
	BOQ Specialist Platinum Credit Card	Qantas Frequent Flyer	0.4 pts per $1Capped	—	$0	14,400 ptsWorth $173
	Westpac Altitude Business Platinum Credit Card	Westpac Altitude Rewards	1 pt per $1Uncapped	—	$200	36,000 ptsWorth $360	60 second approval
David JonesStandard •••• •••• •••• •••• Credit Card CompareMastercard	David Jones Icon Credit Card	David Jones Credit Card Points	0.5 pts per $1Uncapped	—	$0	18,000 ptsWorth $108	Application
	Macquarie Platinum Card 2 reviews	Macquarie Credit Card Rewards Program	1 pt per $1Capped	—	$149	36,000 ptsWorth $216
	American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card 18 reviews	American Express Membership Rewards	1 pt per $1Uncapped	—	$0	36,000 ptsWorth $360	60 second approval
	HSBC Platinum Qantas Credit Card 4 reviews	Qantas Frequent Flyer	1.5 pts per $1Capped	—	$399	54,000 ptsWorth $648
	American Express Velocity Platinum Card 8 reviews	Velocity Frequent Flyer	1.25 pts per $1Uncapped	50,000 pts	$440	95,000 ptsWorth $950	60 second approval
	CommBank Ultimate Awards Credit Card	CommBank Awards Program	1 pt per $1Capped	60,000 pts	$420	96,000 ptsWorth $576	60 second approval
	Bank Australia Platinum Rewards Visa Credit Card 2 reviews	Qantas Frequent Flyer	0.75 pts per $1Capped	—	$189	27,000 ptsWorth $324
	Coles Low Rate Mastercard 18 reviews	Flybuys	1 Flybuys point per $2Capped	—	$58	18,000 ptsWorth $90
Virgin MoneyPlatinum •••• •••• •••• •••• Credit Card CompareVisa	Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Credit Card	Velocity Frequent Flyer	0.66 pts per $1Capped	—	$149	20,880 ptsWorth $209	Application
	Bendigo Bank Qantas Platinum Credit Card	Qantas Frequent Flyer	0.6 pts per $1Capped	—	$149	21,600 ptsWorth $259
	Summerland Bank Rewards Credit Card	Rewarder Rewards Program	0.5 pts per $1Uncapped	—	$0	18,000 ptsWorth $90
MyCardStandard •••• •••• •••• •••• Credit Card CompareMastercard	MyCard Rewards	MyCard Rewards	1 pt per $1Uncapped	—	$199	36,000 ptsWorth $180
	MyCard Rewards - Purchase and Balance Transfer Offer	MyCard Rewards	1 pt per $1Uncapped	—	$199	36,000 ptsWorth $180
	MyCard Prestige Qantas	Qantas Frequent Flyer	0.5 pts per $1Uncapped	125,000 pts	$749	143,000 ptsWorth $1,716
RevolutStandard •••• •••• •••• •••• Credit Card CompareVisa	Revolut Credit Card	RevPoints	1 RevPoint per $16Uncapped	—	$0	2,250 ptsWorth $23
	BOQ Specialist Signature Credit Card	Qantas Frequent Flyer	1 pt per $1Capped	20,000 pts	$400	56,000 ptsWorth $672
	Zip Plus	Zip Rewards	—	—	$0
RevolutStandard •••• •••• •••• •••• Credit Card CompareVisa	Revolut Ultra Credit Card	RevPoints	1.3 RevPoints per $1Uncapped	—	$1,200	46,800 ptsWorth $468
	CommBank Business Platinum Awards Credit Card 13 reviews	CommBank Awards Program	1 pt per $1Capped	—	$300	36,000 ptsWorth $216	60 second approval
	CommBank Low Fee Credit Card 85 reviews	—	—	—	$36		60 second approval
	ANZ First 80 reviews	—	—	—	$30		60 second approval
	Westpac Low Fee Card	—	—	—	$0		60 second approval
David JonesPlatinum •••• •••• •••• •••• Credit Card CompareMastercard	David Jones Prestige Credit Card	David Jones Rewards	1 pt per $1Uncapped	—	$295	36,000 ptsWorth $216	Application
RevolutStandard •••• •••• •••• •••• Credit Card CompareVisa	Revolut Premium Credit Card	RevPoints	3 RevPoints per $8Uncapped	—	$144	13,500 ptsWorth $135
RevolutStandard •••• •••• •••• •••• Credit Card CompareVisa	Revolut Metal Credit Card	RevPoints	1 RevPoint per $1Uncapped	—	$348	36,000 ptsWorth $360
	Heritage Bank Classic Visa Credit Card 6 reviews	Heritage Credit Rewards	1 Heritage Credit per $1,300Uncapped	—	$55	28 ptsWorth $0
	NAB Low Fee Card 48 reviews	—	—	—	$49		60 second approval
	St.George Vertigo Card - Cashback Offer	—	—	—	$55		60 second approval
	Bank of Melbourne Vertigo Card - Cashback Offer	—	—	—	$55		60 second approval
	BankSA Vertigo - Cashback Offer	—	—	—	$55		60 second approval
RevolutStandard •••• •••• •••• •••• Credit Card CompareVisa	Revolut Plus Credit Card	RevPoints	1.2 RevPoints per $16Uncapped	—	$72	2,700 ptsWorth $27
	CommBank Low Rate Credit Card 95 reviews	—	—	—	$72		60 second approval
	ANZ Low Rate - Credit Back Offer	—	—	—	$58		60 second approval
	NAB Low Rate - Cashback Offer	—	—	—	$59		60 second approval
	Westpac Low Rate Card - Cashback Offer	—	—	—	$59		60 second approval
	HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card	Star Alliance	1 pt per $1Capped	—	$499	36,000 ptsWorth $432
HSBCStandard •••• •••• •••• •••• Credit Card CompareMastercard	HSBC Premier World Mastercard Qantas	Qantas Frequent Flyer	1 pt per $1Capped	—	$0	36,000 ptsWorth $432
	ANZ Platinum Credit Card 19 reviews	—	—	—	$0		60 second approval
	Queensland Country Bank Visa My Rewards Credit Card	My Rewards	1 reward dollar per $150Capped	—	$89	240 ptsWorth $1
	Queensland Country Bank Business Visa My Rewards Credit Card	Rewarder Rewards Program	1 reward dollar per $150Capped	—	$85	240 ptsWorth $1
	Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard 47 reviews	Latitude Rewards	—	—	$0
	BCU Rewards Credit Card	—	—	—	$89
	MyCard Premier Qantas	MyCard Rewards	0.5 pts per $1Uncapped	100,000 pts	$350	118,000 ptsWorth $590
	Heritage Bank Visa Platinum Credit Card 1 review	Heritage Credit Rewards	3 Heritage Credits per $1,500Uncapped	—	$125	72 ptsWorth $0
	Latitude GO Mastercard	—	—	—	$131
	MONEYME Cashback Rewards Credit Card	—	—	—	$149
	ING Orange One Rewards Platinum	—	—	—	$149
	Great Southern Bank Platinum Credit Card	—	—	—	$144

What people say online

Leans positive

Our ongoing analysis of online discussion about this card type.

Australian rewards credit card users weigh sign-up bonuses and travel perks against annual fees and approval stringency, with value assessments varying based on individual spending patterns and ability to utilise included benefits.

What's happening with rewards credit cards in August

By David BoydUpdated 7 August 2026

Market data
Credit and charge card spending was $40.7 billion in May 2026
Australians spent $40.7 billion on credit and charge cards in May 2026, up 6.6% on a year earlier (seasonally adjusted, Reserve Bank of Australia).
With Australians spending more on credit cards each year, the maths of whether a rewards card's annual fee pays for itself depends entirely on your own spending habits and which perks you'll actually use.

Rewards by the numbers

137

Cards compared

110,551 pts

Average sign-up bonus

5 pts per $1

Top earn rate

Bank of China Global UnionPay Card

$3,500

Highest-value sign-up bonus

American Express Platinum Business Card

$216

Average annual fee

What are rewards credit cards?

Rewards credit cards earn points, cashback or frequent flyer miles on everyday spending. You can redeem points for flights, gift cards, merchandise or credit towards your balance.

Many also include travel insurance, airport lounge passes and concierge services. They usually carry higher annual fees and interest rates than basic cards.

Expert insight: where the points value comes from

“They excel both in how many points you earn per dollar and the value of their transfer bonuses.”

Hans Mast

Travel and points expert

How to choose a rewards card

Look at the earn rate (points per dollar), the value of any sign-up bonus, and whether the annual fee is justified by the benefits you'll actually use.

If you are a high spender, check for uncapped points. And decide which program fits your life, whether that's frequent flyer points or simple cashback.

Rewards credit card FAQs

A general rewards card earns flexible points you can redeem several ways, including transferring to airlines. A frequent flyer card earns points directly into one airline program. Rewards cards give you more options; frequent flyer cards suit loyalty to a single airline.

How do rewards cards compare?

View all →

Build your own comparison

Choose 2 or 3 cards to compare side by side.

Questions and answers

Anonymous25 June 2026

Do rewards cards usually have a minimum monthly spend to earn points?

Credit Card CompareEditor26 June 2026

No minimum spend applies on most rewards cards: points accrue per dollar from the first transaction. A card's sign-up bonus is different and often does carry a minimum-spend condition within a set window, so check that separately from the ongoing earn rate.

Related card types

Altitude Rewards credit cards American Express Membership Rewards credit cards Amplify Rewards credit cards ANZ Rewards credit cards Credit cards with airport lounge access Frequent flyer credit cards

Sources

Credit Card Compare: Australian credit card statisticsHow CardIQ scores cardsHow the credit card sentiment tracker worksRewards points calculator
Program: American Express Membership Rewards