Looking for the best rewards credit cards in Australia for 2026? Whether you’re after points, cashback, or Avios, there’s a card out there to suit your spending style and travel plans. We’ve rounded up the top 10 cards that offer solid perks, great earning rates, and worthwhile sign-up bonuses. From everyday spending to luxury travel, here’s what you need to know before picking your next rewards card.
Quick Comparison of the Best Rewards Credit Cards Australia 2026
- Chase Prime Visa: Instant $150 Amazon gift card, no spending requirement, earns 5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods, requires $139/year Amazon Prime membership.
- Citi Double Cash Card: No annual fee, straightforward 2% cashback on all purchases (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay), ideal for those who want simple, reliable cashback.
- American Express Business Platinum Card: Offers up to 300,000 bonus points with a hefty $20,000 minimum spend within the first three months, plus luxury travel perks and comprehensive insurance coverage.
- Qantas Premier Platinum Card: Strong points earning on Qantas flights and everyday spend, plus complimentary domestic and international travel insurance and Qantas lounge passes.
- ANZ Rewards Black Card: Premium card with high points earning rates, airport lounge access via Priority Pass, and flexible points redemption options across travel and merchandise.
- Velocity High Flyer Card: Designed for Virgin Australia frequent flyers, offering priority boarding, bonus Velocity points on flights, and complimentary domestic travel insurance.
- St.George Amplify Signature Card: Unique combo of cashback and points earnings with no international transaction fees, plus purchase protection and extended warranty benefits.
- Westpac Altitude Black Card: Earn Altitude points on all purchases, receive complimentary comprehensive travel insurance, and access to exclusive Westpac offers and experiences.
- Bankwest More Rewards Card: Low annual fee card that earns points on groceries, fuel and everyday spend, plus bonus points on select retailers and no foreign transaction fees.
- NAB Rewards Card: Flexible points redemption across multiple airlines and shopping partners, plus a no annual fee option that still earns points on everyday purchases.
1. Chase Prime Visa
Key features: Currently running an April 2026 offer giving an instant $150 Amazon gift card upon approval with no minimum spending required. Earn 5% cashback at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods, and Chase Travel purchases. Also earns 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and local transit and 1% back on all other purchases. Requires an active Amazon Prime membership costing $139 per year.
Pros: No annual fee besides the Amazon Prime membership, rewards can be redeemed instantly on Amazon purchases which is a huge plus for frequent Amazon shoppers. The high 5% cashback rate at Amazon and related stores beats most competitors. Cashback is credited monthly, making it easy to track rewards.
Cons: Rewards are heavily weighted towards Amazon spending, so limited benefit if you shop elsewhere. The $139 annual Prime membership is mandatory to access cashback, which adds to cost.
Variable APR ranges from 18.74% to 27.49%, which is high compared to some cards.
Best for: Australians who regularly shop on Amazon and want immediate cashback rewards, especially those already paying for Amazon Prime. Also suits those who want no minimum spend to get sign-up bonus rewards.
2. Citi Double Cash Card
Key features: No annual fee and a simple cashback system earning 1% on purchases and 1% on repayments, effectively 2% cashback. No category restrictions or caps on cashback earnings. Offers zero fraud liability protection and purchase security.
Pros: Straightforward and transparent cashback structure, excellent for everyday spending across all retailers. No annual fee means no ongoing cost. Widely accepted Visa card with contactless payments and Apple Pay/Google Pay compatibility.
Cons: doesn't offer bonus categories or sign-up bonuses. No travel or purchase insurance included. Cashback is credited monthly but only as statement credits, not direct deposits.
Best for: Budget-conscious cardholders wanting a no-fuss cashback card with no annual fees and consistent 2% cashback on all spending.
3. American Express Business Platinum Card
Key features: Offers up to 300,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you spend $20,000 in the first three months.
Includes luxury travel perks such as access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide, hotel elite status, and comprehensive travel insurance. Earns 1.25 points per $1 on most purchases, higher rates on flights booked through Amex Travel.
Pros: Exceptional sign-up bonus for business owners willing to meet the high minimum spend. Premium travel benefits plus exclusive business tools and partner offers. Complimentary business concierge and expense management tools.
Cons: $1,000 annual fee, which is high even for premium cards. Minimum spend requirement is steep and may not suit all businesses. Foreign transaction fees apply on some purchases.
Best for: Small to medium business owners who travel frequently and can maximise the sign-up bonus and travel perks.
4. Qantas Premier Platinum Card
Key features: Earn Qantas Points on Qantas flights and everyday spending, with bonus points on Qantas flights and hotels.
Includes complimentary travel insurance covering illness, injury, and cancellations. Offers Qantas lounge passes and priority check-in on selected flights.
Pros: Perfect for loyal Qantas flyers wanting to accumulate points quickly. Travel insurance adds peace of mind for domestic and international trips. Flexible points redemption options including upgrades, flights, and retail.
Cons: Annual fee around $250, which can be high if you don’t use the travel benefits. Points earn rate outside Qantas purchases is average. Some blackout dates apply to points redemptions.
Best for: Frequent Qantas flyers who want to build points for flights, upgrades, and travel perks while enjoying insurance benefits.
5. ANZ Rewards Black Card
Key features: Premium card earning up to 3 ANZ Rewards points per $1 spent, complimentary Priority Pass lounge access with two free visits per year, and a $425 annual fee. Includes comprehensive travel insurance and global concierge services.
Pros: High points earning potential and premium travel benefits. Points can be transferred to several frequent flyer programs including Qantas and Virgin Australia. No foreign transaction fees on some cards in the ANZ Rewards Black range.
Cons: High annual fee may deter casual users. Requires good credit history to be approved. Some benefits require activation or additional fees.
Best for: High spenders who travel often and want a premium rewards card with flexible redemption options and lounge access.
6. Velocity High Flyer Card
Key features: Offers bonus Velocity points on Virgin Australia flights plus 1.25 points per $1 spent on everyday purchases.
Includes priority boarding, free checked bags, and domestic travel insurance. Annual fee is $375.
Pros: Great for Virgin Australia loyalists looking to earn Velocity points quickly. Travel perks improve flying experience. Points can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and partner rewards.
Cons: Annual fee is relatively steep. Benefits limited if you don’t fly Virgin Australia often. Points expiry after 18 months of inactivity.
Best for: Regular Virgin Australia flyers wanting to maximise Velocity points and enjoy travel benefits.
7. St.George Amplify Signature Card
Key features: Earns a mix of cashback and Amplify points, with 1.5% cashback on eligible purchases plus points on everyday spending. No international transaction fees. Includes purchase protection and extended warranty coverage. Annual fee of $199.
Pros: Great combo of cashback and points rewards. No fees on overseas transactions makes it ideal for travellers. Purchase protection helps safeguard expensive items.
Cons: Annual fee higher than some cashback cards. Cashback categories may exclude some retailers. Points redemption options are more limited than other programs.
Best for: Travellers who want a mix of cashback and points with no foreign transaction fees and added purchase protection.
8. Westpac Altitude Black Card
Key features: Earn Altitude points on all purchases with bonus points on travel, dining, and entertainment.
Includes complimentary comprehensive travel insurance and access to exclusive Westpac offers. Annual fee is $250.
Pros: Versatile points earning with bonus categories. Travel insurance and exclusive offers add extra value. Points can be redeemed for flights, gift cards, or merchandise.
Cons: Annual fee may be high for low spenders. Points earn rate outside bonus categories is average. Limited airport lounge access compared to competitors.
Best for: Cardholders wanting a good all-rounder rewards card with travel insurance and flexible redemption options.
9. Bankwest More Rewards Card
Key features: Low annual fee of $59, earns points on groceries, fuel, and everyday spending with bonus points at select retailers.
No foreign transaction fees. Includes contactless payments and mobile wallet compatibility.
Pros: Affordable annual fee with decent rewards on regular spend categories. No foreign transaction fees is a plus for overseas use. Simple redemption options via the Bankwest Rewards program.
Cons: Bonus points offers limited to select retailers. Lower points earning rate compared to premium cards. No travel insurance included.
Best for: Budget-conscious shoppers who want to earn points on groceries and fuel without paying hefty fees.
10. NAB Rewards Card
Key features: Flexible points redemption across airlines, hotels and merchandise.
No annual fee option available that still earns points on everyday purchases. Earn up to 1 point per $1 spent with bonus points on selected categories.
Pros: No annual fee option makes it accessible. Points program partners with multiple frequent flyer programs for flexibility. Easy mobile payments and contactless features.
Cons: Points earning rate is average. No significant sign-up bonuses on the no fee card. Travel insurance and premium benefits limited or unavailable.
Best for: Those seeking a no annual fee rewards card with flexible points redemption and basic everyday earning.
How We Chose These Cards
We examined the Australian credit card market as of early 2026, focusing on rewards cards that offer a good balance between earning potential, fees, travel perks, and flexibility. Key factors included sign-up bonuses, ongoing points or cashback rates, annual fees, and travel or purchase insurance benefits.
We also considered the accessibility of points redemption, whether it be for flights, merchandise, or statement credits. Cards tailored to popular Australian airlines like Qantas and Virgin Australia were evaluated alongside general cashback and points cards to cover diverse user needs.
Also, we checked for any current promotions such as instant gift cards or bonus points offers available in 2026. Customer service reputation, acceptance in Australia, and additional features like no foreign transaction fees or purchase protection were also part of the selection criteria.
Final Verdict
If you’re after points, cashback, or Avios in 2026, there’s a rewards credit card tailored for you. Amazon Prime members will find the Chase Prime Visa hard to beat for instant rewards and no spending requirements on sign-up bonuses. For those preferring simplicity, the Citi Double Cash Card offers reliable 2% cashback with no annual fee. Business owners with high spend will benefit most from the American Express Business Platinum Card’s massive bonus points and premium perks.
Frequent flyers should look closely at airline-specific cards like the Qantas Premier Platinum or Velocity High Flyer cards to maximise points and unlock travel benefits. Meanwhile, premium cards like the ANZ Rewards Black provide luxury travel perks and high points earnings for those willing to pay higher fees. Budget-conscious Australians can Look at the Bankwest More Rewards or NAB Rewards cards for solid earning potential without hefty costs.
At the end of the day, the best rewards credit card depends on your spending habits, travel preferences, and how much you’re willing to pay in fees. Choose a card that matches your lifestyle to get the most bang for your buck in 2026.
In 2026, rewards credit cards in Australia come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you want instant cashback, travel points, or flexible redemption options, you’ll find something that fits your needs. Keep an eye on fees, rewards rates, and any sign-up bonuses to make sure you’re getting real value. And don’t forget to check if the card’s perks match your spending and travel habits — that’s the key to making your rewards work for you.
This article was created with AI assistance.
