canstar
canstar

Best rewards credit cards Australia

The table below shows some of the highest-rated rewards credit cards from our Online Partners that allow you to earn points as you spend.

Joshua Sale
Joshua SaleGM, Research
Nina Rinella
Nina RinellaEditor-in-Chief
clock icon
Updated 30 Oct, 2025
Fact Checked
info
PromotedAmerican Express
Category: Frequent Flyer
Qantas Points
Qantas Points
  • Earn up to 90,000 bonus Qantas Points
  • Min spend $3k in 3 months. Offer ends 13 Jan 2026.
  • T&Cs apply. New American Express Card Members only

Australian Credit Licence 291313

PromotedAmerican Express
Category: Rewards
Membership Rewards Points
Membership Rewards Points
  • Earn up to 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points
  • Min spend $4k in 3 moths. Offer ends 2 Dec 2025.
  • T&Cs apply. New American Express Card Members only

Australian Credit Licence 291313

American Express
Category: Rewards
Membership Rewards Points
Membership Rewards Points

Australian Credit Licence 291313

American Express
Category: Frequent Flyer
Qantas Points
Qantas Points

Australian Credit Licence 291313

Bankwest
Category: Frequent Flyer
Qantas Points
Qantas Points

Australian Credit Licence 234945

American Express
Membership Rewards Points
Membership Rewards Points

Australian Credit Licence 291313

Showing 4 of 63 results

To see more results adjust the filters above

Included
Not included
Optional
NANot applicable
Canstar Star Rating

Unsure of a term in the above table?

The initial results in the tables above are sorted by Star Rating (High-Low), Sign Up Bonus Points (High-low), then Annual Fee (Low-High) Additional filters may have been applied, see top of table for details.

What are rewards credit cards?

Rewards credit cards allow you to earn bonuses—such as cash back, points or travel miles—for every dollar you spend on your credit card. Credit card providers convert your spending into points, then into rewards when you redeem those points.

There are four main types of rewards:

  • Cash back: These rewards include cashback or cash equivalents such as gift cards.
  • Merchandise (general rewards): These rewards often have the most options when redeeming points,including gift cards, automotive services, entertainment, lifestyle, food and beverages, or additional rewards.
  • Frequent flyer (flight rewards): These rewards often suit customers looking to accrue points on a specific frequent flyer program or other travel products.
  • Instant rewards: These rewards provide instant discounts at the point of sale.

How do rewards credit cards work?

Depending on the credit card and rewards program you choose, you can earn rewards points for each dollar you spend on the card.

You are then able to redeem these points in various ways according to the rules of the rewards scheme. This could mean exchanging them for a selected range of goods and services, or claiming discounts on things like flights and accommodation.

Check whether the card limits the amount of rewards points you can earn, whether the rewards points can expire before you redeem them, and whether it is easy to redeem the points for the rewards you value.

Some providers allow you to set up auto-redemption, so that every time you reach a certain number of points, these points are automatically redeemed in the method of your choice.

How can you compare rewards credit cards?

Consider the following questions to find the best rewards credit card program for you:

  • What is the rewards program? Does the program suit your credit card usage habits? Does it offer rewards that you are interested in?
  • How can you earn points? How many points can you earn per dollar spent? Are there any conditions or point caps? Do the rewards points expire?
  • What is the cost of having the card? Is the card’s annual fee worth the amount of rewards you can earn? Are there any costs associated with being a member of the rewards program? What is the interest rate?
  • Are there any other features on offer? Some rewards credit cards also offer extra perks like complimentary travel insurance, purchase protection insurance and lounge access.

Canstar can help narrow down your options. Use the table at the top of the page to compare rewards credit cards, and change the filters to suit your requirements. Canstar researches and rates credit cards from a range of providers. When comparing rewards credit cards we consider both the price and features on offer, including the net reward return that customers can get.

What are the benefits of having a rewards credit card?

Some potential benefits of having a rewards credit card are:

  • Earning points. The main benefit of a rewards credit card is that you can earn rewards points on your eligible spending. These points can be redeemed for things like cashback, frequent flyer points, merchandise and discounts on your shopping.
  • Extra features. Rewards credit cards can often come with extra features like complimentary insurance cover.
  • Bonus offers. Rewards credit cards may offer bonus reward points for new customers when they spend a certain amount within the first few months of having the card.

What are the drawbacks of having a rewards credit card?

Some of the drawbacks of having a rewards credit card are:

  • Higher annual fees and interest rates. Rewards credit cards generally charge higher annual fees and interest rates than non-rewards cards. This means you will pay more for the card, particularly if you don’t pay off your balance in full each month.
  • Rewards conditions. You will usually only earn points on eligible spending. There may also be caps on the number of points you can earn, and the value of the points you earn can vary across different cards and rewards schemes.
  • Temptation to overspend. A rewards credit card may encourage you to spend more to get more points, which can lead to overspending.

Frequently Asked Questions about Rewards Credit Cards

Canstar Credit Card Star Ratings and Awards

Looking for an award-winning credit card product or to switch providers or brands? Canstar rates products based on price and features in our Credit Card Star Ratings and Awards. Our expert Research team shares insights about which products offer 5-Star value and which providers offer outstanding value overall.

Canstar rates a range of financial products, covering banking, insurance and investment. We also reveal which providers have the most satisfied customers in our dedicated Customer Satisfaction Awards.

Credit Card Star Ratings and Awards


Nina Rinella, Editor-in-Chief

Nina Rinella
As Canstar’s Editor-in-Chief, Nina heads up a team of talented journalists committed to helping empower consumers to take greater control of their finances. Nina has written countless articles about finance and has been interviewed on finance topics by media organisations including The Australian, Realestate.com.au, Domain, the Herald Sun and the Sydney Morning Herald. Previously Nina founded her own agency where she provided content and communications support to clients around Australia for 8 years. She also spent four years as the PR Manager for American Express Australia, and has worked at a Brisbane communications agency where she supported dozens of clients, including Sunsuper and Suncorp. When she’s not dreaming up ways to put a fresh spin on finance, she’s taking her own advice by trying to pay her house off as quickly as possible and raising two money-savvy kids. Nina has a Bachelor of Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in English Literature from the University of Queensland. She’s also an experienced presenter, and has hosted numerous events and YouTube series. You can follow Canstar on Facebook. Meet the Canstar Editorial Team. Have a media enquiry, and interested in featuring Nina as a financial expert and commentator? Contact Canstar’s Media Team today.

Joshua Sale, GM, Research

Joshua Sale
Joshua Sale is responsible for developing the methodology and delivering Canstar’s flagship Star Ratings, as part of Canstar’s Research Team. With tertiary qualifications in economics and finance, he enjoys helping Australians find more suitable financial products by transforming complex calculations into a consumer-friendly Star Rating that explains the values and benefits of different financial products. As one of Canstar’s company spokespeople, Joshua is confident participating in print, radio and broadcast journalism interviews. He has participated in interviews with the Australian Financial Review, news.com.au and Money Magazine, along with other leading media outlets, discussing topics such as home loan equity, banking incentive schemes, digital wallets and wider finance trends. You can follow Joshua on LinkedIn. Have a media enquiry, and interested in featuring Joshua as a financial expert and commentator? Contact Canstar’s Media Team today.

Important Information

For those that love the detail

This advice is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this advice is right for you.