yogita_dabasia

Can anyone recommend the best credit card to apply for, or is there a "best buys" website someone can recommend? I was looking at at banks.com.au, and only realised that you have to pay annual charges for most cards, something we are not used to in the UK, in addition to the charges for having bank accounts.

Also, is it better to then have a joint credit card account to save on charges? The same for bank accounts?

nickUK

Try www.moneymanager.com.au

You'll have to get used to paying for banking in oz mate! Typically, you pay monthly account fees, pay to withdraw at other banks ATMs, pay a monthly fee for an overdraft facility (even if you don't use it), pay to apply for an overdraft facility, etc...

If you're also looking for a bank, NAB are doing a new account that I don't think has a monthly fee (as long as you deposit a certain amount). That said, my experiences with NAB were bad and I moved to Westpac. I've found them pretty good (apart from the charges!), and their corporate & social responsibility track record (e.g. founding member of the equator principles) is really good - if that sort of thing sways you.

Another thing to consider for bank accounts is whether they do a Visa/Mastercard Debit card on your account as a lot of places don't accept EFTPOS (the oz equiv of Switch).

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Nick

yogita_dabasia

Thanks, I'll take a look at the link first. Westpac seem quite good-we talked to them at the Australian Expo in London in Oct/Nov last year..

sassie

Depends on who you bank with.

We use HSBC for our day to day banking, ING for our savings and have a Virgin Credit Card (no annual charge). Haven't paid bank fees in years.

jayr

Try Wizard or Aussie if you want lower interest rate credit cards.

Timber Floor Au

You havent paid bank fees in years?

How....?

Do HSBC not charge for transactions on eftpos , cheques etc.

Ste

sassie

With HSBC, no monthly fee and no charge for Efptos. We don't have a cheque accont, so can't comment on that. You are allowed 5 free withdrawals from non HSBC ATM's a month, and no charge and no limit on their own ATM's. We also have a debit card which is a bit like Eftpos, expect the money comes out of your account about 2 days later.

moneypenny20

Virgin's a good card. We got ours not long after we got here so had little proof of earnings and got a very reasonable amount of credit.

Timber Floor Au

Im amazed, you havent paid bank fees or charges whatsoever.

Thats incredible, well done you !!!!!

Ste

mjj

I've just applied for one of these:

http://om.hsbc.com.au/lowrate/defaul...arch&WT.srch=1

Seems pretty good:

0% p.a. until 1 June 2008 on purchases
0% p.a. until 1 October 2008 on balance transfers
$0 annual fee in the first year and then only $39 p.a.

Gjn200

Free with the Commonwealth as well. If you have a mortgage with them.