St. George Vertigo MasterCard – low balance transfer & purchases offer
Pros
- Low interest rate on balance transfers and purchases
- Consistently one of the best value credit cards in Australia
- Reverts to low purchase rate at the end of the balance transfer period
Cons
- No rewards program
Overall
Overall, if you're after a consistent credit card offer that is going to be competitive in the Australian market, the St.George Vertigo MasterCard is worth your consideration when comparing low interest credit cards
The St.George Vertigo MasterCard has been awarded a prestigious 5 Star rating from Cannex and is also a multi-award winning credit card account. It’s easy to see why this credit card is a favourite with customers around Australia.
Interest Rates, Fees & Charges
| Balance Transfer Rate |
0.99% p.a. for 12 months |
|
|---|---|---|
| Interest Rate on Purchases | 13.24% p.a. | |
| Annual Fee | $55 | |
| Interest Free Period | up to 55 days | |
| Cash Advance Rate | 21.49% p.a. | |
| Card Type | Standard | |
| Minimum Income Requirement | $15,000 p.a. | |
| Credit Card Type | MasterCard | |
| Rewards Program | No |
The ideal credit card for Australian’s who love shopping with a low rate on purchases.
- Awarded Australia’s cheapest Balance Transfer Credit Card in 2009 by Money Magazine.
- Up to 55 interest free days on purchases*
- Low $55 annual fee
- An additional card for a friend or family member, with all transactions on one statement
- Linked access to your other St.George accounts, for the ease of one card banking
St. George Vertigo MasterCard Credit Card Review
The recent release of the St.George Vertigo Low rate Credit Card offers a solid development in the credit card market. The card has a number of strengths and its users have been pressed to find any major faults in the product. The basic interest rate is generous at 13.24% p.a. and the card has been awarded Australia’s cheapest credit card award by Money magazine.
The annual fee, at $55 is also fair.
The interest free period of 55 days is also the selling point of the card – make all your repayments on time in the 55 day period, and you’ve only paid $55 for the whole year.
There is also a system of linked access to other St.George accounts and a discount incentive system with other St.George products.
Customers reviewing the card have always stated that the card is very functional and have been impressed by its major selling features.
In addition to this, the customer service which accompanies the card also often gets a wrap. The card activation, internet and phone service are all quick convenient and user-friendly.
St.George are really standing out with this offer in the Australian credit card market. You can too.
Take note that a good credit history and rating are required for balance transfer and application approval for the St.George Vertigo.
St.George Vertigo MasterCard Benefits
- Find it difficult to pay off your high interest credit cards in full each month. This lower interest will save you money in the long term. Make sure to take the $55 annual fee into account as well.
- Bundle your credit card and store card balances and transfer them over to a new Vertigo and repay 0.99% p.a. for 12 months on the balance.
Award Winning St.George Vertigo MasterCard
Cannex Award
Canstar Cannex star ratings are designed to help consumers compare financial products based on interest rates charged and features available. Each financial product, including credit cards, is reviewed by financial analysts and then given a rating.
A 5 star rating is the highest award rating offered and is given only to those financial products that offer outstanding value for the type of product offered.
The St.George Vertigo MasterCard was awarded a Cannex 5 star rating for exceptional value in a credit card. This should help customers to understand that this credit card offers low rates and great value, which should help you if you’re comparing more than one credit card offer.
Money Magazine Awards
Money Magazine has a long history of providing credible, independent and easy-to-understand financial advice and guidance for readers. They regularly provide reviews and feature articles designed to help readers save money and source the best possible financial products.
Each year, the expert financial staff at Money Magazine compares thousands of financial products against each other to try and determine the best possible value for each type of banking product.
When a clear winner stands out above the crowd, Money Magazine will award the bank offering this product with a prestigious award. These awards are designed to help customers compare different financial products easily and locate the best possible products for them.
In 2007, the St.George Vertigo MasterCard was given the award for being Australia’s Cheapest Credit Card. In 2009, the St.George Vertigo credit card was once again given a Money Magazine award, this time for Australia’s Cheapest Balance Transfer Credit Card.
For customers looking for great value, but not wanting to go through all the fine print for lots of different credit card products and offerings, using these awards and comparison systems can help to understand exactly what you’re getting.
With so many awards and high ratings applied to this account, it’s easy to see why the St.George Vertigo MasterCard credit card is a clear favourite with customers around Australia.
Using a St.George balance transfer to get out of credit debt is an excellent choice. It allows you to move the balance from your old cards to St.George and spend much lest on interest fees. This can save you loads of cash and helps you get out of debt.
A St.George balance transfer is one of the most convenient ways to get out of credit card debt. When you transfer a balance you move the debt from one credit card to a new credit card so that you pay a lower interest rate. Many options are available for balance transfer interest rates and terms. St.George offers several options depending on the amount you need to transfer and the length of time you need to repay that debt. No matter what you choose, you will wind up saving a lot of money on interest as well as having a winning credit card in your wallet.
There are two ways to make a St.George balance transfer. The first, for new applicants is to make your balance transfer request when you apply for the new card. Your transfer period, the amount of time your balance will gain only the introductory low rate, begins as soon as the account is opened. If you are already a St.George customer you can request a balance transfer as long as you meet the minimum requirements for the transaction. This request can be made by mail or online. It takes up to 14 days for your request to be processed.
St.George balance transfer requirements
- Balance transfers may only be made from another non-St.George credit card.
- The transferring card must be issued from Australia.
- A balance transfer must be at least $500 and not more then 95% of you available credit limit.
- Balance transfers will not be granted for accounts that are not in good standing.
- St.George will not close your previous credit cards. If you choose to close them you must arrange it with the issuer.
To make the most of these offers make sure you can pay off all of the transfer before the introductory rate expires and do not use your card for anything else until you have paid the balance transfer in full. This allow you to avoid an allocation of payments scheme, wherein credit card companies put all of your payment to the cheapest debt, leaving your purchases to collect interest until the lower interest balance transfer is repaid.
A St.George balance transfer is one of the few easy ways to get out of credit card debt. Once you cut the high cost of interest out of your budget you can make bigger payments to your debt, saving money and paying it off faster. Start saving money today by applying for a money saving balance transfer with St.George.
The St.George Vertigo balance transfer offer is extremely attractive for anyone paying high rates on credit cards or store cards. Before you submit your application to transfer your balances, it’s important to understand a little about how this account can benefit you.
St.George Balance Transfer FAQs
Q: What is a balance transfer?
A: A balance transfer is the term used for transferring your outstanding credit card or store card balances over to a St.George Vertigo MasterCard.
Q: Why should you transfer your other credit cards to St.George?
A: The St.George Vertigo MasterCard charges a far lower rate than the amount you’re likely to be paying on your existing accounts. When you consider the amount of interest you’re being charged, switching to an account that charges a promotional rate of 2.99% for the first six months can save you a significant amount of money.
Q: How can transferring balances reduce debt levels?
A: The amount you currently pay on your outstanding credit cards is most likely just covering the interest costs you’re being charged. If you transfer your balances to the St.George Vertigo MasterCard, you’re charged much less interest.
Not only can this reduce your monthly payments, but if you continue to repay your monthly bill at the same amount you were once paying on your old cards, you should find your balance dropping very quickly.
Q: What if you can’t pay off the balance by the time the promotional rate expires?
A: Once the promotional rate expires, the St.George Vertigo account reverts to one of the lowest standard rates available. At a low 11.74%, this should still be far lower than the amount you’re paying on your outstanding accounts right now.
Q: How do you transfer your balances?
A: In order to apply for a St.George Vertigo MasterCard and benefit from the low promotional rate, simply submit your application for a new credit card.
Within the application is an option to request a balance transfer as part of the credit card application.
Q: How long does a balance transfer take?
A: In most cases, it should only take 14 days to transfer the balances from your old credit cards or store cards over to your new St.George Vertigo account. You will need to present some identification for yourself at a St.George branch and you’ll need to activate your new MasterCard in order for it to be opened fully.
Q: What if your old credit card shows missed payments and you’re drawn over the limit
A: In order to qualify for a St.George Vertigo balance transfer, you will need to spend a little time getting your old accounts in order. This simply means you should make sure the balance is below your available credit limit and that you’ve caught up any overdue payments.
Read the official terms and conditions
| Minimum Income | $15,000 | Minimum Age | 18 years of age |
| Residency | Permanent Australian Resident | Credit Rating Requirement | Good |
| Min Credit Limit | $500 | Max Credit Limit |
| Annual Fee | $55 | Balance Transfer Fee | |
| Minimum Repayment | 2% | Interest Charged From | Purchase Date |
| Late Payment Fee | $9 | Over Limit Fee | $9 |
| Overseas Emergency Replacement | $52.5 | Overseas ATM Balance check | $3.90 |
| Overseas ATM Withdrawal | $2 | Foreign Currency Conversion Fee |










dear customer service
i would like to know what is the interest rate applicable to outstanding balance after the 0% introductory period (ie 6 month)?
a real example:
i have a credit of A$ 30,500 with bank A. i apply for balance transfer of A$ 23,000 (from that bank to your bank), and currently i am paying bank A, a minimum payable repayment, do i have some credit for purchase on the vertigo credit account?
does the balance transfer affect my other credit account in bank A?
Regards and thanks for the prompt reply.
reza
Dear Reza,
Thanks for your question. In terms of the interest rate after the balance transfer ends this would be the standard variable rate on purchases.
Quote from St.George site: “On the date the special balance transfer rate period ends the interest rate on the outstanding transferred balances reverts to the standard variable rate applying to purchases.”
In terms of what credit limit you would get with your new card I am not sure. You would need to speak with St.George about this.
You will actually transfer the balance from Bank A to your new card therefore your other card will have a zero balance.
[...] St.George Vertigo [...]
[...] with a $59 annual fee and 4.99% on balance transfers up to 15 months. This is a very good rate. St.George Vertigo has a standard interest rate of 11.24% and a $55 annual fee with 2.99% on balance transfer as [...]
If I get approved for say a balance transfer of $5000 & I have 9 months where I will be paying only 0.99% but suppose I manage to pay off my credit card in 3 months & then I use the credit card to make purchases, do I still get .99% interest for the remaining 6 months or does the interest jump to the purchase rate of 13.24%??
Hi Victor
Thanks for your comment.
In the event that you did a balance transfer and repaid the balance within 3 months, and had not made any other purchases during this period of time, any new purchases made would be eligible for 55 interest free days from the purchase date, which would then be charged at the purchase rate.
I strongly suggest you discuss with St.George how interest rates work and are calculated for their credit card accounts, and also discuss the matter of allocation of payments, as this does vary from bank to bank. It is also a very good idea to speak to your financial advisor before making any decision to apply for a credit card.
Thanks again for your question.
Cheers
Jeremy
I am not a Permanent Australian Resident but currently on a skills business visa;. Would I be considered for this offer?
Hi Brian
Thanks for your comment
It may be worth considering speaking to a St.George customer service representative in one of their branches or over the phone. I have heard of some cases where they were able to get a credit card on a skills business Visa with Commonwealth Bank or Bankwest – you would need to visit one of their branches and take a copy of your Visa for them to review.
They will be able to discuss your situation with you, before you decide to commit to any credit card application.
Cheers
Jeremy
Hi, when the provider charges the annual fee is this deemed to be a purchase and therefore you have to pay off the full balance not to incur the full interest rate??
Hi Shaun
Thanks for your question – it’s actually a very interesting one!
Yes you would need to pay the annual fee off to avoid purchase interest.
Cheers
Jeremy
When making an overseas transaction (in another country)do you charge additional fees on top of the purchase? thanks
Hi Margaret
Thanks for your comment
Foreign currency transaction fees will apply for any overseas transactions – 3% of the amount of each foreign currency transaction.
Cheers
Jeremy
Am I able to balance transfer 2 balances from 2 different banks onto the 1 st. george card and receive the low interest rate?
Hi Adam
Yes it is possible to transfer multiple balances on to the 1 St.George Vertigo MasterCard
Cheers
Jeremy
so I have a bank s.a. visa is this able to be used as a balance transfer with you.
What is the maximum I can balance transfer? It says 95% of the available credit limit, what is the available credit limit on this card?
Thank you…
Jodie
We have 2 different credit cards at 2 different banks, one where my husband is the primary card holder and the other where I am. Are we able to transfer both balances over to the one card or do we have to apply separately and get a card each?
Hi Neisha
Thanks for your question. You will be able to transfer both cards over to the one credit card. The St.George Vertigo MasterCard offers a joint application online.
Cheers
Jeremy
Hi Rory
You are unable to do a balance transfer from a BankSA credit card. You can only do a balance transfer from store cards and credit cards from banks other than BankSA, Bank of Melbourne or St.George
Cheers
Jeremy
Hi Jodie
Thanks for your comment
There is no set limit for the St.George Vertigo MasterCard. Your credit application will determine the credit limit they assign to your account taking in to account your current debts, income, expenses, credit history etc.
Cheers
Jeremy