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Visa Credit Cards
Listed on this page is a database of Australian credit cards which come with Visa as a third party payment processor.
There are few differences between MasterCard and Visa. They are the two most popular credit card payment processors, and anywhere MasterCard is accepted, so will Visa and vice-versa.
Featured Visa Credit Card
The Citibank Clear Platinum Visa is a unique platinum credit card. It combines the benefits of a low ongoing purchase rate as well as an interest free balance transfer offer for the first 6 months. You also can enjoy a range of complimentary benefits include international travel insurance, extended warranty and purchase cover.
- $99 annual fee
- 11.99% p.a. on purchases
- 2.9% p.a. for 12 months on balance transfers
- Cash Advance Rate of 21.74% p.a.
- 55 days interest free
- Minimum Income Requirement of $35,000 p.a.
- Get up to 25% off special offers through Citi World Privileges
Visa Credit Card Comparison
Visa is the world's largest credit card payment processing company. Over 30 million retail outlets around the globe accept payments made with Visa cards. This article traces the history of the company and outlines the growth of Visa credit cards.
Visa is the largest payment processing company in the world. Operating across the globe, they are the one responsible for cardholders being able to make payments in over 30 million different merchant outlets with the same credit card. This is an overview of how Visa credit cards came to be so ubiquitous.
Company History
Visa is based in San Francisco, California. It started out as the Bank of America card in 1958. Visa quickly dominated the credit card market though aggressive marketing such as sending out unsolicited, pre-approved cards in the mail. By playing the role of a standard payments processor well they gained the widespread global acceptance which is now featured as their company slogan.
The role of a payments processor is vital, as it allows for a simpler and more efficient checkout mechanism for merchants. Without a central payment processor such as Visa, each retailer would have to maintain separate accounts and checkout machines for all kinds of credit cards issued by a variety of banks. Cardholders also stand to gain from the convenience of using the same card at multiple locations to pay for items in multiple local currencies.
Up until as recently as 2008 Visa was owned by a conglomerate of banks and other financial institutions that issued Visa credit cards. Now they are incorporated and listed in the New York stock exchange under their own name, and enjoy autonomy of operation. Visa in Australia
Prior to Visa's arrival the Australian credit card market was dominated by Bankcard, a local credit card offered by American banks. Visa started offering credit cards in association with Australian banks and credit unions in the 1980's, which is also the time their primary competitor, MasterCard entered the Australian market. These two giants proved to be too much competition for the then dominant Bankcard which, from the highest number of 5 million cardholders in the 80's, stopped operating altogether in 2006.
Visa later branched out by offering debit cards in the 1990s, which were in direct competition with an alternative to the EFTPOS system. Now most banks and credit unions offer both Visa credit cards and debit cards.
Depending on the service level required and earning levels of the customer, there are multiple credit cards ranging from Visa classic, to Visa Gold, Visa Platinum, and even the very high end Visa Infinity card which is an invitation only credit card for the highest net worth clients of a bank.
- ANZ First Visa Card - No Annual Fee Credit Card
- ANZ Balance Visa Card - Rewards Credit Card
- ANZ Rewards Visa Card -Rewards Credit Card
- ANZ Gold Rewards Visa Card - Rewards Credit Card
- ANZ Gold Visa Card - Prestige Card
- ANZ Frequent Flyer Visa Card - Rewards (Travel) Credit Card
- ANZ Frequent Flyer Gold Visa Card -Rewards (Travel) Credit Card
- Bank of South Australia 'Starts Low Stays Low' Visa Card- Low Interest Rate Card
- Bank of South Australia Gold Visa Card - Prestige Credit Card
- Bank of South Australia No Annual Fee Visa Card- No Annual Fee MasterCard
- Bank of Queensland Low Rate Visa Card - Low Interest Credit Card
- Bank of Queensland Blue Visa Card - No Annual Fee Credit Card
- Bendigo Basic Black Visa Card - Low Interest Credit Card
- Bendigo Red Visa Card - Credit Card
- Bendigo Bank Gold Visa Card - Rewards Credit Card
- Citibank Clear Visa Card - Low Interest Card
- Citibank Clear Platinum Visa Card - Low Interest Card
- Citibank Silver Visa Card - Rewards Credit Card
- Citibank Gold Visa Card - Rewards Credit Card
- Citibank Platinum Visa Card - Rewards Credit Card
- Citibank Personal Credit Visa Card - Balance Transfer Card
- Citibank 'ReadyCredit' Visa Card - Balance Transfer Card
- Community First Credit Union Visa Card - Low Interest Credit Card
- HSBC Low Rate Visa Card - Low Interest/No Fee Card
- HSBC Gold Visa Card - Rewards Credit Card
- HSBC Platinum Visa Card - Rewards Credit Card
- Macquarie Bank RateSaver Visa Card - Low Interest Credit Card
- Macquarie Bank Platinum Visa Card - Rewards Credit Card
- NAB Standard Visa Card - Rewards Credit Card
- NAB Gold Visa Card - Rewards Credit Card
- NAB Standard Visa Card - Rewards Credit Card
- NAB Velocity Visa Card (+American Express) - Rewards Credit Card
- NAB Velocity Gold Visa Card (+American Express) - Rewards Credit Card
- NAB Mini Visa Card - Credit Card
- NAB Standard Visa Card - Credit Card
- St George Gold Visa Card - Prestige Credit Card
- St George Platinum Visa Card - Prestige Credit Card
- St George 'Starts Low Stays Low' Visa Card - Low Interest Credit Card
- St George No Annual Fee Visa Card - No Annual Fee Credit Card
- Suncorp Clear Options Standard Visa Card - Low Interest Credit Card
- Suncorp Clear Options Plus Visa Card - Rewards Credit Card
- Suncorp Clear Options Gold Visa Card -Rewards Credit Card
- Westpac Low Rate MasterCard (+Visa) - Low Interest Credit Card
- Westpac '55 Day' Visa Card - Credit Card
- Westpac '55 Day' Gold Visa Card - Credit Card
- Westpac '55 Day' Platinum Visa Card - Credit Card
- Westpac Student Visa Card - Credit Card
The Visa Platinum credit card is aimed at the most affluent of the credit card customer. Also referred to as a 'Prestige' card, these platinum credit cards were introduced as a way of differentiating the cards from earlier exclusive offerings such as the gold cards. Once gold cards came to be in more mainstream use the banks felt the need to create a more exclusive credit card product with a set of features not available anywhere else, hence the emergence of platinum credit cards.
Ultimate Prestige With the Visa Platinum Credit Card
Visa is the biggest credit card provider in the world, with a worldwide network of over 30 million merchant outlets accepting payments in Visa credit cards. Whereas all Visa cards enjoy the same level of global acceptance at shopping destinations and retail outlets, the Visa Platinum credit card offers more in terms of personal service and special benefits. Here is a summary of what is available to a platinum cardholder in addition to all the features present in gold cards:
- Special events - Visa Platinum cardholders get the first dibs on exclusive screening events, ranging from special back-stage passes to red-carpet invitations and art gallery openings and exhibitions. Since these cards are generally offered only to private banking clients with a very high net worth, they are more attuned to rewards and events that correspond to the upper echelons of social class members.
- 24/7 Customer service - The Platinum Customer Care Centre operates round the clock to cater to every query and whim of the cardholders. Customers can dial the toll free telephone number to get access to the service centre from overseas as well. Also available are special service arrangements such as Airport Meet and Assist, which aids in travel to foreign locations, be it for a business purpose or a personal trip.
- Concierge service - Cardholders are entitled to free concierge service, which can be used for anything from arranging meetings to shopping on behalf of the client and even picking up the dry cleaning.
- Free international travel insurance- Every time the platinum card is used to purchase flights the cardholder and family members automatically get covered for insurance amount up to a maximum of $500,000.
Most major banks in the country offer a Visa Platinum credit card in their line of credit card offerings. If you are a heavy spender on credit cards or have a high asset base or earning level you are eligible to apply for and receive a platinum card.
Visa tips to protect your identity and finances:
- Sign the back of your card. Some people leave their signature space blank, which can allow a thieve to simply sign the back and never have to prove their identity to use your card.
- Memorize your PIN (personal identification number) and shred any piece of paper on which it was written down.
- Keep a list of your credit card numbers and the phone number for reporting stolen cards and store it in a secure place. Do not store this information in your wallet or taped to your refrigerator.
- Choose a unique PIN number that is not related to your name, birth date, or telephone number. Maybe choose a significant date, like when you graduated college or when you had your first kiss, that only you would know.
- Never tell anyone your PIN number. Neither your bank, the police, nor any retailer will ever need that information.
- Whenever you use your credit card make sure you take it with you when the purchase is complete. This might seem like one of the obvious credit card tips, but you would be surprised to know how often cards are accidentally left behind.
- If your card is lost or stolen report it immediately so that privileges on it can be turned off.
- Do not ever leave your card unattended. You would not leave a pile of cash sitting around nor should you leave your credit card.
- Double check your sales receipts before you sign them to ensure that they are correct.
- Make copies of all of your receipts and store them in a safe place.
- Unless you have initiated the sales call you should never give your credit card number out over the telephone.
- Always double check your statement to make sure that even small transactions are correct.
- High pressure telemarketing can be very dangerous. Only make purchases over the phone that you are certain you feel comfortable making.
- Be careful about who has access to your credit card. If someone you approved to use your card, like a child, overspends you are still responsible for the bill.
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- Police Credit Union Visa Credit Card
Those who are part of the police credit union need solid credit cards that they can rely on. The Police Credit Union provides exactly that with the new Police Credit Union Visa card. You get reliability and excellent features with the PCU Visa credit card.
- Visa PayClick
Visa Payclick is the answer to online shopping security. With this system, you have one account to make Internet purchases from instead of constantly opening new accounts. For sellers, it provides a secure and inexpensive way to accept payments.
- Visa Platinum – Learn about Visa Platinum Benefits, Rewards & Privileges
Visa Platinum offers cardholders an enviable lifestyle. From entertainment offers, concierge and travel services to travel insurance and more, cardholders can enjoy many different perks. Read on to find out all about the benefits of being a Visa Platinum cardholder.
- Visa Entertainment
Sometimes the best things in life really are free. With Visa Entertainment you gain access to premium events and special offers just by owning a Visa card. This program gives cardholders access to premium seating, pre sale tickets, and top notch experiences at your fingertips.
- Visa Gold Credit Card
A gold card offers incremental features from a standard or a silver card. The Visa Gold card is no exception. Find out about the benefits available from holding a Visa Gold Credit Card.
- Visa Helps Students Gain Money Management Skills
Credit card issuer Visa has struck a deal with the educational community of Australia to help youngsters manage their finances better. With the help of Financial Football, a fast-paced interactive game Visa hopes to engage students while teaching them money management skills.
- Visa Gold Rewards
Having a gold card presupposes that with that card comes a variety of privileges. A gold card gives the user flexibility, convenience and benefits not afforded to those who use standard cards. Because gold card users are people of distinction, it is important to find just the right card that will satisfy their discerning palate.
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