Compare Low Fee Credit Cards

Fees to own a credit card can be very high, make sure you need the features of the card you sign up for. Compare low fee credit cards.

AMEX rewards credit card
American express airpoints card
The American Express Airpoints Card

Earn 1 Airpoints dollar for every $100 spent | Online Fraud Protection guarantee | Get up to 4 additional cards at no extra fee

Promotion

50 Bonus Airpoints Dollars, spend $750 on your new Card within the first 3 months.

Interest Rate Cash Advance (p.a.)

22.95%

Minimum Credit Limit

Overseas Travel Insurance

Joint Or Additional Cards Fee

Free

Foreign Currency Purchases

2.50% of converted amount

Payment Type

Other

kiwibank credit card
Kiwibank Zero Visa

No account fee for you and any joint or additional cardholders.

Interest Rate Cash Advance (p.a.)

12.90%

Minimum Credit Limit

$500

Overseas Travel Insurance

Joint Or Additional Cards Fee

Free

Foreign Currency Purchases

1.85% of the New Zealand dollar amount once converted.

Payment Type

Other

ASB visa card
ASB Visa Light

Our Smart Rate purchase feature, currently 0% p.a. fixed interest for six months on any purchase $1,000 or more.

Interest Rate Cash Advance (p.a.)

22.95%

Minimum Credit Limit

$1,000

Overseas Travel Insurance

Joint Or Additional Cards Fee

Foreign Currency Purchases

For overseas transactions made using your ASB Visa card Offshore Service Margins of 2.10% of the New Zealand dollar amount of the transaction are charged.

Payment Type

Apple Pay , Google Pay, Fitbit Pay & Garmin Pay

Other

Black SBS visa card
SBS Visa Credit Card

Earn $1 for every $150 spent on Eligible Transactions

Interest Rate Cash Advance (p.a.)

22.65%

Minimum Credit Limit

Overseas Travel Insurance

Joint Or Additional Cards Fee

Foreign Currency Purchases

2% of transaction value

Payment Type

payWave

Other

Kiwibank airpoints low fee visa
Kiwibank Air New Zealand Airpoints Low Fee Visa

Earn 1 Airpoints dollar for every $200 spend | Access in advance up to 100 additional Airpoints Dollar

Interest Rate Cash Advance (p.a.)

16.90%

Minimum Credit Limit

$1,000

Overseas Travel Insurance

Joint Or Additional Cards Fee

$5 per card every six months

Foreign Currency Purchases

1.85% of the New Zealand dollar amount once converted.

Payment Type

Other

BNZ lite visa card
BNZ Lite Visa
Interest Rate Cash Advance (p.a.)

22.95%

Minimum Credit Limit

$500

Overseas Travel Insurance

Joint Or Additional Cards Fee

$1.50 half-yearly

Foreign Currency Purchases

2.25% of the NZ dollar value on every foreign currency transaction.

Payment Type

Apple Pay & Google Pay

Other

ASB Visa Rewards
ASB Visa Rewards

True Rewards: $150 = TR$1 or AA Smartfuel: $75 = 1c off per/L

Interest Rate Cash Advance (p.a.)

22.95%

Minimum Credit Limit

$500

Overseas Travel Insurance

Joint Or Additional Cards Fee

$13 Joint account fee (per person, every 6mos) $6 Additional Card (per card, every 6mos)

Foreign Currency Purchases

For overseas transactions made using your ASB Visa card Offshore Service Margins of 2.10% of the New Zealand dollar amount of the transaction are charged.

Payment Type

Apple Pay , Google Pay, Fitbit Pay & Garmin Pay

Other

ASB Visa Flex
ASB Visa Flex

Zero fees - that includes no account fee or foreign currency conversion charges.

Promotion

Open a new ASB Visa Flex credit card by 30 November 2024 and get up to $150 cashback.

Interest Rate Cash Advance (p.a.)

9.95%

Minimum Credit Limit

$500

Overseas Travel Insurance

Joint Or Additional Cards Fee

Foreign Currency Purchases

Payment Type

Apple Pay , Google Pay, Fitbit Pay & Garmin Pay

Other

BNZ Advantage Visa Classic
BNZ Advantage Visa Classic

Earn Flybuys or BNZ Rewards | Earn 1 Flybuys for every $40 spend | Earn 1 BNZ point for every $1 spend

Interest Rate Cash Advance (p.a.)

22.95%

Minimum Credit Limit

$500

Overseas Travel Insurance

Joint Or Additional Cards Fee

$6 half-yearly

Foreign Currency Purchases

2.25% of the NZ dollar value on every foreign currency transaction.

Payment Type

Apple Pay & Google Pay

Other

Purple Visa
Purple Visa

Earn 1 purple dollar ($1NZ) for every $150 spent | Long term interest free option for larger purchases

Promotion

Pay no Interest for 12 months on all purchases over $250!

Interest Rate Cash Advance (p.a.)

27.90%

Minimum Credit Limit

Overseas Travel Insurance

Joint Or Additional Cards Fee

$0.00

Foreign Currency Purchases

2% per transaction

Payment Type

payWave

Other

There is a $55 One off establishment fee,.

AMEX rewards credit card

What is a low fee credit card?

Credit cards attract an annual fee that covers the service provider’s cost by the card’s bank or lender. Depending on the type of card you have and the features it offers, these fees can range widely.

As the name suggests, a low fee credit card has a smaller annual fee when compared to more expensive cards. For example, platinum cards can charge hundreds of dollars a year, while a low fee card only incurs a small account fee, and some waive the fee entirely. Read on to compare low fee credit cards.

Is a low fee credit card right for you?

A low fee credit card could be a good option if you want to keep costs down and you don’t need the extra bells and whistles. By extras we mean concierge services and extensive rewards programs, that often come with more expensive cards.

Low fee credit cards generally offer a lower interest rate or interest-free days too. So if you tend to carry a balance on your card, you could pay less in the long run on interest charges.

This type of card could be a smart choice for a student credit card, your first credit card or if you only use your card occasionally. Typically you would use it for things like securing accommodation or travel bookings. Depending on your credit limit requirements, you should be able to find a low fee card with the limit you need.

Advantages and disadvantages of low fee credit cards

Benefits:

  • Low fees: The name says it all; the most apparent benefit of these cards is their lower annual fee than other, more expensive cards.
  • Low-interest rates: Low fee cards can also offer low-interest rates, making it easier to stay on top of your credit card payments and avoid interest charges spiraling out of control. They may also offer an interest-free period.
  • Promotional offers: Take advantage of special incentives, like an introductory period with 0% interest rates on purchases and/or a balance transfer. Often available for new customers on a low-interest credit card.

Drawbacks:

  • Less competitive rewards: Not all low fee cards offer a rewards program, and if they do, they will usually have lower bonus points than other platinum cards or those with higher annual fees.
  • Fewer extra features: Once again, low fee credit cards usually don’t offer the type of extra features as expensive cards, like travel insurance, if they offer any.
  • Higher rates after the promotional period ends: When considering a low fee credit card with a promotional period with 0% interest on purchases, pay attention to what the interest rate reverts to after the promotion ends, as it may be higher.

How to compare low fee credit cards in New Zealand

  • Check the interest rates for purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances to ensure they are competitive and reasonable. Some low-fee cards attract a higher interest rate which could offset any savings on an annual fee if you carry a balance.
  • Research any promotional offers, such as introductory interest rates, bonus points or cash back, and read the fine print for any limitations or restrictions.
  • If you’re considering a card with a low or no-interest promotional offer, check what the interest rate reverts to after the promotional period ends. Some interest rates can jump significantly.
  • Check that the low annual fee is for the lifetime of the card. Some cards offer a low annual fee for the first year but then revert to a higher fee.
  • Consider the rewards program, if applicable, and compare the earn rates and redemption options to see if it matches your spending habits and goals. You don’t want to pay a higher fee for rewards you won’t use.

Use our handy comparison tool for a detailed comparison of these low-fee credit cards, including interest rates, fees, and rewards.

Compare Low Fee Credit Cards

Make sure you're not paying fees for features you are not using, pick the right card for your spending habits