Bendigo Bright Credit Card

Pauline Hatch

Pauline is a personal finance expert at CreditCard.com.au, with 8 years in money, budgeting and property reporting under her belt. Ask Pauline a Question about this card.

The Bendigo Bank Bright Credit Card

The Bendigo Bright credit card is a bit like Marge Simpson: uncomplicated but helpful, there when you need it, and sporting a primary-coloured hair-do (just think more orange, less blue). Let’s break down the Bendigo Bright so you can decide if it’s a good match.

What we love…

The simplicity (and cheapness). Bendigo Bright Credit Card could be a suitable choice for individuals who are specifically looking for a simple, reliable way to access a few extra dollars without a ton of bells and whistles that would otherwise bump up the annual fee.

The low interest rate. While the best way to use a credit card is to pay it off each month, there are times when this is not possible, and you end up accruing interest on the balance you still owe. The Bendigo Bright’s 9.99% interest rate is one of the lowest on the market, so it may be worth considering if you anticipate carrying a balance from month to month. This could give you a bit of a ‘safety net’ that can be helpful if you’re still learning to manage a credit card.

The low credit limit. This card offers a low minimum credit limit of $1000, making it a practical option if you are looking for "rainy day" security funds to keep in your back pockets. Since you can set the limit at its lowest to prevent overspending, it might also be a good first-timer card.

What’s not so great…

The Bendigo Bright doesn’t have extra tricks up its sleeve, which makes it a pretty straightforward card. Like all cards, it does have its fees (but nothing outrageous).

For instance:

• Cash advances (where you withdraw money from the card) are charged at 19.99% interest
• If you’re late on repayments you’ll pay a $15 fee
• Purchases you make overseas (including online) are charged a 3% foreign transaction fee

Other features

• Bendigo Bank has an app called My Bank, where you can activate your card, manage your account and instantly block your card if it’s lost or stolen.
• Bendigo Bank cards can sync with Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Garmin Pay and Fitbit Pay for Tap & Go payments from your phone or watch.
• It uses Mastercard Identity Check, Visa Secure and eftpos Secure to protect you from fraudulent purchases online.

Why should you choose this card?

The Bendigo Bright is a nifty little number with some great perks (the low interest rate being a big one). It’s designed to be a low-cost, easy-to-use credit card that could suit a number of situations where you might want emergency cash, a first card or a simple way to pay for some purchases.