Ask Pauline a Question

Hi, I’m a personal finance expert who loves to help you out! I’ll answer your question within a business day. Pinky swear.

7 big credit card traps to avoid

Last updated December 21, 2021

Read the article published 25 Jan, 2019 in yourmoney.com.au

7 big credit card traps to avoid

Credit Card Expert Roland Bleyer shares his tips to avoid common credit card traps. What to look out for and how to manage your credit card better.

Pauline Hatch

Pauline is a personal finance expert at CreditCard.com.au, with 8 years in money, budgeting and property reporting under her belt. Pauline is passionate about seeing Aussies win by making their money – and their credit cards – work smarter, harder and bigger.

You might be interested in

Debt

Best Reward Credit Card Deals for October 2024

Tips & Guides

Complete Guide to the Velocity Frequent Flyer Program

News

Top frequent flyer credit card deals for October 2024 – up to 150,000 Bonus Points

Recently Asked Questions

Something you need to know about this card? Ask our credit card expert a question.

Ask a question

Ask Pauline a Question

Hi, I’m a personal finance expert who loves to help you out! I’ll answer your question within a business day. Pinky swear.

(showing the latest 10 Q&As)

Featured Balance Transfer Credit Cards

St.George Vertigo Credit Card

22 reviews

0.99% on balance transfers for 28 months

A low-cost card overall with one of the longest balance transfer terms around. Includes a low annual fee, up to 55 days interest-free on purchases and a free additional cardholder.

0.99% on balance transfers for 28 months

$0 saved over 28 months

No BT fee applies. Low ongoing purchase rate at 13.99% p.a. Up to 55 days interest-free on purchases plus free additional cardholder.

13.99%

p.a

Purchase rate

13.99% p.a.

0.99%

28 months

reverts to 21.99% p.a. No BT fee

Balance transfer

0.99% 28 months

reverts to 21.99% p.a.No fee

$55

p.a.

Annual fee

$55 p.a.

saved over 28 months

Go to offer

save card more info

save card

Go to offer

Qantas Premier Platinum Credit Card

33 reviews

Earn up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Points

Get 70k when you spend $3,000 within the first 3 months, plus 30k when you haven’t earned Qantas Points with a credit card in the last 12 months. 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 12 months with a 2% BT fee. Save 20% on flights for you and 8 friends. Complimentary travel insurance.

Up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Points

$0 saved over 12 months

Earn 70,000 when you spend $3,000 within the first 3 months, plus 30,000 when you haven’t earned Qantas Points with a credit card in the last 12 months. 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 12 months with a 2% BT fee. Discounted annual fee for the first year.

19.99%

p.a

Purchase rate

19.99% p.a.

12 months

reverts to 21.99% p.a. 2% fee applies

Balance transfer

0% 12 months

reverts to 21.99% p.a.2% fee applies

$349

first year

then $399 p.a.

Annual fee

$349 first year

then $399 p.a.

saved over 12 months

Go to offer

save card more info

save card

Featured Rewards Credit Cards

Qantas Premier Platinum Credit Card

33 reviews

Earn up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Points

Up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Points

points earned over 12 months

1 pt

Qantas

Capped at $10,000 per statement, then 0.5 pts per $1

Earn rate per $1

1 point

Qantas Frequent Flyer

Capped at $10,000 per statement, then 0.5 pts per $1

70,000

points

Bonus points

70,000

points

$349

first year

then $399 p.a.

Annual fee

$349

first year

then $399 p.a.

pts

over 12 months spend

Go to offer

save card more info

save card

Go to offer

ANZ Rewards Black Credit Card

10 reviews

180,000 extra ANZ Reward Points + $150 back

Rare platinum features + flexibility: Get 180,000 extra ANZ Reward Points (redeemable for $720 ANZ Cashback or $800 digital gift card) plus $150 back to your new card when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months from approval (T&Cs apply). Redeem points for flights, merch and more. Save on travel with complimentary international travel insurance and rental vehicle excess in Australia.

180,000 extra ANZ Reward Points + $150 back

points earned over 12 months

Enjoy 180,000 extra ANZ Reward Points (redeemable for $720 ANZ Cashback or $800 digital gift card) plus $150 back to your new card when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months from approval. T&Cs apply. Complimentary international travel insurance.

2 pts

ANZ

per $1 up to $5000, 1 pt per $1 over $5,000

Earn rate per $1

2 points

ANZ Rewards

per $1 up to $5000, 1 pt per $1 over $5,000

180,000

points

Bonus points

180,000

points

$375

p.a.

Annual fee

$375

p.a.

pts

over 12 months spend

Go to offer

save card more info

save card

Featured in

Help us improve

My credit card is not listed

@media not all and (min-resolution:.001dpcm){@media{.parent-rating{font-size:17px;}}}a.btn.green.btn-round,a.btn.btn-green.btn-round.btn-block{transition:.5s all;}a.btn.green.btn-round:hover,a.btn.btn-green.btn-round.btn-block:hover{background:#4a8c0d !important;}p.offer-label{background-color:#d63d4a;}input#ccQuestionFormSubmit{margin-top:56px !important;}p.mc4wp-checkbox.mc4wp-checkbox-wp-comment-form{position:absolute;bottom:76px;padding-right:10px;}div#ccAskRolandQuestionFormMessage a.btn.green.btn-round{color:#fff !important;}div#footer-banner1{display:none !important;}.admin-bar{width:100%;padding:unset;text-align:unset;background:unset;min-height:auto;}.admin-bar #header{top:32px;}img.wp-smiley,img.emoji{display:inline !important;border:none !important;box-shadow:none !important;height:1em !important;width:1em !important;margin:0 .07em !important;vertical-align:-.1em !important;background:none !important;padding:0 !important;}.wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em;}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none;}:root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square:1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3:4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4:3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2:3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3:2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9:16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16:9/16;--wp--preset--color--black:#000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray:#abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white:#fff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink:#f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red:#cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange:#ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber:#fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan:#7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan:#00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue:#8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue:#0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple:#9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,#9b51e0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan:linear-gradient(135deg,#7adcb4 0%,#00d082 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,#cf2e2e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray:linear-gradient(135deg,#eee 0%,#a9b8c3 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum:linear-gradient(135deg,#4aeadc 0%,#9778d1 20%,#cf2aba 40%,#ee2c82 60%,#fb6962 80%,#fef84c 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffceec 0%,#9896f0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux:linear-gradient(135deg,#fecda5 0%,#fe2d2d 50%,#6b003e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffcb70 0%,#c751c0 50%,#4158d0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean:linear-gradient(135deg,#fff5cb 0%,#b6e3d4 50%,#33a7b5 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass:linear-gradient(135deg,#caf880 0%,#71ce7e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight:linear-gradient(135deg,#020381 0%,#2874fc 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small:13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium:20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large:36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large:42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20:.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30:.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40:1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50:1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60:2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70:3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80:5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural:6px 6px 9px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep:12px 12px 50px rgba(0,0,0,.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp:6px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined:6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255,255,255,1),6px 6px rgba(0,0,0,1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp:6px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,1);}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap:.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap:.5em;}body .is-layout-flex{display:flex;}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}.is-layout-flex > :is(*,div){margin:0;}body .is-layout-grid{display:grid;}.is-layout-grid > :is(*,div){margin:0;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap:2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap:2em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap:1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap:1.25em;}.has-black-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap:1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap:1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap:2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap:2em;}:root :where(.wp-block-pullquote){font-size:1.5em;line-height:1.6;}.g{margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:hidden;line-height:1;zoom:1;}.g img{height:auto;}.g-col{position:relative;float:left;}.g-col:first-child{margin-left:0;}.g-col:last-child{margin-right:0;}.g-1{margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;width:100%;max-width:320px;height:100%;max-height:50px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 480px){.g-col,.g-dyn,.g-single{width:100%;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;}}p.mc4wp-checkbox.mc4wp-checkbox-wp-comment-form label{font-size:14px;line-height:18px;position:relative;margin:0;padding:0 0 0 30px;}p.mc4wp-checkbox.mc4wp-checkbox-wp-comment-form input[type=checkbox]{position:absolute;visibility:hidden;opacity:0;}p.mc4wp-checkbox.mc4wp-checkbox-wp-comment-form span{position:absolute;top:50%;left:0;width:23px;height:23px;-webkit-transform:translate(0,-50%);transform:translate(0,-50%);border-radius:5px;background:#ededf0;}p.mc4wp-checkbox.mc4wp-checkbox-wp-comment-form span:after{position:absolute;top:50%;left:50%;visibility:hidden;width:7px;height:10px;content:"";transition:all .4s ease;-webkit-transform:rotate(-140deg) translate(100%,20%);transform:rotate(-140deg) translate(100%,20%);opacity:0;border-top:2px solid #1c9de9;border-left:2px solid #1c9de9;}p.mc4wp-checkbox.mc4wp-checkbox-wp-comment-form input[type=checkbox]:checked+span:after{visibility:visible;opacity:1;}span.nothing{display:none;}span.nothing:after{content:unset;}p.mc4wp-checkbox.mc4wp-checkbox-wp-comment-form{position:absolute;bottom:76px;}input#ccQuestionFormSubmit{margin-top:40px;}.check-holder{display:none;}@media (max-width:768px){.block-cards .eq-card-item .row{margin-left:0px;margin-right:0px;}}.banksm-logo{display:block;float:left;width:22px;margin-left:-38px;}@media (max-width: 767px) .banksm-logo{}.single .questions-header{background:#f5f5f7;}.single .questions-header .btn.btn-primary{background:#2d8ae8;}.single .questions-header .btn.btn-primary:hover{background:#2d8ae8;}.single-post .cc-caption-single-blog .ccaption .ccaption-text h1{font-size:48px;line-height:58px;margin-bottom:22px;color:#202833;font-weight:600;}.single-post .header-section .breadcrumb{font-size:12px;line-height:14px;font-weight:400;margin:0;padding:30.5px 0px 62.5px 0px;}.single-post .cc-caption-single-blog{min-height:auto;}.single-post .breadcrumb>li>a,.single-post .breadcrumb>li>span{color:#000;}.single-post .breadcrumb>li+li:before{color:#000;}.single-post .cc-caption-single-blog .ccaption-text{flex-flow:row wrap;justify-content:flex-start;max-width:auto;padding:0;}.single-post .cc-caption-single-blog .ccaption .ccaption-text{position:relative;z-index:10;top:inherit;right:inherit;bottom:auto;bottom:inherit;left:inherit;max-width:100%;margin:0 auto;transform:inherit;text-align:left;color:#000;}.single-post .blog-header{margin-bottom:50px;}.single-post .cc-caption-single-blog .ccaption .ccaption-text header span.last_update_time{font-family:"Montserrat";font-style:normal;font-weight:600;font-size:12px;line-height:17px;color:#000;}.single-post .cc-caption-single-blog .ccaption .ccaption-text header time{font-family:Montserrat;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;line-height:17px;letter-spacing:0em;text-align:left;}.cc-caption-single-blog .ccaption .ccaption-text h1{text-align:left;}@media (max-width: 767.98px){.single-post .header-section .breadcrumb{display:flex;padding:30.5px 0px 30.5px 0px;}.single-post .blog-header{margin-bottom:20px;padding:0px 15px;}.single-post .cc-caption-single-blog .ccaption .ccaption-text h1{font-size:26px;line-height:36px;margin-bottom:22px;text-align:left;}.single-post .header-section .breadcrumb>li{white-space:normal;}}@media (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 991.98px){.single-post .header-section .breadcrumb{display:flex;padding:30.5px 0px 30.5px 0px;flex-wrap:wrap;}.single-post .blog-header{margin-bottom:20px;padding:0px 15px;}.single-post .cc-caption-single-blog .ccaption .ccaption-text h1{font-size:34px;line-height:42px;margin-bottom:22px;text-align:left;}}@media (min-width: 992px) and (max-width: 1199.98px){.single-post .header-section .breadcrumb{display:flex;padding:30.5px 0px 30.5px 0px;flex-wrap:wrap;}.single-post .blog-header{margin-bottom:20px;padding:0px 15px;}.single-post .cc-caption-single-blog .ccaption .ccaption-text h1{font-size:34px;line-height:42px;margin-bottom:22px;text-align:left;}}@media (max-width:768px){.ind-card-details-asondate.bg-white.title-head{background:#eee;padding:28px;}}

Latest Articles

Latest Articles

Latest Articles

Pauline Hatch

Debt

Tips & Guides

News

Recently Asked Questions

(showing the latest 10 Q&As)

0.99% on balance transfers for 28 months

Purchase rate

Balance transfer

Annual fee

Up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Points

Purchase rate

Balance transfer

Annual fee

Up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Points

Earn rate per $1

Bonus points

Annual fee

180,000 extra ANZ Reward Points + $150 back

Earn rate per $1

Bonus points

Annual fee