Verdict up front: The best rewards card for an everyday Australian who doesn’t travel frequently is either the Amex Platinum Edge (if you spend heavily at supermarkets and petrol stations) or the NAB Rewards Platinum (if you want a Visa that earns transferable points without a premium annual fee). Both earn real value on the spending you’re already doing.
Last updated: April 2026 | [Affiliate disclosure: We earn a commission if you apply via our links.]
Most rewards credit card guides in Australia are written for people who fly to London in business class. They rank cards by how many Qantas points you earn per dollar and assume your goal is a premium long-haul flight redemption.
That’s useful for maybe 2% of Australians.
This guide is for the other 98% — people who spend money on groceries, fuel, bills, and the occasional domestic flight, and would like something meaningful back for it. No jargon. Just the actual numbers.
What “Rewards” Actually Means for Most People
When most Australians redeem credit card points, they redeem for:
- Woolworths or Coles gift cards / dollars off groceries
- A domestic flight (Sydney–Melbourne, Brisbane–Gold Coast)
- Cashback to the card statement
- Online shopping through points stores
Not business class to Dubai.
That changes which card makes sense. A card optimised for Qantas long-haul redemptions (where 1 point = 1.5–2 cents) might actually deliver less value than a simpler cashback or store credit card if you’re redeeming for gift cards (where 1 point = 0.5 cents).
The rule: know what you’ll actually redeem for, then choose the card that earns most efficiently for that redemption.
The Shortlist (For Normal People)
1. American Express Platinum Edge — Best for Grocery + Petrol Households
Annual fee: $195
Earn rate: 3 Amex Membership Rewards points per $1 at supermarkets | 2 points per $1 at petrol | 1 point per $1 everywhere else
Points programs: Transfer to Qantas, Velocity, Singapore KrisFlyer, Hilton, Marriott, and more
Who it’s for: Households spending $500+/month on groceries and fuel combined
The Amex Platinum Edge punches far above its price. The 3x at supermarkets means a household spending $800/month at Woolworths or Coles earns 28,800 Amex points per year from that category alone — worth approximately $144–$288 depending on redemption.
Add petrol spend (2x points) and you’re looking at a realistic $300–$500 in annual rewards value against a $195 annual fee.
The limitation: Amex isn’t accepted everywhere. You’ll want a backup Visa or Mastercard for those situations.
âž¡ï¸ Apply for Amex Platinum Edge → (affiliate link)
2. NAB Rewards Platinum — Best Single Visa for Everyday Spend
Annual fee: $150 (first year often waived — check current offer)
Earn rate: 2 NAB Rewards points per $1 on everyday purchases | 1 point on government spend
Points programs: Transfer to Velocity, Singapore KrisFlyer, or redeem for gift cards and cashback
Sign-up bonus: Check current offer at NAB
Who it’s for: People who want one Visa card that earns transferable points without a premium fee
The NAB Rewards Platinum is the best mid-tier Visa for everyday rewards. The 2 points per $1 across all spend (not just specific categories) means it earns consistently regardless of where you shop. The Velocity transfer option is particularly good value — Velocity points for domestic flights are among the best redemptions available to everyday Australians.
âž¡ï¸ Apply for NAB Rewards Platinum → (affiliate link)
3. CommBank Awards — Best for Everyday Rewards Integration
Annual fee: $59 (base card) to $420 (Ultimate Awards)
Earn rate: 1.5 CommBank Awards points per $1 (variable by card tier)
Points programs: Qantas, Velocity, or redeem for cashback, gift cards, merchandise
Who it’s for: CommBank customers who want integrated banking + rewards
CommBank’s Awards program integrates directly with NetBank and the CommBank app, making it simple to see your points balance alongside your account. The Yello rewards program (CommBank’s broader loyalty ecosystem) also layers in additional offers.
The base Awards card at $59/year is excellent value for light to moderate spenders. The Ultimate Awards at $420/year makes more sense for high spenders who want the Qantas opt-in (1 Qantas Point per $1, uncapped).
âž¡ï¸ Apply for CommBank Awards → (affiliate link)
4. Coles No Annual Fee Mastercard — Best If You Mostly Shop at Coles
Annual fee: $0
Earn rate: 1 Flybuys point per $2 spent (up to $5,000/statement period)
Points programs: Flybuys redemption — dollars off at Coles, fuel vouchers
Who it’s for: Coles loyalists who want a free rewards card
A no-fee card that earns Flybuys points is hard to beat for cost efficiency. The earn rate is modest (1 point per $2 is the lowest of any card in this comparison), but when the annual fee is $0, the bar to justify it is also $0.
Best use: Dedicated Coles card that earns Flybuys on top of other spend, paired with a higher-earning card for everything else.
âž¡ï¸ Apply for Coles No Annual Fee Mastercard → (affiliate link)
The Maths: What Does Each Card Earn at $2,500/Month Total Spend?
Assumptions: $800/month groceries, $200/month petrol, $1,500/month other.
| Card | Annual Fee | Est. Points Earned | Est. Points Value | Net After Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Platinum Edge | $195 | ~52,800 MR | ~$264–$528 | +$69–$333 |
| NAB Rewards Platinum | $150 | ~60,000 NAB pts | ~$300–$450 | +$150–$300 |
| CommBank Ultimate Awards | $420 | ~45,000 CBA pts | ~$225–$450 | -$195–+$30 |
| Coles No Annual Fee | $0 | ~15,000 Flybuys | ~$75 | +$75 |
Points values vary significantly based on redemption. Frequent flyer transfer = higher value; gift cards = lower value.
The One Question to Ask Before Applying
“What will I actually do with the points?”
If the answer is “get dollars off at Coles or Woolworths” → a store-linked card or Flybuys/Everyday Rewards card is best.
If the answer is “domestic flights once or twice a year” → Velocity-earning cards (NAB Rewards, Amex → Velocity transfer) work best.
If the answer is “I don’t know yet” → a card with flexible transfer partners (Amex MR, ANZ Rewards) keeps your options open.
Don’t let a sign-up bonus drive the decision. A 70,000-point bonus is worthless if the card’s ongoing earn rate means you’re paying $400/year in fees for $200 in rewards.
Who Should Skip Rewards Cards Entirely
- If you carry a balance: interest charges (18–24% p.a.) will cost 10–20× what you earn in rewards.
- If you spend under $1,000/month: the maths rarely stack up on cards with annual fees over $100.
- If you’d spend more because you have a rewards card: the psychological effect cancels the benefit.
In those cases, a no-fee low-rate card saves more money than any rewards program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best rewards card for someone who spends mostly on groceries?
The Amex Platinum Edge, which earns 3 points per $1 at supermarkets. It’s the strongest grocery-specific earn rate available in Australia.
Are credit card rewards worth it?
For people who pay their balance in full each month and spend $1,500+/month, yes — typically $200–$500 in annual value. For people who carry a balance, no.
What’s the difference between Qantas points and Velocity points?
Both are frequent flyer currencies. Qantas points are better for international travel (more partner airlines). Velocity points are generally better value for domestic Australian flights. For everyday Australians, Velocity often delivers better redemption value.
What is a ‘points transfer partner’?
Some cards earn their own points currency (Amex Membership Rewards, ANZ Rewards) which you can then transfer to a frequent flyer program like Qantas or Velocity. Other cards earn frequent flyer points directly. Transferable points are more flexible but usually earn at a lower base rate.