CommBank Ultimate Awards Credit Card delivers no overseas fees, airport lounge access and top travel rewards for Aussies

Overview for Aussie travellers

The CommBank Ultimate Awards card is built with frequent flyers and holiday-makers in mind, offering solid travel perks that suit everyday life in Australia. With no foreign transaction fees on overseas purchases and lounge access at major airports, it keeps travel simpler and more cost-effective for Aussies heading overseas.

Beyond travel, the card rewards local spending at supermarkets, department stores and petrol stations, so everyday expenses pull double duty. The CommBank Awards program gives flexible redemption options — transfer points to Velocity, book through Flight Centre or spend at popular retailers like Myer, Coles and BP.

How to earn and redeem points

Points accumulate faster on key categories: higher earn rates at supermarkets, department stores and when you spend overseas. Use the CommBank app to track earn rates and bonus promotions so you know exactly how to maximise point accrual on day-to-day purchases and trips abroad.

Redeeming is straightforward and made for Australian lifestyles: convert Awards points to frequent flyer programs such as Velocity, redeem for flights and accommodation or use gift cards for household shopping. The flexibility means points are useful whether you’re a frequent flyer or a local shopper trying to stretch the weekly grocery budget.

Fees, interest and how to avoid them

The card charges a monthly fee unless you hit the spend threshold; spend $4,000 or more in each statement period and the monthly fee drops to $0. If you don’t meet that threshold a $35 monthly fee applies, effectively up to $420 a year if you carry the charge each month.

Interest rates on unpaid balances can be high, so treat the card like most rewards products: pay on time and avoid carrying a balance. For Aussies who can cover their monthly repayments and hit the fee waiver, the travel perks and lack of foreign transaction fees often outweigh the cost.

Practical tips and final verdict

Use this card for planned spend months, pay off purchases quickly and set up notifications in the CommBank app to stay on top of statements and Rewards offers. Combine the card with a dedicated low-rate or 0% purchase card for larger buys if you need time to pay, while keeping this card for points and travel benefits.

Overall, the CommBank Ultimate Awards card is a strong choice for Australians who travel or spend heavily in the listed bonus categories. With no foreign transaction fees, lounge access and flexible redemptions, it’s an attractive travel companion for Aussies who can meet the spending requirements and manage repayments responsibly.