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- Beware the fees jungle
When it comes to choosing personal finance products, it can often pay in the long-run to compare the different aspects of loans, credit cards and mortgages to get the right deal for you. - Buy now, pay later deals 'can have sting in tail'
Buy now, pay later deals that come with an interest-free 'honeymoon' period can be extremely tempting to shoppers - but if they fail to manage the debt or do not pay it off before interest starts to accrue, consumers could end up paying a lot more than they bargained for. - Australia 'needs 1m new homes'
Australia's "booming" population and continuing demand for homes means the country will require one million new homes to be built by 2013, new figures from the Housing Industry Association (HIA) show. - Household wealth of Australians 'up 50%'
The average net wealth of Australian households increased by around a half between 2002 and 2006, a new report has found. - Groups suggests loans for maternity leave
Parents exploring ways of remaining a home while their children are babies should be able to apply for a loan to provide them with paid leave.
- Beware the fees jungle
When it comes to choosing personal finance products, it can often pay in the long-run to compare the different aspects of loans, credit cards and mortgages to get the right deal for you. - Household wealth of Australians 'up 50%'
The average net wealth of Australian households increased by around a half between 2002 and 2006, a new report has found. - Report: Credit card and bank fraud numbers top 380,000
Credit card and bank fraud figures in Australia numbered above 380,000 during the second half of 2007, making them the most popular ID scams in the country. - Government advised to control credit
The Australian Bankers Association (ABA) has warned that the government needs to control consumer's access to credit if it wants to tighten up controls in the financial industry. - NAB-HBOS bid rumours continue
Rumours that the largest bank in Australia is preparing to make a bid for Halifax Bank of Scotland's business in the country have stepped up a gear after insider information regarding the affair has come to light.
- Cash rate held
The board of Australia's national bank has announced that it has decided to leave the official cash rate unchanged at 7.25 per cent for another month. - Aussies stay on rich list
The number of people in Australia who can officially call themselves millionaires increased last year, new statistics have revealed. - Budgeting for baby
The impending arrival of a new baby brings with it a seemingly unending list of things to do, so much so that financial matters are often shifted to the back-burner - but experts warn that this approach can be "very dangerous", as bankrolling junior's early years requires careful planning. - Budgeting for baby
The impending arrival of a new baby brings with it a seemingly unending list of things to do, so much so that financial matters are often shifted to the back-burner - but experts warn that this approach can be "very dangerous", as bankrolling junior's early years requires careful planning. - Australians 'putting less away for rainy day'
The number of Australians that are putting some of their household income away in savings accounts has fallen as economic pressure forces some families to break open their nestegg, new research shows.
- Buy now, pay later deals 'can have sting in tail'
Buy now, pay later deals that come with an interest-free 'honeymoon' period can be extremely tempting to shoppers - but if they fail to manage the debt or do not pay it off before interest starts to accrue, consumers could end up paying a lot more than they bargained for. - Australia 'needs 1m new homes'
Australia's "booming" population and continuing demand for homes means the country will require one million new homes to be built by 2013, new figures from the Housing Industry Association (HIA) show. - Groups suggests loans for maternity leave
Parents exploring ways of remaining a home while their children are babies should be able to apply for a loan to provide them with paid leave. - Consumers take lodgers 'to help pay mortgage'
Lodgers are being utilised as one solution to easing the financial burden felt by homeowners in Australia as mortgage repayments continue to squeeze consumer spending. - More homes needed, says HIA
One million new homes need to be built in the next five years if Australia's growing population is to be housed, according to the Housing Industry Association (HIA).
- Landlords' bond insurance nightmare
Tenancy bonds are not enough protection for landlords, research has shown recently. - The choices in the big health insurance decision
With less than a month until the federal government's changes to the Medicare levy surcharge come into place, health insurance companies are doing everything they possibly can to recruit new members. - What is ING?
For many Australians, ING is known to them through Billy Connelly. The wily Scot has been fronting TV commercials for the banking and insurance firm for the last ten years. However, other than that, ING is an unknown entity for many Australians. - Will Swan Budget see health insurance customers fly?
While the Budget announcement may be over, the recriminations from Wayne Swan's first as treasurer continue. - Insuring your health
Health insurance is a unique product for Australians - it's something that we all need to buy but rarely want to use.
- Budgeting for baby
The impending arrival of a new baby brings with it a seemingly unending list of things to do, so much so that financial matters are often shifted to the back-burner - but experts warn that this approach can be "very dangerous", as bankrolling junior's early years requires careful planning. - Budgeting for baby
The impending arrival of a new baby brings with it a seemingly unending list of things to do, so much so that financial matters are often shifted to the back-burner - but experts warn that this approach can be "very dangerous", as bankrolling junior's early years requires careful planning. - Rise of the Kippers
Difficulties in securing a home loan and the increasing cost of living in many Australian cities are fuelling an explosion in Australian Kippers - Kids In Parents Pockets Eroding Retirement Savings - according to reports. - Rise of the Kippers
Difficulties in securing a home loan and the increasing cost of living in many Australian cities are fuelling an explosion in Australian Kippers - Kids In Parents Pockets Eroding Retirement Savings - according to reports. - How the Westpac-St George merger affects you
As the dust settles on one of the largest changes to the Australian financial sector for decades, consumers across the country are pondering how the events at Westpac and St George will impact on them.
Qantas American Express Premium Card
* Applicants must be 18 years of age and earn a minimum of $40,000 p.a. to apply for a Qantas American Express Premium Card. Cards are offered, issued and administered by American Express®. American Express credit approval criteria applies. Subject to Terms and Conditions. Fees, charges and interest rates apply and are correct as at 19 June 2008.
Download Card Conditions PDF and see links below for Points Conditions, Qantas Club Invitations Conditions and Product Disclosure Statement. Cards are offered, issued and administered by American Express Australia Limited (ABN 92 108 952 085) ® Registered Trademark of American Express Company.
1. You must be a member of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program to earn and redeem points. A joining fee applies. Membership and points are subject to the terms and conditions of the program. Award seats are limited and may not be available on every flight.
2. Selected Qantas products and services are: (a) Qantas passenger flights with a QF flight number purchased on the Qantas merchant account i.e. with Qantas direct or some travel agents, (b) purchases from Qantas Travel shops or (c) Qantas Holidays. Excludes: Qantas Freight, Jetstar, Qantas branded non-airfare products operated by third parties e.g. Qantas Box Office. Points Terms and Conditions apply.
3. Invitations are for Premium Cardmembers and are valid for Qantas operated lounges only and are not valid for oneworld™ alliance airline, partner airlines lounges or associated lounges. Each invitation is valid for a single visit before the date specified on the invitation, when travelling with Qantas or Jetstar. Qantas club rules apply. Qantas Club Invitations Conditions apply.
4. Insurance Products are arranged through American Express International, Inc (ABN 15 000 618 208) AFS Licence No. 237996. Subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the insurances issued by ACE Insurance Limited (ABN 23 001 642 020) AFS Licence No. 239687. A Product Disclosure Statement is available for download. You should read the appropriate Product Disclosure Statement and consider the appropriateness of the insurance in relation to your individual requirements.
5. Interest rates are current at published date and subject to change, including changes under our Interest Rate Policy.
American Express Australia Limited (ABN 92 108 952 085) ® Registered Trademark of American Express Company.
American Express Blue Sky Credit Card
American Express credit approval criteria applies. Subject to terms and conditions. Fees, charges and interest rates apply and are current as at the 19 Junel 2008 and are subject to change.
* Subject to minimum income and credit approval criteria
1. Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards Blue Sky program.
2. Conditions apply, subject to airline availability
3. Points required are as described in the Blue Sky Destination Guide and frequently asked question page and are subject to change. Airline taxes must be paid by you and will be charged to your Blue Sky Credit Card. Additional fees and charges may apply. If the cost of the ticket for the nominated flight route exceeds the maximum ticket price in the destination guide any additional amount above the maximum ticket price must be paid by you and will be charged to your Blue Sky Credit Card. Flight redemption is subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards Blue Sky Program. 50% less points offer: Only available if you apply and are approved for the Blue Sky Credit Card and book a flight by 01 Jan 2009.
4. Please be sure to read the Insurance Terms and Conditions booklet carefully and be aware of its various Terms, Conditions and exclusions. A copy of the Insurance Terms and Conditions booklet is available on request from us.
5. Depending on when you make your purchase, when your statement is issued and whether you are carrying forward a balance on your account from the previous statement period. There is no interest free period for cash advances or balance transfers.
6. Interest rates are current as at 8th April 2008 and are subject to change, including.
American Express Gold Choices Credit Card
American Express® credit approval criteria applies. Subject to terms and conditions. Fees, charges and interest rates apply and are correct as at 19th June 2008 and are subject to change. All interest rates are quoted as an Annual Percentage Rate.
1. Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards program.
2. The number of actual interest-free days depends upon when you make a purchase, when your statement is issued, whether you have obtained a balance transfer and whether or not you are carrying forward a balance on your account from your previous statement period. There are no interest free days on cash advances.
3. All payments to your credit card account are applied first to transferred balances, including transferred balances benefiting from promotional interest rates. This will result in the balances subject to a lower interest rate being paid off first. Minimum payment requirements of the card account apply to balance transfers. There are no interest-free days on balance transfers.
4. Interest rates are current at published date and subject to change, including changes under our Interest Rate Policy.
** Our interest rate policy describes how we intend to adjust credit card interest rates based on your payment history. Under this policy we intend to maintain this special low rate for the promotional period if you make your minimum payments on time.
American Express Australia Limited (ABN 92 108 952 085) ® Registered Trademark of American Express Company
American Express Platinum Card
American Express® credit approval criteria applies. Subject to terms and conditions. Fees and charges apply and are correct as at 1st May 2007 and are subject to change.
1. You are free to spend as much as you show us you can afford to repay. Proof of resources and security may be required.
2. Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards program.
3. Insurance Products are arranged through American Express International, Inc (ABN 15 000 618 208) AFS Licence 237996. Subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the insurances issued by ACE Insurance Limited (ABN 23 001 642 020) AFS Licence No. 239687. A Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) is available from us upon request. You should read the appropriate PDS and consider the appropriateness of the insurance in relation to your individual requirements.
4. A Platinum table will be held for you until 10am each day at participating restaurants, unless booked prior by another cardmember. Conditions apply. Restaurant partners are subject to change without notice. All bookings must be made through Platinum Concierge. Availability is limited to one table per restaurant.
5. Terms and conditions apply. All flights are subject to availability and neither American Express nor Qantas guarantee that seats or tickets will be available on the dates or at the times you may wish to fly. Seat availability may be limited to certain dates and/or flights and it may be more difficult to book seats around public holidays, school holidays or special events. Some flights may not have any seats available for redemption. Route availability is subject to change without notice. All travel is subject to the American Express Flight Offer Conditions, Qantas Fare Conditions and Qantas Conditions of Carriage. No Qantas Frequent Flyer points will be awarded for travel on these flights.
American Express Australia Limited (ABN 92 108 952 085) ® Registered Trademark of American Express Company.
Qantas American Express Ultimate Card
* Applicants must be 18 years of age and earn a minimum of $65,000 p.a. to apply for a Qantas American Express Ultimate Card. Cards are offered, issued and administered by American Express®. American Express credit approval criteria applies. Subject to Terms and Conditions. Fees, charges and interest rates apply and are correct as at 19 June April 2008 and are subject to change.
Download Card Conditions PDF and see links below for Points Conditions, Domestic Return Flight Conditions and Product Disclosure Statement. Cards are offered, issued and administered by American Express Australia Limited (ABN 92 108 952 085) ® Registered Trademark of American Express Company.
1. You must be a member of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program to earn and redeem points. A joining fee applies. Membership is subject to the terms and conditions of the program. Award seats are limited and may not be available on every flight.
2. Selected Qantas products and services are: (a) Qantas passenger flights with a QF flight number purchased on the Qantas merchant account i.e. with Qantas direct or some travel agents, (b) purchases from Qantas Travel shops or (c) Qantas Holidays. Excludes: Qantas Freight, Jetstar, Qantas branded non-airfare products operated by third parties e.g. Qantas Box Office.
3. The Qantas domestic return flight in economy class between selected Australian capital cities is available for booking by Ultimate Cardmembers. All flights are subject to availability and neither American Express nor Qantas guarantee that seats or tickets will be available on the dates or times you may wish to fly. Seat availability may be limited to certain dates and/or flights and it may be difficult to book seats around public holidays, school holidays or special events. Some flights may not have any seats available for redemption. Route availability is subject to change without notice. All travel is subject to Qantas' Conditions of Carriage. No Qantas Frequent Flyer points will be awarded for travel on these flights. Subject to Qantas American Express Ultimate card Product Disclosure Statement and Domestic Return Flight Conditions available at americanexpress.com.au/ultimate
4. Insurance Products are arranged through American Express International, Inc (ABN 15 000 618 208) AFS Licence No. 237996. Subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the insurances issued by ACE Insurance Limited (ABN 23 001 642 020) AFS Licence No. 239687. A Product Disclosure Statement is available for download. You should read the appropriate Product Disclosure Statement and consider the appropriateness of the insurance in relation to your individual requirements.
5. Interest rates are current at published date and subject to change, including changes under our Interest Rate Policy.
American Express Australia Limited (ABN 92 108 952 085) ® Registered Trademark of American Express Company.
