CommBank Smart Awards Card maximises points and skips overseas fees for Aussie travellers

Why Aussies should consider the CommBank Smart Awards Credit Card

The CommBank Smart Awards Credit Card is a strong contender for frequent travellers and everyday spenders across Australia. With an introductory earn of up to 75,000 bonus CommBank Awards Points (or up to 30,000 Qantas Points), the card gives Aussies a fast track to flights, upgrades and travel perks. It’s tailored to local habits, so you’ll find the rewards structure makes sense if you funnel your bigger spends to one card.

Unlike many cards that charge foreign transaction fees, this CommBank card waives those costs, making it ideal for Australians who travel to Asia, Europe or beyond. The $19 monthly account fee is easy to manage: it’s waived for any statement period where you spend $2,000 or more, which is straightforward for households or business owners who concentrate spending on the card.

Rewards, bonus points and Points Boost

Cardholders earn up to 1.5 CommBank Awards Points per $1 on eligible purchases and can convert points to Qantas Points if that suits your travel habits. The Points Boost feature is particularly valuable: it rewards your single highest eligible purchase each statement period, so saving large purchases like flights or electronics for this card can net significantly more points.

The current sign-up promotion is generous: earn 25,000 bonus CommBank Awards Points (or 10,000 Qantas Points) each month for the first three months when you spend $1,500 per month, totalling up to 75,000 Awards Points. These bonuses and the regular earn rate create real momentum for Australians aiming to redeem for flights, hotel stays or cashback options in the CommBank Awards Store.

Travel perks: lounges, insurance and no foreign transaction fees

Aussie travellers will appreciate the travel-focused extras. The card includes airport lounge access that makes long layovers more comfortable, plus standard travel insurance protections that are useful for international trips. Combining lounge access with no foreign transaction fees translates into direct savings and a nicer travel experience from the moment you leave home.

No foreign transaction fees mean you won’t pay the usual 2–3% penalty on overseas spending, which adds up on multi-week holidays or business trips. The flexibility to earn CommBank Awards Points and transfer to airline partners like Qantas also aligns well with the priorities of Australians who prefer to redeem for flights and upgrades.

How to maximise points and manage costs

To get the best value, put large purchases and travel bookings on the CommBank Smart Awards Credit Card so the Points Boost kicks in each statement. Use the card for regular bills, groceries and fuel, and consider adding authorised users to concentrate household spending. Watching special promotions and partner offers from CommBank can boost your points haul even faster.

Keep an eye on the $19 monthly fee and plan to hit the $2,000 statement spend when it’s convenient to waive that charge. Compare redemption options—flights, retail or card credit—to choose the most valuable use of your CommBank Awards Points. For many Australians, this card strikes a strong balance between rewards, travel perks and everyday utility, making it a top pick for maximising points without foreign transaction fees.