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Onecard Visa Review

Free Countdown deliveries, double Onecard points at Countdown and up to 55 days interest-free typically make this credit card suitable for only the most loyal Countdown customers

Updated 12 September 2024 

Quick Facts

  • Countdown began offering the Onecard Visa in 2013, but has recently suspended applications.
  • We've put this Onecard Visa review together to explain how the card works for existing cardholders, and why alternative cards may suit existing Onecard Visa holders.
  • Overall, we believe that the $65 annual fee is poor value for money for the average user. We believe only exceptionally frequent and high-spending Countdown regulars will see value in the card's offering. 
  • The Onecard rewards generated by the card can only be used at Countdown. 

Onecard Visa Fees and Interest Rates Summary

  • Annual fee - $65
  • Annual interest rates - Purchases (19.99%) and Cash Advances (22.99%)
  • Late payment fee - $15
  • Onecard point-earning at Countdown - $10 spent = 1 Onecard point
  • Onecard point-earning at all merchants - $20 spent = 1 Onecard point​​

How do Onecard points work?

  • Per the Onecard terms and conditions, every $20 you spend gives you one Onecard point outside of Countdown.. 
  • For every 200 Onecard Points you have earned you will receive a Onecard Rewards Voucher to the value of $15.
  • This means that to get the $15 voucher, you need to spend $4,000. This calculates to be a 0.375% reward rate (i.e. every $100 you spend gives you 37.50 cents of rewards). 
  • However, you must spend a minimum of $10 (including GST) in a single transaction to qualify for Onecard Points. If you spend $19, you will earn one Onecard point, and if you spend $21, you will earn two Onecard points.
  • Shoppers at Countdown earn double Onecard points, meaning they receive a 0.75% reward rate.
  • To earn enough rewards to match the $65 annual fee, you need to spend around $18,000 (or $9,000 at Countdown)

Onecard Visa Pros and Cons

PROS
  • Free delivery on orders over $200 (saving $9/order)
  • Double Onecard points at Countdown 
  • If you shop exclusively at Countdown, the 0.75% reward rate on purchases make it attractive, but you will need to spend at least $9,000 on groceries to match the annual card fee. 
  • 1.90% charge for foreign currency transactions, which is at the lower end of the range charged by banks and credit card providers.

CONS
  • Hefty $65 annual fee, meaning ordinary cardholders need to spend at least $8,700 per year outside of Countdown to earn enough Onecard rewards to match the account fee. 
  • The 19.99% annual percentage rate for purchases is high compared to that offered by low-interest credit cards. If you are sometimes unable to make balance payments in full, there are far better value alternatives on offer.
  • Visa ranks below Mastercard for foreign exchange fees. This means that if you use this card overseas, you'll pay more relative to a Mastercard (all other things being equal).  
  • Onecard vouchers expire after 12 months

Should I keep my Onecard Visa?

  • If you online shop at Countdown and would spend $200+ regularly, the free delivery and double Onecard points can quickly add up. For example, a $200 spend every fortnight would save around $250 in delivery costs alone, making the card well worth it.
  • If you tend to shop around and don't have a huge grocery bill at Countdown, nor choose to get home delivery, the benefits are too few to make it a competitive credit card. Spending $8,700 each year to earn enough Onecard points to match the annual fee doesn't shout good value to us.
Alternative Credit Cards
  1. Many credit cards on offer today are much better than the Onecard Visa.
  2. Many credit cards don't charge an annual fee, while others have super-low interest rates.
  3. Others credit cards have flexible rewards that don't require you to spend in $10 blocks to earn rewards, like the Onecard Visa required.
  4. We suggest looking at: