Credit Cards in the US vs Canada vs UK vs Australia Compared

Credit cards work the same way in the US, Canada, the UK and Australia, but the rules differ. The US has the most generous rewards, helped by uncapped credit card interchange; the UK offers the longest 0% deals and Section 75 protection; Canada guarantees a 21-day grace period; Australia is capping interchange at 0.3% and ending surcharges. Here is how the four markets compare and what changes if you move between them.

How do credit cards differ between the US, Canada, the UK and Australia?

The biggest differences are in regulation, not in how the cards work. The table sets out the rules in each country, plus the ranges we see on the cards we list for each market.

For a full list of cards in each market, see our pages for the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.

Why are US credit card rewards bigger than in other countries?

A major reason is interchange, the fee a merchant's bank pays the card issuer on each purchase, which helps fund rewards. In the US, the Federal Reserve's interchange rule, Regulation II, covers debit cards only, so credit card interchange is not capped by federal law. That leaves room for large welcome offers: the Chase Sapphire Preferred listing shows a bonus of 60,000 points or more, while UK cards such as the Barclaycard Rewards Visa and Halifax Clarity offer none.

The other three countries have moved the other way. The UK caps interchange on consumer credit cards at 0.3% of the transaction. Australia's central bank has cut its cap on consumer credit cards from 0.8% to 0.3% from 1 October 2026 and is removing surcharges on Visa, Mastercard and eftpos cards from the same date; American Express, UnionPay and PayPal have said they will also drop surcharging. Canada relies on agreements rather than a cap: Visa and Mastercard agreed in 2024 to lower in-store consumer credit interchange to an average of 0.95% for eligible small businesses, with commitments to protect reward points.

Why does the UK offer the longest 0% deals?

With little interchange to fund rewards, UK providers compete on borrowing terms instead. In September 2026 the longest UK balance transfer deals ran to 36 months, while the longest US offers we checked, such as Wells Fargo Reflect, ran to 21 months. UK advertising rules add transparency: a representative APR must be one that at least 51% of customers taking the product are expected to receive.

The UK also has the strongest statutory purchase protection of the four. Under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, your card provider shares responsibility with the seller for purchases over £100 and up to £30,000, as our Section 75 guide explains. The FCA's persistent debt rules require providers to step in if, over 18 months, you have paid more in interest and charges than off the debt itself.

How do Canada and Australia protect credit card users?

Canada writes key protections into law, while Australia focuses on lending limits. The FCAC says federally regulated financial institutions must give you a grace period of at least 21 days on new purchases when you pay your balance in full, although cash advances have no grace period. Banks must get your express consent before raising your credit limit, applications must include an information box of key features, and your liability for unauthorized use is capped at $50 unless you were grossly negligent.

In Australia, ASIC rules in force since 1 January 2019 require lenders to assess whether you could repay your credit limit within three years, and lenders can no longer send unsolicited invitations to raise your limit. ASIC describes the ePayments Code, which sets the rules for who pays for unauthorized transactions, as a voluntary code of practice. Moneysmart notes that interest-free periods usually start on the first day of the billing cycle, not on the date you buy something.

How do credit scores compare across the four countries?

Each country uses different bureaus and different scales, so a score from one country means nothing in another.

• United States: three bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. FICO scores run from 300 to 850, and 670 to 739 counts as good.
• Canada: two main bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion, with scores usually from 300 to 900.
• United Kingdom: three agencies with their own scales. Experian moved to 0-1,250 from autumn 2025, Equifax uses 0-1,000, and TransUnion is moving from 0-710 to 0-999 between late September 2026 and June 2027. Our UK credit score guide explains the bands.
• Australia: Equifax and Experian both score from 0 to 1,200, and illion is now part of Experian.

Does your credit history transfer when you move abroad?

Generally not. Equifax UK explains that credit bureaus only collect information about your activity in one country, so moving means starting again. The FCAC says some Canadian lenders may look at your credit history from another country and may ask for a copy. A few routes help:

1. Ask American Express about a Global Card Transfer. Amex says primary cardholders with an Amex-issued card held for at least three months, open and in good standing, can apply for a card in their new country.
2. Look for lenders that use foreign credit files. Nova Credit says its Credit Passport covers more than 20 countries, and some US lenders use it.
3. Open a local bank account first, then apply for a newcomer, secured or credit-builder card. Our guide to credit cards for newcomers to Canada covers the Canadian options.
4. Keep one card open at home, update your address with the issuer and make sure you can pay it from abroad, so your home history stays active.
5. Check your new country's credit report after a few months to make sure your accounts are being reported.

What works the same in every country?

The core habits carry across borders. Paying your statement in full is the only reliable way to avoid purchase interest everywhere. Cash advances cost more than purchases in all four markets, and the US and Canadian regulators both say interest on them starts straight away. Paying in the local currency when you travel avoids poor conversion rates, as our guide to foreign transaction fees explains. And if you carry a balance, a low-rate or 0% card will save you more than any rewards card earns.