Best Credit Cards in UAE
Compare cashback, travel rewards, lounge access and no-fee cards — updated for 2026
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17Cards Listed
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6No Annual Fee
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9Lounge Access
How to choose the right UAE credit card
The UAE has one of the most competitive credit card markets in the world, with over 200 cards available across 40+ banks. Choosing correctly can earn you AED 3,000–8,000 per year in cashback and rewards; choosing poorly costs you in annual fees and missed benefits.
Cashback cards
Best for people who want straightforward value from everyday spending — groceries, fuel, dining, utilities. Look for cards with 2–5% on your highest spend categories. Watch out: some cards cap monthly cashback at AED 200–300, limiting value for higher spenders.
Travel rewards cards
Best for frequent flyers who want miles, lounge access, and travel insurance. The Emirates NBD Skywards and HSBC Premier Travel are the benchmark options. Value depends entirely on how often you fly — if you travel less than 4 times a year, cashback usually wins.
No annual fee cards
Best for low-to-moderate spenders who don't want to justify a fee. Rewards rates are lower, but you keep 100% of what you earn. The Mashreq Cashback and ENBD U Rewards are solid no-fee options. Good as a secondary card alongside a premium card.
Sharia-compliant cards
UAE Islamic banks (Dubai Islamic Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Emirates Islamic) offer credit cards that don't charge interest, instead earning profit on outstanding balances in a Sharia-compliant structure. Rewards rates and benefits are comparable to conventional cards.
Annual fee rule of thumb: A card's annual fee should be offset by benefits you actually use. Two lounge visits, travel insurance on one trip, or AED 400+ in cashback per year are typical break-even points for cards in the AED 300–500 fee range. Most UAE banks will waive the annual fee if you call and ask — or if you meet a monthly spend threshold (typically AED 5,000–10,000).
All Cards
Ajman Bank ULTRACASH Mastercard
Ajman Bank
Cashback Rate
10%
Annual Fee
AED 300
- ✓Up to 10% cashback (UAE Nationals) / 5% (expats) on 2 chosen categories
- ✓1% cashback on all other spend
- ✓Fee waived year 2 on AED 12,000 retail spend
Min. salary: AED 10,000
Apply Now →RAKbank World Credit Card
RAKbank
Cashback Rate
10%
Annual Fee
AED 997.5
- ✓Up to 10% cashback on dining, travel & groceries
- ✓Unlimited airport lounge access
- ✓Fee waived if prior-year spend exceeds AED 100,000
Min. salary: AED 15,000
Apply Now →FAB Cashback Credit Card
First Abu Dhabi Bank
Cashback Rate
5%
Annual Fee
AED 300
- ✓5% cashback on fuel spends
- ✓3% cashback on dining
- ✓Free worldwide airport lounge access
Min. salary: AED 5,000
Apply Now →Mashreq Cashback Card
Mashreq
Cashback Rate
5%
Annual Fee
Free
- ✓Up to 5% cashback on dining (capped)
- ✓2% cashback at supermarkets
- ✓Zero annual fee
Min. salary: AED 5,000
Apply Now →Al Hilal Bank Cashback Credit Card
Al Hilal Bank
Cashback Rate
5%
Annual Fee
Free
- ✓Free for life — no annual fee
- ✓5% cashback on 2 chosen categories (dining, grocery, fuel, international, education)
- ✓25+ complimentary airport lounge visits
Min. salary: AED 5,000
Apply Now →Mashreq Noon Credit Card
Mashreq
Cashback Rate
5%
Annual Fee
Free
- ✓Free for life — no annual fee
- ✓5% cashback on noon, noon Food, noon Minutes, NowNow & Namshi
- ✓1% cashback on all other spend
Min. salary: AED 5,000
Apply Now →ADIB Cashback Visa Card
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
Cashback Rate
4%
Annual Fee
AED 99
- ✓4% cashback on groceries, fuel, education, dining & utilities
- ✓Sharia-compliant covered card
- ✓Up to AED 1,000 monthly cashback cap
Min. salary: AED 5,000
Apply Now →DIB Consumer Cashback Platinum Card
Dubai Islamic Bank
Cashback Rate
4%
Annual Fee
AED 249
- ✓First year annual fee waived
- ✓4% cashback on supermarkets, fuel, bills & school fees (up to AED 1,000/month)
- ✓Travel & medical coverage up to US$100,000
Min. salary: AED 15,000
Apply Now →CBD Visa Infinite
Commercial Bank of Dubai
Cashback Rate
3%
Annual Fee
AED 787.5
- ✓Up to 3 CBD Rewards points per AED1 on international spend
- ✓12 complimentary airport lounge visits/year (Visa Airport Companion App)
- ✓Concierge service 24/7
Min. salary: AED 25,000
Apply Now →Citi Cashback Credit Card
Citibank UAE
Cashback Rate
3%
Annual Fee
AED 315
- ✓3% cashback on all non-AED (international) spend — no cap
- ✓Annual fee waived with AED 9,000 yearly spend
- ✓Flexible cash redemption with no minimum
Min. salary: AED 9,000
Apply Now →Standard Chartered Platinum
Standard Chartered
Cashback Rate
2%
Annual Fee
AED 525
- ✓Unlimited lounge access to 20+ airports worldwide
- ✓360° rewards on every spend
- ✓Waived fee with AED 10,000 monthly spend
Min. salary: AED 5,000
Apply Now →Wio Credit Card
Wio Bank
Cashback Rate
2%
Annual Fee
Free
- ✓2% cashback on all spends (AED 49/month waived at AED 35,000+ balance)
- ✓Instant digital card issuance
- ✓0.5% cashback on bill payments
Min. salary: AED 5,000
Apply Now →Emirates NBD U by Emaar Visa Infinite
Emirates NBD
Cashback Rate
1.5%
Annual Fee
AED 1,575
- ✓7.5% Upoints on Emaar spends, 1.5% on other purchases
- ✓Unlimited access to 850+ airport lounges (+1 guest)
- ✓25,000 Upoints welcome bonus
Min. salary: AED 30,000
Apply Now →Emirates Skywards Infinite
Emirates NBD
Cashback Rate
1.5%
Annual Fee
AED 1,575
- ✓5 Skywards Miles per AED 1 on Emirates flights
- ✓Complimentary airport transfers
- ✓Global lounge access with Priority Pass
Min. salary: AED 30,000
Apply Now →ADCB Touchpoints Platinum
ADCB
Cashback Rate
1.25%
Annual Fee
AED 399
- ✓Up to 9 Touchpoints per AED 1 at supermarkets
- ✓2 complimentary lounge visits per year
- ✓Dining discounts at 400+ restaurants
Min. salary: AED 8,000
Apply Now →Talabat ADCB Credit Card
ADCB
Cashback Rate
1.25%
Annual Fee
Free
- ✓35% back on first 10 Talabat orders each month
- ✓Unlimited free delivery via Talabat Pro
- ✓AED 500 welcome bonus on AED 2,500 spend in 45 days
Min. salary: AED 5,000
Apply Now →HSBC Premier Travel Card
HSBC
Cashback Rate
1%
Annual Fee
Free
- ✓1.5 air miles per AED 1 on international spends
- ✓6 lounge visits annually
- ✓Travel insurance up to USD 1,000,000
Min. salary: AED 20,000
Apply Now →Zero Annual Fee Cards
Mashreq Cashback Card
Mashreq
Cashback Rate
5%
Annual Fee
Free
- ✓Up to 5% cashback on dining (capped)
- ✓2% cashback at supermarkets
- ✓Zero annual fee
Min. salary: AED 5,000
Apply Now →Al Hilal Bank Cashback Credit Card
Al Hilal Bank
Cashback Rate
5%
Annual Fee
Free
- ✓Free for life — no annual fee
- ✓5% cashback on 2 chosen categories (dining, grocery, fuel, international, education)
- ✓25+ complimentary airport lounge visits
Min. salary: AED 5,000
Apply Now →Mashreq Noon Credit Card
Mashreq
Cashback Rate
5%
Annual Fee
Free
- ✓Free for life — no annual fee
- ✓5% cashback on noon, noon Food, noon Minutes, NowNow & Namshi
- ✓1% cashback on all other spend
Min. salary: AED 5,000
Apply Now →Wio Credit Card
Wio Bank
Cashback Rate
2%
Annual Fee
Free
- ✓2% cashback on all spends (AED 49/month waived at AED 35,000+ balance)
- ✓Instant digital card issuance
- ✓0.5% cashback on bill payments
Min. salary: AED 5,000
Apply Now →Talabat ADCB Credit Card
ADCB
Cashback Rate
1.25%
Annual Fee
Free
- ✓35% back on first 10 Talabat orders each month
- ✓Unlimited free delivery via Talabat Pro
- ✓AED 500 welcome bonus on AED 2,500 spend in 45 days
Min. salary: AED 5,000
Apply Now →HSBC Premier Travel Card
HSBC
Cashback Rate
1%
Annual Fee
Free
- ✓1.5 air miles per AED 1 on international spends
- ✓6 lounge visits annually
- ✓Travel insurance up to USD 1,000,000
Min. salary: AED 20,000
Apply Now →Best for Travel
RAKbank World Credit Card
RAKbank
Cashback Rate
10%
Annual Fee
AED 997.5
- ✓Up to 10% cashback on dining, travel & groceries
- ✓Unlimited airport lounge access
- ✓Fee waived if prior-year spend exceeds AED 100,000
Min. salary: AED 15,000
Apply Now →FAB Cashback Credit Card
First Abu Dhabi Bank
Cashback Rate
5%
Annual Fee
AED 300
- ✓5% cashback on fuel spends
- ✓3% cashback on dining
- ✓Free worldwide airport lounge access
Min. salary: AED 5,000
Apply Now →DIB Consumer Cashback Platinum Card
Dubai Islamic Bank
Cashback Rate
4%
Annual Fee
AED 249
- ✓First year annual fee waived
- ✓4% cashback on supermarkets, fuel, bills & school fees (up to AED 1,000/month)
- ✓Travel & medical coverage up to US$100,000
Min. salary: AED 15,000
Apply Now →CBD Visa Infinite
Commercial Bank of Dubai
Cashback Rate
3%
Annual Fee
AED 787.5
- ✓Up to 3 CBD Rewards points per AED1 on international spend
- ✓12 complimentary airport lounge visits/year (Visa Airport Companion App)
- ✓Concierge service 24/7
Min. salary: AED 25,000
Apply Now →Emirates NBD U by Emaar Visa Infinite
Emirates NBD
Cashback Rate
1.5%
Annual Fee
AED 1,575
- ✓7.5% Upoints on Emaar spends, 1.5% on other purchases
- ✓Unlimited access to 850+ airport lounges (+1 guest)
- ✓25,000 Upoints welcome bonus
Min. salary: AED 30,000
Apply Now →Emirates Skywards Infinite
Emirates NBD
Cashback Rate
1.5%
Annual Fee
AED 1,575
- ✓5 Skywards Miles per AED 1 on Emirates flights
- ✓Complimentary airport transfers
- ✓Global lounge access with Priority Pass
Min. salary: AED 30,000
Apply Now →HSBC Premier Travel Card
HSBC
Cashback Rate
1%
Annual Fee
Free
- ✓1.5 air miles per AED 1 on international spends
- ✓6 lounge visits annually
- ✓Travel insurance up to USD 1,000,000
Min. salary: AED 20,000
Apply Now →Frequently asked questions
What's the minimum salary needed for a UAE credit card?▾
It varies a lot by card — free-for-life cards like the Al Hilal Bank Cashback or Mashreq Noon accept a minimum salary of AED 5,000/month, mid-tier cashback and travel cards typically require AED 8,000–15,000, and premium cards like the Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite or U by Emaar Visa Infinite require AED 25,000–30,000+.
How long does credit card approval take in the UAE?▾
Most banks give an instant pre-approval decision online if you already bank with them or have salary transfer set up, but full approval and card issuance usually takes 3–7 business days once your Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB) check and documents clear. New-to-bank applicants or self-employed applicants can take longer, sometimes 2 weeks.
Do I need a good AECB credit score to get approved?▾
Yes — every UAE bank pulls your Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB) report as part of the application. A low score, existing high debt-to-income ratio, or a recent default will usually get you rejected or offered a lower limit, even if your salary meets the minimum. Check your own AECB score before applying if you're unsure.
Can new UAE residents get a credit card without a salary transfer?▾
It's harder but possible. Most premium and mid-tier cards require your salary to be transferred to that bank. New residents without local salary history can instead apply for a secured credit card backed by a fixed deposit (commonly 100–120% of the credit limit), which several UAE banks offer specifically for this case, or use a foreign credit history import where supported.
Are UAE credit card annual fees negotiable?▾
Often, yes. Many banks will waive or discount the annual fee if you call and ask, especially at renewal, or if you meet a monthly spend threshold (commonly AED 5,000–10,000). It's worth asking before accepting a downgrade or cancelling a card you'd otherwise keep.
What happens if I miss a credit card payment in the UAE?▾
You'll be charged a late payment fee (typically AED 230–275 plus VAT) and interest on the outstanding balance, and the missed payment is reported to AECB — which can lower your credit score and affect future loan or card approvals. UAE banks can also pursue legal action for unpaid balances, so it's worth setting up at least the minimum auto-payment to avoid missing a due date.
Are Sharia-compliant credit cards different from regular ones in cost or rewards?▾
Not meaningfully. Islamic credit cards from banks like Dubai Islamic Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and Emirates Islamic don't charge interest — instead they earn profit on outstanding balances under a Sharia-compliant structure — but annual fees, cashback rates and rewards are generally comparable to conventional cards from the same bank tier.
Card details are for informational purposes. Always verify current terms with the bank before applying.