How the UAE chose credit cards in August 2026

62% of searches were for a cashback card, 22% for a travel card, 11% for a flexible rewards card and 5% for a shopping card. Cashback's appeal is its simplicity: a dirham back is a dirham, with no conversion to work out.

It shows in what people chose: the two most popular cards of the month were both cashback cards. See the 10 most popular credit cards of August 2026.

Two in three cashback searchers told us which categories matter most to them. Of those:

• 75% picked supermarkets and groceries
• 63% picked dining
• 58% picked utility bills
• 52% picked online shopping
• 50% picked fuel
• 38% picked general shopping, 35% school fees and 21% transport

That is why cards advertising their best rates on groceries and dining led the month. See the best cashback credit cards of August 2026.

72% of searches allowed cards with an annual fee; 28% asked for free cards only. People are not fee-averse, they are value-minded: a fee is fine if the rewards clearly beat it. For the free options, see the best no annual fee credit cards of August 2026.

Among travel searches, 53% chose Emirates Skywards. 19% wanted the best value regardless of programme, 10% wanted travel cashback, and just 8% chose Etihad Guest, with Marriott Bonvoy, flexible points and Air Arabia making up the rest.

See the best Emirates Skywards credit cards and the best Etihad Guest credit cards of August 2026.

Perkly's searches span every income. In August, 16% came from people earning under AED 10,000 a month, 12% between AED 10,000 and 15,000, 17% between AED 15,000 and 25,000, 36% between AED 25,000 and 50,000, and 20% AED 50,000 or more.

The median search planned to put about AED 8,900 a month on a card, and half planned between AED 4,100 and AED 17,000. That matters, because many of the best-paying cards only reward you fully above a monthly spend of AED 3,000 to AED 5,000.

For card picks by income, see our salary guides in the August 2026 series.