Best travel credit cards in the UAE: September 2026

3 Skywards Miles per AED 3.68 (1 US dollar) on Emirates and flydubai bought direct from the airlines (ADIB's card page also names Emirates Holidays), 2 on foreign currency spend (0.8 in the European Economic Area) and 1.5 on local spend, but only 0.25 at supermarkets, petrol stations, utilities, government services and other listed merchants. It gives complimentary Skywards Silver with a fast track to Gold on USD 5,000 of Emirates spend, unlimited lounge access for you and a guest through the Visa Airport Companion app and 4 airport transfers a year. AED 4,725 a year including VAT with the Gold fast track (AED 2,625 without it), minimum salary AED 25,000.

Emirates Islamic's top Skywards card with the Gold fast track. It earns 3.5 Miles per USD on Emirates and flydubai booked directly with the airline in dirhams, 2 abroad (0.75 in Europe and the UK) and 1.5 on local spend, but 0.3 on groceries, fuel, bills, fast food and other listed categories. Silver comes with the card. Gold follows once you spend USD 5,000 on Emirates tickets or upgrades bought from Emirates within 12 months of getting the card, and the fee then rises from AED 2,100 to AED 5,775 a year. 1 complimentary lounge visit a year, on which you can bring a guest; later visits are free only after a foreign currency purchase of at least USD 1 made 15 days or more before.

2 Skywards Miles per USD on Emirates and flydubai booked directly, 1.5 abroad (0.375 in Europe and the UK) and 1 on local spend, with less on groceries (0.5), fuel and fast food (0.25) and bills (0.15). Silver for the first 12 months, kept with USD 2,500 of Emirates spend a year, 1 complimentary lounge visit a year and unlimited golf at 5 UAE courses in months you spend AED 10,000. AED 1,048.95 a year including VAT, with 10,000 welcome Miles; from the second year the fee is waived on AED 150,000 of annual spend.

2.5 Skywards Miles per USD on Emirates and flydubai bought direct from the airlines (ADIB's card page also names Emirates Holidays), 1.5 abroad (0.6 in the European Economic Area) and 1 on local spend (0.25 at supermarkets, petrol stations, utilities and other listed merchants). Complimentary Silver for the first year, kept with USD 2,500 of Emirates spend a year, unlimited lounge access for the cardholder through the Visa Airport Companion app and 2 airport transfers a year. AED 1,575 a year including VAT, minimum salary AED 10,000.

It pays on any airline and hotel: 12% back on flights and hotels, paid as FAB Rewards points, 0.96% on other spending in dirhams, 0.16% on groceries, fuel, bills and other listed categories, and nothing on other spending abroad. Rewards are paid only in months after one in which you spent at least AED 5,000 on the card, and are capped at AED 1,800 a month in total. FAB charges no foreign currency fee. 14 lounge visits a calendar year, shared between you, your supplementary cards and your first guest: the first 2 are free outright, and later visits need a purchase abroad of at least USD 1, which opens access for 3 months. AED 1,575 a year including VAT, minimum salary AED 20,000.

10 Etihad Guest Miles per AED 10 on Etihad Airways and etihad.com, hotels and dining, and 6 on most other spending at home and abroad (3 in the EU and UK). Groceries, fast food, insurance and car dealers earn 1.5, and fuel, bills, transport, education and government services 0.6. A fast track to Etihad Guest Gold after 1 return Etihad flight within 6 months of getting the card. Check the cost: AED 2,625 to join in the first year, then AED 1,575 a year from the second year, minimum salary AED 30,000.

The Plus tier of RAKBANK's Elevate, a points card for any airline or hotel: 3 RAKrewards per AED 1 on most spending at home and abroad, 0.6 at supermarkets and on insurance, 0.4 on fuel, bills, transport, government and real estate, and 0.5 in the European Economic Area. Points go furthest on flights and hotels, where Perkly values them at AED 0.008 each, about 2.4% back; other redemptions can be worth less. The fee is monthly, AED 99 plus VAT, and is not charged in a statement cycle where you spend AED 10,000 or more. Lounge access at 1,300+ lounges with a guest needs an international purchase of at least USD 1 every 3 months, and 6 airport transfers a year are included. Minimum salary AED 35,000.

10% cashback on airline tickets from any airline and on hotel bookings worldwide, 1.5% on other spending in dirhams and nothing on other spending abroad, capped at AED 1,500 a month in total and paid only in months you spend at least AED 5,000. 14 lounge visits: the first 2 free outright, and after that a purchase in a foreign currency of at least USD 1 keeps access free for 3 months. 4 Careem airport rides a year. ADCB adds no foreign currency margin of its own, though Mastercard's fee of about 1.15% still applies. AED 1,575 a year including VAT, minimum salary AED 20,000.