Emirates Islamic has set higher cashback spending minimums for its RTA Credit Card and Switch Cashback Credit Card from 10 January 2027. Cardholders will need AED 2,000 and AED 4,000 in retail spend, respectively, to earn cashback under the new terms. If your usual spending falls short, cards focused on fuel, groceries or dining may fit better.
The two changes
| Card | Current published minimum | From 10 January 2027 |
|---|---|---|
AED 1,000 retail spend per statement cycle | AED 2,000 retail spend per statement cycle | |
AED 2,500 billed per calendar month | AED 4,000 retail spend per statement cycle |
| Card | Current published minimum | From 10 January 2027 |
|---|---|---|
AED 1,000 retail spend per statement cycle | AED 2,000 retail spend per statement cycle | |
AED 2,500 billed per calendar month | AED 4,000 retail spend per statement cycle |
The RTA terms and Switch Cashback terms give 10 January 2027 as the effective date. The current Switch wording refers to a calendar month; the new footnote refers to a statement cycle. Use your statement dates when assessing the new minimum.
What the thresholds mean for cashback
The RTA card's published rates include 10% on RTA transport payments and 10% at fuel stations, each capped at AED 75 a month. Those rates still depend on meeting the card's overall retail-spend minimum. AED 1,500 of eligible retail spend in a statement cycle would fall below the new AED 2,000 minimum and earn no cashback from 10 January 2027, even if some purchases were in the 10% categories.
Switch Cashback publishes separate Lifestyle and Travel category rates and caps. From 10 January 2027, earning cashback on either selection requires AED 4,000 of retail spend per statement cycle. A purchase in a higher-rate category alone will not meet that minimum; category caps still apply after it is met.
Which card fits your spending instead?
Match a card to purchases you already make. A higher rate on a narrow category, a fee or a redemption rule can matter more than the headline percentage.
Fuel, groceries and dining: ADIB CashBack Visa
The ADIB CashBack Visa Covered Card terms list 4% on eligible fuel and automobile purchases, capped at AED 300 a month; 4% on groceries and supermarkets, capped at AED 300; and 4% on dining, capped at AED 200. Total monthly cashback is capped at AED 1,000. An annual fee applies, so compare the expected rewards with that cost. If these are your regular categories, compare ADIB CashBack Visa and apply.
Dining without an earning minimum: Mashreq Cashback
Mashreq Cashback earns 5% on eligible local and international dining with no minimum spend to earn cashback and no annual fee. Fuel earns 0.15%, making this a dining choice rather than a direct RTA fuel replacement. Cashback can be redeemed from AED 100. If dining is your main reward category, compare Mashreq Cashback and apply.
Groceries and other local purchases: Citi CashBack
Citi CashBack has no minimum monthly spend to earn cashback. It earns 2% on groceries and supermarket purchases and 1% on other local spending. The first year's annual fee is waived; from the second year, the fee is AED 315 unless you meet its AED 9,000 annual-spend waiver, according to Citi's fee schedule. That annual fee waiver is separate from cashback earning. Citi requires a minimum monthly income of AED 8,000. For broader local spending, compare Citi CashBack and apply.
Union Coop regulars: Liv Tamayaz Platinum
The Liv Tamayaz Platinum Card earns 6% back in Tamayaz Points at Union Coop, capped at AED 750 a month, with no annual fee. Points are redeemed at Union Coop from 1,000 points and expire on 31 December each year, according to Liv's support terms. If Union Coop is already your grocery store, compare Liv Tamayaz Platinum and apply.
Work out which card should take each part of your budget
Card Picker's free quiz recommends one card for your usual spending. Its optional paid portfolio allocates your declared monthly category spending across several cards and compares calculated annual value after thresholds, caps and fees. See whether concentrating eligible purchases or splitting them across cards gives more value from your existing budget. Find your card mix with Card Picker before you apply.
Do not increase spending just to cross a cashback threshold. Compare these alternative cards on your usual purchases in the Kredit calculator.
Kredit provides informational content only and does not offer financial advice. We do not guarantee accuracy and recommend consulting a licensed financial professional before making decisions.
