FAB Travel Credit Card vs ADCB Traveller Credit Card — which travel card is right for you?

If you're a frequent flyer or hotel‑booker based in the UAE, you've likely come across two of the most talked‑about premium travel credit cards: the FAB Travel Credit Card (issued by First Abu Dhabi Bank – FAB) and the ADCB Traveller Credit Card (issued by Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank – ADCB).

They both target well‑heeled travellers who spend significantly, but they differ in the reward structure, the travel perks and the fee/waiver mechanics. In this article I'll walk you through the details, compare them head‑to‑head, and help you pick the one that makes sense for your style of travel spending.

Rewards & Cashback

The FAB Travel Card offers up to 12% cashback on flights and hotel bookings, but it comes in the form of FAB Rewards points, not cash. You'll also earn 3 FAB points per AED 1 on general local spend — translating to about 1% in value. However, travel rewards are capped monthly at AED 1,800 (equal to 612,000 points). You'll need to monitor your spend to ensure you're maximizing the return before hitting that ceiling.

On the other hand, the ADCB Traveller Card gives a straightforward 10% cashback on flights and hotel bookings — without any conversion steps. You also get 50% cashback on movie tickets and 1.5% on all other UAE purchases, which makes it a more rounded everyday card. But, rewards only kick in once you hit a monthly AED 5,000 spend, and the total cashback is capped at AED 1,500 per month.

Key Takeaways

• FAB: 12% rewards on travel via points; higher earn rate, but more complex redemptions and a higher cap.

• ADCB: 10% flat cashback on travel, 1.5% on general spend; easier to manage but with monthly spend threshold.

• Choose FAB if you're a high spender and don't mind points; go ADCB if you want simple cashback with fewer hoops.

Reward Currency & Redemption

FAB's reward system centers around FAB Rewards points, which can be redeemed for flight bookings, hotel stays, or converted into airline miles (like Etihad Guest). This gives you redemption flexibility, especially if you're savvy about converting points to high-value redemptions like business class flights. However, this comes with complexity — you need to understand point values and track expiry.

ADCB simplifies things: cashback is posted as direct statement credits or vouchers. There's no points system to manage, and new cardholders also get a AED 2,000 hotel stay voucher via Expedia.ae (after meeting fee/spend conditions). This makes it easier for most users to extract immediate value without strategizing.

Key Takeaways

• FAB: Uses a points system with flexible redemptions including airline miles. Great for travel hackers.

• ADCB: Cash-style rewards; no points involved. Simpler and more transparent.

• Choose FAB if you enjoy maximizing rewards via miles. Go with ADCB if you prefer straightforward cashback.

Travel & Lifestyle Benefits

FAB Travel Card holders enjoy unlimited lounge access for themselves and two guests (subject to spend), free airport transfers (Careem), fast-track airport security, and free global data roaming. It's packed with solid, practical travel benefits — especially for those flying regularly within the region. You also get comprehensive travel insurance, and discounts with partners like Booking.com and Hertz.

ADCB, however, ups the ante for premium travel perks. You get 14 complimentary lounge visits per year, free Careem rides, no FX fees, and hotel elite status (GHA Titanium, Hertz Presidential Circle, etc.). The AED 2,000 Expedia hotel voucher adds major upfront value, and perks like free golf, concierge services, and global insurance make this card feel like a luxury membership more than just a credit card.

Key Takeaways

• FAB: Strong travel core (lounge, transfers, insurance), with bonus perks like roaming data and partner discounts.

• ADCB: Broader luxury suite — lounge access + hotel/rental car status, premium golf & concierge services.

• Choose FAB for solid travel benefits. Choose ADCB if you value lifestyle upgrades beyond flights.

Annual Fees & Waiver Policies

The FAB Travel Card charges AED 1,575/year, with no standard first-year waiver. While it advertises perks like a free return flight, you'll need to spend AED 300,000 annually to qualify. FAB doesn't offer many paths to offset or waive the fee — so unless you hit the spend target or use the benefits consistently, the cost can feel steep.

ADCB charges AED 1,575/year (VAT included) and ties part of its sign-up bonus — the AED 2,000 hotel voucher — to payment of this fee and a qualifying spend. There's also no published way to waive the fee. In essence, both cards are structured to deliver value after you commit to the full annual cost.

Key Takeaways

• FAB: AED 1,575/year; not easily waived. Free flight benefit tied to high spend (AED 300K/year).

• ADCB: AED 1,575/year; unlocks AED 2,000 voucher with spend, but fee is not waived.

• Choose based on whether the value you extract outweighs the fee — especially in year one.

Interest Rates & Fees

Both cards come with high-interest rates, typical for premium rewards cards. FAB charges 3.99% per month (~47.88% APR) on purchases and cash advances, along with late and over-limit fees of AED 236.25. It does, however, waive FX fees on travel spending, making it cost-efficient for international use if you pay in full.

ADCB charges slightly lower interest on purchases — 3.25% per month — and 3.5% on cash advances, with a 3% transaction fee (min AED 100). It also waives foreign transaction fees entirely. This makes both cards excellent choices for overseas spend, provided you don't carry a balance.

Key Takeaways

• FAB: Higher APR (3.99%), no FX fees, standard penalty fees.

• ADCB: Lower APR (3.25%), no FX fees, high cash advance fees.

• Best to pay in full monthly — neither card is built for revolving balances.

Final Comparison Summary

Here's a distilled overview of who each card best serves:

Conclusion

Both cards are excellent premium travel‑oriented credit cards in the UAE. The FAB Travel card pushes you higher rewards via its 12% on flights/hotels and flexible points‑conversion model. The ADCB Traveller card delivers simplicity, strong lifestyle perks (lounges, hotel status, rental benefits) and fresh cashback mechanics. Your optimal choice comes down to how much you spend on travel and how you prefer to redeem rewards. If you're ready to apply, take a look at our partner offers and compare eligibility criteria carefully before making your move.

Weighing Emirates NBD alternatives?

If you're comparing these against Emirates NBD's travel line-up, run a live face-off with your own spend:

• ENBD Voyager World Elite vs FAB Travel — miles vs a free annual flight.

• ENBD Darna Visa Infinite vs ADCB Traveller — Aldar lifestyle points vs travel cashback.