Options include ENBD Skywards Infinite, ADCB Etihad Guest, Citi Rewards, Mashreq Solitaire, plus flexible reward-points redemption options.
Best for Emirates flyers
EMIRATES NBD
ENBD Skywards Infinite Credit Card
≈ AED 11,471 potential value / year · incl. perks
Annual Fee: AED 1,575
Up to 150,000 bonus Miles
Skywards Silver membership
Best flexible points
CITIBANK
Citi Rewards Credit Card
≈ AED 3,971 potential value / year · incl. perks · incl. welcome bonus
Annual fee waived after AED 9,000 yearly spend
1.5 Points on grocery and non-AED spends
1 Point on local spends
Best entry rewards
LIV DIGITAL BANK BY EMIRATES NBD
Liv Cashback+ Credit Card
≈ AED 15,328 potential value / year · incl. perks · Cashback mode
Up to 4% Cashback on all spends
Cashback or Skywards Miles
3 VOX B1G1 offers + 25% off F&B from AED 40
Best Rewards Credit Cards in the UAE compared
A side-by-side snapshot of annual fees, salary requirements, and standout benefits.
| Card | Annual fee | Min. salary | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| AED 1,575 | AED 30,000 | Top Skywards Miles earner — direct airline currency for Emirates flyers |
| AED 315 (waivable) | AED 8,000 | ThankYou Points — convertible to airline miles, vouchers, or merchandise |
 | AED 1,575 | AED 25,000 | Salaam Rewards points plus high welcome cashback and metal card finish |
| AED 735 | AED 15,000 | Liv reward points redeemable as cashback or Skywards Miles |
 | AED 1,575 | AED 15,000 | Mid-tier Etihad Guest earner with bonus on Etihad flights |
| Card | Annual fee | Min. salary | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| AED 1,575 | AED 30,000 | Top Skywards Miles earner — direct airline currency for Emirates flyers |
| AED 315 (waivable) | AED 8,000 | ThankYou Points — convertible to airline miles, vouchers, or merchandise |
| AED 1,575 | AED 25,000 | Salaam Rewards points plus high welcome cashback and metal card finish |
| AED 735 | AED 15,000 | Liv reward points redeemable as cashback or Skywards Miles |
| AED 1,575 | AED 15,000 | Mid-tier Etihad Guest earner with bonus on Etihad flights |
ENBD Skywards Infinite Credit Card
Annual feeAED 1,575
Min. salaryAED 30,000
HighlightTop Skywards Miles earner — direct airline currency for Emirates flyers
Citi Rewards Credit Card
Annual feeAED 315 (waivable)
Min. salaryAED 8,000
HighlightThankYou Points — convertible to airline miles, vouchers, or merchandise
Mashreq Solitaire Credit Card
Annual feeAED 1,575
Min. salaryAED 25,000
HighlightSalaam Rewards points plus high welcome cashback and metal card finish
Liv Cashback+ Credit Card
Annual feeAED 735
Min. salaryAED 15,000
HighlightLiv reward points redeemable as cashback or Skywards Miles
FAB Etihad Guest Signature Credit Card
Annual feeAED 1,575
Min. salaryAED 15,000
HighlightMid-tier Etihad Guest earner with bonus on Etihad flights
October Spotlight
Emirates NBD
Three Emirates NBD credit cards spanning everyday rewards to premium travel — the ENBD noon One Visa Card earns up to 20% back as noon Credits on noon Food with no annual fee, the ENBD Voyager World Credit Card earns 6 Voyager Miles per AED 1 on the Voyager Travel Portal with complimentary airport lounge access, and the premium ENBD Voyager World Elite doubles that to 12 Voyager Miles per AED 1 with added airport transfers and fast-track privileges.
4.1/5
EMIRATES NBD
ENBD noon One Visa Credit Card
- Salary: AED 5,000+
- No Annual Fee
- AED 500 bonus on AED 5,000
- 20% back in credits on noon Food
- 5% back in credits on noon
3.9/5
EMIRATES NBD
ENBD Voyager World Credit Card
- Salary: AED 12,000+
- 75,000 Miles on AED 35,000
- No Annual Fee
- 6 Miles/AED on Voyager Portal
- 3 Miles/AED on other travel
EMIRATES NBD
ENBD Voyager World Elite Credit Card
- Salary: AED 25,000+
- 150,000 Miles on AED 70,000
- No Annual Fee for the first year
- 12 Miles/AED on Voyager Portal
- 6 Miles/AED on other travel
Why choose Rewards Credit Cards in the UAE
1.
Direct airline miles vs flexible bank points
Direct airline cards (Skywards, Etihad Guest) earn miles you can only spend with that airline (or partner). Bank points (Citi ThankYou, ENBD Upoints, Mashreq Salaam) can usually be converted to one of several airline programmes or merchant vouchers — more flexible but conversion rates vary.
2.
Rewards rate vs redemption value
A 'higher earn rate' doesn't always mean better total value. Compare cents-per-AED-spent at redemption (typical airline mile values: AED 0.03-0.06 per Mile) against the same in cashback. Many spenders find direct cashback returns more total AED value than miles.
5 cards in the UAE
EMIRATES NBD
ENBD Skywards Infinite Credit Card
- Salary: AED 30,000+
- Joining Fee: AED 3,148.95
- Annual Fee: AED 1,575
- Up to 150,000 bonus Miles
- Skywards Silver membership
CITIBANK
Citi Rewards Credit Card
- Salary: AED 8,000+
- No Annual Fee for the first year
- Annual fee waived after AED 9,000 yearly spend
- 1.5 Points on grocery and non-AED spends
- 1 Point on local spends
MASHREQ BANK
Mashreq Solitaire Credit Card
- Salary: AED 25,000+
- Annual Fee AED 1,500 +5% VAT
- Welcome Bonus: AED 2,500
- 6 points per AED on international purchases
- Fitness First with spend
LIV DIGITAL BANK BY EMIRATES NBD
Liv Cashback+ Credit Card
- Salary: AED 15,000+
- Annual Fee: AED 735
- Up to 4% Cashback on all spends
- Cashback or Skywards Miles
- 3 VOX B1G1 offers + 25% off F&B from AED 40
FIRST ABU DHABI BANK (FAB)
FAB Etihad Guest Signature Credit Card
- Salary: AED 15,000+
- Annual Fee: AED 1,575
- Bonus: 35,000 Etihad Miles
- 5.5 Etihad Miles per AED 10 with Etihad
- Fast track to Etihad Silver membership.
Eligibility criteria
General requirements for credit card applications in the UAE. Exact thresholds vary by bank and card tier.
| Minimum age | 21 years |
| Monthly salary | AED 8,000–30,000 |
| Employment | Salaried employees or self-employed professionals |
| Residency | UAE residents with a valid Emirates ID and residence visa |
| Credit history | AECB credit score is checked; a clean record strengthens approval |
| Minimum age | 21 years |
| Monthly salary | AED 8,000–30,000 |
| Employment | Salaried employees or self-employed professionals |
| Residency | UAE residents with a valid Emirates ID and residence visa |
| Credit history | AECB credit score is checked; a clean record strengthens approval |
Always confirm the latest eligibility details with the issuing bank before applying.
Documents you will need
Prepare these before you start an application. Some banks accept digital uploads; others require originals at a branch.
UAE nationals
1.Emirates ID
2.Khulasat Al Qaid (Family Book)
3.Salary certificate (less than 30 days old)
4.Bank statements — last 3 months
5.Passport copy
Expats & residents
1.Emirates ID
2.Valid passport with residence visa page
3.Salary certificate or employment letter
4.Bank statements — last 3 months
5.Proof of address (utility bill or tenancy contract)
The final list of required documents may differ based on the bank and card. Self-employed applicants may also need a trade licence and audited financial statements.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Best Rewards Credit Cards in the UAE
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