Best Emirates Skywards credit cards

Updated July 17, 2026 Fact checkedEditorial integrity

For Emirates flyers: the cards that earn Skywards Miles fastest and come with the perks that matter at DXB.

More best-card guides

Best OverallTravelEmiratesEtihadMarriottCash BackNo Annual FeeSigning Bonus0% Loans

The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Our analysis, reviews and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. View our advertising policy and product review methodology.

Are Emirates Skywards credit cards worth it?

For anyone flying Emirates more than twice a year, a Skywards co-brand is usually the single most valuable card in the wallet: miles accumulate on everyday spend and redemptions out of Dubai are plentiful.

Value depends on how you redeem. Upgrades and premium-cabin awards return the most per mile, while regional economy awards are the easiest to book — and the 30,000-mile welcome bonus can cover a return flight on its own.

If your flying is split across alliances, a flexible-points card may serve you better; weigh both options side by side in our comparison tool.

Yajool's top picks at a glance
EEmirates NBDEEmirates Skywards
#1Best Skywards earner

Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite

Travel Min. salary AED 15,000/mo
Yajool Editor’s Rating ?Card Rating is based on the opinion of Yajool’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.4.7 / 5Go to review

Our take: Strong for Emirates flyers who want Skywards Miles, lounge access and low foreign transaction fees.

Heads up: The boosted miles apply to Emirates flights only; everything else earns at the base rate, capped at 5,000 bonus miles a month.

Annual fee

AED 900AED 0/year
First year waived
Offer
Welcome offer40,000 Skywards Miles
How to unlockSpend USD 25,000 · 3 statements

Rewards rate

2xEarn 2 Skywards Miles per USD 1 on Emirates flights booked direct.
1.5xEarn 1.5 Skywards Miles per USD 1 on dining worldwide.
1.25xEarn 1.25 Skywards Miles per USD 1 on international spend.
1xEarn 1 Skywards Mile per USD 1 on all other purchases.

Key benefits

Foreign fees2%
Lounge accessUnlimited
Installments0% for 12 months
1st year valueAED 8,500
Apply now

Why we chose it

The co-brand flagship: 8x Miles on Emirates flights booked through Emirates NBD, a 30,000-mile bonus and unlimited lounge access. Our top-rated card overall.

Pros

  • First-year annual fee waived (AED 900 value)
  • Tiered welcome bonus worth up to 65,000 Skywards Miles
  • Unlimited lounge access via Visa Airport Companion
  • Strong earning on Emirates flights
  • Complimentary golf, cinema and valet benefits
  • Skywards Silver tier while the card is active
  • Clear, transparent minimum salary requirement

Cons

  • Annual fee becomes AED 900 after the first year
  • Best value depends on flying Emirates frequently
  • Rewards are less flexible than transferable bank points
  • Monthly earning capped at 5,000 bonus miles
  • AED 15,000 minimum salary excludes some applicants
  • Interest applies if you carry a balance — pay in full to avoid
Annual fee (year 1)AED 0 — waived
Annual fee (year 2+)AED 900
Minimum salaryAED 15,000/month
Foreign transaction fee2%
0% installment planUp to 12 months
Lounge accessUnlimited, worldwide
Welcome offer40,000 Skywards Miles · Spend USD 25,000 · 3 statements
Interest rate3.5% per month
Earning cap5,000 / month
NetworkVisa Infinite
AADCBTTouchPoints
#2Best flexible alternative

ADCB TouchPoints Visa Signature

Rewards Min. salary AED 10,000/mo
Yajool Editor’s Rating ?Card Rating is based on the opinion of Yajool’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.4.5 / 5Go to review

Our take: A flexible everyday rewards card with strong points earning, dining perks and airport lounge access.

Heads up: Only 6 lounge visits a year, and a 2.99% foreign-currency fee applies to every foreign or online spend in another currency.

Annual fee

AED 524AED 0/year
First year waived
Offer
Welcome offer50,000 TouchPoints
How to unlockSpend AED 5,000 · 2 statements

Rewards rate

4xEarn 4 TouchPoints per AED 1 on international spend.
2xEarn 2 TouchPoints per AED 1 on dining and groceries.
1xEarn 1 TouchPoint per AED 1 on all other purchases.

Key benefits

Foreign fees2.99%
Lounge access6 visits / year
Installments0% for 12 months
1st year valueAED 3,200
Apply now

Why we chose it

TouchPoints aren’t tied to one airline — redeem against Emirates bookings or any other travel, so you keep flexibility while still earning on every dirham.

Pros

  • First-year fee waived (AED 524 value)
  • 50,000 TouchPoints welcome bonus
  • Flexible redemption across travel, shopping and bills
  • Strong dining and grocery earning
  • 6 lounge visits per year
  • Reasonable AED 10,000 minimum salary

Cons

  • Fee becomes AED 524 after year one
  • 2.99% foreign transaction fee
  • Lounge visits capped at 6 per year
  • TouchPoints value varies by redemption choice
  • Bonus requires AED 5,000 spend in 60 days
  • Interest applies if you carry a balance
Annual fee (year 1)AED 0 — waived
Annual fee (year 2+)AED 524
Minimum salaryAED 10,000/month
Foreign transaction fee2.99%
0% installment planUp to 12 months
Lounge access6 visits / year
Welcome offer50,000 TouchPoints · Spend AED 5,000 · 2 statements
Interest rate3.35% per month
NetworkVisa Signature

Frequently asked questions

Economy redemptions within the GCC start around 15,000–20,000 Miles return; Europe from about 45,000. The welcome bonus alone can cover a regional return.

Yes — three years after they are earned. Card activity does not extend them, so earn with a redemption plan in mind.

Emirates NBD’s co-brand cards earn fastest on Emirates spend (up to 8x). Several other banks convert flexible points to Skywards at lower effective rates.

How we chose these cards

Yajool's editors score every UAE card on the same four pillars — rewards value, travel benefits, fees & costs, and eligibility. Category winners are re-checked monthly against current public offers. Read our full ratings methodology and see how the top pick performed in our Skywards Infinite editorial review.

Compare all cards with filters