Best credit cards in the UAE overall

Updated July 17, 2026 Fact checkedEditorial integrity

Our editors’ short list across every category — the cards that deliver the most total value for most people in the UAE right now.

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.

How we rank the best credit cards in the UAE

The UAE market has more than 200 consumer credit cards across a dozen major banks, and the “best” one depends entirely on how you spend. Our editors cut the market down to the five cards that deliver the most total value once annual fees, rewards rates and real-world benefits are counted.

We start from public rates and fees, then score every card on the same four pillars — rewards value, travel benefits, fees & costs and eligibility. A card only makes this page if its total first-year value beats the category average with the fee included. Because banks re-price welcome offers every few weeks, we re-verify every entry monthly.

Want to slice the market yourself — by bank, salary band or specific perks such as lounge access or golf? Use our credit card comparison tool, or start with the beginner’s guide to points and miles.

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

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 strongest all-round package in the UAE: 8x Skywards Miles on Emirates flights, unlimited lounge access, no foreign transaction fees and a first-year fee waiver.

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
MMashreq
#2Best cashback card

Mashreq Cashback Credit Card

Cashback Min. salary AED 5,000/mo
Yajool Editor’s Rating ?Card Rating is based on the opinion of Yajool’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.4.6 / 5Go to review

Our take: High cashback on daily spends with strong categories for groceries, fuel and utilities.

Heads up: To unlock 5% on groceries you must first spend AED 6,000 a month on non-grocery categories, and cashback is capped at AED 1,250 a month.

Annual fee

AED 350AED 0/year
First year waived
Offer
Welcome offerUp to AED 1,250 Cashback
How to unlockSpend AED 5,000 · 2 statements

Cashback rate

5%Earn 5% cashback on groceries and supermarkets.
2%Earn 2% cashback on fuel and utility bills.
1%Earn 1% cashback on all other purchases.

Key benefits

Foreign feesNone
Lounge access2 visits / year
Cashback capAED 1,250/month
1st year valueAED 2,300
Apply now

Why we chose it

High flat cashback on groceries, fuel and utilities with no annual fee — the simplest way to get money back on daily spending.

Pros

  • First-year fee waived (AED 350 value)
  • Up to AED 1,250 welcome cashback
  • 5% cashback on groceries
  • Strong everyday categories — fuel & utilities
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Low AED 5,000 minimum salary

Cons

  • Fee becomes AED 350 after year one
  • Cashback capped at AED 1,250 a month
  • Lounge access limited to 2 visits a year
  • Value depends on your category spend mix
  • Interest applies if you carry a balance
Annual fee (year 1)AED 0 — waived
Annual fee (year 2+)AED 350
Minimum salaryAED 5,000/month
Foreign transaction feeNone
0% installment planUp to 6 months
Lounge access2 visits / year
Welcome offerUp to AED 1,250 Cashback · Spend AED 5,000 · 2 statements
Interest rate3.45% per month
Earning cap1,250 / month
NetworkMastercard World
AADCBTTouchPoints
#3Best everyday rewards

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

Flexible TouchPoints on every purchase, dining perks and lounge access at a modest fee that’s waived in year one.

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
RRAKBANKRRAK Rewards
#4Best no annual fee

RAKBANK World Credit Card

Travel Min. salary AED 3,000/mo
Yajool Editor’s Rating ?Card Rating is based on the opinion of Yajool’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.4.4 / 5Go to review

Our take: Great entry-level card with solid travel rewards and no annual fee.

Heads up: No annual fee, but no lounge access, and the 4x travel rewards are capped at 2,000 points a month.

Annual fee

AED 0/year
Offer
Welcome offer15,000 RAK Rewards
How to unlockSpend AED 3,000 · 2 statements

Rewards rate

4xEarn 4x rewards on travel and airline purchases.
2xEarn 2x rewards on dining and restaurants.
1xEarn 1x rewards on all other purchases.

Key benefits

Foreign feesNone
Lounge accessNot included
Installments0% for 6 months
1st year valueAED 800
Apply now

Why we chose it

A genuinely free-for-life card with solid travel rewards and the lowest salary requirement on this list.

Pros

  • No annual fee — ever
  • 15,000 RAK Rewards welcome bonus
  • 4x rewards on travel and airlines
  • 2x rewards on dining
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Low AED 3,000 minimum salary

Cons

  • No complimentary lounge access
  • Lower reward rates than premium travel cards
  • Welcome bonus requires AED 3,000 spend in 60 days
  • Rewards less flexible than transferable points
  • Interest applies if you carry a balance
Annual fee (year 1)AED 0 — waived
Annual fee (year 2+)AED 0
Minimum salaryAED 3,000/month
Foreign transaction feeNone
0% installment planUp to 6 months
Welcome offer15,000 RAK Rewards · Spend AED 3,000 · 2 statements
Interest rate3.25% per month
Earning cap2,000 / month
NetworkMastercard World
FFAB
#5Best low-cost starter

FAB Standard Credit Card

Everyday Min. salary AED 5,000/mo
Yajool Editor’s Rating ?Card Rating is based on the opinion of Yajool’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.4.1 / 5Go to review

Our take: A straightforward, low-cost card for everyday spending without bonus chasing or complex rewards.

Heads up: No welcome bonus, and base earning is just 1 point per AED — the value shows over the long term, not in year one.

Annual fee

AED 150/year

Rewards rate

2xEarn 2x points at supermarkets.
1xEarn 1x points everywhere — points never expire and redeem against your statement.

Key benefits

Foreign fees2.99%
Lounge accessNot included
Installments0% for 6 months
Apply now

Why we chose it

A straightforward first card for everyday spending — no fee, no bonus chasing, no complexity.

Pros

  • Low, predictable AED 150 fee
  • Simple flat rewards on everything
  • Points never expire
  • Low AED 5,000 minimum salary
  • 0% installment plans
  • No bonus-spend hurdles

Cons

  • No welcome bonus
  • No first-year value boost
  • 2.99% foreign transaction fee
  • No lounge access
  • Lower rewards than premium cards
  • Interest applies if you carry a balance
Annual feeAED 150
Minimum salaryAED 5,000/month
Foreign transaction fee2.99%
0% installment planUp to 6 months
Welcome offerNone
Interest rate3.09% per month
NetworkVisa Classic

Frequently asked questions

For most people it is the Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite — the strongest mix of rewards, lounge access and first-year value. If you rarely fly, the Mashreq Cashback Card returns more on daily spending.

Minimum salary requirements start at AED 3,000–5,000 per month for entry-level cards and rise to AED 15,000+ for premium travel cards. Every card on this page lists its requirement.

A common UAE setup is two: a no-fee cashback card for daily spending, plus a travel card for flights and international purchases.

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.

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