Emirates Islamic RTA Credit Card
10% back on fuel and RTA transport
at Emirates Islamic's secure site
Terms & conditions apply. See rates & fees.
Rewards rate
"This is the most Dubai card imaginable: a nol chip in your credit card, 10% back at the pump and the metro station, and Salik topping itself up. The catch is that the bank pays the 10% where people used to pay — ticket offices and vending machines — not where they pay now, which is the RTA app. Get it for the commute economics and the one-card convenience; just don't expect the caps to let it earn like a headline 10% card."
How the RTA card earns
Two categories headline at 10%: fuel stations and RTA transport payments, each capped at 75 cashback per month — together worth up to 1,800 a year on a fee-free card. Crucially, the transport 10% applies at ticket offices, vending machines, RTA customer-service centres and authorised agents (Carrefour, Spinneys, ENOC and others); recharging nol or Salik through the RTA app or website is a Smart Government transaction and earns nothing. Elsewhere the card pays an uncapped 2.25% international, 1.25% domestic and 1% on groceries, with weak spots at 0.56% in EEA/UK and 0.13–0.19% on education, telecom, real estate, automobiles and takaful.
A minimum retail spend of 1,000 per statement (effective 1 March 2025) unlocks the cashback. Points land monthly at 1 point = 1, need a 300-point minimum to redeem, stay valid two years, and convert to statement credit in seconds via the app.
Rates and fees
- Annual fee
- 0 — no annual membership fee
- Profit rate
- 3.69% per month on carried balances (Shariah-compliant, profit-based)
- Minimum spend for cashback
- 1,000 retail spend per statement cycle (effective 1 March 2025)
- Cashback caps
- 75/month each on the 10% fuel and RTA categories; other rates unlimited
- Foreign transaction fee
- 2.54% on non- spends, plus the network's ~1.15% processing fee
- Cash advance fee
- 3.15% of the amount (minimum 103.95)
- Late payment
- 131.25 'Commitment to Donate' — paid to charity under Shariah supervision
- Minimum payment
- 5% of the outstanding balance
- Supplementary cards
- Up to 4, free
- Minimum salary
- Not published by the bank
Fees verified against Emirates Islamic's online Schedule of Charges for cards (VAT-inclusive), where the card is listed as 'RTA Platinum' under profit-based cards. No card-specific Key Facts Statement PDF or minimum salary is published — confirm on the issuer's site before applying.
Card benefits
10% commuter cashback
10% back on fuel and on RTA transport payments at ticket offices, machines and authorised agents — 75 monthly cap each.
Built-in nol chip
One card for the metro gate and the checkout: an embedded nol chip with convenient top-up options anytime.
Salik auto top-up
Link your Salik account for automatic recharges from the card — hands-free tolls, always on.
Purchase protection & extended warranty
Eligible purchases are covered by purchase protection and extended warranty on top of the manufacturer's.
Emergency assistance
Emergency medical and legal referral, plus emergency cash and card replacement while travelling.
Free supplementary cards
Up to 4 free cards for family members, with their spending earning rewards on your account.
Pros and cons
- 10% cashback on both fuel and RTA transport payments — the two costs every Dubai commuter has
- Built-in nol chip means one card for the metro, bus, tram and everyday spending
- No annual membership fee, and up to 4 free supplementary cards
- Decent uncapped base rates: 2.25% international and 1.25% domestic
- Salik auto top-up keeps your toll account funded automatically
- The 10% categories are each capped at 75 cashback per month
- 1,000 minimum retail spend per statement to earn any cashback (since 1 March 2025)
- Top-ups via the RTA app or website earn nothing — only tickets bought at RTA offices, machines and agents count
- Just 0.56% in EEA/UK, and 0.13–0.19% on education, telecom, real estate, automobiles and takaful
- 2.54% foreign-currency fee and a 3.69% monthly profit rate on carried balances
Is it right for you?
Get this card if
- You commute in Dubai by metro, bus or car and buy fuel or RTA tickets every month.
- You want a single card that opens the metro gate and pays at the checkout.
- You want a fee-free Islamic card with respectable uncapped base rates (1.25–2.25%).
Consider skipping it if
- You recharge nol and Salik through the RTA app — those top-ups earn nothing here.
- Your monthly retail spend is under 1,000, which disqualifies all cashback.
- You spend mostly on education, telecom or in Europe/UK — rates drop to 0.13–0.56%.
Alternatives to consider
8% on fuel plus 4% on supermarkets, dining and education with switchable packs and a welcome bonus — a conditional 313.95 fee buys higher ceilings than the RTA card's 75 caps.
Switch Cashback review →
Up to 10% on groceries, education, dining and telecom — the categories the RTA card punishes — plus unlimited lounge access and Salik auto top-up.
Cashback Plus review →
Also fee-free, earning up to 2.25 EI SmartMiles per 1 with a 10,000-SmartMiles welcome bonus and flexible travel redemption.
Flex card review →Not sure which way to go? Put them side by side in our card comparison tool or browse the full ranked list.
Frequently asked questions
Does the RTA Credit Card have an annual fee?+
No — the Schedule of Charges lists no annual membership fee for the RTA card. It is a profit-based covered card at 3.69% per month on carried balances.
How does the built-in nol card work?+
A nol chip is embedded in the credit card, so you tap the same card on the RTA network — metro, bus, tram — and recharge the nol chip anytime through convenient top-up options.
Which payments earn the 10% RTA cashback?+
RTA transport payments at ticket offices (metro and select bus stations), ticket vending machines, RTA customer-service centres and authorised sales agents such as Carrefour, Spinneys, Waitrose, ENOC and EPPCO. Payments through the RTA website or app to recharge nol or Salik are Smart Government transactions and earn no rewards.
Is there a cap on the cashback?+
Yes — 10% on RTA transport and 10% on fuel are each capped at AED 75 cashback per month. International (2.25%), domestic (1.25%) and grocery (1%) rates are unlimited.
Is there a minimum spend to earn cashback?+
Yes — effective 1 March 2025, a minimum retail spend of AED 1,000 per statement cycle is required to earn cashback.
How do I redeem my cashback points?+
1 Cashback Point equals AED 1. You need a minimum of 300 points, then redeem in seconds via Online Banking or the Mobile Banking app: Cards → Rewards → Redemption. Points are valid for two years.
Can I get supplementary cards?+
Yes — up to 4 supplementary cards for family members, free of charge, with their spending earning rewards on your account.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank or card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.