HSBC Emirates Skywards Signature
Up to 25,000 bonus Miles + 1,000 cashback online
at HSBC's secure site
Eligibility criteria and terms apply. See rates & fees.
Rewards rate
"Judged on year one, this is one of the easiest travel-card decisions in the UAE: the online cashback covers the fee, the welcome Miles are real, and you keep 12 lounge visits and solid travel insurance. Judged on year three, be honest with yourself — 0.75 Miles per USD 1 on daily spend is slow, and Silver tier hangs on an 180,000 annual spend bar most people won't clear."
Earning and redeeming Skywards Miles
Earn rates are quoted per USD 1 equivalent (about 3.67): 1.75 Miles on direct bookings with Emirates and flydubai, 1 Mile on foreign-currency spend, and 0.75 Miles on spend anywhere. The penalty bucket is broad and shallow — government services, public transport, utilities, telecom, education, real estate, fuel, groceries, supermarkets, insurance and auto dealers earn just 0.1 Miles per USD 1. Visa alone decides each transaction's category, and one transaction earns in one category only.
Miles land in your Emirates Skywards account shortly after each statement — no portal, no transfer step — and redeem with Emirates and flydubai for flights, upgrades, partner airlines, hotels and gift cards. Card-earned Miles never expire while your card and Skywards account stay open, and Silver tier is earnable: fast-tracked in year one via the welcome offer, then 180,000 of eligible annual spend (including 10,000 directly with Emirates) keeps it from year two.
Rates and fees
- Annual fee
- 1,050 including VAT — offset in year one by the 1,000 online-application cashback (to 31 Aug 2026)
- Welcome offer
- Up to 25,000 bonus Skywards Miles: 10,000 on annual-fee payment + 15,000 and a Silver fast-track for 20,000 eligible spend within 60 days of account opening (offer to 31 Aug 2026)
- Interest rate (APR)
- 44.28% fixed on purchases and cash withdrawals (≈3.69%/month); up to +1%/month while overdue
- Interest-free period
- Up to 56 days on retail spend when the balance is paid in full
- Minimum income
- From 10,000/month for approved-company employees, 12,500 for others; age 21–65; UAE resident
- Foreign transaction fee
- 2.1% incl. VAT on non- spend, plus a Visa scheme fee of up to 1.21%; international transactions billed in still pay 1.05%
- Cash advance fee
- 3.15% of the amount (minimum 105), incl. VAT
- Late payment fee
- 241.50 per instance; over-limit fee 288.75
- Supplementary cards
- Free
- Card network
- Visa Signature
Rates verified against HSBC's Key Facts Statement (effective 1 July 2026) and Schedule of Services and Tariffs (effective 1 August 2026), both VAT-inclusive. Always confirm on hsbc.ae before applying.
Card benefits
1,000 welcome cashback
Apply online through the HSBC website and get 1,000 back — the annual fee excluding VAT — effectively making year one free. Ends 31 August 2026.
Silver tier fast-track
Spend 20,000 in your first 60 days for Skywards Silver; keep it from year two with 180,000 annual spend including 10,000 directly with Emirates.
12 lounge visits a year
12 complimentary airport lounge visits via the Visa Airport Companion app — make one international purchase of USD 1+ to qualify (first visit exempt).
USD 500,000 travel insurance
Complimentary multi-trip cover for you and your family on all trips up to 90 days, with an instant certificate of insurance.
2-for-1 cinema
Buy one, get one free at VOX, Reel and Roxy Cinemas when you book online — needs 6,000 card spend in the booking month.
Hotel perks
Visa Luxury Hotel Collection upgrades and best-rate guarantees, plus up to 7% back in Booking.com wallet credits on stays booked with the card.
Pros and cons
- Up to 25,000 bonus Miles — 10,000 on fee payment plus 15,000 and Silver fast-track for 20,000 spend in 60 days
- 1,000 online-application cashback effectively cancels the first year's fee (offer to 31 Aug 2026)
- Accessible from 10,000 monthly income (approved companies; 12,500 otherwise)
- Card-earned Miles never expire while the card and Skywards account stay open
- 12 lounge visits, USD 500,000 family travel insurance and free supplementary cards
- Silver tier isn't automatic — from year 2 it needs 180,000 annual spend including 10,000 with Emirates
- Groceries, fuel, utilities, education and government spend earn a token 0.1 Miles per USD 1
- 0.75 Miles per USD 1 on everyday spend is a slow earn rate
- 2.1% foreign-currency fee (plus a scheme fee of up to 1.21%) undercuts the 1x international rate
- 44.28% fixed APR is punishing if you carry a balance
Is it right for you?
Get this card if
- You want a Skywards card whose first year effectively costs nothing — apply online for the 1,000 cashback.
- You earn 10,000–30,000 a month and the Infinite's salary bar is out of reach.
- You can put 20,000 on the card in 60 days to bank 25,000 Miles and Silver tier.
Consider skipping it if
- You expect automatic elite status — Silver needs 180,000 a year from year two.
- Most of your spend is groceries, fuel, utilities or school fees — that's the 0.1x bucket.
- You fly Emirates heavily and earn 30,000+ — the Infinite's 2.75x rate repays its bigger fee.
Alternatives to consider
Step up for 2.75x on Emirates bookings, automatic Silver tier every year and unlimited lounge visits — if you earn 30,000+ and can justify 2,625 a year.
Best Emirates Skywards cards →
Emirates NBD's Infinite pays up to 100,000 welcome Miles and lifetime Silver, but the 3,148.95 joining fee and 30,000 salary bar put it in another league of commitment.
Best Emirates Skywards cards →
HSBC's Live+ pays up to 6% cashback on dining at a third of the fee — better value if your spending is daily life, not flights.
Best cashback cards →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
What is the welcome offer on the HSBC Emirates Skywards Signature card?+
Up to 25,000 bonus Skywards Miles: 10,000 sign-up Miles when you pay the AED 1,050 annual fee, plus 15,000 Miles and a fast-track to Silver tier when you spend AED 20,000 on eligible purchases within 60 days of account opening. The offer runs to 31 August 2026 and excludes anyone who held a primary HSBC Skywards card in the previous 12 months.
How does the AED 1,000 welcome cashback work?+
Apply online through the HSBC website and get AED 1,000 cashback — equivalent to the annual fee excluding VAT — effectively making the first year free. The offer ends 31 August 2026 and is separate from the Miles welcome offer.
What is the minimum salary for the HSBC Skywards Signature card?+
A monthly income starting from AED 10,000 for employees of approved companies, or AED 12,500 for all other applicants. You must be aged 21 to 65 and live in the UAE — no HSBC bank account is needed.
How many Skywards Miles do I earn per dollar spent?+
1.75 Miles per USD 1 equivalent on direct AED bookings with Emirates and flydubai; 1 Mile on foreign-currency spend; 0.75 Miles on AED spend at home or abroad; and 0.1 Miles on government services, public transport, utilities, telecom, education, real estate, fuel, groceries, supermarkets, insurance and auto dealers.
How do I get Emirates Skywards Silver tier with this card?+
In year one, spend AED 20,000 in the first 60 days under the welcome offer. From year two onwards, spend at least AED 180,000 on eligible transactions over 12 months, including a minimum of AED 10,000 directly with Emirates on their website, app or other sales channels.
Does the HSBC Skywards Signature card include airport lounge access?+
Yes — 12 complimentary visits per year through the Visa Airport Companion app. You need at least one international purchase of USD 1 or more on the card; the first visit each year is exempt from this condition. Visits beyond the 12 are charged to your card.
Do Skywards Miles earned on this card expire?+
No — Miles earned with the card don't expire for as long as your Emirates Skywards account and the credit card remain open, under Emirates Skywards' No Miles Expiry Terms and Conditions.
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.