RAKBANK Red Credit Card
Free for life, up to 1.5% cashback and a free monthly transfer
at RAKBANK's secure site
Minimum spend criteria apply to the welcome bonus See rates & fees.
Cashback rate
The Red card earns its keep in two ways: it never charges a fee, and it hands you one free international transfer a month — a real, bankable perk for anyone remitting home. The cashback itself is filler: tiered, capped at AED 300, and easily beaten by RAKBANK's own free Titanium card if you spend enough to qualify there.
How the Red card's cashback works
Cashback is flat but tiered by your total monthly retail spend: spend AED 1,000–2,999 and every eligible purchase earns 1%; reach AED 3,000 and the whole month's eligible spend earns 1.5%. Spend under AED 1,000 and you get nothing. Both domestic and international purchases count, and the cashback is capped at AED 300 per statement.
The usual RAKBANK exclusions apply: fuel, utilities, telecom, education, real estate, charity, bill and government payments earn a token 0.25%, while payments through banking channels, cash transactions and RAKMoneyTransfer transfers earn nothing. Cashback stays valid for 15 months and redeems from AED 100.
Rates and fees
- Annual fee
- AED 0 — free for life, no joining fee
- Interest rate
- 3.65% per month (43.8% APR) on carried balances; up to 55 days interest-free if paid in full
- Foreign transaction fee
- 2.57% of the transaction amount, plus the Mastercard scheme fee of roughly 1.15%
- Cash advance
- 3.31% of the amount, minimum AED 105 (up to 80% of your limit)
- Late payment fee
- AED 241.50
- Over-limit fee
- AED 299.25
- Minimum payment
- 4% of the outstanding balance or AED 100, whichever is higher
Fees include 5% VAT. Sources: RAKBANK Red Key Facts Statement (V01/112025) and Service & Price Guide effective 13 May 2025.
Card benefits
Free monthly international transfer
One free international remittance every month via RAKMoneyTransfer — the card's standout perk for anyone sending money home.
Cashback on everything eligible
Up to 1.5% back on domestic and international retail spends, capped at AED 300 per statement.
RAKfoodie dining offers
Up to 30% off and buy-one-get-one deals at over 2,000 UAE restaurants.
Hotel and car rental savings
Exclusive hotel discounts with cashback and car rental savings through RAKBANK's travel partners.
Flight-delay support
Assistance when your flight is delayed, as advertised on the card page.
Flexible credit tools
Cash advance up to 80% of your limit, credit card cheques, Smart Cash and balance transfers — all subject to fees and interest.
Pros and cons
- Genuinely free for life — no joining or annual fee
- One free international remittance per month via RAKMoneyTransfer
- Low AED 5,000 minimum salary makes it widely accessible
- Cashback earned on both domestic and international spends
- Free supplementary cards and broad wallet support
- Cashback capped at a modest AED 300 per statement
- Spend under AED 1,000 a month earns nothing; under AED 3,000 earns only 1%
- Fuel, utilities, education and government payments earn just 0.25%
- High 3.65% monthly interest rate (43.8% APR) if you carry a balance
- No lounge access or premium travel benefits
Is it right for you?
Get this card if
- You earn around AED 5,000 and want a genuinely free first credit card
- You send an international remittance every month
- You spend AED 3,000+ monthly and want simple, flat cashback
- You want free supplementary cards for family members
Consider skipping it if
- You spend under AED 1,000 a month on cards — you'd earn nothing
- You can qualify for RAKBANK's Titanium and spend mostly on groceries and dining
- You want lounge access or travel perks
- You carry a balance — 43.8% APR is punishing
Alternatives to consider
RAKBANK's Titanium card is also free for life but earns 5% at supermarkets and on dining and 50% on cinema and streaming — several times the Red's return if you can meet its AED 2,000 minimum and AED 8,000 salary requirement.
RAKBANK Titanium review →
FAB's Cashback card is built around the earn rate itself rather than a free-for-life pitch — worth comparing if you'd trade the Red's simplicity for higher returns.
Best cashback cards →
Emirates NBD's noon One card targets online and everyday app spending with partner-led rewards — a better fit than the Red if your dirhams flow through noon and delivery apps.
noon One 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
What cashback does the RED Credit Card offer?+
Up to 1.5% on domestic and international retail spends: 1% when your monthly spend is AED 1,000–2,999 and 1.5% when it reaches AED 3,000 or more, capped at AED 300 per statement. Categories like fuel, utilities, education and government services earn 0.25%.
Is the RED Credit Card free for life?+
Yes. There is no joining fee and no annual fee, ever — for the primary card and supplementary cards.
What is the income eligibility?+
A minimum monthly salary of AED 5,000. Self-employed applicants need a quarterly turnover of AED 75,000 or an average quarterly account balance of AED 150,000. Applicants must be 21 or older and UAE citizens or residents.
What is the minimum spend required to start earning cashback?+
AED 1,000 of retail spend in the month. Below that, no cashback is earned.
Does the RED Credit Card offer a cash advance?+
Yes, up to 80% of your credit card limit. The fee is 3.31% of the amount or AED 105, whichever is higher, and interest accrues from the transaction date.
Does the RED Credit Card offer free international remittance?+
Yes — one free international money transfer per month with RAKMoneyTransfer. Note that remittance transactions themselves are not eligible for cashback.
Does the cashback expire?+
Yes, cashback is valid for 15 months from the date it is earned and lapses automatically if not redeemed. The minimum redemption amount is AED 100.
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.