By country · fees in AED · 17 cards ranked

Best Credit Cards in the UAE 2026

UAE cards ranked by salary band and need: cashback, Skywards and Etihad miles, lounge access, Islamic and no-fee cards from Emirates NBD, FAB, ADCB, Mashreq, Emirates Islamic and Citi.

See the ranking Read the guide
Minimum salary (typical)AED 5,000 – 25,000
Annual feeOften free year one
Lounge accessCommon from Platinum up
RegulatorCentral Bank of the UAE
The Burj Khalifa towering over the illuminated Dubai skyline at night with busy highways

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Ranked 1–10 at a glance

RankCardAnnual feeRewardsWelcome offerForeign feeWho qualifiesScore
1
ADCB TouchPoints Infinite Credit CardAffluent UAE residents who value lifestyle privileges
 AED 1,050/yr Up to 4 TouchPoints per AED4 spent (category dependent) Welcome TouchPoints bonus after activation and spend Foreign currency markup ap… High income, UAE residency 4.5
2
Mashreq Solitaire Credit CardHigh-net-worth UAE residents wanting top-tier perks
 AED 1,575/yr Mashreq Vantage points (which replaced Salaam Points) on all spending Generous welcome points bonus after activation and spend 2.89% spread on internatio… Very high income, UAE residency 4.5
3
ADCB 365 Cashback Credit CardDining, fuel and grocery spenders who put AED 5,000+ a month on one card
 AED 383.25/yr 6% dining (incl. online orders), 5% fuel and Salik, 5% home digital entertainmen… See issuer for the current offer See issuer Minimum monthly salary AED 5,000… 4.4
4
Emirates NBD Skywards Signature Credit CardEmirates frequent flyers based in the UAE
 AED 1,573.95/yr Up to 1.5 Skywards Miles per USD1 equivalent spent Welcome Skywards Miles after card activation and spend Foreign currency markup ap… Stable income, UAE residency 4.4
5
Mashreq Cashback Credit CardEveryday spenders wanting fee-free cashback
 None 5% on dining, 1% on other spends in the UAE and abroad Welcome cashback offer for new cardholders 2.89% spread on internatio… Stable income, UAE residency 4.4
6
Citi Rewards Credit CardRewards collectors wanting flexible, lasting points
 None Bonus points on dining, department stores and travel Welcome ThankYou Points bonus after activation and spend Foreign currency markup ap… Stable income, UAE residency 4.3
7
FAB Cashback Credit CardHouseholds wanting fee-free cashback on essentials
 AED 300/yr 5% on dining, groceries and fashion, 3% on international spends, 1% elsewhere Welcome cashback offer for new cardholders Foreign currency markup ap… Stable income, UAE residency 4.3
8
HSBC Live+ Credit CardDining and fuel spenders who want lounge visits without opening an HSBC account
 AED 313.95/yr 6% dining, 5% fuel, 2% groceries and entertainment, each capped at AED 200 per s… See issuer for the current offer 2% (2.1% incl. VAT) plus a… AED 5,000 monthly salary if your… 4.3
9
Liv Cashback+ Credit CardBig monthly spenders who want up to 4% on everything plus wide lounge access
 AED 735/yr 1% on monthly spend up to AED 6,999, 2% at AED 7,000 to 14,999, 4% at AED 15,000… See issuer for the current offer 1.99% currency conversion… Minimum monthly salary AED 15,00… 4.3
10
ADIB Cashback Visa Covered CardShariah-compliant cashback on groceries, fuel, school fees and dining for a low fee
 AED 103.95/yr 4% cashback on groceries (AED 300 cap), fuel and automobile (AED 300), school an… See issuer for the current offer 2.3% service fee on non-AE… See issuer (ADIB does not publis… 4.2

The full list: 17 cards

Ranked by editorial score. Scroll the table on smaller screens.

RankCardAnnual feeRewardsWelcome offerForeign feeWho qualifiesScore
11
Emirates Islamic Cashback Plus CardCustomers wanting Sharia-compliant cashback
 None Up to 10% on dining, with strong supermarket and fuel rates Welcome cashback offer for new cardholders Foreign currency markup ap… Stable income, UAE residency 4.2
12
HSBC Cash+ Credit CardHigh earners who want flat uncapped cashback plus lounges for themselves and a guest
 AED 1,050/yr 1% daily cashback on all eligible spend with no cap, plus a 10% bonus on cashbac… See issuer for the current offer 2% (2.1% incl. VAT) plus a… Minimum monthly salary AED 30,00… 4.2
13
Liv Cashback Credit CardDigital-first residents who want a free-for-life card that earns on all spend
 None 0.75% on monthly spend up to AED 4,999, 1.5% at AED 5,000 to 9,999, 2% at AED 10… See issuer for the current offer 1.99% currency conversion… Minimum monthly salary AED 5,000… 4.2
14
CBD Super Saver Credit CardHigh monthly spenders who pay school fees, groceries, fuel and utilities by card
 AED 420/yr 3% to 10% cashback on water and electricity bills, education, supermarkets and f… See issuer for the current offer 3.5% on international spen… Minimum monthly salary AED 5,000… 4.1
15
DIB Consumer Cashback Covered CardFamilies who want Shariah-compliant cashback on groceries, school fees and fuel
 AED 210/yr 3% cashback on supermarkets, school fees, auto servicing, fuel, utilities, Etisa… See issuer for the current offer 3.70% of the transaction a… Minimum monthly salary AED 5,000 4.0
16
RAKBANK Red Credit CardSalaried residents who want a card that never charges an annual fee
 None Up to 1.5% cashback on retail spend (subject to a minimum spend per statement cy… See issuer for the current offer 2.57% of the transaction a… Minimum monthly salary AED 5,000… 4.0
17
FAB Etihad Guest Platinum Credit CardEtihad flyers who want to earn Etihad Guest Miles on everyday spend
 AED 525/yr 2 Etihad Guest Miles per AED 10 on domestic spend, 3.5 on non-AED international… See issuer for the current offer Up to 2.61% plus VAT and c… Minimum monthly salary AED 8,000 3.9

Points & Rewards in UAE

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Premium & Luxury in UAE

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Cash Back in UAE

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Airline in UAE

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Dining & Groceries in UAE

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No Annual Fee in UAE

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The guide

How to choose: Credit Cards in the UAE

In the UAE the first filter is salary: banks publish a minimum monthly salary for each card, from AED 5,000 for entry cards to AED 25,000+ for Infinite tiers, and often require a salary transfer. Our UAE rankings group cards by band and then score them on cashback or miles, lounge access and the fee after the usual first-year waiver.

The UAE rankings at a glance

  • Cashback — Mashreq Cashback, FAB Cashback and Emirates Islamic Cashback Plus lead for everyday spend.
  • Airline miles — Emirates NBD Skywards Signature for Emirates flyers; Etihad Guest cards from ADCB.
  • Premium and lounges — ADCB TouchPoints Infinite (unlimited lounge access), Mashreq Solitaire (12 visits a year) and other Infinite-tier cards.
  • Islamic — Emirates Islamic and ADIB cards structured on Murabaha or Ujrah with no interest.

What to check before applying in the UAE

The minimum salary and whether a salary transfer is required; the AECB credit score (300–900, with 700+ typically needed for premium cards); the annual fee after year one; the 2%–3% foreign currency fee; and cashback caps, which are often low. Many cards waive the fee permanently if you spend above a threshold — worth asking.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best credit card in the UAE?

For cashback, Mashreq Cashback or FAB Cashback; for Emirates flyers, Emirates NBD Skywards Signature; for lounge access and premium perks, Mashreq Solitaire. Your salary band decides which tier you can apply for.

What salary do I need for a credit card in the UAE?

Entry cards start at AED 5,000 a month; Platinum cards typically AED 8,000–15,000; Infinite and Signature tiers AED 20,000–25,000 or more. Some banks require salary transfer.

Are UAE credit cards free?

Most waive the annual fee in the first year and many waive it permanently if you spend above a threshold. Check the fee from year two before choosing.

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