There are a lot of different travel credit cards on the market, and it can be hard to know which one is the best. For this purpose, we have compiled a list of the best travel credit card in UAE to choose the one that is perfect for you.
A travel credit card gives you many benefits, including skyward miles, airport lounge access, and air ticket discounts. These travel credit cards are beneficial, but overusing them might result in burdensome financial debt.
Not all travel credit cards are created equal. Some give you great rewards but high-interest charges, while others have low-interest rates but don’t offer many rewards.
Each card has advantages and disadvantages, so follow our guide to find the best credit card for international travel.
Compare the best travel credit card in UAE
| Name | Type | MInimum Salary | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAB Elite Infinite Credit Card | Travel Credit Card | 50,000 | Get a guranteed activation 2000 voucher on your card. |
| HSBC Platinum Elite credit card | Travel Credit Card | 10,000 | Charity spends of 1% contribution |
| Mashreq Platinum Elite Credit Card | Travel Credit Card | 7,000 | Worldwide access to airport lounges |
| ADIB Etihad Guest Platinum Card | Travel Credit Card | 10,000 | Bonus 2,50,000 Guest miles during first sign up |
| Emirates Citibank Ultima Credit Card | Travel Credit Card | 36,750 | One of the best travels insurances |
| HSBC Platinum Select Credit Card | Travel Credit Card | 5,000 | Exclusive dining privileges |
| Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite Credit Card | Travel Credit Card | 30,000 | 5% on outstanding balance |
| Emirates Islamic Visa Credit Card | Travel Credit Card | 12,000 | Guaranteed cashback on every purcahse |
| Standard Chartered Visa Infinite Titanium Credit Card | Travel Credit Card | 10,000 | Don’t have to pay a joining or an annual fee |
| Dubai Islamic Bank Skywards Signature Credit Card | Travel Credit Card | 15,000 | Earn up to bonus 135,000 bonus skywards miles. |
| ADCB Traveller Credit Card | Travel Credit Card | 30,000 | 500,000 medical expenses and personal accident insurance |
| CBD World MasterCard | Travel Credit Card | 7,500 | Compliment Airport Lounge Access |
12 best travel credit card in UAE
If you love to travel, you know how important it is to have a good travel credit card. A good travel credit card can help you save on airfare, hotels, and other travel expenses. Here is a list of some of the best travel credit cards in the UAE.
1. FAB Elite Infinite Credit Card
The FAB Elite Infinite credit card is among the best travel credit cards in the UAE. It offers many amazing travel benefits, such as access to over 1000 airport lounges in more than 300 cities worldwide. [1]FAB Elite Infinite, “Benefits, https://www.bankfab.com/en-ae/personal/cards/fab-elite-infinite#:~:text=Earn%20air%20miles%20with%20FAB”
Additionally, this card is protected online from fraud and scams, and your purchase warranty extends to one year. You will also get free Medical and Travel Assistance Insurance for 90 days while traveling with your family. [2]FAB Elite Infinite, “Protection and Insurance, https://www.bankfab.com/en-ae/personal/cards/fab-elite-infinite#:~:text=We%E2%80%99ve%20got%20you%20and%20your%20purchases%20covered”
So if you are want to acquire this credit card, you must have a monthly salary of AED 50,000. [3]FABElitecard, “Monthly salary, https://www.bankfab.com/en-ae/personal/cards/fab-elite-infinite#:~:text=Min%20Monthly%20Salary,AED%2050%2C000″
Features
- Get eight airport transfers per year.
- Enjoy eight meet-and-greet services at various airports per year.
- Also, enjoy three free airport rides per year with Careem rides.
- Get four free valet parking services per month.
- Get 24*7 concierge services for travel-related assistance.
- Get movie tickets at AED 15 on weekdays and on AED 20 on weekends.
2. HSBC Platinum Elite Credit Card
The HSBC Platinum Elite credit card is among one the best travel credit cards in UAE. It is recognized by over 32 million establishments worldwide, so anywhere you go, if you have an HSBC Platinum credit card, you can receive tons of amazing gifts, discounts, and cashback.
Some other benefits of the HSBC Platinum Credit card are Going to VOX Cinemas and buying 1 Get 1 Free ticket, getting up to 2 complimentary valet parking per month with minimum spending of at least AED 3,000. Similarly, you can enjoy 12% discounts at Agoda hotels. [4]HSBC Platinum credit card, “Benefits, https://www.hsbc.ae/credit-cards/products/platinum/#:~:text=at%20the%20moment.-,Benefits,-With%20the%20HSBC”
In terms of charges, you have to pay an annual percentage of 44.28% on outstanding purchases and cash withdrawals. [5]HSBC Elite, “Fees and charges, … Continue reading
Features
- Receive 1 Air mile bonus for every 1 AED spent.
- Get 15% discounts on tickets for British airways.
- Get an extended warranty on your purchased item for up to 1 year.
- Get a purchase protection feature that protects you from online frauds or scams.
- Receive two supplementary cards for your family.
3. Mashreq Platinum Elite Credit Card
Mashreq Platinum Elite credit card is the best flight booking credit card in UAE, designed to provide travel benefits to travelers or businessmen worldwide.
You could get a welcome bonus of up to AED 20,000 for your first-ever Mashreq credit card if you apply after 30th September 2022. Moreover, you will receive an additional AED 200 as a bonus if you have an existing card. [6]Mashreq Credit, “Welcome … Continue reading
The annual fee for a primary credit card is 650 AED + 5% VAT. The annual fee for a supplementary card is 149 AED + 5% VAT. Likewise, you will need to pay 0.99% for insurance and 5% as a service charge on your monthly balance. [7]Mashreq Bank, “Fees and charges on a credit card, … Continue reading
However, in order to acquire a Mashreq Platinum Credit card, you must have a minimum salary of AED 7,000.[8]Mashreq, “Minimum salary, … Continue reading
Features
- Get complimentary access to Fitness First 8 times a month.
- Get free airport transport service in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
- Enjoy three complimentary Limousine Services every year if your expenses exceed AED 7,000.
- Get Salaam points on all local or abroad expenses.
4. ADIB Etihad Guest Platinum Card
ADIB Etihad is also one of the best travel benefits credit cards in UAE that provides some of the best rewards on traveling and travel-related purchases.
ADIB Etihad Guest Platinum card uses its advanced PIN and Chip technology which provides you advance safety features where your online purchase are only accepted if you confirm your registered PIN. This will protect you from online fraud, scams, and errors. [9]ADIB Etihad Guest, “PIN and Chip technology,https://www.adib.ae/en/personal/cards/etihad-cards/adib-etihad-visa-platinum-card#:~:text=Advanced%20Chip%20%26%20Pin%20Technology”
There is an annual fee of AED 1,000 for both covered and 5th supplementary credit cards. You will also have to pay a monthly profit interest of 2.99% with salary and 3.09% without salary per month. The annualized profit interest rate is 36.38% with salary and 37.60% without salary transfer. [10]ADIB Cashback credit, “Fees and charges,https://www.adib.ae/en/personal/cards/cashback-cards/adib-cashback-visa-platinum-card””
Features
- Get free valet parking in some fixed locations in UAE.
- Get complimentary access to over 850 VIP lounges via lounge key.
- Get the fast track to the Etihad Guest Gold tier if you travel on two return flights from Etihad airways.
- Get a free companion ticket voucher to fly on Etihad Airways to any destination if you spend AED 150,000 in one year.
- Get free roadside assistance up to 3 times a year.
5. Emirates Citibank Ultima Credit Card
With the Emirates Citibank Ultima credit card, you will get tons of benefits, such as a welcome bonus of 25,000 skyward miles and 10,000 additional skywards when you pay your annual fee in full.[11]Emirates Citi bank, “Welcome bonus, … Continue reading
The minimum monthly income requirement to apply for an Emirates Citibank credit card must be AED 36,750. Similarly, you will have to pay an annual fee of AED 3,000. [12]Citibank Credit Card, “Monthly income, https://www.emirates.com/ae/english/skywards/partners/citibank/#:~:text=Monthly%20income%20requirement%3A%20AED%2036%2C750″
Features
- You can save 50% on food delivery and dine-in expenses with 150 free Voucherskout credits.
- Get complimentary Buy 1, get one movie tickets at VOX cinemas.
- Get a complimentary free valet parking benefit each month.
- You can get discounts on famous restaurants in 95 different countries.
- Get instant loans with the quick loan feature of an Emirates Citibank Ultimate credit card.
6. HSBC Platinum Select Credit Card
HSBC Platinum credit card is one of the best credit cards for international flight booking in UAE. You will get tons of benefits while traveling in the UAE and other parts of the world.
One of the benefits for travelers with an HSBC Platnium credit card is Airmiles which can be redeemed when traveling or purchasing at various airports. For every 4 AED you spend, you will receive 1 Airmiles reward. [13]HSBC Platinum, “benefits, https://www.hsbc.ae/credit-cards/products/visa-platinum-select/#:~:text=Why%20choose%C2%A0a%20Platinum%20Select%20Credit%20Card%3F”
You can only get this credit card if you have a monthly minimum salary of AED 10,000 and have a personal bank account in HSBC bank. Additionally, you must be over 21 years old or below 65 years old to get this credit card. [14]HSBC Platinum Select, “Eligibility, https://www.hsbc.ae/credit-cards/products/visa-platinum-select/#:~:text=in%20the%20future.-,Who%20can%20apply,-%3F”
Features
- Get some best travel benefits, such as complimentary airport transfers and airport lounges.
- You can get a 30% shopping and dining discount at 19,000 outlets in 160 countries.
- Get the HSBC Entertainer mobile app, which notifies cardholders of offers and discounts.
- Receive many supplementary cards for your friends and family members.
- Buy now, pay later feature with a 0% interest rate.
7. Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite Credit Card
The Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite Credit Card offers many advantages, including lifestyle benefits and travel perks. Similarly, you will get tons of benefits, including the welcome bonus of 100,000 bonus Skywards Miles and complimentary Rotana Rewards membership for one year. [15]Emirates NBD Skywards, “Welcome bonus, … Continue reading
You will earn Skywards Miles on every USD you spend, 2 Skywards miles on Emirates and flydubai, online delivery, and car booking apps, 1.5 miles on foreign spending, and 1 mile for local purchases. [16]Emirates NBD Skywards, “Skywards … Continue reading
To get this credit card, you must have a minimum salary of AED 30,000 and pay an annual fee of AED 1575. [17]Emirates NBD Skywards, “Minimum … Continue reading
Features
- Get many concierge benefits, such as up to 4 airport drops or pick-ups in a year.
- Get access to top golfing venues across UAE.
- Flexibility to pay as little as 5% of the outstanding balance.
- Get access to over 1000 airport lounges with the help of the lounge key feature.
- Get 50% discounts on Careem rides for airport transfers.
8. Emirates Islamic Skywards Black Credit Card
Emirates Islamic Skywards Black Credit cards are one of the best credit cards in UAE for booking flights and traveling from UAE.
One of the best benefits of the Emirates Islamic Skywards credit card is its benefits for travelers, as you can earn up to 3.5 skywards miles per AED you spend. Not only that, you, along with one guest, will get unlimited Complimentary access to 1000+ airport lounges via Lounge key. [18]Emirates Islamic Skywards Card, “Travel Benefits, … Continue reading
However, you have to pay an annual joining fee of AED 4200, an annual supplementary card charge of AED 4200, and an interest rate of 3.25% pm of the total balance. [19]Ethidad Islamic bank, “Fees and charges, https://www.emiratesislamic.ae/eng/soc/cards/#:~:text=Infinite-,Black,-Monthly%20Profit%20Rate”
Features
- Get up to 4 VOX movie tickets as a buy 1 get one free offer.
- Get unlimited contemporary golfing opportunities any day of the week.
- Receive up to four free airport transfer benefits for the calendar year.
- Get a multi-trip travel insurance feature immediately after acquiring the card.
9. Standard Chartered Visa Infinite Titanium Credit Card
Standard Chartered Visa Infinite travel card lets you get amazing travel-related perks and benefits. You will receive a 2% rewards points balance as cashback with any airline bookings when you travel anywhere. You will also earn two reward points for every international spending and one for every local spending. [20]Standard Chartered Visa Infinite, “Reward benefits, https://www.sc.com/ae/credit-cards/visa-infinite/#:~:text=Infinite%20Benefits%20For%20The%20Infinite%20Life”
However, you must be over 21 years old and have a minimum monthly salary of AED 30,000. [21]Standard Chartered Visa Infinite, “Eligibility and Documents, https://www.sc.com/ae/credit-cards/visa-infinite/#:~:text=Application%20Eligibility”
After getting this credit card, you must pay small fees and charges. Your annual fee will be free the first year, but for the second year, you will have to pay AED 1575. Additionally, you must pay a retail interest rate of 3.45% per month and AED 525 from the third supplementary card onwards. [22]Standard Chartered Visa Infinite, “Fees and Charges, https://www.sc.com/ae/credit-cards/visa-infinite/#:~:text=Annual%20fee%20for%20new%20customers”
Features
- With a Fixed payment plan, take a loan and repay it in installments over up to 48 months.
- Get a lifetime of supplementary credit cards for your friends and family.
- The contactless credit card feature allows you to pay your balance via phone.
- Get unlimited access to Fitness first club in UAE.
- Get 90 days duration of multi-trip travel insurance.
10. DIB Skywards Signature CreAREit Card
The Emirates Skywards DIB Signature Credit Card is for people who like to travel and collect points that can be used for other travel benefits. You will get 30,000 bonus Skywards Miles, i.e., 15,000 miles on activating the card and 15,000 on transferring a balance. [23]DIB Skywards Signature, “Bonus miles, https://www.dib.ae/personal/cards/emirates-skywards-dib-signature-credit-card#:~:text=Earn%20bonus%20Skywards%20Miles”
If you want to get this card, you must earn a minimum salary of AED 15,000 and pay an annual fee of AED 1500. [24]DIB Skywards, “Minimum salary, https://www.dib.ae/personal/cards/emirates-skywards-dib-signature-credit-card#:~:text=Lifestyle-,AED%2015%2C000,-Minimum%20Salary”
Features
- You can access over 850 airport lounges worldwide, where you can visit eight lounges per year with LoungeKey.
- Buy now, pay later in installments with a 0% interest rate.
- Features include preferential discount prices, free internet, free breakfast, and service at check-ins and check-outs.
- Get 25% off your order when you make a purchase through Zomato.
- Get three roadside assistance services for free per year.
11. ADCB Traveller Credit Card
ADCB traveler credit card is among the best travel credit card in the middle east and UAE. Some amazing travel benefits that you will receive 10% cashback on Booking.com and complimentary travel insurance. [25]ADCB Traveller, “Travel benefits, https://www.adcb.com/en/personal/cards/credit-cards/traveller-credit-card#”
Regarding the fees and interest, you only have to pay an annual fee of 1050, but you don’t have to pay interest on foreign currency fees and interest payment plans. [26]ADCB Traveller, “Fees and charges, https://www.adcb.com/en/personal/cards/credit-cards/traveller-credit-card#:~:text=AED-,Annual%20fees,-0″
Features
- Get 55 days interest-free grace period.
- Get access to prestigious golf courses in UAE if your minimum spending is AED 5,000.
- Pay only 5% of your outstanding balance each month.
- Buy one get one free offer throughout the Middle East & Africa across fine dining establishments and premium spas.
12. CBD World MasterCard
The CBD World MasterCard Credit Card is among the best credit card for international travel that is exclusively tailored and built for travelers who can be amazing clients. For cardholders, it offers various exciting options.
In terms of fees, there is no annual fee in the first year and the option to be free in the second year if you spend less than the minimum. [27]CBD World Mastercard, “Annual fee, https://www.cbd.ae/cbdnowcm/Products-v3/world-mastercard#:~:text=at%20competitive%20prices.-,Annual%20Fee,-Free%20for%20first”
To get this card, your minimum earnings must be AED 25,000, and your age must be over 21 years and less than 63 years old. [28]CBD World Mastercard, “Minimum salary, https://www.cbd.ae/cbdnowcm/Products-v3/world-mastercard#:~:text=Eligibility%20criteria”
Features
- Get up to 50% off on movie tickets at Reel, Vox, and Novo cinemas.
- Coverage of up to USD 500,000 in Multi travel insurance feature.
- Get free complimentary ClassPass fitness membership.
- Get complimentary access to over 1000 airport lounges.
- They offer free valet parking in over 30 locations in UAE.
Advantages and disadvantages of travel credit card
Travel credit cards are essential for people who often travel. They provide a lot of rewards, perks, and benefits so that your traveling becomes more accessible. However, using these credit cards too much can be bad for your finances. This is because you might end up in debt or spend too much money.
Let’s look at some advantages and disadvantages of a travel credit card.
Advantages
- Using a travel rewards credit card can give you great discounts on your travel bookings.
- You can earn free flights using a credit card offering air miles.
- You can access 1000s of airport lounges for free, movie tickets, and shopping discounts.
- Some travel credit cards offer you free hotel stays if you buy a certain number of nights.
- Use discounts on travel towards national and international flights across the globe.
Disadvantages
- Depending on the credit offers, you may be tempted to spend more money than you have.
- You could end up paying more in interest and late payment fees.
- You must pay an annual fee to have a travel credit on your card.
- If you don’t use your credit card wisely, it can land you in debt.
- You must have a high credit score to apply for a credit card.
Related Stories
- Check our complete guide on the best credit card in UAE.
- Similarly, if you are looking for cash back at various places, check our guide – the best cash back credit card in UAE.
- Or, check our guide on the best low income credit card in UAE if you are looking for minimum salary requirement credit cards.
FAQs
Which is the best credit card for international travel in UAE?
The best credit card for international travel in UAE is the HSBC Platinum credit card. HSBC Platinum credit card provides many benefits, such as travel miles, airport lounge access, and the HSBC entertainer app, where you can get many free offers, discounts, and rewards during your international travel.
Which is the best travel credit card in UAE
One of the best travel credit cards in UAE is the Mashreq Platinum Elite credit card. Some benefits of using a Mashreq Platinum Elite credit card are free unlimited access to airport lounges, discounts on international and domestic flights, concierge services, and more.
Which credit card is best for booking flights in UAE?
The Emirates Islamic Visa credit card is the best credit card for booking flights in UAE. This credit card offers you free air miles that can be used to book flights. You can also get discounts on your flight bookings using this credit card.
Can Expats get a credit card in UAE?
Yes, ex-pats can get a credit card in the UAE. To get a credit card, you need to have a residence visa, and your salary must be transferred to your bank account in the UAE. You will also need to provide documents such as your passport, Emirates ID, proof of income, and residency.
Final thoughts
Overall, these are some of the best travel credit card in UAE. If you are looking for the best offers on your travels without worrying about the expenses, then you might find some of the credit cards in our guide.
However, remember that every card has advantages and disadvantages, so make sure you read up on them before making a decision.
If our guide helped you choose the best travel benefits credit card, please share it with your friends and family.
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About the author
Khalid Jama
Khalid Jama is a financial advisor based in Dubai. He has a decade of experience in the financial sector, specializing in asset portfolio management, investor relations, and taxation. His expertise in corporate finance and global investments have made him one of the most sought-after advisors in the Emirates. With knowledge, Khalid has helped his clients create long-term wealth through careful analysis and strategic planning.
Mohamed Yousuf
Mohamed Yousuf is a personal financial advisor based in the UAE. He helps people save money, shop smarter, and manage their finances. He has over a decade of experience as a financial adviser and is committed to helping his clients reach their financial goals. He is also actively involved in the community, volunteering his time to help those in need.
