Are you passionate about traveling to new destinations? Do you have to make frequent trips overseas for work? No matter why you’re traveling or where you’re headed, a reliable credit card with great travel perks is on just about every traveler’s agenda. But given the wide variety of credit cards on offer, it may be a little confusing to zero in on the one that gets you the best value.
To make your life a tad bit easier, the Souqalmal.com team has shortlisted five top-notch credit cards that offer a great air miles program, plus a host of other travel benefits.
Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite Credit Card
The rewards program
This credit card gets you access to the Skywards Miles program, where the miles you earn can be redeemed towards flights on Emirates airlines, flydubai, and their partner airlines. You can also redeem these miles for flight upgrades, hotel stays, shopping and excursions. You earn 2 Miles per USD spent on Emirates and flydubai, 1.5 Miles per USD spent internationally, and 1 Mile per USD spent locally.
Not just that, there’s a great introductory offer on this card – Emirates NBD gives you up to 100,000 Bonus Miles at the time of signing up.
Other travel benefits
To appeal to frequent travelers even further, this card offers complimentary Emirates Skywards Silver membership to cardholders. This gets you access to 25% bonus Skywards Miles, an excess of 12 kgs over and above your check-in baggage allowance and the chance to skip the queues with business class check-in.
There’s more – Complimentary lounge access to 1,000+ airport lounges across the world, 50% discount on local airport transfers when you book with Careem, international medical & travel assistance services, complimentary Rotana Rewards Exclusive membership for the first year – All make this card a well-rounded option for travelers.
Noor Bank SriLankan Titanium Card
The rewards program
This is a co-branded credit card offered by Noor Bank in collaboration with SriLankan Airlines. Under the miles program run by the airline, you earn up to 2 FlySmiLes on every USD spent.
Noor Bank also gives you 10,000 Bonus Miles when you successfully sign up and complete your first retail purchase with the card.
Other travel benefits
This card gets you access to two complimentary visits to airport lounges around the world via LoungeKey. You also get free unrestricted access to Marhaba lounges across the Middle East.
With this card, you’re given complimentary access to FlySmiLes Silver Tier Privileges. This will get you an excess of 10 kgs over and above your check-in baggage allowance when traveling on SriLankan Airlines. As a qualifying FlySmiLes Silver Tier member, you can also enjoy special benefits and offers on 30+ airlines that are part of the Oneworld network.
FAB Etihad Guest Infinite Credit Card
The rewards program
This co-branded credit card earns you Etihad Guest Miles on your spends. You earn 4.5 Miles on every AED 10 spent locally, 6 Miles on every AED 10 spent internationally and 9 Miles on every AED 10 spent on Etihad Airways and its partners. To welcome you onboard, FAB also gives you 55,000 Etihad Guest Miles as an introductory bonus. Another exclusive benefit – You get a 75% discount voucher on Etihad Guest Miles.
Through FAB’s optional Miles Accelerator Program, you can unlock 7.5 Miles on all purchases made with the card.
Other travel benefits
Cardholders can enjoy a wide range of travel perks with this credit card. You get six complimentary airport transfers and six complimentary Meet & Greet services per year. You also get 12 free visits to 1000+ airport lounges around the world. You can access 24-hour free WiFi on board Etihad Airways through four free WiFi vouchers. Through Visa benefits, you also save 50% on four airport transfers when booking with Careem.
When you make one return trip with Etihad Airways within the first six months of using the card, you automatically get enrolled into the Etihad Guest Gold program.
ADIB Etihad Visa Classic Card
The rewards program
Under the Etihad Guest Miles program offered on this credit card, you earn up to 1 Mile per AED 4 spent internationally and 0.75 Mile per AED 4 spent locally.
ADIB also gives you 10,000 Bonus Miles when you sign up for this credit card.
Other travel benefits
Falling short of Miles to buy your flight ticket? You can combine the Miles you have earned with cash to buy flight tickets on Etihad Airways. The airline allows you to pay up to 25% of the ticket value with cash.
RAKBANK Air Arabia Platinum Credit Card
The rewards program
This co-branded credit card gives you access to Air Arabia’s loyalty program. You earn 1.75 AirRewards Points on every 5 AED spent internationally and 1.25 AirRewards Points on every 5 AED locally. You also earn 1.75 AirRewards Points on every 5 AED spent at www.airarbia.com. Your AirRewards Points can be redeemed for flights, seats, excess baggage, meals and more when traveling on Air Arabia.
As a joining bonus, you get 15,000 AirRewards Points upon payment of sign-up fee and clocking a minimum retail spend of AED 5,000 in first three months.
Other travel benefits
Cardholders are given six free pick-up and drop-off services for airport transfers within Sharjah, as well as between the Sharjah airport and any location in Dubai.
Additionally, if you spend AED 15,000 annually on retail purchases with the card, you get a complimentary return flight ticket on Air Arabia.
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