What makes a well-rounded travel card? Is it the miles earning potential, the convenience of airport lounge access, or the luxury of getting picked up and dropped off at the airport for free? The answer is all of these and much more – The bigger the perks, the better the card!
If you’re a seasoned UAE resident, you’ll know we love our Emirates Airlines – Flying to 159 destinations across the world, operating right out of our very own sunny Dubai. So what could be better than a card that gets you all the perks of traveling through Emirates, among a bunch of other benefits?
The Souqalmal.com team has ranked four cards, offered by the UAE’s leading banks and co-branded with Emirates. Here’s why they would make the perfect travel companion for you!
1. ADIB Emirates Skywards World & World Elite Cards
There are quite a few reasons why this range of Shariah-compliant covered cards bags the top spot on our list. Let’s start with the standout feature – The fast-track route to Emirates Skywards Gold Tier membership for the cardholder. While all cardholders get complimentary Emirates Skywards Silver membership, you can access the much-coveted Gold Tier membership by meeting the straightforward criteria. With the World Elite card, you’ll need to spend AED 5,500 with Emirates to access and retain the Gold Tier status. With the World card, you’ll additionally have to achieve an annual spend threshold of AED 150,000.
Another great perk is the complimentary home check-in service (up to four times per year) that allows you to check in your Emirates flight luggage and have it picked up directly from your home, office or hotel.
That’s not all. You also get complimentary airport transfers (up to four times per year), unlimited global access to 900+ airport lounges, 24-hour concierge services, and travel inconvenience & medical cover. Free rounds of golf and free valet parking at select UAE locations are also part of the lifestyle privileges offered here.
How many miles can you earn?
| Skywards Miles Earn Rate | Emirates/flydubai spend | International spend | Domestic spend |
| World Elite | 3 Miles per USD 1 | 2 Miles per USD 1 | 1.5 Miles per USD 1 |
| World | 2.5 Miles per USD 1 | 1.5 Miles per USD 1 | 1 Miles per USD 1 |
Sign Up Bonus
The World Elite card gets you up to 120,000 Bonus Skywards Miles (50,000 Skywards Miles upon sign-up and the rest being linked to your card spend). The World card gets you up to 60,000 Bonus Skywards Miles (40,000 Skywards Miles upon sign-up and the rest being linked to your card spend).
What does it take to own this card?
| Annual Fee | Monthly Profit Rate | Minimum Monthly Salary Requirement | |
| World Elite | AED 4,500 | 3.33% | AED 25,000 |
| World | AED 1,500 | 3.33% | AED 10,000 |
[Related: 8 check points before you get that credit card]
2. Citibank – Emirates Citibank Ultima & Ultimate Credit Cards
Citibank’s co-branded travel credit cards help you unlock some serious Skywards rewards and travel perks. The premium Ultima credit card variant gets you a complimentary Emirates Skywards Silver membership and two complimentary Marhaba Silver Meet & Greet services per year. The Ultimate credit card gets you one complimentary Marhaba Bronze Meet & Greet service per year. Both cards also offer free access to over 1,000 airport lounges globally.
The non-travel benefits aren’t too shabby either. Complimentary movie tickets, free rounds of golf in the UAE, 150 free VoucherSkout credits – Are all part of the package.
How many miles can you earn?
| Skywards Miles Earn Rate | Emirates spend | International spend | Domestic spend |
| Ultima | 2.5 Miles per USD 1 | 1.5 Miles per USD 1 | 1 Miles per USD 1 |
| Ultimate | N/A | 1.25 Miles per USD 1 | 1 Miles per USD 1 |
Sign Up Bonus
The Ultima card gets you 25,000 Bonus Skywards Miles upon sign-up and 10,000 Skywards Miles upon annual renewal.
What does it take to own this card?
| Annual Fee | Monthly Interest Rate | Minimum Monthly Salary Requirement | |
| Ultima | AED 3,000 | 3.25% | AED 36,750 |
| Ultimate | AED 800 | 3.25% | AED 18,000 |
[Related: 5 Reasons to switch over to a new credit card]
3. Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite & Signature Credit Cards
Emirates NBD’s flagship travel cards are sure to appeal to frequent travelers. The premium Infinite card gets you complimentary Emirates Skywards Silver membership, four free airport transfers in the UAE per year through the concierge desk and 50% off airport transfers through Careem. Both, the Infinite and Signature cards offer access to over 1,000 airport lounges globally and international medical & travel assistance as well.
The lifestyle benefits are top-notch too. These include free rounds of golf at five popular golf clubs in the UAE, complimentary valet parking services, and 2-for-1 deals through Visa.
How many miles can you earn?
| Skywards Miles Earn Rate | Emirates/flydubai spend | International spend | Domestic spend |
| Skywards Infinite | 2 Miles per USD 1 | 1.5 Miles per USD 1 | 1 Miles per USD 1 |
| Skywards Signature | 1.5 Miles per USD 1 | 1 Miles per USD 1 | 0.75 Miles per USD 1 |
Sign Up Bonus
The Infinite card gets you up to 100,000 Bonus Skywards Miles (35,000 Skywards Miles upon payment of joining fee and the rest being linked to your credit card spend). The Signature card gets you up to 40,000 Bonus Skywards Miles (15,000 Skywards Miles upon payment of joining fee and the rest being linked to your credit card spend).
What does it take to own this card?
| Annual Fee | Monthly Interest Rate | Minimum Monthly Salary Requirement | |
| Skywards Infinite | AED 1,500 | 3.09% | AED 30,000 |
| Skywards Signature | AED 700 | 3.25% | AED 15,000 |
[Related: Don’t think you need travel insurance? Think again!]
4. Dubai Islamic Bank – Emirates Skywards DIB Signature, Infinite & Platinum Credit Cards
Dubai Islamic Bank has partnered with Emirates Airlines to offer you three travel credit card variants. The Infinite card offers you complimentary Emirates Skywards Silver membership. Additionally, the infinite and signature cards, get you 24×7 international concierge services, unlimited free access to 850+ airport lounges globally and free international and domestic travel insurance.
The lifestyle benefits offered range from 25% off on Zomato orders, free valet parking services, free health club access and exclusive member privileges at 900+ luxury hotels and resorts globally.
How many miles can you earn?
| Skywards Miles Earn Rate | Emirates spend | International spend | Domestic spend |
| Infinite | 2 Miles per USD 1 | 1.5 Miles per USD 1 | 1 Miles per USD 1 |
| Signature | 1.5 Miles per USD 1 | 1 Miles per USD 1 | 0.75 Miles per USD 1 |
| Platinum | 1 Miles per USD 1 | 0.75 Miles per USD 1 | 0.5 Miles per USD 1 |
Sign Up Bonus
The Infinite card gets you up to 75,000 Bonus Skywards Miles (25,000 Skywards Miles upon card activation and the rest being linked to your credit card spend and balance transferred). The Signature card gets you up to 30,000 Bonus Skywards Miles (15,000 Skywards Miles upon card activation and the rest being linked to balance transferred). The Platinum card gets you up to 5,000 Bonus Skywards Miles upon card activation.
What does it take to own this card?
| Annual Fee | Monthly Subscription Rate | Minimum Monthly Salary Requirement | |
| Infinite | AED 2,500 | 3% | AED 35,000 |
| Signature | AED 1,500 | 3% | AED 15,000 |
| Platinum | AED 500 | 3% | AED 5,000 |
