Best credit cards for spending abroad
Most UAE cards add a foreign transaction fee of around 2–3% when you pay in another currency. A few remove it, and others pay a higher reward rate abroad that can offset it.
Our top picks
-
1
Emirates NBD
dnata World Credit Card
0% foreign currency fee plus 1.5% back in dnata points on general spend.
Fee: AED 1,048.95Salary: AED 20,000
-
2
First Abu Dhabi Bank
FAB Travel Credit Card
No foreign transaction fees and 12% back on flights and hotels.
Fee: AED 1,575Salary: AED 20,000Top rate needs: AED 5k/mo
-
3
ADCB
Traveller Credit Card
0% foreign currency fee and 10% back on airlines and hotels.
Fee: AED 1,575Salary: AED 20,000Top rate needs: AED 5k/mo
-
4
Citibank UAE
Citi Cash Back Credit Card
3% cashback on foreign currency spend, with no caps.
Fee: AED 315 from yr 2Salary: AED 8,000
-
5
First Abu Dhabi Bank
FAB Z Card
No foreign transaction fees for younger cardholders.
Fee: Free year 1Salary: AED 5,000
Picks are chosen by the MoneyVS team from each bank's published terms. Banks can't pay for placement. How we choose.
All 51 cards
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0%matchEmirates NBD · Emirates Skywards
Skywards Infinite Credit Card
2 Skywards Miles per USD on Emirates, flydubai, duty free, food delivery and ride apps
- Annual fee
- AED 1,575
- Min. salary
- AED 30,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 91.8k in 90 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus35,000 Skywards Miles (pay the joining fee); 40,000 Skywards Miles when you spend AED 91,812 within 90 days; 25,000 Skywards Miles when you spend AED 27,544 within 365 days.
- Airport lounges
- Golf
- Cinema offers
-
0%matchEmirates NBD · Emirates Skywards
Skywards Signature Credit Card
Up to 1.5 Skywards Miles per USD on international (non-EU) spend
- Annual fee
- AED 735
- Min. salary
- AED 12,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 36.7k in 90 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus15,000 Skywards Miles (pay the joining fee); 15,000 Skywards Miles when you spend AED 36,725 within 90 days; 10,000 Skywards Miles when you spend AED 13,772 within 365 days.
- Airport lounges
- Golf
- Cinema offers
-
0%matchEmirates NBD · Etihad Guest
Etihad Guest Visa Elevate Credit Card
10 Etihad Guest Miles per AED 10 on Etihad Airways
- Annual fee
- AED 1,575
- Min. salary
- AED 30,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 120k in 180 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus40,000 Etihad Guest Miles (pay the joining fee); 60,000 Etihad Guest Miles when you spend AED 90,000 within 180 days; 100,000 Etihad Guest Miles when you spend AED 120,000 within 180 days.
- Airport lounges
- Valet parking
-
0%matchEmirates NBD · Hotel points
Marriott Bonvoy World Elite Mastercard
6 Bonvoy points per USD at Marriott hotels
- Annual fee
- AED 1,575
- Min. salary
- AED 25,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 55.1k in 90 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (activate the card and pay the joining fee); 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend AED 55,088 within 90 days.
- Airport lounges
- Golf
- Cinema offers
-
0%matchEmirates NBD
dnata World Credit Card
15% back in dnata points at dnata Travel, Costa Coffee and City Sightseeing
- Annual fee
- AED 1,048.95
- Min. salary
- AED 20,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 25k in 90 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus1,000 dnata points (pay the joining fee); 1,500 dnata points when you spend AED 25,000 within 90 days.
- Airport lounges
- Golf
- Valet parking
-
0%matchFirst Abu Dhabi Bank · Etihad Guest
Etihad Guest Infinite Credit Card
7 Etihad Guest Miles per AED 10 with Etihad and partners
- Annual fee
- AED 2,625
- Min. salary
- AED 30,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 120k in 90 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus110,000 Etihad Guest Miles (activate the card (new cards, double-miles offer)); 110,000 bonus Etihad Guest Miles when you spend AED 120,000 within 90 days.
- Airport lounges
- Cinema offers
- Golf
-
0%matchFirst Abu Dhabi Bank · Etihad Guest
Etihad Guest Signature Credit Card
5.5 Etihad Guest Miles per AED 10 with Etihad and partners
- Annual fee
- AED 1,575
- Min. salary
- AED 15,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 60k in 90 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus70,000 Etihad Guest Miles (activate the card (new cards, double-miles offer)); 70,000 bonus Etihad Guest Miles when you spend AED 60,000 within 90 days.
- Airport lounges
- Cinema offers
- Golf
-
0%matchIslamicFirst Abu Dhabi Bank · Etihad Guest
Etihad Guest Infinite Islamic Credit Card
7 Etihad Guest Miles per AED 10 with Etihad and partners
- Annual fee
- AED 2,625
- Min. salary
- AED 30,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 100k in 90 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus110,000 Etihad Guest Miles (activate the card (new cards, double-miles offer)); 110,000 bonus Etihad Guest Miles when you spend AED 100,000 within 90 days.
- Airport lounges
- Golf
-
0%matchIslamicFirst Abu Dhabi Bank · Etihad Guest
Etihad Guest Signature Islamic Credit Card
5.5 Etihad Guest Miles per AED 10 with Etihad and partners
- Annual fee
- AED 1,575
- Min. salary
- AED 15,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 60k in 90 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus70,000 Etihad Guest Miles (activate the card (new cards, double-miles offer)); 70,000 bonus Etihad Guest Miles when you spend AED 60,000 within 90 days.
- Airport lounges
- Golf
-
0%matchFirst Abu Dhabi Bank
FAB Travel Credit Card
12% back in FAB Rewards on flights and hotels (max AED 1,800 a month)
- Annual fee
- AED 1,575
- Min. salary
- AED 20,000
- Bonus needs
- No spend needed
- Top rate needs
- AED 5k/mo
Welcome bonusFree return flight to 15+ destinations (pay the first annual fee).
- Airport lounges
- Cinema offers
- Concierge
-
0%matchFirst Abu Dhabi Bank
FAB Elite Credit Card
Up to 20 FAB Rewards per AED on luxury spend
- Annual fee
- AED 1,260
- Min. salary
- AED 40,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
- Airport lounges
- Valet parking
- Concierge
-
0%matchFirst Abu Dhabi Bank
FAB Cashback Credit Card
5% on fashion, dining and groceries
- Annual fee
- AED 315
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- AED 3k/mo
No welcome bonus right now
- Airport lounges
-
0%matchIslamicFirst Abu Dhabi Bank
FAB Cashback Islamic Credit Card
5% on groceries, fuel and dining (max AED 300 a month for UAE nationals, AED 200 for expats)
- Annual fee
- AED 315
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
- Airport lounges
-
0%matchFirst Abu Dhabi Bank
FAB GEMS World Credit Card
Save up to 3% on GEMS school fees
- Annual fee
- AED 418.95
- Min. salary
- AED 8,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
- Airport lounges
- Cinema offers
-
0%matchFirst Abu Dhabi Bank
FAB Z Card
20% off Netflix, PlayStation, Xbox, YouTube, Spotify and Shahid
- Annual fee
- Free year 1
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
- Airport lounges
- Cinema offers
-
0%matchIslamicUAE nationals onlyFirst Abu Dhabi Bank
FAB Emirati Islamic Credit Card
Up to 15 FAB Islamic Rewards per AED
- Annual fee
- AED 630
- Min. salary
- AED 15,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
- Airport lounges
- Valet parking
- Gym access
-
0%matchFirst Abu Dhabi Bank
FAB SHARE Infinite Credit Card
8% back in SHARE points at Mall of the Emirates, City Centres, Carrefour and VOX
- Annual fee
- AED 1,050
- Min. salary
- AED 25,000
- Bonus needs
- No spend needed
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus10,000 SHARE points (AED 1,000) (activate the card).
- Airport lounges
- Cinema offers
-
0%matchADCB
Traveller Credit Card
10% cashback on airline tickets (any airline)
- Annual fee
- AED 1,575
- Min. salary
- AED 20,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 15k in 60 days
- Top rate needs
- AED 5k/mo
Welcome bonusAED 2,000 Expedia hotel voucher when you spend AED 15,000 within 60 days.
- Airport lounges
- Golf
- Concierge
-
0%matchFree for lifeADCB
Essential Cashback Credit Card
1.25% cashback in months you spend AED 5,000+
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No spend needed
- Top rate needs
- AED 1k/mo
Welcome bonusUp to AED 250 (Apply through select ADCB digital channels (see bank terms)).
- Airport lounges
- Cinema offers
-
0%matchFree for lifeMashreq
Mashreq Cashback Credit Card
5% on dining in the UAE and abroad
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 5k in 60 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonusAED 500 (AED 100 if you already have a Mashreq card) when you spend AED 5,000 within 60 days.
- Cinema offers
-
0%matchMashreq
Mashreq Aura World Elite Credit Card
Up to 12% back as Aura Points at Aura brands
- Annual fee
- AED 1,575
- Min. salary
- Not published
- Bonus needs
- AED 15k in 60 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonusAED 2,500 in Aura Points (AED 500 if you already have a Mashreq card) when you spend AED 15,000 within 60 days.
- Airport lounges
-
0%matchMashreq
Mashreq Solitaire Credit Card
6 Vantage points per AED on international spend
- Annual fee
- AED 1,575
- Min. salary
- AED 25,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 9k in 60 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonusAED 2,500 (AED 500 if you already have a Mashreq card) when you spend AED 9,000 within 60 days.
- Airport lounges
- Valet parking
- Golf
-
0%matchPrivate banking, by invitationMashreq
Mashreq io Credit Card
5 Vantage points per AED on all purchases
- Annual fee
- See bank
- Min. salary
- Not published
- Bonus needs
- No spend needed
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonusHotel stay worth up to AED 10,000 (book through the io concierge).
- Airport lounges
- Valet parking
- Concierge
-
0%matchHSBC UAE · Emirates Skywards
HSBC Emirates Skywards Infinite Credit Card
2.75 Skywards Miles per USD on Emirates and flydubai
- Annual fee
- AED 2,625
- Min. salary
- AED 30,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 50k in 60 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus40,000 Skywards Miles (pay the annual fee); 30,000 Skywards Miles when you spend AED 50,000 within 60 days.
- Airport lounges
- Cinema offers
-
0%matchHSBC UAE · Emirates Skywards
HSBC Emirates Skywards Signature Credit Card
1.75 Skywards Miles per USD on Emirates and flydubai
- Annual fee
- AED 1,050
- Min. salary
- AED 10,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 20k in 60 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus25,000 Skywards Miles (pay the annual fee); 15,000 Skywards Miles + fast track to Silver when you spend AED 20,000 within 60 days.
- Airport lounges
- Cinema offers
-
0%matchCitibank UAE · Flexible travel points
Citi Ultima Credit Card
5 Citi Miles per USD on non-AED spend
- Annual fee
- AED 3,150
- Min. salary
- Not published
- Bonus needs
- AED 25k in 60 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonusAED 1,500 statement credit when you spend AED 25,000 within 60 days.
- Airport lounges
- Golf
-
0%matchCitibank UAE
Citi Prestige Credit Card
3 ThankYou Points per USD on non-AED spend
- Annual fee
- AED 1,575
- Min. salary
- AED 30,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 15k in 60 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonusAED 1,000 statement credit when you spend AED 15,000 within 60 days.
- Airport lounges
- Golf
- Valet parking
-
0%matchCitibank UAE
Citi Premier Credit Card
3 ThankYou Points per USD on dining, fuel and groceries
- Annual fee
- AED 787.5
- Min. salary
- AED 15,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 10k in 60 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonusAED 750 statement credit when you spend AED 10,000 within 60 days.
- Airport lounges
- Cinema offers
- Golf
-
0%matchCitibank UAE
Citi Rewards Credit Card
1.5 ThankYou Points per USD on groceries and non-AED spend
- Annual fee
- AED 315 from yr 2
- Min. salary
- AED 8,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 6k in 60 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonusAED 300 statement credit when you spend AED 6,000 within 60 days.
- Airport lounges
- Cinema offers
-
0%matchCitibank UAE
Citi Cash Back Credit Card
3% on non-AED spend
- Annual fee
- AED 315 from yr 2
- Min. salary
- AED 8,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 6k in 60 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonusAED 300 statement credit when you spend AED 6,000 within 60 days.
- Airport lounges
-
0%matchIslamicDubai Islamic Bank · Emirates Skywards
Emirates Skywards DIB Infinite Covered Card
2 Skywards Miles per USD with Emirates
- Annual fee
- AED 2,500
- Min. salary
- AED 20,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 73.5k in 120 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus25,000 Skywards Miles (activate the card); 25,000 Skywards Miles (balance transfer of AED 50,000+ kept for 6 months); 25,000 Skywards Miles when you spend AED 73,450 within 120 days.
- Airport lounges
- Airport transfers
- Valet parking
-
0%matchIslamicDubai Islamic Bank
Prime Infinite Card
3 Wala'a rewards per AED on local spend
- Annual fee
- See bank
- Min. salary
- AED 20,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
- Airport lounges
- Valet parking
- Concierge
-
0%matchIslamicDubai Islamic Bank
Prime Signature Card
2.5 Wala'a rewards per AED on local spend
- Annual fee
- See bank
- Min. salary
- AED 15,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
- Airport lounges
- Valet parking
-
0%matchIslamicDubai Islamic Bank
Prime Platinum Card
2 Wala'a rewards per AED on local spend
- Annual fee
- See bank
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
-
0%matchIslamicDubai Islamic Bank
Prime Gold Card
0.6 Wala'a rewards per AED on local spend
- Annual fee
- See bank
- Min. salary
- AED 5,000
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
-
0%matchIslamicFree for lifeDubai Islamic Bank
Prime Classic Card
0.5 Wala'a rewards per AED on local spend
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- Not published
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
- Roadside assistance
-
0%matchIslamicAbu Dhabi Islamic Bank · Etihad Guest
Etihad Guest Visa Infinite Covered Card
3.5 Etihad Guest Miles per AED 4 with Etihad and on foreign currency spend
- Annual fee
- AED 3,000
- Min. salary
- Not published
- Bonus needs
- No spend needed
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonusUp to 100,000 Etihad Guest Miles (See ADIB's offer terms (extra bonus campaign runs alongside)).
- Airport lounges
- Golf
- Valet parking
-
0%matchIslamicAbu Dhabi Islamic Bank · Emirates Skywards
Emirates Skywards Visa Infinite Card
3 Skywards Miles per AED 3.68 (USD 1) on Emirates and flydubai
- Annual fee
- AED 4,500
- Min. salary
- Not published
- Bonus needs
- No spend needed
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus50,000 Skywards Miles (activate and make a first purchase within 30 days (bank says a spend threshold applies)).
- Airport lounges
- Valet parking
- Golf
-
0%matchIslamicAbu Dhabi Islamic Bank · Emirates Skywards
Emirates Skywards Visa Signature Card
2.5 Skywards Miles per USD on Emirates and flydubai
- Annual fee
- AED 1,500
- Min. salary
- Not published
- Bonus needs
- No spend needed
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus25,000 Skywards Miles (activate and make a first purchase within 30 days (bank says a spend threshold applies)).
- Airport lounges
- Valet parking
- Golf
-
0%matchIslamicAbu Dhabi Islamic Bank · Hotel points
Marriott Bonvoy ADIB Visa Infinite Card
8 Bonvoy points per USD at Marriott hotels
- Annual fee
- AED 2,500
- Min. salary
- Not published
- Bonus needs
- AED 55.1k in 90 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (get the card and make a first purchase within 30 days); 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend AED 55,088 within 90 days.
- Airport lounges
-
0%matchIslamicAbu Dhabi Islamic Bank
ADIB Aldar Visa Infinite Card
10% back in Darna Points at Aldar malls and hotels
- Annual fee
- AED 999
- Min. salary
- Not published
- Bonus needs
- No spend needed
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus20,000 Darna Points (AED 1,000) (activate and make a first purchase within 30 days).
- Airport lounges
- Valet parking
- Golf
-
0%matchIslamicEmirates Islamic · Emirates Skywards
Emirates Islamic Skywards Black Card
Up to 3.5 Skywards Miles per USD with Emirates
- Annual fee
- AED 2,100
- Min. salary
- Not published
- Bonus needs
- AED 18.4k in 365 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonusSkywards Gold for 12 months (with the fast-track fee) when you spend AED 18,362 within 365 days.
- Airport lounges
- Airport transfers
- Valet parking
-
0%matchIslamicEmirates Islamic · Emirates Skywards
Emirates Islamic Skywards Infinite Card
Up to 2 Skywards Miles per USD with Emirates and flydubai
- Annual fee
- AED 2,100
- Min. salary
- Not published
- Bonus needs
- AED 30k in 180 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus20,000 Skywards Miles (pay the AED 2,100 fee); First-year fee refunded instead of the Miles bonus when you spend AED 30,000 within 180 days.
- Airport lounges
- Valet parking
- Golf
-
0%matchIslamicEmirates Islamic · Etihad Guest
Emirates Islamic Etihad Guest Premium Card
3.5 Etihad Guest Miles per USD with Etihad Airways
- Annual fee
- AED 1,575
- Min. salary
- Not published
- Bonus needs
- No spend needed
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus55,000 Etihad Guest Miles (pay the annual fee).
- Airport lounges
- Airport transfers
- Valet parking
-
0%matchIslamicEmirates Islamic · Etihad Guest
Emirates Islamic Etihad Guest Saqer Card
3 Etihad Guest Miles per USD with Etihad Airways
- Annual fee
- AED 943.95
- Min. salary
- Not published
- Bonus needs
- No spend needed
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus30,000 Etihad Guest Miles (pay the annual fee).
- Airport lounges
- Airport transfers
- Valet parking
-
0%matchIslamicEmirates Islamic · Etihad Guest
Emirates Islamic Etihad Guest Ameera Card
3 Etihad Guest Miles per USD with Etihad Airways
- Annual fee
- AED 733.95
- Min. salary
- Not published
- Bonus needs
- No spend needed
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus20,000 Etihad Guest Miles (pay the annual fee).
- Airport lounges
- Airport transfers
- Valet parking
-
0%matchIslamicEmirates Islamic · Etihad Guest
Emirates Islamic Etihad Guest Platinum Card
2 Etihad Guest Miles per USD with Etihad Airways
- Annual fee
- AED 208.95
- Min. salary
- Not published
- Bonus needs
- No spend needed
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus5,000 Etihad Guest Miles (pay the annual fee).
- Cinema offers
-
0%matchIslamicEmirates Islamic
Emirates Islamic Flex Elite Covered Card
Up to 3.75 EI SmartMiles per AED on foreign currency spend
- Annual fee
- AED 735
- Min. salary
- Not published
- Bonus needs
- No bonus
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
No welcome bonus right now
- Airport lounges
- Valet parking
- Golf
-
0%matchIslamicFree for lifeEmirates Islamic
Emirates Islamic Flex Card
Up to 2.25 EI SmartMiles per AED on foreign currency spend
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- Not published
- Bonus needs
- No spend needed
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonus10,000 EI SmartMiles (on card approval).
- Cinema offers
-
0%matchIslamicFree for lifeUAE nationals onlyEmirates Islamic
Emirates Islamic Emarati Card
Up to 3.75 EI SmartMiles per AED on foreign currency spend
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- Not published
- Bonus needs
- AED 15k in 60 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonusAED 1,000 cashback when you spend AED 15,000 within 60 days.
- Airport lounges
- Valet parking
- Cinema offers
-
0%matchIslamicFree for lifeEmirates Islamic
Emirates Islamic Amazon World Card
Up to 6% back on Amazon.ae (Prime)
- Annual fee
- Free for life
- Min. salary
- AED 15,000
- Bonus needs
- AED 10k in 60 days
- Top rate needs
- No minimum
Welcome bonusUp to AED 250 in Amazon points (Prime members) when you spend AED 10,000 within 60 days; Up to AED 250 more (Prime members) when you spend AED 2,500 within 60 days.
- Airport lounges
- Valet parking
- Golf
No cards fit those filters yet.
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Questions people ask
Which UAE credit cards have no foreign transaction fee?
Among the cards we list, Emirates NBD dnata World, FAB Travel, ADCB Traveller and FAB Z say they charge no foreign currency or foreign transaction fee. Card schemes may still apply their own exchange rate.