1. Check you qualify
Start with the minimum monthly salary. The lowest any bank publishes is AED 5,000, but 43 cards don't publish one. Also check who can apply: 5 cards are for UAE nationals only and 7 are for private or priority banking clients. More in what salary you need.
2. Work out the real annual fee
MoneyVS shows fees including 5% VAT. Of the 170 cards open to everyone, 51 are free for life, while 30 are free only in the first year and then charge a fee. 23 waive the fee if you spend enough in a year, which is worth knowing before you dismiss a card on price.
3. Match the rewards to your spending
Cashback cards pay money back, airline cards earn Skywards or Etihad Guest Miles, and rewards cards earn bank points whose value varies a lot between banks. A card paying 5% on dining is only worth it if you eat out a lot. Most cards pay a much lower rate on bills, government payments, rent and school fees.
4. Look behind the headline rate
23 cards pay their headline rate only above a minimum monthly spend, and 32 cap what you can earn. For example, ADCB 365 Cashback Credit Card pays 6% on dining, but no cashback in months you spend under AED 5,000, and cashback is capped (max AED 1,000 cashback a month). Each card page shows both.
5. Read the welcome bonus conditions
60 cards have a welcome bonus that needs spending to unlock. The median spend needed is AED 20,000, and the biggest is AED 120,000 within 180 days for ENBD Etihad Guest Visa Elevate. Only count a bonus if you'd spend that amount anyway.
6. Check the fees abroad, and Islamic options
Most UAE cards add a fee when you pay in a foreign currency; 7 cards we list don't (see which). If you want a Shariah-compliant card, 66 of the cards open to everyone are Islamic, charging a fixed profit rate instead of interest (Islamic cards).
7. Compare side by side, then check the bank's terms
Use the card matcher to check every card against your salary and spend, tick "Compare" on up to four cards, or read our head-to-head comparisons. Before you apply, read the bank's key facts statement, because terms can change between our weekly checks.
Questions people ask
What should I look for in a UAE credit card?
Whether you meet the salary rule, the annual fee after year one, rewards that match where you spend, any minimum monthly spend or cap on those rewards, what the welcome bonus asks you to spend, and the foreign transaction fee if you travel.
Does comparing cards on MoneyVS affect my credit score?
No. MoneyVS doesn't ask for personal details or run credit checks. Banks check your credit record with the Al Etihad Credit Bureau only when you apply.
Are free for life cards always the best value?
Not always. A card with a fee can pay back more if you spend enough in its bonus categories, and 23 cards waive their fee once you spend a set amount in a year.