Last updated: June 23, 2026 · Travel credit cards compared: 10 · Data source: issuer product pages, recorded in the Buzdy database · cited pages where we hold them
Reviewed by Zia Shahid, Buzdy Banking Editor · Our methodology
? In this guide
Looking for the best travel credit card in UAE in 2026? We compared 10 travel credit cards from top banks in UAE to help you find the right one for your needs, income, and lifestyle.
This guide covers fees, interest rates, eligibility, rewards, and key benefits for every option. All data is sourced from official bank product pages and updated as of June 23, 2026.
Quick Comparison: All 10 Travel credit cards in UAE
Side-by-side comparison of the travel credit card options Buzdy has verified data for in UAE as of June 23, 2026. Tap any name for full details.
| Travel credit card | Bank | Rate / Eligibility | Top Features | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. ADCB Traveller Credit Card | Abu Dhabi Commercial… | — | AED 2,000 hotel stay voucher, free Careem airport tr… | View → |
| 2. ADIB Booking Infinite Card | Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank | — | Hotel booking discounts, dining cashback, airport lo… | View → |
| 3. ADCB Infinite Credit Card | Abu Dhabi Commercial… | — | Suite upgrades, Executive Lounge access at Raffles, … | View → |
| 4. Mashreq Solitaire | Mashreq | — | 2 free valet parking per cycle | View → |
| 5. ADIB Etihad Guest Gold Card | Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank | — | — | View → |
| 6. ADIB Booking Signature Card | Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank | — | 10% hotel discount, 25% restaurant discounts, ADIB R… | View → |
| 7. Emirates NBD Mastercard Titanium | Emirates NBD | — | 30% dining discounts at 2,000+ restaurants, 0% inter… | View → |
| 8. NBF Infinite Credit Card | National Bank of Fuj… | — | 24/7 personal concierge, double warranty, Buy 1 Get … | View → |
| 9. ADIB Etihad Guest Classic Card | Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank | — | — | View → |
| 10. ADIB EDGE Card | Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank | — | Shopping discounts, lounge access, purchase protection | View → |
Top 10 Travel Credit Cards in UAE (2026)
1. ADCB Traveller Credit Card
Bank: Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
- Annual Fee: AED 1,575 (incl. VAT)
- Travel Cashback: 10% on airlines and hotels worldwide
- Domestic Cashback: 1.5% on all other spending
- Benefits: AED 2,000 hotel stay voucher, free Careem airport transfers, complimentary airport lounge access
The ADCB Traveller is the top travel cashback card in the UAE — 10% back on every flight and hotel booking worldwide. Includes free Careem rides to the airport.
2. ADIB Booking Infinite Card
Bank: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
- Travel Cashback: 7% on flights, 5% on fuel
- Flexibility: Earn and use points with any airline, any hotel, anywhere
- Benefits: Hotel booking discounts, dining cashback, airport lounge access, free valet, Shariah-compliant
The ADIB Booking Infinite Card is the best Shariah-compliant travel card — 7% back on flights with the flexibility to book any airline or hotel worldwide.
3. ADCB Infinite Credit Card
Bank: Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
- Rewards: 3 Reward points per AED 1 at Accor hotels in UAE
- Benefits: Suite upgrades, Executive Lounge access at Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel; up to 50,000 welcome points
Premium hotel-focused card ideal for frequent Accor guests in the UAE. Suite upgrades and Executive Lounge access at Raffles, Fairmont and Sofitel properties.
4. Mashreq Solitaire
Bank: Mashreq
- Annual Fee: Zero
- Cashback: 5% on noon/dining, up to 1% on all other
- Lounges: 1,000+ airport lounges for you, supplementary cardholders and a guest
- Insurance: Multi-trip travel insurance up to 90 days
- Benefits: 2 free valet parking per cycle
The Mashreq Solitaire is the best free travel card in the UAE — access to 1,000+ lounges, multi-trip insurance, and zero annual fees. Hard to beat.
5. ADIB Etihad Guest Gold Card
Bank: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
- Miles: Up to 1.5 Etihad Guest Miles per AED 4 spent
- Welcome Bonus: Double signup Etihad Guest miles
- Shariah-Compliant: Yes
Best card for Etihad frequent flyers — earn Etihad Guest Miles on every purchase and redeem for flights, upgrades and experiences.
6. ADIB Booking Signature Card
Bank: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
- Cashback: 5% on flights, 4% on fuel
- Benefits: 10% hotel discount, 25% restaurant discounts, ADIB Rewards points
Mid-tier travel card from ADIB with solid flight cashback and hotel discounts. Shariah-compliant alternative to conventional travel cards.
7. Emirates NBD Mastercard Titanium
Bank: Emirates NBD
- Annual Fee: Free for life
- Rewards: Plus Points convertible to Frequent Flyer Miles or cashback
- Lounges: 10+ VIP lounges across the Middle East
- Benefits: 30% dining discounts at 2,000+ restaurants, 0% interest payment plans up to 24 months
Free-for-life card that earns Plus Points convertible to airline miles. Access to 10+ VIP lounges across the Middle East plus travel desk discounts.
8. NBF Infinite Credit Card
Bank: National Bank of Fujairah
- Cashback: Up to 3% unlimited on all retail purchases
- Lounges: Unlimited airport lounge access for you and a guest via LoungeKey
- Benefits: 24/7 personal concierge, double warranty, Buy 1 Get 1 at VOX/Reel Cinemas
The NBF Infinite offers unlimited lounge access for two — one of the few UAE cards that includes a guest. Solid 3% unlimited cashback on all purchases.
9. ADIB Etihad Guest Classic Card
Bank: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
- Miles: 1 Etihad Guest Mile per AED 4 spent
- Welcome Bonus: 10,000 Etihad Guest Miles
Entry-level Etihad miles card with a generous 10,000-mile welcome bonus — one of the highest in the region for a starter travel card.
10. ADIB EDGE Card
Bank: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
- Rewards: 2.5 reward points per AED 1 spent
- Dining: 10% dining cashback
- Benefits: Shopping discounts, lounge access, purchase protection
The ADIB Edge Card offers a world of infinite possibilities with one of the highest reward-point rates in the UAE at 2.5 points per AED 1.
7 Smart Tips Before You Apply
What banks won't put in their marketing — but every smart applicant should know.
- Compare APR, not just headline rates. The advertised "low interest" is usually a promo. The real cost is the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) after fees, balance transfer charges, and FX markups. A 1.5% monthly rate is actually ~19.6% APR.
- Read the small print on rewards. Banks advertise "5% cashback" but cap it at $20/month. After the cap, you earn 0.5%. Always check the monthly cap, eligible merchants, and minimum spend requirements.
- Know your credit profile before applying. Each rejected application damages your credit score. Use the bank's pre-qualification check (soft pull) before submitting a formal application (hard pull).
- Avoid cash advances at all costs. Cash advance APR is usually 5-10% higher than purchase APR, with no grace period and an upfront fee of 2-5% of the amount. Use only in emergencies.
- Set up direct debit for the full balance. Paying only the minimum (often 5% of balance) means interest accrues on the rest. A balance of $1,000 paid at minimum costs ~$1,400 in interest over 5 years.
- Use foreign-fee-free cards abroad. Standard cards charge 2-3% on every foreign transaction plus FX markup. Travel cards charge 0%. On a $3,000 holiday, that's $90 saved.
- Watch the annual fee waiver conditions. Many premium cards waive fees in year 1 only or require a minimum annual spend (e.g. $5,000) to keep the waiver. Set a reminder before renewal.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The five most expensive errors people make with travel credit cards:
- Applying for too many cards at once. Each application is a hard credit pull. 3+ pulls in 6 months drops your score 30-50 points. Space out applications by at least 90 days.
- Only paying the minimum. If you have $5,000 balance at 24% APR and pay only the minimum (5%), you'll pay $1,500+ in interest before clearing the debt. Always pay in full when possible.
- Ignoring the fine print on welcome bonuses. "Get $200 cashback!" usually requires spending $3,000 in 90 days. Read the qualifying spend, the eligible categories, and the payout timeline.
- Not using benefits you've already paid for. If you pay a $400 annual fee for a card with airport lounge access, lost-baggage insurance, and concierge — use them. Most users don't claim 80% of what they paid for.
- Treating credit cards as free money. They're high-cost short-term loans. The minimum payment cycle is designed to keep you indebted for 7-10 years on average.
How to Choose the Right Travel credit card in UAE
- Annual fees — compare across banks, some offer zero fee for the first year
- Interest rates — lower rates save money if you carry a balance
- Rewards and benefits — match to your spending habits
- Eligibility — salary and documentation requirements vary by bank
- Digital access — mobile app, internet banking, contactless payments
- Customer support — 24/7 helpline, branch network, dispute resolution time
- Regulation — check the issuer's licence on the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) public register before you apply
Frequently Asked Questions: Travel credit cards in UAE
What is the best travel credit card in UAE for 2026?
The best travel credit card depends on your priorities — income level, spending habits, and eligibility. Use the comparison table above to filter by rate, benefits, and bank. For premium benefits with worldwide acceptance, look at Platinum tier cards. For low income requirements, classic tier cards offer easier eligibility. Compare the 10 products in this guide above.
What credit score do I need for a travel credit card in UAE?
Buzdy does not hold credit-score or credit-bureau data, and each bank sets its own threshold. Of the 10 products in this guide, 10 publish a minimum income requirement — the lowest is AED 5,000 a month (MC Titanium Credit Card, Emirates NBD). The other 0 do not publish one on their product page.
Can I apply online for a travel credit card in UAE?
Yes, most major banks in UAE now offer fully online applications. Tap "View" on any travel credit card above to start the application process directly with the bank.
What documents do I need?
Standard documents: valid government ID, tax identification number, proof of address (utility bill or rental agreement), latest 3 months of payslips (for salaried applicants) or 6 months of bank statements (self-employed), and a recent passport-size photograph. Exact requirements vary by bank.
Are these travel credit cards regulated and safe?
Retail banking in United Arab Emirates is supervised by Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). Buzdy has not individually verified the licence status of each issuer on this page, so check the regulator’s own public register before you apply — and escalate an unresolved dispute there.
What annual fee do credit cards in UAE charge?
Of the 162 credit cards Buzdy lists for United Arab Emirates, 62 publish an annual fee amount, from AED 99 to AED 2,625 with a median of AED 731 (figures shown in AED; a few are quoted in other currencies on their own pages). 39 are published as free and 61 do not publish a figure at all. Fees differ by bank and tier and change over time, so check the product page for its exact schedule.
Can I get a travel credit card if I am self-employed in UAE?
Yes. Self-employed applicants typically need: business registration, latest tax returns, 6 months of bank statements, and audited financials (for higher tiers). Approval rates are lower than for salaried applicants but several banks specifically cater to small business owners.
What happens if I default on payments?
Missed payments trigger late fees, a credit-score drop, and a higher interest rate going forward. After 90 days of non-payment, the account goes to collections and is reported to credit bureaus. Contact your bank BEFORE missing a payment if you have trouble — most banks offer hardship plans.
Related Guides for UAE
- All banks in UAE
- Bank branches across UAE
- Credit Cards In UAE 2026
- Personal Loans In UAE 2026
- Savings Accounts In UAE 2026
- UAE EMI calculator
- UAE savings calculator
How We Compare
Our editorial team reviews each product based on annual fees, interest rates, rewards programs, eligibility requirements, and verified bank disclosures. We update this comparison regularly to reflect the latest offers. Data is sourced from official bank websites and verified where regulatory filings are publicly available.
Buzdy compares products from 555 banks across 51 countries. We are not affiliated with any single bank — our rankings are based on objective criteria outlined in our methodology.
Disclosure: Buzdy may earn a referral commission when you apply through links on our site. Commissions never influence rankings. Read our full editorial standards.
Sign in with Google to join
