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Top 8 Credit Cards For You While Traveling Abroad

The best credit card for overseas travel can make your trips more enjoyable and cost-effective. These cards offer numerous benefits, including rewards on purchases, travel insurance, and discounts on bookings. Whether you're a frequent flyer or planning a vacation, choosing the right card can enhance your travel experience. ...read more

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Most Popular Credit Card in UAE

No Annual Fee Credit Card

Why Should You Apply for Credit Cards to Use Abroad?

Whether you are a frequent traveller or an aspiring wanderlust, the best credit card for overseas travel is a must. Here are some advantages of using such cards —

  • Earn Miles and Points on Your Purchases. This type of credit card in UAE allows you to earn miles and points on everyday purchases that can be redeemed for flights, hotels, and travel expenses. Many offer bonus points for categories like dining, helping you save for your next vacation.
  • Travel Insurance and Protection. A typical card for overseas travel includes travel insurance and protection, offering peace of mind while you’re away. Benefits can cover trip cancellations, baggage delays, and rental car issues, helping you avoid unexpected costs and stress during your journey.
  • Save on Travel Costs. You redeem the points you accumulate at top airlines, hotels, and upgrades. Additionally, some credit cards to use abroad also offer discounts on several booking platforms. 
  • Travel in Luxury. With the best credit card for overseas travel, you can travel in luxury with premium airport lounge access, fast-tracks, stays at luxury hotels worldwide, and more. 

8 Best Credit Cards to Travel Internationally

Here’s the list of the 8 best credit cards to travel internationally —

Credit Cards Benefits Apply
HSBC Emirates Skywards Infinite Credit Card
  • Earn 20,000 Skywards Miles as a sign-up bonus after you pay the annual fees
  • Another 30,000 Skywards Miles as a welcome bonus on a minimum spend of AED 50,000 (on eligible spends) within the first 60 days
  • Up to 2.75 Skywards Miles for every USD spent
  • Complimentary Emirates Silver Tier membership
  • Free access to over 1,200 international airport lounges (you + 1 guest)
  • Get a 12-month complimentary Careem Plus subscription
  • Up to 7% back as wallet credit with Booking.com
  • Free travel cover of up to USD 500,000 for you and your family for up to 90 days
  • Enjoy stays at luxury hotels globally with Visa Luxury Hotels
Apply Now
FAB Etihad Guest Signature Credit Card
  • Get 35,000 Etihad Guest Miles as a welcome bonus
  • Free access to more than 1,000 airport lounges worldwide
  • 50% Miles discount voucher upon spending AED 150,000
  • Get fast-tracked to Etihad Guest Silver status
  • Up to 2 free in-flight Wi-Fi vouchers for up to 24 hours of uptime on Etihad flights
  • Earn up to 2.75 Etihad Guest Miles for every AED 10 spent on domestic transactions
  • Up to 4.5 Etihad Guest Miles for every AED 10 spent on international transactions
  • Up to 5.5 Etihad Guest Miles for every AED 10 spent with Etihad or Etihad Airways partners
  • Earn 2.5 Etihad Tier Miles for every AED 10 spent domestically and abroad
  • Get 2 discounted airport transfers annually
  • 24/7 travel concierge service 
  • Complimentary travel accident insurance of up to USD 500,000
Apply Now
Deem Finance World Mastercard Credit Card
  • Earn JOY Points in the travel category, with up to —
    5 JOY points on airline spending
    5 JOY points on hotel spends
    5 JOY points on dining spends
    5 JOY points on international spends
    0.5 JOY points on other spends
  • Up to 20% discount on grocery or food orders (capped at AED 14) up to twice a month on the talabat app
  • BOGO offer at VOX Cinemas
  • Earn JOY Points in the lifestyle category, with up to —
    5 JOY points on entertainment spends
    5 JOY points on departmental store spending
    5 JOY points on supermarket spends
    5 JOY points on dining spends
    0.5 JOY points on other retail spends
Apply Now
Citi Ultima Credit Card
  • Up to 50% discount on air travel tickets (up to AED 2,000) once a year
  • Get up to 5 Citi Miles for every USD 1 spent on non-AED spends
  • Earn up to 2.5 Citi Miles for every USD 1 spent on AED spends
  • Up to 30,000 Citi Miles as a bonus annually upon paying the annual fee
  • Up to 4 airport rides per year (up to AED 84 each) on the Careem app
  • Airport security fast-track 3 times per year 
  • Up to 4 times free home check-ins per year
  • Unlimited 3rd night free stay at any hotel worldwide
  • Get the Marhaba Silver Meet and Greet twice a year
  • Up to 20% discount (max AED 14) on food and grocery orders once a month on the talabat app. 
  • Up to 2 complimentary valet parking visits per month at select locations across the UAE
Apply Now
Liv. Cashback Plus Credit Card
  • Earn up to 10,000 Skywards Miles per month
  • Get access to over 800 global airport lounges 
  • Up to 10% discount on Musafir.com
  • Up to 15% off on Trip.com
  • One free ride to the airport per year on Careem
  • Up to USD 500,000 coverage as travel medical insurance
  • Up to 7% back as wallet credit on Booking.com
  • Tax-free international shopping with Global Blue VIP Services
  • Up to AED 1,500 cashback per month
  • Up to 20% discount on 1 order per month on the Careem app
  • AED 40 discount on 1 order per month on Carrefour 
Apply Now

Welcome Bonus Credit Card

HSBC Emirates Skywards Signature Credit Card
  • Earn 10,000 Skywards Miles as a sign-up bonus after paying the annual fees
  • Get an additional 15,000 Skywards Miles + fast-track to Silver Tier membership — simply spend AED 20,000 or more within the first 60 days
  • Up to 1.75 Skywards Miles for every USD 1 spent
  • Get deals on dining, shopping, travelling, and more across the globe with home&Away
  • Up to 7% back as wallet credit on Booking.com
  • Up to 30% discount at YQ Airport Meet and Assist at more than 450 locations globally
  • Enjoy luxury stays at hotels worldwide with Visa Luxury Hotels and get the best rate guarantees, complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, and more
  • Complimentary cover of up to USD 500,000 for you and your family (up to 90 days) under multi-trip travel insurance
Apply Now
Citi Prestige Credit Card
  • Earn 3 ThankYou points for every USD 1 spent on non-AED spends
  • Earn 2 ThankYou points for every USD 1 spent on domestic purchases
  • Get an additional 10,000 bonus ThankYou points per year by paying the annual fee
  • Redeem the points for cashback or transfer points to 11 major airlines/hotels
  • Free 4th night stay at any hotel globally
  • Access to more than 1,200 airport lounges worldwide (for you, supplementary cardholder + 1 free guest each per visit); up to 14 complimentary visits per year (subject to non-AED spends)
  • Up to 7 % wallet credit upon booking your next stay with Booking.com
  • 3 fast-track airport check services per year
  • Travel accident and medical insurance coverage
  • 4 airport transfers per year via the Careem app
Apply Now
FAB Cashback World Credit Card
  • 40% discount on flights and hotel bookings with MakeMyTrip
  • Get a 10% bonus in your MMT wallet for each traveller, with a maximum of 5 people per booking 
  • Up to 20% discount on hotel bookings with MakeMyTrip
  • Up to 8 complimentary visits to worldwide airport lounges per year and 6 free visits for you + another guest
  • 3% cashback on spending while travelling
  • 1 free airport transfer
  • Earn cashback as follows —
    5% cashback on every AED 1 spent in supermarkets
    5% cashback for every AED 1 spent on fashion
    5% cashback for every AED 1 spent on dining
    1% cashback on every AED 1 on other spending categories, excluding select categories
    Earn 3% cashback on non-AED spending 
  • 40% discount on orders on the Talabat app — up to 4 times a month — with a minimum order of AED 100
Apply Now

Tips to Choose the Best Credit Card for Overseas Travel

Here are some hacks to choose the best credit card for foreign travel —

  1. Check your travel frequency
  2. Select the type of card you want, like an airline-branded or hotel card
  3. Check the rewards, cashback, and points
  4. Understand your spending habits and priorities 
  5. Read the terms and conditions

Trip Offer Credit Card

Eligibility Criteria to Apply for Cards for Overseas Travel

The general eligibility criteria to apply for the best credit card for use overseas are as follows —

  • Minimum Age - 21 years
  • Minimum monthly salary - AED 5,000
  • Nationality - UAE nationals and residents

Note — The criteria can slightly vary as per the bank. Make sure to read the terms and conditions thoroughly. 

Documents to Apply for the Best Credit Card for Foreign Travel

Here is the list of documents that you need to apply for the best credit card for overseas travel —

For salaried individuals

  • A duly filled-in application form
  • Emirates ID
  • UAE residence visa
  • Salary certificate/salary slip
  • Last 3 to 6 months’ personal bank account statements

For self-employed individuals 

  • Emirates ID
  • Passport
  • UAE residence visa
  • Trade licence
  • Memorandum of association
  • Last 3 to 6 months’ personal bank account statements

Hacks to Maximise on Credit Cards for Use Overseas

Here are some easy ways to maximise the rewards on credit card for use abroad —

  • Book flights and hotels using the card
  • Track the reward expiry dates
  • Pay bills on time to avoid interest 
  • Whenever feasible, ask to redeem points at the time of promotion

Find the best credit card to travel internationally only on Paisabazaar.ae and make the most of your travelling experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Which is the best credit card for overseas travel in the UAE?

Ans: The best credit card to use abroad is the one that meets your spend requirements. Usually, Visa and Mastercard cards are considered the top ones for overseas travel. 

Q2: Do credit cards for use abroad offer travel insurance?

Ans: Yes, credit cards to use abroad often offer travel insurance benefits. 

Q3: Are these cards accepted internationally?

Ans: Yes, these cards to use abroad are accepted internationally. 

Q4: Do travel credit cards in UAE offer free airport lounge access?

Ans: Yes, travel credit cards offer complimentary international lounge access.

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