Credit Cards
Credit cards are loaded with features and benefits that suit different lifestyles. Find the one that aligns with your spending patterns. ...read more
Best credit cards with 0 Annual fee*
Tanvi Pathak
Cashback Card
Cashback Credit Card
ULTRACASH Mastercard Touch Card
Credit Card in UAE: At a Glance
|
Minimum Salary Required |
AED 5,000 (for basic cards) |
|---|---|
|
Minimum Age |
21 years (varies by bank) |
|
Interest Rate |
Usually starts from 2.49% per month |
|
Key Benefits |
Cashback, reward points, credit building, discounts, and more |
|
Who Should Get One? |
Salaried employees, self-employed individuals, regular shoppers, and so on |
Disclaimer: Rates, fees, and offers mentioned are indicative and may change without notice. They are subject to the issuing bank’s approval and terms.
Features and Benefits of Credit Card in UAE
Find below the key features and benefits of a credit card in UAE –
Flexible and Convenient
You can use your card for booking cinema tickets, buying electronics, buying groceries, paying utilities, or purchasing fashion accessories. This removes the hassle of carrying cash everywhere.
Travel Benefits
Several credit cards in UAE are aligned towards travellers. Such cards come with benefits like lounge access, air miles, discounts on hotel bookings, and more.
Helps Building Credit
Both regular and secured credit cards can help you build your credit score. When you pay your bills on time, you avoid interest and make your credit score stronger.
Savings Ensured
When you use your Dubai credit card, you get rewards like cashback, discounts, and more. Just make sure to pay your bills in full to avoid interest.
Purchase Protection
Several credit cards in Dubai, UAE offer extended warranties and protection against loss, theft or damage on new purchases.
Types of Credit Card in UAE
There are several types of credit cards in UAE, including –
Travel Credit Cards
A travel credit card offers a range of benefits, like free miles, complimentary night stays, discounts on car rentals, and more.
Reward Credit Cards
These cards offer points that you can redeem for several expenses and products or services.
Cashback Credit Cards
This type of card converts a portion of your spending into cash and credits it back to your card account.
Islamic Credit Cards
These are Shariah-compliant credit cards that are free from Riba or Gharar (uncertainty).
Dining Credit Cards
Perfect for foodies, these cards offer discounts at participating restaurants.
Fuel Credit Cards
These cards offer exclusive discounts at petrol pumps.
2500 
We Offer Credit Cards by Salary in the UAE
Here are the best credit card options based on your salary.
For a Salary Bracket of AED 5,000 - AED 8,000
Suitable for - First-time credit cardholders, entry-level professionals, and individuals with a limited credit history
For a Salary Bracket of AED 5,000 - AED 8,000
Suitable for - First-time credit cardholders, entry-level professionals, and individuals with a limited credit history
For a Salary Bracket of AED 5,000 - AED 8,000
Suitable for - First-time credit cardholders, entry-level professionals, and individuals with a limited credit history
For a Salary Bracket of AED 5,000 - AED 8,000
Suitable for - First-time credit cardholders, entry-level professionals, and individuals with a limited credit history
Why Compare Credit Cards on Paisabazaar.ae?
Paisabazaar.ae is more than just a financial marketplace platform! We present to you a platform where you get credit cards and other financial solutions tailored to your spending needs and budget. As part of the same business group as Policybazaar.ae, we aim to change your banking game in the UAE!
Here’s what it means to be a Paisabazaar.ae user!
Access to Comparison Engine
You can easily compare product features, interest rates, reward structures, and annual fees for multiple cards on one screen
Enjoy Personalised Recommendations
We use our integrated tools and suggest you cards that are a right match for your profile and spending patterns
Credit Cards for Every Spend Category
Use our in-built filters to find cards tailored for your specific needs, whether it’s travel, dining, cashback, no annual fees, shopping, or anything else
Convenience and Access Assured
We are a centralised, digital platform where you have the flexibility to explore products from different banks and lending institutions in the UAE
Comparison under One Roof
You no longer need to visit multiple banking websites — simply use our easy-to-use platform and compare credit cards from the leading banks and financial institutions in the UAE
Interesting Facts about Credit Cards in UAE
In the UAE, people carry about 2 to 3 credit cards Many prefer co-branded cards, while some go for standard ones The most preferred reward type is cashback The cards function uniformly across all the Emirates Visa and Mastercard credit cards are the most popular cards as they have widely accepted merchant and lounge networks
Common Credit Card Charges You Should Know
While a typical credit card UAE comes with many charges, let’s take a look at some of the most important ones —
Annual Fee
Charged annually for the primary card
Retail Interest
Interest charged on purchases made using the card
Late Payment Fee
This charge is applicable if you don’t pay your bill on time
Card Replacement Fee
In case you replace the blocked existing card, you need to pay this charge
Supplementary Card Annual Fee
Charged annually for the supplementary card
Cash Advance Fee
It is charged when you take a cash advance on your card
Over Limit Fee
If your spending and interest exceed the prescribed limit, you need to pay this fee
International Transaction Fee
This charge is for using your card in foreign currencies
Pros and Cons of Credit Card in UAE
While credit cards are becoming increasingly popular, you also need to understand their pros and cons to use them mindfully and not fall into a debt trap.
Here are the pros and cons of a typical credit card in UAE —
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| . It offers more purchasing power | . Irresponsible use can lead to buying more than required |
| . You get access to a range of rewards | . Higher interest and a late payment fee if you don’t pay the bill on time |
| . You can track your expenses easily | . Not paying credit card bills can lead to a mountain of debt |
| . More convenient to carry than a stack of cash | |
| . Helps build a credit score and history |
Who Can Apply for a Credit Card in UAE?
Every bank has different eligibility requirements. However, to help you get a general idea, here are the standard criteria.
Minimum Age - 21 years Nationality - UAE nationals and residents Employment Status - Salaried or self-employed individuals Minimum Monthly Income - AED 5,000Tips to Improve Your Credit Card Eligibility
Understand that a credit card in UAE can sometimes be complicated, especially if you are new to such cards and debt. Before applying, it’s important to know how to improve your chances of approval. After all, good usage can build a strong credit history and credit score.
Here are some tips to improve your chances of getting a better credit card in Dubai —
Don’t Miss Out on Any Credit Card Payments - Missing out on card bill payments can harm your AECB credit score, which can hamper your chances of approval. To avoid this, set up auto debits for your bill payments.
Pay in Full Whenever Possible - While partial bill payment doesn’t harm your credit score, it does bring additional interest. This increases your repayment costs and traps you in a debt cycle.
Be Mindful of Your Credit Utilisation - You should keep your utilisation rate under 30% of your credit limit. Overusing your card shows you as a credit-hungry individual to lenders.
Avoid Unnecessary Spending - Overspending is a no-brainer if you have an available credit limit. However, this practice can land you in a tough-to-break debt cycle.
Don’t Apply for Multiple Credit Cards - Avoid applying for multiple cards in one go. This is because credit card applications require a hard inquiry on your credit report, which harms your credit score.
Don’t Close Your Old Credit Cards - Closing your old cards reduces your total credit, increasing your credit utilisation ratio, and even removes a fair share of credit history. This can hurt your credit score.
Documents Required to Apply Credit Card in UAE
Here is the list of documents required to apply for credit card online —
For Salaried Individuals
5 documents requiredFor Self-Employed Individuals
5 documents required
How to Choose the Right Credit Card in UAE?
A credit card in Dubai, UAE, offers financial assistance if you choose the right one. Here are some practical ways to choose the right card.
Understand Your Spending Habits
Compare the Rewards and Benefits
Use our Rewards Calculator to calculate the reward points you are eligible for!
Compare Fees and Interest Rates
Review the fine print for annual fee, late payment charges, interest rate, foreign transaction fee, and more. Make sure you go for a card with a simpler structure.
Review the Card’s Functionality
Check if your card is widely accepted at places that you prefer shopping at. Also, understand the card’s features, like credit limit, spending limits, adding alerts, or freezing the card if needed.
Make Sure Your Card Goes Beyond Welcome Bonuses
While sign-up bonuses are a tempting reason to pick a card, check the rewards on daily spends and other benefits for regular use.
Check the Application Process and Eligibility
Before applying, check the minimum income requirements, application approval time, credit score expectations, and more.
When to Apply for a Credit Card in UAE?
Ideally, you should apply for a credit card only if you have a stable, eligible income and valid documents. Timing also plays a key role in getting your application approved – say you got a bonus, a reasonable increment, or your credit score has increased.
That being said, we have listed some ideal scenarios that we largely vouch for when it comes to applying for a credit card.
When You Have a Stable Salary: At least 3 months of salary needs to be credited to your UAE bank account
Your Company is Listed: Approval comes easily if your employer is listed with the bank
You Meet the Minimum Requirements: If you have started earning a salary that meets the UAE’s banking guidelines, you can apply for a credit card (P.S. the minimum salary threshold is AED 5,000 per month)
You Want to Build your Credit Score: New to the UAE or just started earning? Get entry-level credit cards and build your credit first!
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using a Credit Card in UAE
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using a credit card in Dubai, UAE -
Financial Mistakes
Security and Management Mistakes
Card Usage Mistakes
Ans: The minimum monthly salary for a credit card in UAE is AED 5,000. Many cards, however, may ask for a higher salary.
Ans: Yes, if you apply for multiple cards in a short period of time, your credit score can decrease. This can reduce the chances of card approval.
Ans: Yes, if you are 21 years old (or above) and earn at least AED 5,000 per month, you can apply for credit cards.
Ans: Yes, cards offer different reward programs like cashback, reward points, air miles, lifestyle benefits, and so on.
Ans: Yes, you can apply for credit cards as a self-employed person. Keep in mind that the approval is based on income stability and may require additional documentation.
Ans: Yes, you can use a credit card for online payments. They have security features like fraud monitoring, OTP, and transaction alerts.
Ans: Yes, you can get a credit card even if you are new to the UAE. You can get basic cards, especially if you have a stable income, an employer on the bank’s approved list, and a minimum age of 21 years.
Ans: You should compare the features, charges, reward structure, and benefits before selecting a credit card. Ensure it aligns with your lifestyle and spending patterns.
Ans: Yes, you can have multiple credit cards in the UAE. However, ensure you don’t overuse the card and pay the credit card bill on time.
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