Welcome Bonus Credit Cards in UAE

What is a Welcome Bonus Credit Card?

This is a popular credit card category, specifically designed for new cardholders to increase their purchasing power. Here, you receive rewards, miles, cashback amount, or vouchers as a welcome bonus on getting your card approved. 

Understand that the credit sign up rewards may vary depending on the bank or lending institution. Some of the cards require you to do a minimum spending within the first 30 to 60 days of the card issuance. 

Types of Credit Card Opening Bonus in UAE

The types of welcome bonus include —

• Cashback Welcome Bonus - Direct cash gets credited to your credit account
• Sign-up Points/Miles - You get point packages like EI Miles or Shukans for shopping within a given time frame from the date of card issuance
• Partner Specific Vouchers - These rewards are tailored to certain platforms, like Noon credit or Talabat credit

List of the Best Welcome Bonus Credit Cards in UAE

Here’s a list of the welcome bonus credit cards UAE — 

Disclaimer - Terms and Conditions Apply

Best Joining Bonus Credit Card UAE: A Salary-Wise User Profile

Having listed the best credit cards in the UAE that offer welcome bonuses, let’s now explore a salary-wise breakdown of user profiles. With such detailing, you can identify the most suitable welcome bonus card based on your monthly income.

Best Welcome Bonus Credit Cards UAE for Salary Bracket AED 5,000 - AED 8,000
 

Best Joining Bonus Credit Cards for Salary Bracket AED 10,000 — AED 20,000
 

Best Credit Card with Welcome Bonus for Salary AED 25,000+
 

Best Welcome Bonus Credit Card for
 

Type	Credit Cards Options
Cashback Seekers	ADCB 365 Cashback Credit Card, HSBC Live+ Credit Card, ADCB Islamic 365 Cashback Credit Card, ADCB Essential Cashback Credit Card, ADCB Islamic 365 Cashback Credit Card
Frequent Travellers	HSBC Emirates Skywards Signature Credit Card, FAB Etihad Guest Infinite Credit Card, HSBC Emiratres Skywards Infinite Credit Card
First-Time Card Users	Talabat ADCB Credit Card, ADCB Essential Cashback Credit Card, FAB ADNOC Rewards Credit Card, HSBC Live+ Credit Card
Lifestyle & Shopping	ADCB Shukran Credit Card, Blue FAB Islamic Signature by Al-Futtaim Credit Card, FAB Etihad Guest Infinite Credit Card, HSBC Emiratres Skywards Infinite Credit Card, Talabat ADCB Credit Card, ADCB 365 Cashback Credit Card

How Does a Credit Card Sign Up Bonus Work in the UAE?

A credit card bonus sign up offers a one-time reward when the card is issued to a new customer who meets the spending criteria within a specific timeframe after the card issuance. 

Here’s how the credit card opening bonus works -

• You apply for and activate the eligible card, often during a campaign period
• You need to spend a required amount within a specific duration to be eligible
• Eligible transactions usually include retail purchases, including online shopping
• The bonus then gets credited to your account — this usually happens within 60 to 90 days after meeting the eligibility criteria

Note - Some banks may require you to hold the card for a certain period to retain the bonus. 

Are Welcome Bonus Credit Cards UAE Worth It?

Usually, a credit card sign up bonus is worth it if you meet the minimum spending requirements without overspending. These cards are generally worth it if —

1. You have upcoming large expenses
2. You are a first-time card user
3. You are a savvy traveller
4. You have a good credit Score

Here are the perks of the best credit card with welcome bonus -

• These cards offer high-value bonuses for spending
• You get cashback on daily spend
• Enjoy lifestyle and travel perks

What Should You Prioritise: Ongoing Rewards or Joining Bonus?

Here’s a basic difference between a joining bonus credit card and a regular ongoing rewards credit card. 

How to Choose the Right Joining Bonus Credit Card?

To find the right welcome bonus credit card, you should match the bonus to meet your spending requirements without overspending. Here’s how to choose the right card -

• Analyse Your Spending Patterns - Check whether the card meets your requirements, like travel miles for frequent flyers or cashback for daily spenders.
• Evaluate the Bonus Value - Make sure that the welcome bonuses, like points, complimentary memberships, cashback, reward points, outweigh the annual fee.
• Keep a Check on Spending Thresholds - Check if you meet the required spending within the specific timeframe to receive a bonus in real-time.
• Compare the Redemption Options - When choosing the right credit card, make sure you check flexible redemption options, such as cash and travel bookings.

Tips for First-Time Cardholders: Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Credit Card Sign Up Bonus

If you’re a first-time card user, make sure you avoid some common mistakes to maximise the benefit of your best credit card with welcome bonus. These include -

• Overspending to meet the minimum requirement - Don’t go after the welcome bonus if you don’t have the capacity to pay the credit amount. This destroys the value of the reward.
• Ignoring the high annual fee - Some credit cards with a welcome bonus in UAE have a high annual fee. If you are not considering additional perks, such a card could be a trap. 
• Miscalculating the eligibility rules - Read the fine print and check your eligibility before applying for the card. 
• Not paying attention to ineligible purchases - Don’t assume all expenses go toward the minimum requirement. The card may only count purchases of certain goods and services. 
• Missing the timeframe - As soon as you receive the approval date, strategically plan your spending to avoid missing the deadline and securing the welcome bonuses.

Eligibility Criteria to Apply for Joining Bonus Credit Cards in UAE

While the eligibility criteria to apply for the best credit card with welcome bonus vary by bank, here are the general eligibility requirements to be aware of. 

• Minimum Age - 21 years old
• Minimum Monthly Salary - Depends on the bank — some cards require a monthly income of AED 5,000
• Residency - UAE resident

Documents to Apply for the Best Credit Card with Welcome Bonus

The following is a general list of documents required to apply for a welcome bonus credit card in UAE —

• Emirates ID
• Salary certificate
• Passport and UAE residence visa
• Latest bank statements

How to Apply for the Best Welcome Bonus Credit Card UAE?

You can easily apply for the best joining bonus credit card only on Paisabazaar.ae. This is a one-stop platform that not only lets you compare the top cards but also find a personalised option to match your lifestyle and monthly budget. 

To apply, 

• Visit the homepage and fill in the application form present in the ‘Credit Card’ tab
• In the application form, fill in your income to understand your eligibility 
• On the quotes page, view the top card options
• Add the desired filters (if required) and apply for a card digitally

How Does Paisabazaar.ae Help You Find the Right Credit Card Opening Bonus?

On Paisabazaar UAE, you can 

• Do a detailed comparison of the annual fee, welcome bonus program, additional perks, and more
• Compare options based on your monthly income, lifestyle benefits, annual fee, and policies of the issuing back
• Run a quick eligibility check that is integrated into your application form itself
• Digitally apply for a credit card in just a matter of a few clicks

Frequently Asked Questions