Choosing the best credit card in the UAE can be overwhelming. With dozens of banks offering different cashback percentages, rewards, and loyalty programs, it’s hard to know which one gives the best value for your lifestyle. Whether you’re a salaried individual spending AED 15K+ monthly on school fees, groceries, utilities, or online shopping—or someone looking for niche perks like fuel cashback or Talabat discounts—this guide summarizes the real-life experiences of UAE residents shared on Reddit and other forums. Let’s break down the top credit cards in the UAE, their pros and cons, and which card is best suited to your needs.
1. ENBD DUO Credit Card – Best Overall for Daily Expenses
Key Benefits:
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Up to 5% cashback on groceries, school fees, utility bills, and telecom.
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Free for life (on meeting minimum spending).
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Points redeemable for Etihad Guest Miles or cashback.
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Widely accepted across all categories.
User Verdict:
Perfect for people spending AED 15K+ monthly. One user mentioned getting up to AED 2,000 in Duo points by optimizing category spend.
Drawback:
Cap on cashback categories; ensure your expenses are aligned to get maximum value.
2. Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) Platinum Cashback Card – Best for Flat-Rate Cashback
Key Benefits:
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4% cashback on major spending categories: fuel, groceries, education, bills.
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AED 1,000 total cashback cap per billing cycle.
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Cashback automatically applied to next bill.
User Verdict:
Highly appreciated for simplicity—no need to manually redeem cashback. One user highlighted it as “zero headache” and perfect for heavy spenders.
Drawback:
Annual fee of AED 250 (easy to recover if used well).
3. Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) Cashback Card – Best for Online and Wallet Transactions
Key Benefits:
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10% cashback on online purchases and Apple/Samsung Pay transactions.
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Up to AED 300 monthly cashback.
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No need to manually redeem cashback.
User Verdict:
Praised for high digital spend rewards. Some users noted confusion over eligibility (like fixed deposits), but it’s not required if your salary is above AED 8K.
Drawback:
Limited cashback on other categories; best used for specific transactions.
4. Ajman Bank Ultracash – Best for Online and School Fee Payments
Key Benefits:
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5% cashback on online spending and school fees (offline).
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Cashback up to AED 200/month.
User Verdict:
Popular among parents due to the school fee cashback. A smart pick when combined with other cards.
Drawback:
Limited monthly cap and offline-only school fee cashback.
5. Mashreq Noon Credit Card – Best for Noon Shoppers
Key Benefits:
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5% cashback on Noon purchases.
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Sometimes cashback is increased to 10% during promotions.
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No minimum spend during offer periods.
User Verdict:
A favorite among frequent Noon shoppers. Best to keep as a supplementary card.
Drawback:
Limited to Noon purchases; not for general use.
6. ADCB Talabat Credit Card – Best for Food Delivery
Key Benefits:
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10% cashback (up to AED 35 per order) on 10 Talabat orders/month.
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Additional discounts and offers for dining.
User Verdict:
Great for those who order food regularly. Users suggest pairing it with general cashback cards for maximum benefit.
Drawback:
Benefit limited to food orders; doesn’t help with grocery or fuel.
7. WIO Credit Card – Best No-Frills, Backup Card
Key Benefits:
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2% flat cashback on all categories.
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Works well as a fallback when other cards don’t offer cashback.
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No minimum salary or income deposit required.
User Verdict:
Considered a good backup when primary cards don’t cover certain transactions.
Drawback:
Low cashback rate; only suitable when others fail.
8. Emirates Islamic RTA Credit Card – Best for Fuel
Key Benefits:
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10% cashback on fuel (up to AED 100/month).
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Great for regular commuters.
User Verdict:
Perfect for those spending AED 1K+/month on fuel. One user claimed they only use this card for petrol and it has paid off for years.
Drawback:
Limited use case outside fuel expenses.
9. FAB DU Credit Card – Caution Advised
Offered Perks (on paper):
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10% cashback on DU services.
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Discounts with Noon and Amazon.
User Complaints:
Numerous users warned about hidden fees, poor customer service, and unannounced cashback term changes. Multiple complaints include:
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Annual fee revision from AED 300 to AED 500 without notice.
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Cashback rate cut from 5% to <1%.
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Customer support ignoring or mishandling complaints.
Verdict: Avoid unless offered with a waiver and you understand all terms.
10. Citibank Cashback and Rewards Cards – Best Customer Support
Key Benefits:
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Up to 3% cashback on non-AED spending.
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Exceptional customer service: direct agent access without going through IVR maze.
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Flexible reward options including miles and vouchers.
User Verdict:
Known for responsive service and high reliability. Highly recommended for frequent international spenders.
Drawback:
Eligibility can be strict; higher income requirements.
Should You Have Multiple Credit Cards?
Yes—if you’re disciplined. having 2–3 cards tailored to different categories (fuel, grocery, online, food delivery) can maximize savings without added costs. Just make sure to:
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Pay full balances monthly.
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Track spending per card.
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Stay under the 50% Debt Burden Ratio (DBR) to remain eligible for future credit.
Final Recommendations (Based on Spend Habits):
| Spending Type | Recommended Card(s) |
|---|---|
| Grocery & Utilities | ENBD DUO / DIB Platinum |
| School Fees | ENBD DUO / Ajman Ultracash |
| Online Shopping | SIB Cashback / Ajman Ultracash / Citibank |
| Food Delivery | ADCB Talabat |
| Fuel | Emirates Islamic RTA / DIB Platinum |
| General Backup | WIO |
| Frequent Noon Use | Mashreq Noon |
Conclusion
There’s no one-size-fits-all “best” credit card in the UAE. The right card depends on your salary, spending habits, lifestyle, and whether you’re okay managing multiple cards. That said, ENBD DUO and DIB Cashback consistently stand out for value and simplicity.
