Allow me to share with you the everyday list of my favorite credit cards and their benefits.
First a note: I have been using credit and debit cards for the past 30+ years now. At one time I have over 22+ credit cards. I want to stress the fact that credit cards are not evil as long as you control your spending and pay them off (IN FULL) at the end of the month. Again Pay in Full.
In fact, Credit and Debit cards are proven to be quite beneficial for me. Just this year I made over USD.1360 in cashback from the active cards that you will see below.
Why these cards
I’ve always favored cashback cards over points or miles cards. The reason is that miles tend to mask the extra charges that are being put in place by banks – charges you don’t see because you’re too busy counting your miles – more on that in another post.
This is a not a sponsored post more like an honest review of the cashback cards I own and the features to use and to avoid.
Important Points to note
- Avoid cards with annual fees – opt for cards for the first year free
- Pay your cards in full before the payment date is due
- Use the card that provides you the maximum benefits – cancel the rest
Cards in my wallet
Best for 20% cashback promotion
Mashreq Solitaire – Visa Infinite
What I Use
- AED. 2000 cashback for 3 transactions of AED.100 each in the first 2 months
- 20% cashback (max AED.50 per bill / per brand) on Netflix, ZOmato, Uber, Du, DubaiNow, Talabat, Careem, Etisalat, and Itunes
- Snapp discounts – up to 30% off
- Lounge access – Spend $1 per year to gain access
What I Avoid
- Annual fee – It’s free for the first year – so you know what to do before it renews
- Golf – requires AED.10K spend
- Fitness First – requires AED.10K spend
- Value Parking – requires AED.10K spend
- Airport PIckup – requires AED.10K spend
- Marhaba – requires AED.10K spend
- Car assist– requires AED.10K spend
Best for 7% cashback on Lu Lu Hypermarket
EmiratesNBD LuLu 24/7 – Mastercard Platinum
What I Use
- 7% Cashback on all Lu Lu transactions
- Welcome bonus – 250 LuLu points for signup and completing a transaction to offset the 250 annual fee
- Welcome bonus – 250 LuLu points for spending AED.8000 in the first 2 months
- Valet Parking – 4 complimentary parking per month
- Bon Appetit – Food discounts
- Good Times – Discounts on experiences
- LiveWell – discounts on Fitness and Wellness
- SkyShopper – Online store with discounts across 3100 locations
What I Avoid
- Annual charges – EmiratesNBD allows for one card to be Free for life – make sure its this one
- 4% on fuel spends – higher cashback on Emirates Islamic Nol Card
- 2% on utility bill payments – Higher cashback on Emirates Islamic Nol and FAB Cashback card
- BOGO on Vox – requires AED.4000 in spend
Best for 10% cashback on most restaurants
ADIB Edge – Visa Infinite
What I Use
- 10% cashback – on dining in and on delivery apps e.g. Zomato & Talabat
- Valet Parking – across the UAE
- Lounge Access – Unlimited for Self and Guest
- Roadside Assistance – covers most of what you will need
- Smart Deals – an online store with discounts
What I Avoid
- Annual Fee – AED.750 – I got mine free through an upgrade from Barclays takeover – find a way to get it free or become a Diamond customer
Best for 1.5% cashback on all purchases
Noor Bank Rewards – Mastercard World
What I Use
- 1.5% cashback – for all domestics spends – highest I’ve found
- Annual Fees – No annual fees
- Roadside Assistance – Free for a host of services
- Car registration – Free pick up and drop for car passing. Registration to be completed online
- Car servicing – Free pick up and drop after service
- Infinity Treats – BOGO app for food and other services
- Hertz Gold – Five-star membership
- Jumeirah Sirius loyalty program membership
What i Avoid
- Valet Parking – requires AED. 3000 spend
- Gym Access – requires AED. 5000 spend
- Travel benefits – requires AED. 3000 spend
- Internet calling – requires AED. 3000 spend
Best for 5% cashback on all DEWA
FAB Cashback – Mastercard Titanium
What I Use
- 5% cashback – utility payments
- 5% Cashback – on Supermarket – Carrefour and others (including online stores)
- Welcome bonus – AED.300 to offset the annual fees on 1 retail transaction
- SmartShop.ae – Online store with discounts
- Careem offer – 20% off on rides
What I Avoid
- Annual Fees – AED.315 offset the first year
- 5% cashback on Petrol – Better cashback on Emirates Islamic card
- Movie tickets offer – Requires AED.3000 spend
Best for 10% cashback on Fuel
Emirates Islamic – Visa Platinum
What I Use
- No Annual Fee
- 10% Cashback – on Fuel Payments across the UAE
- 10% Cashback – RTA Payments – parking meters, RTA Bus, water bus, etc.
- 2.25% Cashback – International Transactions – highest I’ve found
- Nol Card replacement – can be used a Nol card
What I Avoid
- All other fringe services
Best for 10% cashback on Etisalat and Du
Emirates Islamic Cashback – Visa Platinum
What I Use
- 10% Cashback – on telecom expenses
- 5% Cashback – on Electronics Purchases
What I Avoid
- Annual Fee – AED.350 . This can be offset by spending AED.5000 a year
Best for 4% on Automobile service & Salik
Dubai Islamic Consumer Rewards – Visa Platinum
What I Use
- 4% on Automobile servicing – at all authorized service centers
- 4% on Salik recharges
What I Avoid
- Annual fee – AED.199, introduced in 2020 trying to find a way around it
- 4% on Supermarket – better offer with FAB Cashback card
- 4% on Telecom – Better cashback on Emirates Islamic Cashback card
- 4% on Fuel – better cashback on Emirates Islamic Nol card
- 4% on Utilities– Better cashback on FAB Cashback card
