What the Emirates Credit Card offers

The Emirates Credit Card is issued by Emirates NBD, a major bank in the United Arab Emirates, and is designed primarily for customers who travel frequently or live in the UAE. The card comes in multiple tiers — Classic, Signature, and Infinite — each with different annual fees, credit limits, and reward structures. The main draw is a rewards program that gives you points on purchases, which you can redeem for flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related expenses through the Emirates Skywards loyalty program.

The card is not widely available outside the UAE and the Middle East region. If you live in the United States, Canada, or Europe, you will not be able to open an Emirates Credit Card account directly. Your bank would need to have a partnership with Emirates NBD, which is rare outside the region. Even if you travel to Dubai or Abu Dhabi frequently, you typically need to be a resident or have a UAE bank account to may have access to.

Key Takeaways

  • The Emirates Credit Card is issued only by Emirates NBD and is available primarily to UAE residents and some regional customers, not to most international applicants.
  • The card earns points through the Emirates Skywards program, which you can use to book flights, hotel rooms, and other travel services.
  • Annual fees vary by card tier, ranging from around 99 AED for the Classic card to much higher amounts for premium versions, and some versions waive the first year.
  • The card offers travel perks like airport lounge access, travel insurance, and concierge services, depending on which tier you hold.
  • If you do not live in or have banking ties to the UAE, you will need to explore credit cards from your own country's issuers instead.

Card tiers and their annual costs

Emirates NBD offers the Emirates Credit Card in three main versions. The Classic card typically carries an annual fee of around 99 AED (roughly $27 USD, though exchange rates vary). The Signature card costs more — often 399 AED or higher — and includes additional benefits like higher rewards rates and premium travel insurance. The Infinite card is the top tier and is invitation-only, with annual fees that can exceed 1,000 AED, along with concierge services and exclusive perks.

Some versions waive the annual fee for the first year or waive it if you spend a certain amount annually. The exact terms change, so you would need to check with Emirates NBD directly or visit their website to see current offers. Keep in mind that these fees are charged in UAE Dirhams, so if you are paying from outside the UAE, currency conversion fees may explore on top of the annual charge.

How the rewards program works

The Emirates Skywards program is the rewards engine behind the card. You earn points on most purchases — typically 1 point per dirham spent, though some categories like dining or fuel may earn bonus points. These points accumulate in your Skywards account and can be redeemed for flights on Emirates, flydubai, and partner airlines, as well as hotel stays and car rentals through the program's partners.

The redemption rates vary depending on the flight route, airline partner, and how far in advance you book. A short regional flight might cost 5,000 to 10,000 points, while a long-haul international flight could require 50,000 points or more. You can also use points for hotel nights, seat upgrades, and lounge access. Points do not expire as long as your account remains active, but they may be forfeited if your account is closed for an extended period.

Travel benefits beyond points

Depending on which tier you hold, the Emirates Credit Card includes travel insurance, airport lounge access, and concierge services. The Signature and Infinite cards typically offer complimentary access to airport lounges in the UAE and sometimes at partner airports worldwide. Travel insurance usually covers trip cancellation, baggage delay, and emergency medical expenses while you are abroad, though coverage limits and exclusions vary by card tier.

The Infinite card often includes a personal concierge service that can help with travel bookings, restaurant reservations, and other lifestyle services. These perks are meant to offset the higher annual fee, but the actual value depends on how much you travel and use the lounge access. If you rarely fly or spend time in airport lounges, the premium tiers may not be worth the extra cost.

Who can actually get this card

To open an Emirates Credit Card, you typically need to be a UAE resident with a valid UAE ID, a local bank account, and proof of income. Some versions may be available to non-residents who have banking relationships with Emirates NBD, but this is uncommon. If you are a tourist or short-term visitor, you will not be able to open an account.

If you are a UAE resident, the process process usually takes place at an Emirates NBD branch or online through their banking portal. You will need to provide identification, proof of residence, and income documentation. The bank will run a credit check and assess your creditworthiness based on local credit bureaus.

Alternatives if you cannot get this card

If you live outside the UAE and want a rewards credit card focused on travel, you have many options from your own country's issuers. In the United States, cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, American Express Platinum, and Capital One Venture X all offer substantial travel rewards and perks. In Canada, the TD Infinite Privilege and RBC Avion cards serve similar purposes. In the UK and Europe, cards from Amex, Barclaycard, and other issuers offer travel-focused rewards.

These cards work differently from the Emirates card — they typically earn cash back or points that can be transferred to airline and hotel partners, rather than being locked into a single airline's program. If you travel frequently on Emirates specifically, you might also consider joining the Emirates Skywards frequent flyer program directly and earning miles through flights and partner purchases, rather than relying on a credit card as your primary earning tool.

Comparing the Emirates card to other regional options

Within the UAE and Middle East, other banks offer competing credit cards with similar travel rewards structures. The FAB (First Abu Dhabi Bank) Infinite card, the ADIB (Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank) cards, and offerings from other regional banks all have their own rewards programs and travel perks. The main difference is which airline or hotel program the rewards feed into — some cards earn points in the Etihad Guest program (for Etihad Airways) rather than Emirates Skywards.

If you are a UAE resident deciding between cards, the choice often comes down to which airline you fly most frequently and which bank offers the best combination of annual fee, rewards rate, and travel benefits. Comparing the annual cost against the value of lounge access and travel insurance you will actually use is more important than chasing the highest rewards rate, since most people do not redeem enough points to offset a high annual fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an Emirates Credit Card if I do not live in the UAE?

No, not through the standard process process. Emirates NBD requires applicants to be UAE residents with a valid ID and local bank account. If you travel to the UAE frequently, you could explore opening a local bank account, but this requires residency or a long-term visa. Most international travelers should look for travel rewards cards from their home country instead.

How long does it take to earn enough points for a free flight?

This depends on your spending and the flight you want. A regional short-haul flight might require 5,000 to 10,000 points, which you could earn in a few months of regular spending. A long-haul international flight can require 50,000 points or more, which might take a year or longer depending on your annual card spending. The rewards rate also varies by purchase category.

Do Emirates Credit Card points expire?

Points do not expire as long as your Skywards account remains active. However, if your account is closed or inactive for an extended period, Emirates may forfeit your points. Check the current terms with Emirates NBD, as policies can change.

Is the annual fee worth it if I do not travel much?

Probably not. If you do not fly frequently or use airport lounges, the annual fee — even on the Classic card — may outweigh the value of points you earn. Calculate your typical annual spending and estimate how many points you would earn, then compare that to the cost of the annual fee and the value of travel perks included.

What happens if I close my Emirates Credit Card account?

When you close the account, your Skywards points remain in your Skywards account as long as you keep that account active. You do not lose the points just because you close the credit card. However, you will stop earning new points, and you may lose access to some card-specific benefits like lounge access or travel insurance.