Top 10 Best Credit Cards for Flight Miles in the UAE (2026 Guide for Emirates & Etihad Travelers)

In the UAE, frequent flyers are quietly funding their flights with groceries, fuel, and utility bills.

With premium air-miles cards now offering welcome bonuses exceeding 100,000 miles, airport chauffeur services, and complimentary lounge access worldwide, the difference between using the right card and the wrong one can mean a free long-haul business class ticket every year.

But here’s the catch: the “best” card isn’t universal.

In the UAE market, rewards are airline-centric, not generic. Your value depends almost entirely on whether you fly Emirates, Etihad, or prefer flexible points.

This guide consolidates all major UAE airline miles cards into one complete resource – covering earning rates, eligibility, benefits, regulations, and real-world use cases – so you can choose based on economics, not marketing.

Understanding Flight Miles Credit Cards in the UAE

Flight miles credit cards are co-branded or travel-focused payment products issued by UAE banks such as Emirates NBD, FAB, ADIB, HSBC, RAKBANK, Citibank, and Emirates Islamic.

Instead of cashback, these cards reward spending with:

• Emirates Skywards Miles
• Etihad Guest Miles
• Bank travel points convertible to airlines
• Lounge passes and airport services

Banks profit through annual fees and interchange, while customers receive travel value. When optimized correctly, mile values often exceed 2–4% effective returns, higher than standard cashback cards.

How UAE Airline Miles Programs Actually Work

Before comparing cards, it helps to understand the underlying entities.

Emirates Skywards

Operated by Emirates Airline and flydubai, Skywards Miles can be redeemed for:

• Flights
• Upgrades
• Extra baggage
• Partner airlines and hotels

Frequent flyers benefit from Silver, Gold, and Platinum tiers, which provide priority boarding, lounge access, and additional baggage.

Etihad Guest

Etihad’s program is more flexible for upgrades and partner redemptions. Miles can be used for:

• Etihad flights
• Partner airlines
• Lifestyle redemptions
• Tier upgrades

Etihad cards often include chauffeur transfers in Abu Dhabi, a unique regional perk.

Flexible Travel Points

Some banks issue proprietary currencies (FAB Miles, Citi Miles, SmartMiles). These allow:

• Transfers to multiple airlines
• Broader redemption choices
• Lower dependency on one airline

These are ideal for digital nomads or travelers not loyal to a single carrier.

Top 10 Best Flight Miles Credit Cards in UAE (Ranked by Use Case)

Below is a curated, practical comparison based on earn rate, bonus size, annual fee value, and travel perks.

1. Emirates Islamic Skywards Black Card – Best Overall for Emirates Loyalists

One of the highest earners in the country, offering up to 3.5 Skywards Miles per USD equivalent on Emirates spend. Premium lounge access, airport transfers, and instant Silver-tier status make it ideal for frequent travelers. High annual fee, but exceptional ROI if you fly Emirates frequently.

2. Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite – Best Welcome Bonus

Regularly offers up to 100,000 miles for new users. Comes with Silver membership, unlimited lounge access, and strong overseas earn rates. Balanced option between premium perks and practicality.

3. ADIB Emirates Skywards World Elite – Best for Fast-Track Status

Generous bonus (often up to 120,000 miles) and accelerated path to Gold tier, which can unlock business lounge access and priority benefits. Attractive for serious Emirates flyers chasing status.

4. FAB Etihad Guest Infinite – Best for Etihad Flyers

Earn up to 7 miles per AED 10 spent with Etihad. Includes 50% miles discount vouchers and chauffeur services. Especially valuable for Abu Dhabi residents flying Etihad long-haul.

5. ADCB Etihad Guest Above Infinite – Best Monthly Bonus Miles

Unique recurring monthly bonus structure plus travel insurance and chauffeur benefits. Good for steady spenders who want predictable mile accumulation.

6. Citi Ultima Credit Card – Best Luxury & Flexible Transfers

Not airline-specific. Citi Miles transfer to 11+ airline partners. Also includes 50% flight cashback and unlimited lounge guest access. High annual fee and salary requirement, but excellent for high-income professionals.

7. HSBC Emirates Skywards Infinite – Best Lifestyle + Travel Mix

Combines Skywards earning with lifestyle perks like Careem Plus, dining, and entertainment discounts. Suitable for those who want miles plus everyday savings.

8. Emirates Islamic Flex Elite – Best Multi-Airline Flexibility

Earn SmartMiles redeemable across 300+ airlines and 180,000 hotels. Strong choice if you don’t want to commit to Emirates or Etihad exclusively.

9. FAB Travel Card -Best Zero FX Fees

Ideal for international spenders. No foreign exchange markup and flexible point transfers. Often delivers better value than airline-locked cards for global travelers.

10. RAKBANK Emirates Skywards World Elite – Best Entry Premium

Lower barrier than Infinite cards, decent 20,000-mile bonus, and easier qualification. Good first step into airline rewards.

Quick Comparison Snapshot

Card	Program	Bonus	Best For
EI Skywards Black	Emirates	75k–100k	Max Emirates earn rate
ENBD Infinite	Emirates	100k	Strong overall perks
ADIB World Elite	Emirates	120k	Fast-track Gold
FAB Etihad Infinite	Etihad	55k+	Etihad loyalists
Citi Ultima	Flexible	Variable	Luxury travelers

How to Choose the Right Card (Decision Framework)

If you mostly fly Emirates

Choose Skywards-branded cards. Higher earn rates and status perks outweigh flexible alternatives.

If you fly Etihad frequently

FAB or ADCB Etihad cards deliver better redemption value and Abu Dhabi-specific services.

If you travel across multiple airlines

Flexible points (Citi, FAB Travel, SmartMiles) reduce redemption friction.

If you’re fee-sensitive

Mid-tier cards or first-year-free options offer solid value without AED 2,000+ annual fees.

Eligibility Criteria in the UAE

Most banks follow similar underwriting standards:

• Minimum age: 21
• Minimum salary: AED 5,000–36,000 depending on tier
• Valid Emirates ID and visa
• Salary certificate or bank statements
• Good Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB) score

Premium cards typically require AED 20,000–30,000+ monthly income.

Practical Strategy: How UAE Residents Maximize Miles

Experienced users don’t rely only on flights. They:

• Put all daily spending on the card
• Time welcome bonuses before major travel
• Transfer points during airline promotions
• Use lounge benefits instead of paid access
• Combine miles with upgrade vouchers

This turns normal spending into annual business class upgrades or free regional flights.

Conclusion

Flight miles cards in the UAE aren’t just rewards products – they’re financial tools for reducing travel costs.

The best card isn’t the one with the biggest bonus.
It’s the one aligned with:

• your airline
• your spending pattern
• your income level
• your travel frequency

Choose correctly, and your everyday expenses can realistically fund one or two international trips per year.

Choose poorly, and miles expire unused.

Treat miles like currency – optimize them deliberately.

FAQs

Which credit card gives the most Emirates Skywards Miles in the UAE?

Emirates Islamic Skywards Black typically offers the highest earn rate on Emirates spending.

What is the best Etihad Guest credit card?

FAB Etihad Guest Infinite is widely considered the strongest due to high earn rates and chauffeur perks.

Can I get a miles card with AED 5,000 salary?

Yes, entry-level cards like Emirates Islamic Flex or Etihad Platinum tiers may accept this income.

Are flexible points better than airline miles?

If you fly different airlines often, flexible points usually provide better redemption options.

Do miles expire in the UAE?

Yes. Emirates Skywards Miles generally expire after 3 years unless extended through activity.

Are annual fees worth it?

For frequent travelers, lounge access and bonuses often outweigh fees. Occasional travelers may prefer mid-tier cards.

Can expats apply for UAE miles cards?

Yes, with valid Emirates ID, residence visa, and income proof.