Prepaid Card Inquiry UAE: Check Balance, Salary & Transactions Easily

In the UAE, prepaid cards are not a niche product anymore—they are a core financial instrument embedded in salary payments, travel spending, payroll compliance, and controlled budgeting. From WPS-compliant salary cards like FAB Ratibi to multi-currency travel prepaid cards and fintech-issued prepaid wallets, one operational question dominates user intent: how to perform a reliable prepaid card inquiry—especially balance checks and transaction verification.

Table of Contents

What Is a Prepaid Card Inquiry?

A prepaid card inquiry refers to any official method used to check, verify, or review information related to a prepaid card in the UAE. This typically includes:

Current available balance
Recent transactions and deductions
Card activation or status confirmation
Salary credit confirmation (for payroll cards)
Card validity and expiry details

Unlike debit or credit cards, prepaid cards in the UAE are not linked to a bank account or credit line, which inquiry access methods and issuer-specific portals especially important.

Why Prepaid Card Inquiries Matter in the UAE Context

Prepaid cards play a strategic role in the UAE financial ecosystem due to:

WPS (Wage Protection System) compliance for salary payments
High usage by blue-collar workers, freelancers, and domestic staff
Adoption by tourists and digital nomads for controlled spending
Use by businesses to manage expenses without opening bank accounts

A failed or delayed balance inquiry can directly affect rent payments, remittances, bill settlements, or compliance audits—making accurate inquiry access a functional necessity, not a convenience.

Primary Ways to Perform a Prepaid Card Inquiry in the UAE

1. Online Prepaid Card Inquiry Portals (Issuer-Based)

Most UAE prepaid card issuers provide dedicated inquiry portals that do not require full online banking access.

Common UAE Issuer Portals:

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) – Ratibi & Payroll Cards
Managed via the Magnati Prepaid Card Inquiry Portal
Requires:
- Last four digits of the card
- Card ID (printed on the card)
Al Ansari Exchange – TravelCard
Access through:
- Al Ansari Exchange TravelCard web portal
- Al Ansari mobile app
RAKBANK Prepaid Cards
Inquiry via the RAKBANK prepaid card portal or mobile banking app
Emirates Islamic Prepaid Cards
Balance and transaction checks through:
- Emirates Islamic Online Banking
- Emirates Islamic mobile app

These portals are particularly important for salary cards, where users may not have full banking profiles.

2. Mobile Apps and Digital Banking Platforms

Most UAE banks treat prepaid cards as semi-digital products, accessible through mobile apps even if the user does not hold a savings account.

Benefits:

Real-time balance updates
Transaction history
Card controls and alerts
No PIN required for viewing balances

This is the preferred method for frequent users, employers, and digitally active residents.

3. SMS-Based Prepaid Card Inquiry (Low-Tech Access)

SMS inquiry remains critical in the UAE due to workforce diversity and accessibility needs.

Examples:

Emirates NBD
Send: AB <card or account number> to 4455
Aafaq Islamic Finance
Initial activation by sending ACTIVATE to 4070
Subsequent inquiries via Aafaq online services
e& (Etisalat – Wasel Prepaid Lines)
Dial *121# for instant balance checks (telecom prepaid accounts)

SMS inquiries usually require:

A registered UAE mobile number
Active card status

4. ATM Balance Inquiry (Universal Backup Option)

If digital access fails, ATMs across the UAE allow users to check their prepaid card balances.

Steps:

Insert your prepaid card into a compatible ATM
Select Balance Inquiry
Enter your PIN (if required)

Salary card holders widely use this method and do not require internet access.

5. Customer Service Hotlines (Human-Assisted Inquiry)

When portals or SMS services are unavailable, issuer helplines remain a reliable fallback.

Key UAE Prepaid Card Helplines:

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB): 600 52 5500
Emirates NBD: 600 54 0000
Al Ansari TravelCard: 04 366 2117
Emirates Islamic: 600 599 995

Expect identity verification before balance disclosure.

How to Check Prepaid Card Balance Without a PIN

In the UAE, PIN-free prepaid card inquiries are permitted through:

Official issuer inquiry portals
Mobile banking apps
SMS services (registered numbers only)

This is particularly relevant for:

Lost or forgotten PINs
Employer-issued salary cards
First-time cardholders

However, transactions, withdrawals, or ATM access still require a PIN.

Step-by-Step: FAB Prepaid Card Inquiry (Ratibi & Payroll Cards)

FAB-issued prepaid cards are among the most widely used in the UAE.

Online Inquiry Process:

Visit the FAB / Magnati prepaid card inquiry portal
Enter:
- Last digits of your prepaid card
- Card ID (printed on the card)
Click Go
View your current balance and card status

This method is designed specifically for WPS salary cards and does not require online banking registration.

Common Issues During Prepaid Card Inquiries (And How to Fix Them)

“Card Not Found” Error
→ Verify card digits and Card ID; ensure the card is activated
No Balance Displayed
→ Salary may not yet be credited; WPS transfers can take time
SMS Not Working
→ Ensure your mobile number is registered with the issuer
ATM Declines Inquiry
→ Use another UAE ATM or switch to online portal access

Regulatory and Institutional (UAE-Specific)

Prepaid cards in the UAE are regulated by:

UAE Central Bank
Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) for salary cards
WPS framework for payroll compliance

Issuers such as banks and exchange houses operate under strict AML, KYC, and consumer protection rules, which is why inquiry access is issuer-controlled and authenticated.

FAQs

How can I check my prepaid card balance in the UAE?

You can check your balance via the issuer’s online portal, mobile app, SMS service, ATM, or customer service hotline.

How do I check my FAB prepaid or Ratibi card balance?

Use the Magnati prepaid card inquiry portal by entering your card’s last digits and Card ID.

Can I perform a prepaid card inquiry without a PIN?

Yes. Online portals, mobile apps, and SMS inquiries do not require a PIN.

How do I check my Emirates NBD salary prepaid card balance?

Send an SMS with AB <card number> to 4455 or use Emirates NBD’s mobile banking app.

Are prepaid card inquiries free in the UAE?

Most online, SMS, and app-based inquiries are free. ATM inquiries may carry minor fees depending on the issuer.

Can tourists check prepaid travel card balances online?

Yes. Travel prepaid cards issued by exchange houses like Al Ansari provide online and app-based inquiry access.

Final Verdict

Prepaid card inquiries in the UAE are not just a technical process—they are a gateway to financial control, wage transparency, and regulatory compliance. Understanding the issuer-specific systems, fallback options, and regulatory structure ensures uninterrupted access to your funds and reinforces smarter financial behavior in the UAE’s evolving payment landscape.

For deeper banking, finance, and regulatory insights, EmiratesBreaking.com continues to document the systems that power everyday economic life in the UAE.

sara

Sara is a UAE-based banking and accounting expert with over 4 years of professional experience in the financial sector. Her expertise spans retail banking, financial reporting, compliance, and practical money management topics relevant to individuals and businesses in the UAE.

She contributes clear, accurate, and well-researched financial content, simplifying complex banking and accounting concepts for everyday readers. Sara’s writing reflects strong industry knowledge, regulatory awareness, and a commitment to financial accuracy and transparency.